Bryant (4-3, 2-2 NEC) vs. Robert Morris (2-4, 2-1 NEC) Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011 at Noon Joe Walton Stadium (3,000) - Moon Township, Pa. Radio: WPIT-AM 730 (Chris Shovlin - play-by-play & Brian Cleary - color) Audio on the internet (live and archived) at: www.rmucolonials.com Top Story - The Robert Morris University football team opens a two-game homestand at Joe Walton Stadium Saturday afternoon by welcoming Bryant for a Noon kickoff in a key Northeast Conference game. The Colonials are coming off a 28-17 setback @ Albany (10/15), which concluded a stretch in which four of RMU’s first six games of the 2011 campaign were on the road. The Great Danes jumped out to a 21-0 halftime advantage on the strength of three touchdown passes from quarterback Dan Di Lella en route to the victory over RMU. Junior quarterback Jeff Sinclair finished 12-for-33 passing for 158 yards and a touchdown and also rushed 14 times for 78 yards and a score to lead Robert Morris. The Colonials enter Saturday’s game against the Bulldogs winners of eight straight games at Joe Walton Stadium against NEC foes dating back to the 2009 season. RMU’s last loss at home to a league opponent came Sept. 26, 2009, when Bryant posted a 20-13 win over the Colonials. Robert Morris continues its two-game homestand after squaring off with Bryant Saturday by hosting Sacred Heart in a Noon kickoff Saturday, Oct. 29. Quick Stat of the Afternoon - Both of RMU’s touchdowns in a 28-17 setback @ Albany (10/15) came courtesy of junior quarterback Jeff Sinclair, who connected with sophomore wide receiver Donte Jeter for an eight-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter while also rushing for a 17yard touchdown in the games waning seconds. So far on the 2011 campaign, Sinclair has been responsible for 12 of RMU’s 15 (80%) touchdowns, throwing for eight touchdowns while also rushing for four more scores. Since taking the reigns as RMU’s starting quarterback midway through the 2009 season, Sinclair has been responsible for 51 of RMU’s 76 (67.1%) touchdowns over the last 24 games. Over that span he has thrown for 39 touchdowns while rushing for 12 more. Sinclair enters Saturday’s game against Bryant with 4,142 career yards of total offense, which ranks sixth all-time at Robert Morris, while his average of 172.6 yards of total offense per game ranks second all-time. The program’s career leader in both touchdowns responsible for and total offense is former quarterback Tim Levcik (1998-2001), who finished his career with 7,082 yards of total offense and 81 touchdowns responsible for. Saturday’s Opponent - Bryant and Robert Morris will meet for just the fourth time in the alltime series Saturday at Joe Walton Stadium, with the Bulldogs owning a perfect 3-0 record against the Colonials. In last year’s matchup, Bryant earned a 27-21 win over RMU at Bulldog Stadium (11/13/10) in Smithfield, R.I. For more information on the all-time series against the Bulldogs, 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 25 straight games dating back to the 2009 campaign, a school record ... King also owns 122 career receptions, a Robert Morris school record ... Junior quarterback Jeff Sinclair owns career totals of 3,697 passing yards and 39 touchdowns ... Junior defensive lineman Nolan Nearhoof is RMU’s active leader in tackles (108), tackles for loss (18) and sacks (11) ... Nearhoof needs just half a sack to move into the top 10 all-time at Robert Morris ... A total of 18 Colonials have earned their first career start so far in 2011.
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 L, 13-19 @ No. 21 Liberty L, 7-38 @ Morgan State L, 12-13 @ Monmouth * W, 23-20 SAINT FRANCIS * # W, 45-14 @ Albany * L, 17-28 BRYANT * ^ Noon SACRED HEART * Noon @ Central Conn. State * Noon WAGNER * $ Noon @ Duquesne * 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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