Robert Morris (1-4 / 0-2) @ Bryant (0-6 / 0-4) Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. Bulldog Stadium (4,400) - Smithfield, R.I.
Radio: WPIT-AM 730 (Chris Shovlin - play-by-play & Spencer Kowitz - color) Live Video on the internet at: www.necfrontrow.com Top Story - The Robert Morris University football team plays its second straight road game this Saturday, Oct. 13, at 1:00 p.m. as the Colonials make a trek to Bulldog Stadium to take on Bryant, the newest member of the Northeast Conference (NEC). RMU is coming off a 10-3 setback at Saint Francis, which was only the program’s third loss in 19 meetings against the Red Flash. Junior Evan Taylor ran for a career-high 133 yards last Saturday, the highest individual rushing total in the program’s past 18 games. The Colonials have yet to topple Bryant in the teams' previous four meetings. This is RMU’s first visit to Bryant since the 2010 conference championship winning squad suffered its lone league loss at the hands of the Bulldogs. Jeff Sinclair tied his career-high with 20 completions in the 2011 meeting between these squads, a game which came down to the final minute. Nolan Nearhoof needs one sack to break the Colonials’ all-time program record in that category. After facing the Bulldogs, Robert Morris will return home to take on Central Connecticut State Oct. 20 as RMU celebrates Hall of Fame Day. Quick Stat of the Afternoon - Turnovers are often viewed as a major turning point that can swing games one way or another. Robert Morris’ recent history displayed that fact well as the Colonials had won 12 of their past 13 games when they committed fewer turnovers than their opponent entering last Saturday’s game at Saint Francis. In these 13 games, Robert Morris outscored its opponents by an average of 28.8 points per game to 13.3. Within that stretch, RMU had won each of its past 10 NEC games when committing fewer turnovers than its opponent. However, that logic did not prove true when Robert Morris visited Saint Francis last Saturday as the Red Flash committed more turnovers than the Colonials but still came out victorious. RMU recovered three Saint Francis fumbles during the game, including two when the Red Flash were in the red zone, but was unable to turn those turnovers into a win. Saturday’s Opponent - Bryant is the only team that Robert Morris has never beaten of programs that RMU has faced at least three times in program history. The Colonials and Bulldogs have met in each of the past four seasons, twice at each school. In last year’s matchup, the Bulldogs claimed a come-from-behind, 34-27, victory as they scored the game-winning touchdown with just 32 seconds remaining in regulation. RMU has had a lead in each of its past three games against Bryant. For more information on the all-time series against Bryant, including the last game recap, please see page four of today’s game notes. On This Date (Oct. 13) in Robert Morris Football History - The Robert Morris football team made its only trip to St. John’s exactly 11 years ago. Coming off of a bye week, the Colonials never let up en route to a 28-0 shutout of the Red Storm, marking the Colonials’ second win in as many seasons against St. John’s. RMU built a two-touchdown lead fewer than 13 minutes into the game, had a 21-0 at the half and cruised to a victory in a game that lasted just 2:20. The Colonials held the Red Storm to just 62 passing yards on the day, allowing just five completions on 22 attempts while also notching a pair of interceptions. Sam Dorsett (1999-2003) posted 126 rushing yards on just 15 attempts, averaging over eight yards per carry, while scoring twice on the ground. Tim Levcik (1998-2001) completed 15-of-23 passes and threw two touchdowns but the most amazing part may have been that his 15 passes were completed to nine distinct receivers. Reggie Chambers (1998-01) made 10 tackles, including eight solo, while adding 2.0 tackles for loss.
2012 Schedule Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3 Nov. 10 Nov. 17
@ #2 North Dakota State L, 0-52 ALBANY * L, 10-35 @ Dayton L, 14-20 LAFAYETTE # W, 31-28 @ Saint Francis * L, 3-10 @ Bryant * 1 p.m. CENTRAL CONN. STATE * ^ Noon @ Wagner * 1 p.m. DUQUESNE * 3:30 p.m. @ Sacred Heart * Noon MONMOUTH * $ Noon
* NEC game; # Homecoming; ^ Hall of Fame Day; $ Senior Day
Colonials At A Glance Starters Returning / Lost ............................ 17 / 7 Offensive Starters Returning / Lost ............ 7 / 4 Defensive Starters Returning / Lost ............ 8 / 3 Specialist Starters Returning / Lost ............ 2 / 0 Letterwinners Returning / Lost .............. 39 / 14 Offensive Starters Returning / Lost .......... 7 / 4 LT - A.J. Dalton .................................. 6-4, 300, Jr. LG - Vince Mongelluzzo .................. 6-3, 265, Jr. RT - Nate Hargraves ........................ 6-4, 275, Sr. QB - Jeff Sinclair ............................ 6-3, 210, Sr. FB - Nick Groat ............................ 5-11, 220, Sr. HB - Deontae Howard ...................... 5-8, 185, Jr. SE - Donte Jeter .............................. 6-1, 160, Jr. Defensive Starters Returning / Lost ........... 8 / 3 LE - Nolan Nearhoof ......................... 6-2, 250, Sr. NG - Farren Mason ....................... 5-11, 285, R-Sr. RE - Steve Mitchell ............................ 6-1, 265, Sr. OLB - Brad Banas ............................... 6-2, 235, Sr. ILB - Kyle Cooper ............................... 6-0, 230, Sr. OLB - Andrew Douglass .................... 6-1, 230, Sr. SS - D.J. Myers ............................... 5-11, 185, Jr. WS - Cameron Chadwick .................. 6-1, 205, Sr. Specialist Starters Returning / Lost ........... 2 / 0 PK - Greg Langer ............................ 5-7, 165, Sr. P - Tony LaMancusa ................... 5-10, 190, So.