Box Score DEERFIELD, Ill. - An Isaac Branch overtime touchdown run sealed the victory for the Trojans as Trinity International defeated the Robert Morris Eagles 34-28 in overtime on Saturday afternoon.

The Trojans got on the scoreboard first after stopping the Eagles cold on their opening drive. QB Danny Mattero led the Trojan offense on an 8-play 66-yard drive that Mattero finished off himself with a 12-yard rushing touchdown.

On the Eagles second possession of the day, the visiting team drove all the way down the field, gaining 75 total yards on 14 plays. A 17-yard touchdown pass brought the Eagles right back into things but the ensuing PAT was no good leaving the Trojans with a one point lead.

On the opening drive of the second quarter for TIU the Trojans were faced with a with a long third down opportunity but Mattero was up for the task as the Senior found Caleb Kelley streaking down the center of the field and connected for a 17 yard pass. Two personal fouls set up the Trojans just outside the red-zone and Linell Gaston capped off the Trojan drive with a 22 yard touchdown run to extend the Trojan lead to 14-6.

The Trojan stood tall on their next trip out onto the field, forcing a three and out and only allowing two yards on the Eagle drive. Freshman Jarvais Robinson made two key stops to keep Robert Morris from moving the chains. 

Mattero and the Trojan offense took advantage of the strong play by on the defensive side of the ball, finding the end zone yet again. Payton Hall ran in his first career touchdown for TIU from nine yards out after the pitch from Mattero, giving TIU the 21-6 lead.

After a good return on the ensuing kickoff the Eagles drove right down the field and found the end zone yet again. A one-handed grab in the corner of the end zone brought the Eagles right back into the game, making it a 21-13 game right before the half.

The second half saw back and forth action from both sides, but it was the Eagles who got on the scoreboard first. Robert Morris took their second drive of the half 66 yards on 16 plays, making it a 21-19 game. The Eagles would try for the two-point conversion but Bradley Mowbray made the stop to keep it a two point game.

Following a Trojan punt the Eagles took the ball 99 yards for the score giving RMU the 25-21 lead. 

The Trojans would not go down without a fight, as Mattero and the offense took the field with 7:23 left in the 4th Quarter, looking for the go ahead score. After getting a first down jsut a few plays into the drive the Trojan offense stalled out and found themselves facing a 4th and 5 at the RMU 48. With the game on the line Mattero found Jimmy Campbell on a 33 yard strike to give the Trojans life inside the red-zone.

After the Trojans first 4th down conversion of the drive Trinity International was faced yet again with a 4th down, this time needing 16 yards, but again the Mattero to Campbell connection came up big. Mattero found Campbell on a crossing route in the middle of the field and threw a dart to the Sophomore for the first down.

With the ball at the 5-yard line the Trojan offense were unable to punch it in the end zone, and found themselves yet again faced with a 4th down. On the following play Mattero rolled out of the pocket looking for Imeek Watkins, but a pass interference penalty gave the Trojans life, as well as a first down inside the five yard line. Mattero capped off the drive with his second rushing touchdown making it 28-25 in favor of TIU.

With just under a minute and a half RMU drove all the way down the field and tied the game with a last second 48-yard field goal to force overtime.

The Trojans found themselves facing their first overtime game of the season, and they sure were up for the challenge. With RMU going on offense first the Trojan defense stood tall,  popping the ball free and forcing a fumble on 4th and 1 to get the ball back and give the Trojan offense a chance to win the game.

Isaac Branch was the man who sealed the victory for TIU scampering in for the touchdown from 13 yards out to give TIU their second win of the season, 34-28. The win moves the Trojans to 2-5 on the season, and 1-2 in the MSFA.

The Trojans will be back in action at home again next week, as they take on Missouri Baptist at 1 pm on Homecoming weekend.