MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a relentless ground attack and a frantic final stand, the Wagner Seahawks held off the Robert Morris Colonials 24-20 on Saturday at Joe Walton Stadium.

Wagner, the visiting team, leaned heavily on its running game, amassing over 300 yards on the ground to secure the victory and improve its season record to 4-6. Robert Morris fell to 3-7 with the loss, despite a late-game aerial assault that brought them to the brink of a comeback.

The Seahawks established their dominance early, orchestrating a methodical, 11-play opening drive that consumed over four minutes of clock. The series was capped by a 9-yard touchdown run from quarterback Jack Stevens, giving Wagner a 7-0 lead.

Robert Morris answered later in the first quarter. After a 34-yard deep pass from quarterback Zach Tanner to receiver Jaqai Carter set the Colonials up in the red zone, Tanner connected with Chaz Middleton on a 5-yard touchdown pass to tie the game.

Wagner’s ground-and-pound approach continued to pay dividends in the second quarter. Following a 15-yard scramble by Stevens, running back Andre Hines Jr. powered through the middle for a 10-yard touchdown run, restoring the Seahawks’ lead at 14-7.

The Colonials managed to trim the deficit before halftime. A late drive, fueled by completions from Tanner to Carter and Kai Holloway, stalled inside the Wagner 20-yard line. Kicker Jayson Jenkins ended the half by converting a 36-yard field goal, sending the teams to the locker room with Wagner leading 14-10.

The Seahawks extended their lead on their first possession of the second half. A 16-play, 52-yard drive that lasted over six minutes culminated in a 43-yard field goal from Nicholas Romero, pushing the score to 17-10.

Robert Morris responded swiftly. Tanner engineered a quick-strike drive, highlighted by a 39-yard completion to Carter and a 24-yard trick-play pass from receiver Thomas Lee to running back Ethan Shine. Tanner finished the drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Carter, tying the game at 17-17.

The tie was short-lived. On Wagner’s very next offensive play, quarterback Damien Mazil, who shared time with Stevens, broke free on a designed run and raced 75 yards for a touchdown. The explosive play gave the Seahawks a 24-17 lead they would not relinquish.

The Colonials chipped away early in the fourth quarter. After a drive led by quarterback Jake Wolfe moved the ball to the Wagner 19, the offense stalled. Jenkins came on to nail his second field goal of the day, this time from 37 yards, to bring Robert Morris within four points at 24-20 with 7:41 remaining.

The game’s critical turnover came on the ensuing Wagner drive. Mazil’s pass was intercepted by Robert Morris safety Xavier Styles, giving the Colonials possession near midfield with a chance to take the lead. The Wagner defense, however, stood firm, forcing a three-and-out to get the ball back.

After Wagner was forced to punt, Robert Morris made one last desperate push. With Cooper Panteck now at quarterback, the Colonials drove from their own 1-yard line to the Wagner 19 in the final two minutes. Panteck completed four passes to tight end Richard Ransom on the drive, but the Seahawks’ defense stiffened inside the red zone. Four consecutive incomplete passes from Panteck, the final one broken up in the end zone, sealed the victory for Wagner as time expired.

Hines was the workhorse for the Seahawks, carrying the ball 23 times for 135 yards and a touchdown. Stevens was a dual threat, rushing for 92 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries while also completing 5 of 9 passes for 36 yards. Mazil added 79 rushing yards and the decisive 75-yard touchdown on just four carries.

For Robert Morris, Tanner completed 12 of 23 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns. Carter was his primary target, hauling in seven receptions for 141 yards and a score. Shine shouldered the load in the backfield with 86 rushing yards on 22 attempts.

The win gives Wagner its second consecutive victory following a win over Saint Francis (PA) last week. The Seahawks will look to continue their momentum when they host Stonehill next Saturday. Robert Morris, which had its two-game winning streak snapped, will travel to face Mercyhurst.