Once Robert Morris running back Myles Russ found his rhythm, the Colonials pounded a steady beat on Duquesne's defense.

Listed at 5 feet 7, 170 pounds, Russ darted for a career-high 246 yards rushing and two touchdowns on a school-record 37 carries to lead Robert Morris to a 34-27 victory in the Northeast Conference yesterday.

Robert Morris (2-4, 1-2), which ended a four-game losing streak, employed a simple game plan because Duquesne simply couldn't stop Russ.

"They were persistent in what they were doing," Duquesne coach Jerry Schmitt said. "We're very young on defense and were a step or two behind on our reads and adjustments."

Russ ran for the most yards against Duquesne since Iona's Ralph Saldiveri gained 248 in 1999. Albany's David McCarty ran for 230 yards last week in a 33-23 victory against Duquesne.

The Dukes were unable to keep pace with Russ, a sophomore from Boca Raton, Fla. He went 51 yards for a touchdown, tip-toeing the final 10 yards down the sideline, in the second quarter and 18 yards for a score late in the third quarter.

Robert Morris put together time-consuming drives on its first three possessions in the second half to end a three-game losing streak against Duquesne and even the series at 5-5.

"I just want to thank the coach for believing in me," Russ said. "This was a very unique game for me."

Russ credited the homecoming crowd of 3,942 -- the largest at Joe Walton Stadium since it opened in 2005 -- for giving the Colonials an emotional lift.

"It felt like a home away from home," Russ said. "We've been close in a lot of games we lost. We just needed to finish."

Robert Morris started slowly as Duquesne took a 13-3 lead in the second quarter with backup quarterback Kevin Rombach. He replaced Connor Dixon, who sat out three possessions with a bruised left arm.

Rombach, who fumbled in the opening game on his only previous play from scrimmage, threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Alex Roberson on his first pass of the season. Rombach was 6 of 9 for 80 yards in the first half and was taken out in the second half after throwing three consecutive incomplete passes on Duquesne's first possession.

Dixon played the remainder of the second half and finished 13 of 23 for 130 yards.

"Our offense is comfortable with both quarterbacks," Schmitt said. "Our offense wasn't the problem."

Robert Morris' Erik Cwalinski passed for 165 yards and two touchdowns.

"My quarterback really competed hard," Walton said. "It shows. This was the first game in a while we put it all together."