Robert Morris (3-6 / 2-4) @ Sacred Heart (2-7 / 1-5) Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 at Noon Campus Field (3,334) - Fairfield, Conn.
Radio: WPIT-AM 730 (Chris Shovlin - play-by-play & Spencer Kowitz - color) Live Video: www.necfrontrow.com Top Story - The Robert Morris University football team will play its 2012 road finale against Sacred Heart this Saturday, Nov. 10, at Noon at Campus Field. RMU is coming off a 17-13, comefrom-behind upset over local rival Duquesne that knocked the Dukes out of the NEC playoff picture. With the rally, senior quarterback Jeff Sinclair now has the most game-winning drives in Colonial history. RMU’s defense also played a major role as it held the Dukes well below their season average of 29 points. Nolan Nearhoof, RMU’s all-time leader in sacks, is currently tied for the NEC lead in sacks per game. RMU and Sacred Heart have split the prior 14 meetings with each team winning on the road the past two years, including the Colonials’ last-minute rally in Connecticut two years ago. In that contest, Sinclair hit Shadrae King with an 8-yard pass with 17 seconds left to cap a 60-yard drive. That win would go on to catapult the Colonials to an eightgame winning streak. After playing the Pioneers, Robert Morris will play its season finale next weekend against Monmouth Nov. 17 as the Colonials celebrate Senior Day. Quick Stat of the Afternoon - In last Saturday’s 17-13 win over local rival Duquesne, Robert Morris’ defense came through in a big way by limiting one of the league’s top offenses and keeping it in check throughout the game. However, another group of Colonials also performed admirably. RMU’s offensive line, an oft-overlooked part of any team, protected its quarterback well throughout the game as it did not allow a single sack over 60 minutes. With the victory over the Dukes, RMU improved to 14-0 all-time when it does not allow a sack in a conference contest. The Colonials have combined for 478 points in these 14 games, an average of more than 34 per outing. Robert Morris’ offensive line will have a tough task of duplicating the feat against the Pioneers this Saturday as Sacred Heart has 28 sacks, far and away the most in the NEC, and sits ninth nationally in sacks per game. Saturday’s Opponent - Robert Morris has met up with Sacred Heart in each of the past 14 seasons, and the series is about as even as it can get. The programs have each won seven meetings, and the series is also tied, 3-3, all-time in Connecticut. In the last meeting in Fairfield, Jeff Sinclair threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning score with just 17 seconds remaining in the game to rally the Colonials to a 35-31 win. Three of the past four games have been decided by four points or fewer. For more information on the all-time series against Sacred Heart, including the last game recap, please see page four of today’s game notes. On This Date (Nov. 10) in Robert Morris Football History - Robert Morris is 2-0 all-time on November 10, and the Colonials scored more than 40 points in both of their previous games on this date. Incidentally, the last time RMU played on Nov. 10 was a 41-31 victory over Sacred Heart in 2007. The Colonials led 21-16 at the half before scoring three straight touchdowns in fewer than 12 minutes to open up a convincing lead before two late Pioneer scores set the final margin. Erik Cwalinski (2005-08) completed 15-of-25 passes, threw for three touchdowns and ran for another. Alvin Hill (2005-07) caught five passes for 89 yards and two touchdowns. The Colonial defense also played a huge role in the victory as it forced five turnovers, including a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown by Shannon Smoot (2006-08). Chad Wengert (2004-07) had a monster game defensively as he tallied 13 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception and a forced fumble that directly led to a Colonial score.
2012 Schedule Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3 Nov. 10 Nov. 17
@ #2 North Dakota State ALBANY * @ Dayton LAFAYETTE # @ Saint Francis * @ Bryant * CENTRAL CONN. ST. * ^ @ Wagner * DUQUESNE * @ Sacred Heart * MONMOUTH * $
L, 0-52 L, 10-35 L, 14-20 W, 31-28 L, 3-10 L, 35-38 W, 37-31 L, 13-23 W, 17-13 Noon Noon
* NEC game; # Homecoming; ^ Hall of Fame Day; $ Senior Day
Colonials At A Glance Starters Returning / Lost ............................ 17 / 7 Offensive Starters Returning / Lost ............ 7 / 4 Defensive Starters Returning / Lost ............ 8 / 3 Specialist Starters Returning / Lost ............ 2 / 0 Letterwinners Returning / Lost .............. 39 / 14 Offensive Starters Returning / Lost .......... 7 / 4 LT - A.J. Dalton .................................. 6-4, 300, Jr. LG - Vince Mongelluzzo .................. 6-3, 265, Jr. RT - Nate Hargraves ........................ 6-4, 275, Sr. QB - Jeff Sinclair ............................ 6-3, 210, Sr. FB - Nick Groat ............................ 5-11, 220, Sr. HB - Deontae Howard ...................... 5-8, 185, Jr. SE - Donte Jeter .............................. 6-1, 160, Jr. Defensive Starters Returning / Lost ........... 8 / 3 LE - Nolan Nearhoof ......................... 6-2, 250, Sr. NG - Farren Mason ....................... 5-11, 285, R-Sr. RE - Steve Mitchell ............................ 6-1, 265, Sr. OLB - Brad Banas ............................... 6-2, 235, Sr. ILB - Kyle Cooper ............................... 6-0, 230, Sr. OLB - Andrew Douglass .................... 6-1, 230, Sr. SS - D.J. Myers ............................... 5-11, 185, Jr. WS - Cameron Chadwick .................. 6-1, 205, Sr. Specialist Starters Returning / Lost ........... 2 / 0 PK - Greg Langer ............................ 5-7, 165, Sr. P - Tony LaMancusa ................... 5-10, 190, So.