Morgan State (0-1) @ Robert Morris (0-1) Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013 at Noon Joe Walton Stadium (3,000) - Moon Township, Pa.
Radio: ESPN 970 AM (Chris Shovlin - play-by-play & Brian Cleary - color) Audio on the internet at: www.970espn.com / Live Video: www.rmucolonials.com Top Story - The Robert Morris University football team opens its 2013 home slate this Saturday, Sept. 7, at Noon as the Colonials welcome Morgan State to Joe Walton Stadium in a non-conference matchup. The Colonials are coming off of a season-opening setback to nationally ranked Eastern Kentucky, one of the top programs at the NCAA’s FCS level year after year. Morgan State also played a tough foe a week ago as it met FBS member Army. Redshirt senior linebacker Mike Cook posted a game-high 10 tackles in the season opener. Paul Jones started at quarterback in his RMU debut and completed 16-of-28 (57%) passes. The Sto-Rox product is set to make his western Pennsylvania collegiate debut Saturday. Jones tossed a touchdown pass to true freshman Alex Caratelli in the opener as the rookie found the end zone in his first career action. Robert Morris is 13-6 (.684) all-time in home openers and is 2-0 all-time on September 7. RMU will remain at home next week as it will host long-time nemesis Dayton Sept. 14 at Noon before enjoying a bye week on the fourth week of the season. Quick Stat of the Afternoon - Robert Morris is set to play in Joe Walton Stadium for the first time this season Saturday, and the Colonials enter the game with an all-time mark of 13-6 (.684) in home openers. This is the 12th season in RMU history in which the team has opened the season on the road; in the 11 previous such years, RMU sported a record of 7-4 (.636) when playing at home for the first time. RMU has played 11 different programs in its home opener entering 2013, and it has defeated nine of these opponents at least once in a home opener. Top performances by RMU in home openers: most points - 49 (vs. Butler - 9/17/05); fewest points allowed - 0 (vs. Butler - 9/14/96); most rushing yards – 282 (9/14/96 vs. Butler); most passing yards - 298 (9/10/94 vs. Monmouth); most total yards of offense - 466 (9/14/96 vs. Butler); fewest yards allowed - 113 (9/27/03 vs. Saint Francis) Saturday's Opponent - Robert Morris and Morgan State will meet for just the second time Saturday, with the Bears having claimed a narrow 13-12 victory in the inaugural meeting between the two programs at Hughes Stadium in 2011 (9/17). RMU trailed, 13-6, late in the fourth quarter but scored a touchdown with fewer than two minutes remaining. However, the Colonials’ extra point attempt was no good. Each team scored just one touchdown in the contest as the two squads combined for just 462 total yards. For more information on the all-time series against Morgan State, including the last game recap, please see page four of today’s game notes. On This Date (Sept. 7) in Robert Morris Football History - The last time Robert Morris played September 7 came 11 years ago as part of the 2002 season opener. RMU opened that campaign at home against Buffalo State and romped to an early-season victory. On a warm, sunny day the Colonials and Bengals played an ugly first half, featuring three turnovers and two missed field goals, which saw just 13 points scored. Holding a slim, 7-6, edge at the break, the Colonials burst out in a big way in the second half, scoring 34 points after intermission, including 27 straight to start the half. The breakout in scoring was not due to the offense, but rather the defense and special teams. Rupert Rickards (2002-05) blocked a punt, and Josh Weight (2001-03) returned it 20 yards for a score. Then Corey Oaks (2001-02) took over. He intercepted passes on consecutive Bengal drives and returned both to the end zone, notching a school-record 99 combined return yards in the process. He helped put the game away as RMU then cruised to a 41-12 victory.
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 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