Field Goal On Game's Final Play Leads Robert Morris to 13-10 NEC Football Win Against UAlbany

Albany, N.Y. - Garrett Clawson made a 20-yard field goal with no time remaining in leading Robert Morris to a 13-10 Northeast Conference victory over UAlbany on Saturday, Nov. 7 at University Field. The Great Danes had their school-record 12-game home winning streak halted.

Robert Morris (3-6, NEC 3-3) drove nearly the length of the field for the game-winning points, holding on to the ball for the final five minutes and 38 seconds. Senior quarterback Camdin Crouse, who came off to bench earlier in the contes, engineered the 14-play drive. He found D.J. Zalewski with a 22-yard pass into UAlbany territory and later connected with tight end Shadrae King on a third-down throw for 13 yards. Crouse's sneak over the right side set up a first-and-goal at the Great Danes' 3-yard line. After both teams used their final timeout, Clawson broke the tie.

"It probably helps to have an experienced quarterback on the last drive, but that didn't change how we played," said UAlbany senior linebacker Justin Brancaccio, who had a game-high 12 tackles, including three for losses. "We had good practices this week and we were prepared and comfortable with our checks. We just didn't make any plays."

The Colonials, who began the season with six consecutive losses, posted their third straight win with a big special teams play on the opening kickoff when Anthony Coleman went 58 yards to the UAlbany 32. Starting quarterback Jeff Sinclair mixed the run and pass on a nine-play scoring march. The freshman capped the series with a 3-yard touchdown pass to fullback Jeff Link, who came wide open in the left flat.

UAlbany (6-4, NEC 5-2) used a blocked punt by safety Emerson Kinsey to get on the scoreboard in the second quarter. Sean Kenny would eventually kick a 24-yard field goal. The Colonials answered with seven seconds left before halftime as Clawson booted a 39-yarder for a 10-3 lead. The field goal was set up by Crouse's 31-yard completion to split end Sherrod Evers. Crouse completed 6 of 7 attempts for 90 yards on the day.

The Great Danes, who were in contention for a third straight conference title coming into the contest, were bottled up by the Robert Morris' defense throughout the game. UAlbany put together a 12-play march to start the third quarter, but that was wiped out when inside linebacker Elias Navarro picked off an Esposito pass at his own 12-yard line. The Colonials held their opponent to 217 total yards, including 43 on the ground, the lowest total in an NEC contest since the Great Danes joined the conference in 1999.

"They did a pretty good job of shutting down our running attack," said Esposito, whose team could have been in a tie for first place in the conference standings after Wagner upended Central Connecticut, 32-27. "There were opportunities but we didn't take advantage. As seniors we are embarrassed and disappointed."

UAlbany was able to break through in the fourth quarter and drew even at 10 apiece with 7:58 to play. After a short punt, Esposito hit tailback Justin Gannon with a 27-yard screen pass on first down. The senior quarterback later connected with tight end Paul Booker for an 11-yard touchdown. Esposito completed 13 of 31 attempts for 168 yards, but was intercepted twice.
Robert Morris' Myles Russ, who saw limited time last week with an ankle injury, led all rushers with 87 yards on 31 carries. Sinclair was 9-of-20 through the air for 50 yards.

"The challenge (in coaching) is to pick up your team after a devastating loss," explained UAlbany coach Bob Ford, whose team had its 18-game conference win streak stopped in a 31-29 thriller the previous week. "I didn't get them (the team) off the deck and the opening kickoff set the tone. They won the line of scrimmage, for the most part, on both sides of the ball. This is a bitter loss."

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information