Robert Morris (0-2) @ Dayton (0-2) Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. Welcome Stadium (11,000) - Dayton, Ohio
Radio: WPIT-AM 730 (Chris Shovlin - play-by-play & Spencer Kowitz - color) Live Audio on the internet at: www.rmucolonials.com Top Story - The Robert Morris University football team continues its season this Saturday, Sept. 15, at 1:00 p.m. as the Colonials head back out on the road to face Dayton at Welcome Stadium in an annual non-conference affair. This is the seventh consecutive season in which RMU has faced the Flyers, alternating home and road games. The Colonials, similar to Dayton, have dropped their opening two games, falling to defending NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) national champion North Dakota State (9/1) before dropping their league opener to defending Northeast Conference (NEC) champion Albany (9/8). Senior Greg Langer booted a 49-yard field goal last week while Mike Neilson posted 10 tackles in just his second career appearance in a RMU uniform. After facing the Flyers, RMU will have its only bye week of the season before returning home to welcome Lafayette (9/29) in just the second home night game in program history as part of the University’s Homecoming festivities. RMU will then travel to in-state rival Saint Francis the following week (10/6) as it begins conference play in earnest. Quick Stat of the Afternoon - Although Robert Morris has had trouble figuring out Dayton throughout its history, if one examines the two prior Colonial wins in the head-to-head series, a few trends emerge. RMU topped the Flyers in both 1999 and 2000 and one key element was its pass defense. The Colonials only allowed Dayton 161 passing yards combined in those two matchups, refusing to concede even 100 yards on either occasion. Robert Morris also went a combined 13-for-28 (.464) on third and fourth down in those two games against the Flyers while Dayton managed to go just 10-of-31 (.323) in such situations. RMU also outscored Dayton 37-7 combined in the second half of those games. In the category of what one would not expect, RMU lost the time of possession battle in both games as Dayton averaged 33:40 in those two contests. Saturday’s Opponent - The longest running rivalry with a non-conference opponent in program history, Robert Morris and Dayton will meet for the 15th time Saturday. The Flyers own a 12-2 (.857) advantage and carry a nine-game winning in the all-time series into the contest. In last year’s game at Joe Walton Stadium (9/3/11), Dayton used a pair of touchdowns, both on passes by Will Bardo, and two field goals and held on for a 19-13 win even though RMU produced a fourthquarter rally. Despite the loss, the Colonials allowed the Flyers just 21 yards rushing on 26 attempts on the afternoon. For more information on the all-time series against Dayton, including the last game recap, please see page four of today’s game notes. On This Date (Sept. 15) in Robert Morris Football History - Robert Morris was victorious on its only prior game played on Sept. 15 in program history as the Colonials downed Saint Francis, 28-14, during the 2007 season. RMU scored touchdowns on four straight possessions sandwiching halftime and forced five Red Flash turnovers on the day, including posting four interceptions. Erik Cwalinski (2005-08) threw for 161 yards and two scores, including the first-career touchdown reception by Chris Molnar (2007-09). Eventual all-time leading rusher and current assistant coach Myles Russ (2007-10) rushed for two touchdowns on the afternoon, marking the first trips to the end zone in his career. Safety James Kazil (2004-07) recorded two interceptions while linebacker Chad Wengert (2004-07) had a monster day, recording 11 tackles while adding a forced fumble, an interception, two passes defended, a half a sack and a quarterback hurry. RMU went 4-for-4 in its trips to the red zone and never trailed in the victory.
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 1 p.m. LAFAYETTE # 6 p.m. @ Saint Francis * Noon @ 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.