Box Score LEXINGTON, Va. - A late touchdown run by Tim Maypray and ensuing extra point by newcomer Jeff Sexton gave VMI an exciting 14-13 win over Robert Morris in the season opener for both teams Saturday afternoon at Foster Stadium.
The Keydets fell behind for the first and only time in the fourth quarter when the Colonials engineered a 12-play, 85-yard drive that was capped by a one-yard TD pass from Desmond Brently to fullback Jeff Link that put RMU on top, 13-7, with 6:22 left in the game. But the ensuing extra-point try was unsuccessful when kicker Garrett Clawson's boot was partially blocked by VMI defensive end Damiso Alexander, forcing the redirected kick to ricochet back off the cross bar. The failed PAT try spoiled the Colonials best drive of the day that produced three consecutive third down conversion tries and a 39-yard strike to wideout Sherrod Evers to the VMI 1 which set up the go-ahead score one play later.
The Keydets then took the ball at their own 24-yard line and drew a false start penalty on their first snap of the decisive drive. VMI then went to its base attack, pounding out a 13-play, 79-yard possesion that was executed entirely by Maypray and senior fullback Howard Abegesah rushes. Abegesah churned out 63 yards on seven carries on the drive including a 31-yard jaunt to the RMU 37. The Beltsville, Md. resident later slammed ahead eight yards to the RMU 5 that set up Maypray's option keeper to the end zone that tied the game at 13-13 with 1:27 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Maypray's lower right calf immediately cramped up after the score, forcing a nearly three-minute pause that gave true freshman kicker Jeff Sexton plenty of time to ponder of the ensuing tie-breaking PAT. The extended wait didn't faze Sexton, who split the uprights to put the Keydets up for good and give them their fifth straight season-opening win - all at Alumni Memorial Field at Foster Stadium.
Robert Morris took possession with all three time outs remaining but saw their final possession stall at its 37-yard line when Brentley's fourth-and-three dump pass to halfback Myles Russ fell incomplete in the left flat.
The game was scoreless after one half thanks to good defense and squandered offensive opportunities by both sides. VMI committed three turnovers in the opening half on two fumbles and an interception, but the Colonials failed to convert any of the miscues into points.
RMU's best offensive first half penetration came on their final possession of the second quarter after VMI QB Kyle Hughes was picked off by Marvin McCalla, who returned the interception to the VMI 27 with 2:31 left. But RMU's drive stalled as Russ was dropped for a two-yard loss by VMI defensive tackle Josh Wine followed by and a four-yard combined sack from Kris Ware and Pat McKinney. One play later, Brentley threw incomplete to halt the threat.
Earlier in the quarter, VMI saw a golden scoring opportunity slip away when a low punt formation snap forced Robert Morris punter Nick Schirtzinger to eat the ball at the Colonial 10. One snap later, Abegesah took a jarring hit at the six-yard line, coughing up the football that was recovered by junior inside linebacker Alex DiMichele, his second of three fumble recoveries on the day.
VMI took a 7-0 lead with 13:25 in the third quarter when red-shirt sophomore defensive end Emilio Calvin smothered a errant shotgun snap in the RMU endzone marking the second straight season opener where the Keydet defense produced points. Alexander scooped up a fumble and raced 46 yards in VMI's 49-0 win over Saint Francis (Pa.) to start the 2008 season.
Robert Morris got on the board when Brentley connected with Evers for a 14-yard TD with 9:43 left in the third quarter - capping a six-play, 73-yard drive that was highlighted by a Russ 34-yard scamper to the VMI 35.
VMI attained a 322-267 advantage in total offense for the game, but the Colonial defense was able to hold the Keydets to 297 yards on the ground and 25 yards passing. The Keydet defense held RMU to 5 of 15 in third-down conversion opportunities and 0 of 3 in fourth down tries.
Russ led all ground gainers with 145 yards on 23 carries while the Keydets got 100 yards rushing from Abegesah, his 10th career 100-yard game, and 79 yards from Maypray. Senior slotback Zach Collins added 47 yards on four carries including a 19-yarder.
Brentley completed 17 of 26 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns for the Colonials.
Defensively, VMI was paced by redshirt-sophomore linebacker Eric Church who had 13 total tackles including 10 in the opening half. Allen added 11 stops including seven solos.
DiMichelle topped the RMU defensive charts with 15 tackles and three fumble recoveries.
VMI will break for an open week next Saturday before traveling to James Madison Sept. 19 for a 6 p.m. kickoff in Harrsionburg. Robert Morris resumes action next Saturday at Bucknell and kickoff at 6 p.m.
GAME NOTES
---With 137 all-purpose yards, VMI quarterback Tim Maypray now has 4,416 all-purpose yards for his career. He moves into the fourth spot on the VMI career charts, passing Mark Stock (1985-88).
---VMI won its fifth-straight season opener, all games played in Lexington.
---With 79 yards rushing, Tim Maypray became the eighth player in VMI history to surpass 2,000 yards rushing in a career. Maypray now has 2,016 yards.
---Howard Abegesah's 100 yards rushing was the 10th time in his career he has reached the 100-yard rushing plateau in his career.
VMI HEAD COACH SPARKY WOODS
"I certainly want to commend Coach Walton and Robert Morris. I thought they really played an outstanding football game. They about beat us and they did a good job. Their defense was able to take the ball away and I thought their quarterback really played well."
"I was proud of our team and the poise they showed going into the last drive with the clock and execution. We had not executed well most of the day with the turnovers, and I felt on the last drive we did secure the ball and worked the clock really well. I was proud of our freshman kicker (Jeff Sexton) who came in there to kick the extra-point to win the game. I told him we'd probably have to use him to win some games, but didn't know it would be the first one."
"I'm happy with the win and what we wanted to be was 1-0. We have another week to correct a lot mistakes. Defensively, I thought we were better, but still did give up some third downs and a couple of big plays that we would like to eliminate. I think if we had not turned the ball over, we would have felt a lot better about the victory than we do now. I was pleased with our special teams and I thought we made some good plays there."
