Robert Morris (1-9 / 1-4) @ Duquesne (5-6 / 1-4) Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014 at Noon Arthur J. Rooney Athletic Field (2,200) - Pittsburgh, Pa. Radio: WZUM 1550 AM (Adam Gusky - play-by-play & Brian Cleary - color) Audio on the internet at: www.1550wzum.com / Live Video: www.espn3.com
Top Story - The Robert Morris University football team brings a close to the 2014 campaign this Saturday, Nov. 22, at Noon as the Colonials meet county rival Duquesne in a Northeast Conference contest at Rooney Field in each team’s season finale. Saturday’s affair will be broadcast on ESPN3, and RMU is 7-2 (.778) in the past nine games it has played as part of the league's broadcast package, dating to the 2008 season. RMU dropped a decision to Saint Francis in its home finale last week after taking an early lead. Senior Duane Mitchell extended his RMU record of consecutive games with a catch against the Red Flash as he now has a reception in each of the past 32 outings. He needs six more catches to break his own single-season school record that he set in 2013. Robert Morris has 25 players on its roster that hail from within 50 miles of the Steel City in advance of this contest between local foes. If it accumulates fewer than 30 penalty yards Saturday, which it has done four times this year, Robert Morris will reset its low water mark for penalty yards in a campaign, breaking a mark that has stood since 2001. Quick Stat of the Afternoon - As with any season finale, there will student-athletes seeing their final action as a Colonial Saturday. Seniors Antwan Eddie and Duane Mitchell have both made their mark in a RMU uniform and provided fans with memorable moments. Both played nine games as true freshmen and haven’t looked back. Eddie owns the longest punt return in RMU history (88 yards) and has started 30 games in the secondary in the past three years while surpassing 100 career tackles. Mitchell owns multiple school records, including single-season receptions, and made a lasting memory when he caught the game's only three touchdowns in a victory last year. Tony LaMancusa has been a mainstay on special teams for the last four years and needs a mere eight punting yards to break the RMU career record in that category. Jon Hill is set to make his 32nd career start on the offensive line Saturday against the Dukes. Saturday's Opponent - This will be the 16th overall meeting between Robert Morris and Duquesne and the 12th consecutive year that the schools have met. Neither program has won back-to-back games in the series since the Dukes did in 2006-07. Each of the last two games have come down to the final minutes with the Colonials claiming a come-from-behind win in 2012 and Duquesne eking out a one-point win in 2013. The Colonials have outscored the Dukes, 20-0, in the fourth quarter in the past two matchups. 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. 22) in Robert Morris Football History - Robert Morris has played once before on November 22, and it was certainly a memorable occasion. RMU posted a win in the ECAC Bowl for the second straight season on this date 17 years ago. In what is the only meeting with Georgetown in program history, the Colonials scored early and often en route to the postseason win. Jake Newman (1994-97) tossed three touchdown passes to a trio of receivers in the first 19 minutes, staking the guests to a 21-7 lead, in what was his final game as a Colonial. That score stood until the fourth quarter when RMU added two TD's on the ground, and the Colonials took down the Hoyas, 35-13. Archie Wannamaker (1996-98) had a big day as he carried 29 times for a career-high 185 yards and a touchdown, an effort which helped RMU outrush Georgetown, 26450. John O’Connell (1995-98) led the way on defense for RMU as he registered eight tackles, 1.5 sacks and a pass breakup. Jason Spencer (1994-97) added seven stops and a sack to the effort.
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 * @ No. 25 Bryant * WAGNER * SAINT FRANCIS * $ @ Duquesne *
L, 10-29 L, 13-16 L, 3-50 L, 7-31 L, 20-51 L, 13-52 W, 27-24 L, 9-42 L, 0-20 L, 7-40 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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