The two teams had met three times before, with Robert Morris winning their first meeting in 1997 and Buffalo State taking the following two in 1998 and 1999.
[3] The season-opening contest got off to a relatively slow start offensively, as Robert Morris kicker Jeff Carlo successfully converted two field goals, from 20 and 21 yards, to put the Colonials on the scoreboard first in the 2000 season.
Their narrow lead was soon eclipsed, as Buffalo State's Brandon Janesz found the end zone on a 1-yard rush, and a PAT from Ryan Cox put the Bengals in front by one.
Robert Morris led 23–14 going into the game's final quarter, and the lead was extended by RMU running back Dante Settles, as he netted 30 of his 46 rushing yards on a touchdown dash that all but sealed the game.
Buffalo State was able to find the end zone one final time, as Chris Henry found Lamar Wilson for a 15-yard touchdown pass, but the two-point conversion was not successful.