Big-play defense sparks RMU win

Interceptions cost Duquesne, 41-21

Mason Gray returned two interceptions for touchdowns and Robert Morris cruised past Duquesne, 41-21, in a Northeast Conference showdown Saturday at Joe Walton Stadium in Moon.

The Colonials (6-4, 5-0) used George Martin’s 2-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, and Martin’s 7-yard scoring toss to Tim Vecchio and two Nick Bisceglia field goals in the second quarter to take a 20-0 lead into halftime.

The Dukes (6-3, 4-1) got on the scoreboard early in the third quarter when Brett Brumbaugh hooked up with Dominic Thieman for a 13yard touchdown, but on Duquesne’s next series Gray picked off Brumbaugh and turned it into a 36-yard score for a 27-7 Colonials lead.

Duquesne cut its deficit to 27-14 on A.J. Hines’ 1-yard touchdown run, but Gray picked off Brumbaugh again on the Dukes’ next series and raced 81 yards for a score and a 34-14 lead with 3:36 remaining in the game.

Brumbaugh hit Kellon Taylor for a 22-yard score to get the Dukes within 34-21 with 2:29 to go, but Terence Stephens Jr. raced 47 yards for a Colonials score on first down to put the game away.

Robert Morris remains tied with Central Connecticut atop the NEC, while Duquesne fell a game behind. The Colonials play Saturday at Central Connecticut.

Other games Carnegie Mellon 20, Westminster 14:

The Tartans (7-2, 6-2 Presidents’ Athletic Conference) held visiting Westminster to 72 yards rushing, and Brandon Nguyen kicked two field goals in the second half to put the Titans (6-3, 5-3) away. Quinn Gaughan led the Tartans with 10 tackles.

Slippery Rock 56, Gannon 7:

No. 9-ranked Slippery Rock improved to 10-0 for the first time in history and quarterback Roland Rivers III set a school record for touchdowns in a season (36) and career (60) in a rout of host Gannon (2-8, 16 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference). Rivers completed 20 of 26 passes for 294 yards with four TDs. Slippery Rock (10-0, 7-0) plays Saturday at No. 15 Kutztown in the PSAC championship.

IUP 35, Edinboro 6:

Quinton Maxwell threw two touchdowns to JoJo Gause in the second half and the No. 19 host Crimson Hawks (9-1, 61 PSAC) broke open what had been a 14-3 lead at halftime. Edinboro dropped to 37, 3-4.

Washington & Jefferson 42, Saint Vincent 10:

Jordan West ran for two TDs and caught another for 67 yards for the host Presidents (6-3, 5-3 PAC). Saint Vincent fell to 2-7, 2-6.

California 28, Seton Hill 14:

Noah Mitchell threw three TDs, two of them to Derrick Caraway for the host Vulcans (7-3. 5-2 PSAC). Seton Hill drops to 2-7, 2-5.