DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Going up against their second nationally-ranked opponent in as many weeks, the Trinity International Trojans struggled to stop the run in a 37-10 loss at the hands of the No. 19 Robert Morris Eagles. RMU generated 275 yards on the ground and five TDs to drop the Trojans to 2-2 on the season.

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The Trojans generated over 300 yards of total offense own their own, as junior Chris Elliott ran for 108 yards on 20 carries, to reach the century mark for the first time this season. Quarterback Stephen Anderson went 26-for-43 in the air, collecting 197 yards.

Trinity's defense made two big stops to open the game after a Trojan punt on their first drive of the day. John Melton picked off a Matt Westerkamp pass on just the Eagles' third play from scrimmage, then Brad Badali grabbed an interception of his own on the very next RMU drive. With two takeaways in the first eight minutes of play, the TIU offense was unable to take advantage. The Trojans went four-and-out after Melton's interception, turning the ball over on downs after an incomplete pass on fourth-and-short. Following Badali's INT, the Trojans marched to within the RMU 10-yardline before stalling, and a 27-yard Jeremiah Carter field goal attempt was blocked, keeping Trinity off the scoreboard.

After Robert Morris took a 7-0 lead on Lamont Wims' 51-yard touchdown run, TIU freshman returner Gary Tyler brought his team back on the very next play. Tyler fielded the kickoff deep inside the Trojan end zone, but returned the ball all the way for the kick return TD, tying the game at 7-7. The kick return was the first for the Trojans to go all the way for a touchdown, since Luciani Lubin did the same thing against Robert Morris a year ago.

Both sides traded punts to end the quarter, as RMU would reclaim the lead with a 17-play, 90-yard drive that would take up the first half of the second period. The Eagles would pick up six first downs on the drive, including a pair that came from Trojan penalties. Wims again punched it in from 10 yards out, as the Eagles would move in front, 14-7. The Trojans would tack on a field goal before the end of the first half, as Carter connected from 34 yards to make it a 14-10 ballgame.

Robert Morris would score on each of their first four possessions of the second half to pull away in the third quarter. An eight-play, 65-yard drive resulting in another Wims TD increased the RMU lead to 21-10 with 11:30 to play in the third quarter. Trailing by 11, the Trojans could climb back into the game with a score on the next drive, but the RMU defense picked off Anderson at the Trinity 25-yardline and ran it back for the score, suddenly making it a 28-10 score.

The Trojans struggled to get back into a rhythm on offense, punting on three of their final five drives, and losing the ball on a fumble on another.

Among the TIU wideouts, freshman Brad Hargis led the way, catching 10 passes for 64 yards, while Dillon Turk collected 81 yards on 8 receptions. Andrew Henry and Riley Schussler led the defense with 10 tackles each. Along with Melton and Bradali in the first quarter, freshman Daniel Harris grabbed his third interception in the last two games. Harris leads the team with three picks on the year, and as a team, the Trojans have intercepted 11 passes through four games.

The Trojans will hit the road next week, and open up MSFA Midwest play at Olivet Nazarene. Kickoff against the Tigers is set for Saturday, October 4, at 6:00 p.m. in Bourbonnais.