Robert Morris (0-0) @ No. 19 Eastern Kentucky (0-0) Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Roy Kidd Stadium (20,000) - Richmond, Ky.
Radio: WPGB-FM 104.7 (Chris Shovlin - play-by-play & Spencer Kowitz - color) Audio on the internet at: www.wpgb.com / Live Video: www.ovcdigitalnetwork.com Top Story - The Robert Morris University football team opens its 2013 campaign and 20th season of intercollegiate football Thursday, Aug. 29, as it travels to Eastern Kentucky University and Roy Kidd Stadium for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff. The Colonels are one of the most storied programs at the NCAA FCS level as they have won two national titles, made 20 playoff appearances and enter the season ranked No. 19 in the preseason FCS Coaches’ Poll. This contest will mark the final season opener for RMU head coach Joe Walton, who has announced his retirement effective at the end of the season. Walton is the only head coach in the history of the program. A total of six Colonials are expected to make their first start Thursday night, including Paul Jones earning the nod at quarterback after winning the job in training camp. RMU will be seeking its first win over a nationally ranked opponent since it topped No. 15 Liberty during the 2010 season. Once its season opener is in the past, Robert Morris will return home to host tilts in back-toback weeks against Morgan State (Sept. 7) and Dayton (Sept. 14) at Joe Walton Stadium. Quick Stat of the Evening - Robert Morris enters its 2013 season opener with an all-time record of 9-10 (.474) in season lidlifters, all of which have come in non-conference play. This game against the Colonels marks the second straight season in which RMU has opened its campaign on the road against a nationally ranked opponent as the Colonials opened at eventual national champion North Dakota State in 2012. Robert Morris has dropped each of its past four season openers, three of which have come on the road … Top performances by RMU in season openers: most points - 47 (9/4/04 vs. Buffalo State); fewest points allowed - 0 (9/7/96 @ Mercyhurst); most rushing yards - 215 (9/6/03 @ Buffalo State); most passing yards - 282 (9/6/03 @ Buffalo State); most total yards - 497 (9/6/03 @ Buffalo State); fewest yards allowed - 167 (9/4/04 vs. Buffalo State) Thursday's Opponent - Thursday’s game between Robert Morris and Eastern Kentucky marks the inaugural meeting between the two programs. Robert Morris owns a record of 19-11-1 (.629) when facing off with an opponent for the first time. The last time the Colonials had a matchup with a first-time opponent was Sept. 29, 2012 when RMU entertained Lafayette. The Leopards came in to the game receiving votes nationally, but Greg Langer (2009-12) booted through a 33-yard field goal with 19 seconds left to lift RMU to a 31-28 victory. In the only time RMU met a team ranked among the top 20 in its first-ever meeting, it defeated No. 15 Liberty, 30-23. On This Date (Aug. 29) in Robert Morris Football History - Robert Morris will be venturing into uncharted territory as it will be playing on August 29 for the first time in program history when it takes the field against No. 19 Eastern Kentucky. Not only is it the first game on August 29, but it is actually the first game ever in the month of August for the Colonials. RMU has previously played three times on the opening day of September but never earlier than that. Playing in August isn’t the only new phenomenon associated with this year’s season opener for RMU. The contest against the Colonels will mark the first time Robert Morris has ever competed on a Thursday. Of the prior 197 football games in RMU history, 196 were played on a Saturday and one was played on a Friday night. The only previous non-Saturday game for Robert Morris occurred October 6, 1995 – the second year of the program’s existence. RMU nearly pulled off an improbable comeback that night as it scored 26 points in the final 16 minutes but fell to Gannon, 30-29.
2013 Schedule Aug. 29 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 2 Nov. 9 Nov. 16 Nov. 23
@ #19 Eastern Kentucky 7 p.m. MORGAN STATE Noon DAYTON Noon @ VMI 1:30 p.m. @ Monmouth 1 p.m. DUQUESNE * # 6 p.m. @ Wagner * Noon BRYANT * Noon @ Central Conn. State * Noon SACRED HEART * ^ $ Noon @ Saint Francis * Noon
* NEC game; # Homecoming; ^ Hall of Fame Day; $ Senior Day
Colonials At A Glance Starters Returning / Lost .......................... 14 / 10 Offensive Starters Returning / Lost ............ 7 / 4 Defensive Starters Returning / Lost ............ 6 / 5 Specialist Starters Returning / Lost ............. 1 / 1 Letterwinners Returning / Lost .............. 34 / 21 Offensive Starters Returning / Lost ........... 7 / 4 LT - A.J. Dalton .................................. 6-4, 280, Sr. LG - Max Robertson ......................... 6-3, 305, So. C - Nick Faraci .................................... 6-2, 275, Jr. RG - Vince Mongelluzzo .................... 6-3, 265, Sr. HB - Evan Taylor .............................. 5-10, 180, Sr. FL - Duane Mitchell ............................ 6-1, 210, Jr. SE - Donte Jeter .................................. 6-1, 160, Sr. Defensive Starters Returning / Lost ........... 6 / 5 NG - Farren Mason ....................... 5-11, 285, R-Sr. OLB - Mark Centofanti ...................... 6-1, 240, Sr. ILB - Mike Cook .............................. 6-0, 235, R-Sr. CB - Antwan Eddie ............................ 5-10, 180, Jr. CB - Marcelis Branch ....................... 5-11, 180, So. SS - D.J. Myers ................................... 5-11, 185, Sr. Specialist Starters Returning / Lost ........... 1 / 1 P - Tony LaMancusa ......................... 5-10, 200, Jr. For the latest information on Robert Morris University football, including news, stats, records and videos, please visit:
www.rmucolonials.com