RICHMOND, Ky. — Eastern Kentucky University's defense dominated once again Saturday night as the Colonels defeated Robert Morris, 31-7.

The Colonel defense shut out the Colonials in the second half, while the EKU offense came alive, outscoring RMU 21-0 after halftime.

"Another good celebration in the locker room," said head coach Walt Wells. "It's great to get another win here at Roy Kidd Stadium. We looked at this three-game stretch as pivotal to our season, and we finished it the way we wanted to—3-0 at home."

EKU's defense held Robert Morris to just 232 total yards, including 71 rushing yards.

Linebacker Braden Sullivan led the Colonels with 10 total tackles, while defensive lineman Darrian Baker helped disrupt the Colonials' attack, sealing the win with an interception late in the game.

Through three games at Roy Kidd Stadium, EKU has allowed an average of just nine points per contest.

On offense, the Colonels balanced their attack with 242 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while adding 271 passing yards and two more scores.

Running back Joshua Carter led the ground game with 123 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns, while quarterback Matt Morrissey threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns, completing 17-of-29 passes.

EKU improves to 3-2 on the season and will enjoy a bye next week before traveling to face Southern Utah on Oct. 12.

How It Happened

The Colonels opened the game with a bang, scoring on their first possession to take a 7-0 lead after an eight-play, 75-yard drive.

Morrissey connected with wide receiver Marcus Calwise Jr. on a third-and-long rollout for 43 yards, placing EKU deep in Robert Morris territory. Five plays later, Carter found the edge and scored on a six-yard run to the right.

The first quarter saw no additional points, as the two teams combined for six consecutive punts.

Robert Morris tied the game in the second quarter, converting a fourth-and-one at the EKU 24-yard line before scoring on a 19-yard double-pass touchdown with 9:59 left in the half.

EKU's offense stalled on a fourth-and-two at the RMU 45, but the Colonels' defense stood tall, giving EKU the ball back with 2:27 remaining in the half at its own 10-yard line.

Morrissey led the Colonels on a 15-play, 84-yard drive, setting up kicker Patrick Nations for a 23-yard field goal as time expired in the first half, giving EKU a 10-7 lead.

The second half mirrored the first as EKU scored on its opening drive. Carter found the end zone again, this time on an 18-yard sweep to the left, capping a six-play, 75-yard drive to extend the lead to 17-7.

Later in the third quarter, RMU threatened after starting a drive at the EKU 40 following a short punt, but the Colonels' defense forced a quick three-and-out to preserve the lead.

Morrissey rewarded the defense's efforts with a 57-yard touchdown strike to Dequan Stanley, who weaved through the defense for the score, making it 24-7 with 3:52 left in the third.

The EKU offense continued to roll, putting together an 80-yard, 10-play drive, culminating in a nine-yard touchdown pass from Morrissey to Bryant Johnson Jr. early in the fourth quarter.

Robert Morris had a chance to score late in the game, reaching EKU's 2-yard line, but Baker intercepted a pass at the three-yard line, preserving the second-half shutout and sealing the win.