Robert Morris (0-2) @ Lafayette (0-1) Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. Fisher Stadium (13,132) - Easton, Pa.
Radio: ESPN 970 AM (Chris Shovlin - play-by-play & Spencer Kowitz - color) Audio on the internet at: www.970espn.com / Live Video: www.goleopards.com Top Story - The Robert Morris University football team remains on the road for the second contest of a three-game trip this Saturday, Sept. 13, as it travels the length of Pennsylvania for a meeting with Lafayette at Fisher Stadium at 6:00 p.m. The Colonials had chances to win the game in the fourth quarter in their last time out but dropped a 16-13 decision at North Dakota in the first meeting between the programs. Despite the setback, true freshman Rameses Owens made the most of his first-career start as he tallied 199 rushing yards, the most by a Colonial in a non-conference game since 1995, and was subsequently named The Sports Network National Freshman of the Week. Owens also ran for a touchdown for the second straight game. The Colonial defense allowed only 24 more total yards to North Dakota than FBS member San Jose State yielded to UND in the first week of the season and only permitted one scoring drive longer than 45 yards. RMU will finish its road swing next week by extending the longest-running, nonconference rivalry in school history as it takes on Dayton Saturday, Sept. 20. Quick Stat of the Evening - Robert Morris put forth one of its best yardage performances in recent history in running the ball in last week’s road opener at North Dakota as the Colonials notched 214 yards on the ground. It marked the Colonials’ best rushing total in the program’s past 30 games and the best such figure by RMU in a non-conference game since a 2005 contest that doubled as the program’s inaugural game at Joe Walton Stadium. Meanwhile, RMU held North Dakota to 113 rushing yards, more than 100 clear of its own total. It would stand to reason that rushing for 100+ yards more than one’s opponent would greatly benefit a team’s chances of winning. Indeed, that has proven to be the case in RMU’s history as the Colonials were 43-1 (.977) all-time when outgaining their opponent by at least 100 yards rushing until last week's loss. Robert Morris has had at least one such win in every year in program history except 2007. Saturday's Opponent - Robert Morris and Lafayette will meet for only the second time on the football field Saturday, with the only prior meeting coming at RMU. The Colonials jumped out to a 28-7 halftime lead only to see the Leopards pull even in the fourth quarter. Robert Morris used a 67-yard drive in the final minutes to set up Greg Langer’s (2010-12) game-winning field goal with 19 seconds left. Donte Jeter (2011-13) hauled in seven catches for 131 yards in the contest, including a key 43-yard grab on the final drive. For more information on the all-time series against Lafayette, including the last game recap, please see page four of today’s game notes. On This Date (Sept. 13) in Robert Morris Football History - Robert Morris has played three times before on September 13 but has only come up with one victory. The three contests were decided by a combined 15 points with all being one-possession games. RMU’s lone win on this date came in 1997 when RMU played at Butler for the first time in its young history. The Colonials jumped out to a 12-0 lead at the half and then moved ahead 19-0 near the middle of the third quarter. The Bulldogs then scored two touchdowns in a span of 4:19 to cut the deficit to five points, but RMU came right back with a rushing touchdown. Butler got a late final touchdown, but Robert Morris held on for a 26-21 victory. Archie Wannamaker (1996-98) ran for 125 yards and a score while Jake Newman (1994-97) tossed three touchdowns to three distinct receivers. Nate List (199497) posted a team-high 10 tackles while Brian Dunn (1994-97) grabbed one of his programrecord 19 interceptions, RMU’s lone takeaway of the game.
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 L, 10-29 @ North Dakota L, 13-16 @ Lafayette 6 p.m. @ Dayton 1 p.m. MONMOUTH # 3 p.m. @ Sacred Heart * Noon CENTRAL CONN. STATE * Noon @ Bryant * 1 p.m. WAGNER * Noon SAINT FRANCIS * $ Noon @ Duquesne * 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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