Duquesne (5-3 / 3-2) @ Robert Morris (2-6 / 1-4) Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 at 3:30 p.m. Joe Walton Stadium (3,000) - Moon Township, Pa.
Radio: WPIT-AM 730 (Chris Shovlin - play-by-play & Brian Cleary - color) TV: ESPN3 (www.espn3.com), ROOT Sports & Fox College Sports (Paul Dottino & Steve Levy) Top Story - The Robert Morris University football team returns home for the annual battle with local rival Duquesne this Saturday, Nov. 3, at 3:30 p.m. at Joe Walton Stadium in a game that will air live on ROOT Sports, ESPN3 and Fox College Sports. RMU gained more yards per play and scored 13 points in the final eight minutes last weekend at Wagner, but it was not enough to overcome a Seahawk team that is tied for the Northeast Conference (NEC) lead in league wins. Jeff Sinclair needs to post 180 yards of total offense to move into second place all-time at Robert Morris in that category. The Colonials have won each of their past two home games, and the outcome of both games was in doubt until the final play. Nolan Nearhoof leads the NEC in sacks per game and ranks 11th nationally in that category. Nearhoof also needs six tackles to reach 200 for his career. RMU will look to claim its third straight win at home against Duquesne after scoring exactly 34 points in each of the past two such meetings. After playing the Dukes, Robert Morris will play its road finale next weekend against Sacred Heart Nov. 10. Quick Stat of the Afternoon - Saturday’s contest is part of the conference’s NEC-TV package and will be broadcast live on ROOT Sports. That fact should bode well for the Colonials based on recent history. Robert Morris is 5-1 (.833) in its last six games on NEC-TV, including 3-0 (1.000) at home. The Colonials have averaged 28.83 points per game in these half-dozen contests, including 32.0 at home, while allowing just 16.33 points per game over these contests, including conceding only 12.67 points per game at home. Additionally, each of the past four times the Colonials have hosted Duquesne the game has aired on television, and RMU holds a 3-1 (.750) edge in these contests. Robert Morris is 7-4 (.636) in NEC-TV games since the 2005 season, including a mark of 4-2 (.667) at Joe Walton Stadium. Senior quarterback Jeff Sinclair has been under center for each of RMU’s five NEC-TV games since his career commenced. Saturday’s Opponent - Robert Morris has played its crosstown rival in 13 of its previous 18 seasons of existence, including each of the past nine years, with the Dukes holding a slim, 7-6, advantage. The home team is 10-3 (.769) in the series and has won each of the past four meetings. RMU claimed a 34-11 decision the last team these teams met at Joe Walton Stadium (10/30/10) as current RMU assistant coach Myles Russ (2007-2010) ran for 154 yards to become the Colonials' all-time leading rusher. For more information on the all-time series against Duquesne, including the last game recap, please see page four of today’s game notes. On This Date (Nov. 3) in Robert Morris Football History - Robert Morris won the only prior home game it played on November 3 as the Colonials took down Stony Brook, 45-19. It wasn’t all clear sailing as RMU trailed, 13-7, early in the second quarter before scoring four consecutive touchdowns to take a 35-13 lead. The Colonials gained a whopping 545 yards of total offense, a singlegame school record that still stands, and were well-balanced between the run (35 plays) and the pass (38 plays). Tim Levcik (1998-2001) completed 26-of-35 passes for 363 yards, the secondhighest single-game total in RMU history, and also tossed four touchdowns to four different receivers. Stephen McNair (2001-02) caught five passes for 112 yards and a touchdown. Sam Dorsett (1999-2003) ran for 152 yards on 28 carries, averaging more than five yards per rush. Reggie Chambers (1998-2001) posted 11 tackles, including one tackle for loss, while Corey Oaks (2001-02) intercepted a Seawolves’ pass to set up a Colonial scoring drive.
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 * L, 35-38 CENTRAL CONN. ST. * ^ W, 37-31 @ Wagner * L, 13-23 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.