By Tom Czop, Robert Morris (Ill.) Sports Information Director

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – The 11th ranked Robert Morris (Ill.) Football team stunned the top ranked team in the NAIA in Marian University (Ind.) by the score of 30-21 on Saturday at Morris Field. The Eagles remain perfect with a 3-0 record this season with the victory.

The top-ranked Knights struck first in the game when quarterback Hayden Northern connected on a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jimmy Walker Jr. to cap off an eight play, 82 yard drive for a 7-0 lead

The Eagle offense was held in check until the beginning of the second quarter. Quarterback Kenyatte Allen hit Montre Lee on a 27-yard pass play to start the drive and running back Raheem Gardner broke free for a 25-yard rush to the Marian 12- yard line. Two plays later Allen found Tyler Warden in the end zone for a nine-yard TD score to tie the game at 7-7.

Marian regained the lead on its very next possession, driving 67 yards on seven plays. Northern hit Walker Jr. once again, this time on a 15-yard touchdown reception to take a 14-7 lead with 10:15 to go in the first half.

Both defenses held strong for the rest of the half, but the Eagles got one last chance at the end of the period to put points on the board. RMU started the drive at their own 38-yard line and drove down to the Knights’ 31-yard line, facing a third and 11. However, Marian was flagged for a personal foul to give RMU a first down at the 12-yard line with 11 seconds left in the half. The Eagles tried one attempt to the end zone but the pass was incomplete, setting up a 29-yard field goal attempt. Brian Franklin split the uprights as time expired to pull RMU to within 14-10 at the half.

The Eagles’ defense opened the second half with a big play, as Dontaye Johnson intercepted a Northern pass to give RMU the ball at the Marian 25-yard line. The Eagles moved down to the 17-yard line and faced a fourth and two. However, the Knights tackled Korey Rogers short of the first down marker on a one-yard pass from Allen, turning the ball over on downs.

RMU kept up the defensive pressure, forcing the Knights to punt on the next possession. Allen then hit Jamir Stovall on a 38-yard pass play and the Gardner rushed for 45 yards on the drive, including a 10-yard TD run to cap off the drive and give RMU its first lead of the game at 17-14 with 5:56 to go in the third quarter.

Marian’s offense was stalled again on their very next possession, with the RMU defense forcing a three and out. Unfortunately the Marian defense also stepped up to hold RMU scoreless through the remainder of the third quarter.

The Eagles began a drive early in the fourth quarter with good field position at their own 43-yard line. Allen connected with Stovall on a 27-yard completion to move RMU to the Marian 13-yard line and then had first and goal from the two-yard line after a pass interference penalty on the Knights. On the very next play, Allen kept the ball himself and dove in for a two-yard score and a 24-14 RMU lead with seven minutes to play.

The Knights marched right down the field, but the RMU defense stopped them at the 11-yard line to force a 28-yard field goal attempt to try make it a one possession game. However, Matt Plesac’s kick was wide right and RMU remained up 24-14 with 4:05 remaining.

Unfortunately the Eagles went three and out on their next possession and Marian made things interesting, driving 60 yards on five plays to cut the RMU lead to 24-21. Northern hit Krishawn Hogan on a 15-yard TD toss for the score and the Knights lined up for the onside kick. However, RMU’s Stovall was able to pull in the onside kick attempt and give the Eagles a chance to run out the clock.

The Eagle offense was unable to gain a first down and had to punt the ball back to Marian with eight seconds to play. The Knights tried some trickery on the game’s final play, but their lateral was fumbled and recovered by Ian Riggs, who raced into the end zone as time expired for a touchdown and the 30-21 victory.

“I’m extremely proud of how hard the boys played today,” said RMU Head Coach Jared Williamson. “We knew we would have to overcome adverse situations and focus on the next play to defeat such a good football team as Marian.”

Kenyatte Allen went 14-27-0 for 198 yards and a touchdown in his first start at quarterback for the Eagles, while Raheem Gardner rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries. Jamir Stovall led the receiving core with 74 yards on three receptions.

Defensively, Deion Carter led RMU with 11 tackles while Dontaye Johnson had ten tackles and an interception.

RMU dominated time of possession, holding a 35:26 to 24:34 advantage in the win.

The Eagles begin MSFA Midwest League play on Saturday, September 26th when they host the University of Saint Francis at Morris Field. Kick-off is scheduled for 7pm on Homecoming Night and fans can watch, listen, or follow the game via live stats on the Eagle Sports Network.