Robert Morris (2-2) @ Monmouth (2-3) Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. Kessler Field (4,600) - West Long Branch, N.J.
Radio: ESPN 970 AM (Chris Shovlin - play-by-play & Spencer Kowitz - color) Audio on the internet at: www.970espn.com Top Story - The Robert Morris University football team completes its two-game road trip this Saturday, Oct. 5, at 1:00 p.m. as the Colonials travel to take on former Northeast Conference (NEC) member Monmouth in a non-conference affair at Kessler Field at Monmouth Stadium. The Colonials are coming off of a thrilling, 37-31, double overtime at Big South member VMI. RMU rallied from a 10-point deficit with fewer than 20 minutes left to take the lead but had to hold on as VMI forced an extra period late in regulation. Junior cornerback Antwan Eddie returned a punt 88 yards for his first-career touchdown and was subsequently named NEC Special Teams Player of the Week. He currently leads the nation in punt return average at the FCS level. RMU snapped a couple of long droughts last weekend as it scored its first special teams touchdown and also played its first overtime game since 2006. After playing the Hawks, RMU will enjoy its final bye of the season next weekend before resuming action Saturday, Oct. 19, when it hosts local rival Duquesne on Homecoming under the lights in its league opener. Quick Stat of the Afternoon - Robert Morris is set to play longtime foe Monmouth this weekend. For much of their series, the Colonials and Hawks met as league opponents as they played Northeast Conference games year after year. However, with Monmouth’s recent departure from the NEC, the two foes will be meeting as non-conference opponents this year for the first time since 1995. Saturday’s game will mark the 19th time in program history in which RMU has played a non-league game against an opponent who at one point was in the NEC. The Colonials hold an overall mark of 9-8-1 (.528) in these types of games and have not played one since the 2008 season. Robert Morris and Monmouth met in non-conference games in both 1994 and 1995 before having 16 straight NEC matchups. Both of those non-league meetings were close as RMU won, 26-19, in the first-ever meeting before the Hawks came back with a 16-13 win in 1995. Saturday's Opponent - Robert Morris has met Monmouth in 18 of its previous 19 seasons of existence with the lone exception being 2001. The Colonials hold a 10-8 (.556) edge in the alltime series. RMU won six of the first eight meetings, with the two losses coming by a combined four points, before dropping five of the next six matchups. However, the Colonials have turned it around recently by winning three of the past four meetings with the Hawks. RMU has also won three straight road games against Monmouth. For more information on the all-time series against Monmouth, including the last game recap, please see page four of today’s game notes. On This Date (Oct. 5) in Robert Morris Football History - Robert Morris won its first-ever game on October 5 in 1996. That contest is also the only prior non-conference game played on this date in RMU history. The Colonials scored 14 points in the first quarter, tacked on another 17 in the second stanza, claiming a substantial 31-0 halftime advantage, and cruised to a 40-7 win over Gannon. Five different Colonials scored touchdowns in the victory as Robert Morris racked up 424 yards of total offense while holding the Golden Knights to just 112 yards, including a mere 29 passing yards. Jake Newman (1994-97) was efficient at the helm as he completed 13-of-19 passes for 247 yards and threw for three scores. Fred Parker (1996-98) caught four passes for 101 yards and a touchdown to lead the receivers. Brandon Baldwin (1995-96) caught the lone TD pass of his career that day while Joe Parlette (1996-97) also hauled in a touchdown. Brian Dunn (1994-97) and Dante Payne (1994-97) both tallied interceptions to aid the RMU defense.
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 L, 6-38 MORGAN STATE W, 31-14 DAYTON L, 14-21 @ VMI W, 37-31 (2 OT) @ 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