Central Connecticut State (2-4 / 0-1) @ Robert Morris (0-6 / 0-1) Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014 at Noon Joe Walton Stadium (3,000) - Moon Township, Pa. Radio: ESPN 970 AM (Chris Shovlin - play-by-play & Brian Cleary - color) Audio on the internet at: www.970espn.com / Live Video: www.necfrontrow.com
Top Story - The Robert Morris University football team returns home from a trip to Connecticut this Saturday, Oct. 18, as it continues Northeast Conference play by facing Central Connecticut State at Joe Walton Stadium at Noon. The Colonials fell behind early against defending NEC champion and preseason favorite Sacred Heart last week and were never able to get back into the game. The Blue Devils dropped a one-possession game in their NEC opener a week ago and own a win over Towson, a squad that reached the NCAA championship game in 2013. The Blue Devils, like the Colonials, are under the guidance of a first-year head coach as Pete Rossomando took over the reins this past January. Senior Duane Mitchell needs one catch to move into a tie for second place on the RMU all-time receptions list. Rameses Owens ranks second nationally in rushing yardage per game among all true freshmen at the FCS level (83.5). Luke Centofanti is set to become the seventh distinct RMU wide receiver to earn a start in 2014. Robert Morris will turn right around and hit the road next weekend as it travels to Bryant Saturday, Oct. 25. Quick Stat of the Afternoon - While Robert Morris has not performed to its optimal level thus far in 2014, the Colonials have previously demonstrated that all is not lost in this position. This is the five-year anniversary of a 2009 season that saw Robert Morris start 0-6. However, those Colonials finished with a 180 degree turnaround as they won the final five games of their season, which proved to be a springboard to a championship run in 2010. After having a negative turnover differential in the opening six games of 2009, the Colonials posted a +9 differential in their five game winning streak. The RMU defense tallied a significant improvement as it yielded 19 points per game fewer in the closing five games of 2009 compared to the opening six. RMU’s first win in 2009 was the third-career start under center for Jeff Sinclair (2009-12). Quarterback Derik Abbott will be making his third collegiate start this Saturday for the Colonials. Saturday's Opponent - Central Connecticut State is one of just three opponents Robert Morris faced in each of the first 20 years the Colonials fielded an intercollegiate program, joining fellow NEC foes Saint Francis and Wagner. All-time the Colonials are 15-5 (.750) against the Blue Devils. The home team had won eight straight games in the series until RMU won in Connecticut in 2013. In that game, RMU used a program-record 40 points in the first half to cruise to a 54-21 victory. For more information on the all-time series against Central Connecticut State, including the last game recap, please see page four of today’s game notes. On This Date (Oct. 18) in Robert Morris Football History - Robert Morris has played three previous times on October 18 and has yet to come away with a victory. Two of the three times the Colonials played on this date in mid-October, they were meeting non-conference foes on the road. The first game that the Colonials ever played on this date came in 1997 against the program that was last year’s national runner-up. Robert Morris struck first with a touchdown pass, but Towson came roaring back with three touchdowns in under 13 minutes. After the last of those scores, though, Antoine Lee (1997-99) returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown. Each team scored once more before the half, giving the Tigers a 27-19 edge at the break. RMU pulled ahead early in the fourth on a Nate List (1994-97) pick-six but was unable to hold on as Towson scored the game’s final touchdown. The game featured nine combined turnovers and was the first contest in RMU history to feature more than one non-offensive Colonial touchdown.
2014 Schedule Aug. 28 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 8 Nov. 15 Nov. 22
EASTERN KENTUCKY @ North Dakota @ Lafayette @ Dayton MONMOUTH # @ Sacred Heart * CENTRAL CONN. STATE * @ Bryant * WAGNER * SAINT FRANCIS * $ @ Duquesne *
L, 10-29 L, 13-16 L, 3-50 L, 7-31 L, 20-51 L, 13-52 Noon 1 p.m. Noon Noon Noon
* NEC game; # Homecoming; $ Senior Day
Colonials At A Glance Starters Returning / Lost ......................... 10 / 14 Offensive Starters Returning / Lost ........... 5 / 6 Defensive Starters Returning / Lost ........... 3 / 8 Specialist Starters Returning / Lost ........... 2 / 0 Letterwinners Returning / Lost ............. 20 / 30 Offensive Starters Returning / Lost ........... 5 / 6 LG - Max Robertson .......................... 6-3, 305, Jr. C - Nick Faraci ................................... 6-1, 285, Sr. RT - Jon Hill ................................... 6-4, 290, R-Sr. FB - Ryan Thermil ............................. 5-9, 235, Sr. WR - Duane Mitchell ........................ 6-1, 205, Sr. Defensive Starters Returning / Lost .......... 3 / 8 DE - Forrest Mason ........................... 6-2, 275, Sr. OLB - Mike Stojkovic ....................... 6-2, 220, Sr. CB - Antwan Eddie .......................... 5-10, 180, Sr. Specialist Starters Returning / Lost ........... 2 / 0 PK - Connor Shennan ....................... 6-2, 195, So. P - Tony LaMancusa ........................ 5-10, 195, Sr.
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