Wagner (2-7, 2-4 NEC) vs. Robert Morris (2-7, 2-4 NEC) Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011 at Noon Joe Walton Stadium (3,000) - Moon Township, Pa. 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 the home portion of its 2011 schedule Saturday afternoon by welcoming Wagner for a Noon kickoff at Joe Walton Stadium. Prior to the game, RMU will honor 12 seniors that helped the Colonials claim a share of the 2010 Northeast Conference regular-season championship and the league’s inaugural bid to the NCAA Football Championship (FCS) Playoffs. Robert Morris is coming off a 31-24 setback @ Central Connecticut State (11/5), its fourth straight loss. Against the Blue Devils freshman quarterback Matt Layman replaced injured starter Jeff Sinclair in the second quarter and finished 12-for-16 passing for 163 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Layman, who completed a 14-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Jamie Cobb and a 27-yard strike to senior tight end Paul Evans against CCSU, will make his first career start Saturday against the Seahawks. Redshirt freshman running back Deontae Howard rushed for a career-high 86 yards against the Blue Devils on 15 carries, an average of 5.7 yards per carry. The Colonials conclude their 2011 campaign by visiting crosstown rival Duquesne for a Noon kickoff Saturday, Nov. 19, after hosting the Seahawks. Quick Stat of the Afternoon - If there has been one constant for Robert Morris in 2011, it has been change. In a 31-24 setback @ Central Connecticut State (11/5), senior tight end Paul Evans earned his first career start as the Colonials began the game in a two tight end set. Evans became the 22nd different student-athlete to start his first career game for RMU in 2011. Broken down, a total of 10 Colonials on offense have earned their first career start this season, 11 on defense and one on special teams. Through RMU’s first nine games of the 2011 campaign, both the offense and defense have used six different starting lineups. Both the offense and defense will use their seventh different starting lineup Saturday against Wagner, as freshman Matt Layman will make his first career start under center on offense, while sophomore Chris Thompkins or junior Cory Nolton will start on the defensive line. Saturday’s Opponent - Wagner 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 NEC foes Central Connecticut State and Saint Francis. The Colonials own an 12-5 (.706) advantage in the all-time series and enter Saturday’s game against the Seahawks having won three straight over Wagner and five of the last six meetings. For more information on the all-time series against Wagner, 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 28 straight games dating back to the 2009 campaign, a school record ... King also owns 135 career receptions, a Robert Morris school record ... Junior quarterback Jeff Sinclair owns career totals of 4,121 passing yards and 42 touchdowns ... Junior defensive lineman Nolan Nearhoof is RMU’s active leader in tackles (137), tackles for loss (23) and sacks (16) ... Nearhoof is tied for fourth all-time at Robert Morris in career sacks ... A total of 22 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 * L, 24-31 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