Robert Morris exploded for 21 points in the final 1:56 of the opening half to take a commanding 34-3 lead into the intermission, before it cruised past Buffalo State, 47-10, in today‘s season opener in Moon Township, Pa.

The Colonials opened the scoring at 7:20 of the first half on a 12-yard pass from Drew Geyer to Tyjuan Massey to cap a seven-play, 52-yard drive, followed by a missed extra point. Robert Morris found the endzone for the second time just two plays into its next possession, when Geyer connected with Mario Hines for an 80-yard touchdown.

Buffalo State got on the scoreboard for the first time at the 4:55 mark of the second quarter when Eric Buchanan (Hamburg/Frontier) booted a 30-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 13-3. The scoring drive was a 10-play, 50-yard march, highlighted by a 28-yard run by Rollie Hayes (Buffalo/Turner Carroll).

Robert Morris responded on the very next drive, however, traveling 50 yards on 10 plays, ending with a 40-yard touchdown reception by Massey with 1:56 remaining in the half. After the Bengals fumbled the ensuing kickoff, the Colonials needed just three plays to find the endzone again, as Geyer found Rupert Rickards from 15 yards to extend the lead to 27-3. Buffalo State‘s misfortune continued on its next possession, as the Bengals fumbled again on the second play of the drive, setting up another Geyer touchdown pass, this one to Dante Settles from 17 yards with just 22 seconds left in the quarter for a 34-3 lead.

Robert Morris added a pair of second half field goals by Nate DiLorenzo from 32 and 18 yards, and Geyer threw a sixth touchdown pass of the day, finding Rickards from five yards. Buffalo State finally found the endzone with 33 seconds remaining when quarterback Mike Mikolaichik (Hilton/Hilton) plunged over the goal line from a yard out.

Geyer finished the game 13-for-18 for 228 yards and six touchdowns. Rickards was the leading pass-catcher with four grabs for 33 yards and two scores. Massey reeled in three catches for 73 yards. Kevin Drakeford was the leading Colonial rusher with nine carries for 65 yards.

Mikolaichik was 12-for-26 for 124 yards. Hayes led the Bengals rushers with 10 carries for 34 yards. Jeff Shostak (Smethport, PA/E. Smethport) caught five passes for 48 yards, and Jonathan Allen (Fayetteville/Fayetteville-Manlius) had four catches for 56 yards. Nick Warren (Cheektowaga/W. Seneca East) paced the defense with 13 tackles, and Perry Taglienti (Depew/Lancaster) made 12 stops including two for losses.

Buffalo State will look for its first win of the season next Saturday at Ithaca. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.