Robert Morris (2-6, 2-3 NEC) @ Central Conn. State (2-7, 1-5 NEC) Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011 at Noon Arute Field (3,000) - New Britain, Conn. TV: PCNC (Paul Dottino - 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 looks to snap a three-game losing streak Saturday when it visits New Britain, Conn., for a Noon kickoff against Central Connecticut State at Arute Field in a game that will be televised live on PCNC. The Colonials are coming off a 27-15 setback to Sacred Heart (10/29) that closed out a two-game homestand. Robert Morris jumped out to a 10-3 lead against the Pioneers on the strength of a 22-yard touchdown run by junior quarteback Jeff Sinclair and a 36-yard field goal from junior Greg Langer, but Sacred Heart outscored the Colonials, 24-5, the rest of the way. Sinclair finished 13-for-26 passing for 148 yards but was intercepted twice and sacked five times. Senior tight end Shadrae King led the RMU receiving corps with five receptions for 73 yards, while redshirt freshman Deontae Howard rushed 16 times for 55 yards. The Colonials return home to Joe Walton Stadium after taking on the Blue Devils Saturday afternoon, welcoming Wagner in a Noon kickoff Saturday, Nov. 12, for their final home game of the 2011 season. RMU will close out the year with a Noon kickoff Saturday, Nov. 19, at Duquesne. Quick Stat of the Afternoon - Quietly putting together one of the best seasons by a defensive lineman in school history is junior Nolan Nearhoof. RMU’s active leader in career tackles with 124, Nearhoof paced the Colonials with 11 tackles against Sacred Heart (10/29), including a trio of sacks. Nearhoof became the seventh different student-athlete in school history to record three sacks in a game, and he enters Saturday’s game @ Central Connecticut State leading the Northeast Conference in the category with seven and-a-half. Thanks to his trio of sacks against the Pioneers, Nearhoof pushed his career total to 16, which is tied with former defensive lineman Brad Kirit (1997-2000) for fourth all-time at Robert Morris. Nearhoof is also just three sacks shy of tying the career school record of 19 that is held by former defensive lineman Ray Gensler (2003-06). Nearhoof enters Saturday’s game against the Blue Devils ranked third for RMU in tackles so far this season with 47. Saturday’s Opponent - Central Connecticut State is one of just three opponents Robert Morris has faced in each of the first 17 years the Colonials have fielded an intercollegiate program, joining fellow Northeast Conference foes Saint Francis and Wagner. The Colonials own a 13-4 (.765) advantage in the all-time series. For more information on the all-time series against Central Connecticut State, including last year’s game recap, please see page four of today’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 27 straight games dating back to the 2009 campaign, a school record ... King also owns 133 career receptions, a Robert Morris school record ... Junior quarterback Jeff Sinclair owns career totals of 4,072 passing yards and 42 touchdowns ... Junior defensive lineman Nolan Nearhoof is RMU’s active leader in tackles (124), tackles for loss (22) and sacks (16) ... Nearhoof is tied for fourth all-time at Robert Morris in career sacks ... A total of 21 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 * ^ L, 27-34 SACRED HEART * L, 15-27 @ 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
For the latest information on Robert Morris University football, including news, stats, features and videos, please visit:
www.rmucolonials.com