Robert Morris (0-3 / 0-0 NEC) @ Monmouth (2-1 / 1-0 NEC) Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011 at Noon Kessler Field (4,600) - West Long Branch, N.J. TV: PCNC (Dave Popkin - play-by-play & Steve Levy - color) Radio: WPIT-AM 730 (Chris Shovlin - play-by-play & Jim Duzyk - color) Audio on the internet (live and archived) at: www.rmucolonials.com Top Story - The Robert Morris University football team closes out a three-game road trip by opening its 2011 Northeast Conference slate Saturday with a Noon kickoff in West Long Branch, N.J., against Monmouth at Kessler Field in a game that will be televised live on PCNC. The Colonials, coming off a bye week, suffered their fifth straight loss dating back to last season in their last contest, a 13-12 setback @ Morgan State (9/17). Against the Bears, junior quarterback Jeff Sinclair connected with junior wide receiver Rickeem Jackson for a seven-yard touchdown pass with 1:57 to play helped pull the Colonials within a point, but RMU to tie the game when the point after attempt by junior kicker Greg Langer sailed wide left. Robert Morris enters Saturday’s game against the Hawks with an all-time record of 13-5-1 (.711) when playing after a bye week and a mark of 9-6 (.600) in NEC openers. Robert Morris returns home after taking on the Hawks Saturday, welcoming in-state rival Saint Francis to Joe Walton Stadium Saturday, Oct. 8, for the first home night game in school history. The kickoff against the Red Flash is 7:00 p.m. and is part of the University’s Homecoming festivities. Quick Stat of the Afternoon - Robert Morris gets a fresh start Saturday by opening Northeast Conference play @ Monmouth, as the Colonials are winners of 12 of their last 13 games against league foes dating back to the 2009 campaign. One area RMU has excelled so far this season on offense has been time of possession. Robert Morris enters Saturday’s game leading the NEC in the category, holding the ball for an average of 33:39 per game. Despite leading the league in time of possession, the Colonials enter Saturday’s game having scored just 32 points in their first three games this season, a scoring offense of 10.7 points per game that ranks ninth in the circuit. Putting together sustained drives that end in touchdowns could help lead RMU to its first victory of the 2011 campaign. Saturday’s Opponent - Monmouth and Robert Morris will meet for the 17th time Saturday afternoon, with the Colonials holding a 9-7 (.563) edge in the all-time series. RMU has posted two straight victories over the Hawks, including a 17-16 win in last season’s meeting at Joe Walton Stadium (10/9/10). In that contest defensive lineman Cory Nolton partially blocked a 28-yard field goal attempt by Eric Spillane with six seconds to play to help lift the Colonials to the victory. For more information on the all-time series against Monmouth, including last year’s game recap, please see page four of RMU’s game notes. Robert Morris 2011 Quick Outs - RMU was picked third in the 2011 Northeast Conference preseason coaches poll, trailing only preseason favorite Central Connecticut State and Duquesne ... The Blue Devils earned five first-place votes in the NEC preseason coaches poll, the Dukes garnered two while RMU and Bryant each finished with one ... Senior tight end Shadrae King has caught at least one pass in 22 straight games dating back to the 2009 campaign, tied for the school record with former wide receiver Opio Gary (1998-2000) ... Junior defensive lineman Nolan Nearhoof is RMU’s active leader in tackles (95), tackles for loss (16) and sacks (11) ... Nearhoof is just five tackles shy of 100 for his career and needs just half a sack to move into the top 10 all-time at Robert Morris ... A total of 16 Colonials have earned their first career start through the first three games of the 2011 campaign.
2011 Schedule Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12 Nov. 19
DAYTON @ No. 21 Liberty @ Morgan State @ Monmouth * SAINT FRANCIS * # @ Albany * BRYANT * ^ SACRED HEART * @ Central Conn. State * WAGNER * $ @ Duquesne *
L, 13-19 L, 7-38 L, 12-13 Noon 7 p.m. 1 p.m. Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon
* NEC game; # Homecoming; ^ Hall of Fame Day; $ Senior Day
Colonials At A Glance Starters Returning / Lost ............................ 9 / 15 Offensive Starters Returning / Lost ............ 6 / 5 Defensive Starters Returning / Lost ............ 3 / 8 Specialist Starters Returning / Lost ............ 0 / 2 Letterwinners Returning / Lost .............. 36 / 22 Offensive Starters Returning / Lost .......... 6 / 5 LT - A.J. Dalton .................................. 6-5, 285, So. C - Logan Miles .................................. 6-2, 290, Sr. RG - Brad Rodgers ............................ 6-2, 305, Sr. TE - Shadrae King ............................. 6-3, 225, Sr. QB - Jeff Sinclair ............................ 6-3, 190, Jr. FL - Anthony Coleman ................... 5-11, 200, Sr. Defensive Starters Returning / Lost ........... 3 / 8 LE - Nolan Nearhoof ......................... 6-2, 280, Jr. RE - Steve Mitchell ............................ 6-2, 250, Jr. OLB - Brad Banas ............................... 6-1, 220, Jr. Specialist Starters Returning / Lost ........... 0 / 2
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