Robert Morris (1-2) @ No. 6/7 South Dakota State (2-0) Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. (ET) Coughlin-Alumni Stadium (16,700) - Brookings, S.D. Radio: ESPN 970 AM (Chris Shovlin - play-by-play & Spencer Kowitz - color) Audio on the internet at: www.970espn.com / Live Video: ESPN3
Top Story - The Robert Morris University football team makes its longest trip of the year this Saturday, Sept. 26, as it travels to South Dakota State for a 6:00 p.m. (ET) kickoff at CoughlinAlumni Stadium. The Colonials are coming off their first victory of the year, a come-from-behind effort, after dropping tight decisions in each of the first two weeks. In fact, the team leading at the half in each of RMU’s first three games has ended up on the losing end. South Dakota State has won a game in the FCS Playoffs in each of the past three years and currently has tied its best ever FCS national ranking. True freshman Warren Robinson was selected Northeast Conference Special Teams Player of the Week Monday, giving the Colonials at least one honoree in each of the season’s first three weeks for the first time since 1997. True freshman Mathew Barr ran for two TD’s last week to become the first Colonial freshman QB to rush for multiple TD in a game. This will be RMU’s final tune-up before commencing Northeast Conference play as the Colonials will remain on the road next Saturday, Oct. 3, to take on defending NEC co-champion Wagner. Quick Stat of the Afternoon - Robert Morris got points from a variety of sources in its victory last week. In addition to three conventional touchdowns, RMU also scored on a punt return and an interception return. Producing non-offensive touchdowns has been a recipe for success throughout Colonial history as RMU improved to 31-11 (.738) all-time when finding the end zone via its defense or special teams. When Warren Robinson brought back a punt 66 yards to the end zone in last week’s win, Robert Morris scored its 50th non-offensive touchdown in program history. However, last week’s contest was even more notable since it was only the third time ever, and the first since 2002, in which a Colonial team scored TD's via its offense, defense and special teams in the same game. Robert Morris' single-season record for non-offensive TD’s is six, and this year’s version of the Colonials is already halfway to that mark through three games. Saturday's Opponent - Saturday’s game between Robert Morris and South Dakota State marks the inaugural meeting between the two programs. Robert Morris owns a record of 20-14-1 (.586) when facing off with an opponent for the first time. South Dakota State is one of four new programs on RMU’s schedule this year, the most new foes the Colonials have faced since their inaugural season. This is the sixth consecutive season in which RMU has played at least one new opponent. It is also the third straight game against a first-time foe. Of RMU’s previous 35 games against a first-time opponent, 18 have come on the road. In those games, RMU is 7-10-1 (.417). On This Date (Sept. 26) in Robert Morris Football History - Robert Morris has played twice before on September 26, tallying a win and a loss. However, this Saturday’s game will mark the first road game and first non-conference tilt RMU has ever played on this date. The first time the Colonials took the field on 9/26 came in 1998 when they played Central Connecticut in their home opener after a bye. RMU jumped out early and never looked back as Fred Parker (1996-98) caught two touchdowns in the first 11 minutes of the game. The Colonials took a 21-3 lead into the locker room before Archie Wannamaker (1996-98) had a quarter to remember as he tallied three touchdown runs in the third period to blow open the game. A pair of Blue Devil TD's in the fourth only made the final margin a little closer as the game finished 42-17 in favor of the hosts. The Colonials dominated thanks to a +4 turnover margin, generated by four different Colonials recovering fumbles. Reggie Chambers (1998-2001) led RMU with nine stops.
2015 Schedule Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 24 Oct. 31 Nov. 7 Nov. 14 Nov. 21
DAYTON L, 24-27 @ #17 Youngstown St. L, 14-21 (OT) NOTRE DAME (Ohio) # W, 35-24 @ #6 South Dakota State 6 p.m. @ Wagner * Noon SACRED HEART * Noon DUQUESNE * 6 p.m. @ Central Conn. State * Noon EAST TENNESSEE STATE Noon @ Saint Francis * Noon BRYANT * $ Noon
* NEC game; # Homecoming; $ Senior Day
Colonials At A Glance Starters Returning / Lost ........................... 15 / 9 Offensive Starters Returning / Lost ........... 8 / 3 Defensive Starters Returning / Lost ........... 7 / 4 Specialist Starters Returning / Lost ........... 0 / 2 Letterwinners Returning / Lost ............. 38 / 16 Offensive Starters Returning / Lost ........... 8 / 3 LT - Blake Chambliss ................. (6-5, 300, R-So.) LG - Max Robertson ....................... (6-4, 325, Sr.) C - Nick Faraci ............................ (6-3, 290, R-Sr.) RG - Josh Thiel ............................. (6-3, 300, R-Jr.) QB - Derik Abbott .......................... (5-11, 195, Sr.) RB - Rameses Owens .................... (6-2, 230, So.) WR - Sean Gavin .......................... (6-0, 175, R-Jr.) WR - Nic Lamica ........................ (6-4, 220, R-So.) Defensive Starters Returning / Lost .......... 7 / 4 DE - Forrest Mason .................... (6-3, 280, R-Sr.) DE - Austin Trgovcich ................. (6-2, 260, R-Jr.) OLB - Jimmy Masson ...................... (6-0, 200, Jr.) ILB - Mike Stojkovic ................... (6-3, 240, R-Sr.) ILB - Jake Tkach .......................... (6-0, 235, R-Sr.) SS - Sam Woods .......................... (6-0, 190, R-So.) WS - Andy Smigiera ........................ (6-1, 205, Jr.) Specialist Starters Returning / Lost ........... 0 / 2 For the latest information on Robert Morris University football, including news, stats, records and videos, please visit:
www.rmucolonials.com