PITTSBURGH, Pa. (Sept. 24, 2022) – The Bucs (1-2) got back to their winning ways when they traveled north to Pittsburgh, Pa. to take on the (0-2) Robert Morris Colonials after dropping back-to-back games. The Bucs put on an offensive showcase, scoring 42 points in the first half of play.
The first quarter started rocky for the Bucs, who had a three-and-out on their first drive, but the defense would answer the call with a three-and-out of their own.
After another short drive, the Bucs defense would take to the field again and force the Colonials to punt the ball on a fourth and 12 play, and it was the blocked punt by Erik Campbell (Memphis, Tenn.) that allowed Harold O’Neal (Baltimore, Md.) to return the ball for a score.
Then it was Bucs RB Jacob Saylors (Jasper, Tenn.) that would take over the show by adding another score in the first quarter on a 15-yard run to put the Bucs up 14-0 to end the quarter. Saylors would strike twice in the second quarter with a 39-yard touchdown before following shortly after with a two-yard score. Saylors would end the day with 18 rushes for 170-yards and three touchdowns.
The scoring in the second quarter didn’t stop with Saylors when Bucs WR Bryson Irby (Douglasville, Ga.) scored on a two-yard rush to put the Bucs up 35-0 late in the second quarter. The Bucs defense once again stopped the Colonials to give the offense another chance to score.
It took the Bucs only two plays to find the end zone one more time before half when Bucs QB Tyler Riddell (Tampa, Fla.) connected with WR Einaj Carter (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) on a 56-yard touchdown to put the Bucs up 42-0 before half.
Riddell finished the game throwing 7/12 for 111-yards and one passing touchdown. Carter would finish his day with three receptions for 73-yards and one touchdown.
Things slowed down on offense for the Bucs in the second half, only scoring once on a 23-yard field goal by kicker Tyler Keltner (Tallahassee, Fla.) to put the Bucs up 45-0 late in the third quarter.
The Bucs defense stole the show for much of the game, but it was their strong defense that would hold Robert Morris to their only three points of the game which came in the fourth.
Looking to stay hot, the Bucs (2-2) will return home for the ‘Rail Rivalry’ against SoCon and in-state rival Chattanooga Mocs on Oct. 1. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
For information on the “White-Out” game, visit www.ETSUBucs.com/football.
