Robert Morris (5-5 / 3-2) @ Saint Francis (4-6 / 2-3) Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013 at Noon DeGol Field (3,500) - Loretto, Pa.
Radio: ESPN 970 AM (Chris Shovlin - play-by-play & Brian Cleary - color) Audio on the internet at: www.970espn.com / Live Video: www.necfrontrow.com Top Story - The Robert Morris University football team makes the short jaunt east for its 2013 season finale this Saturday, Nov. 23, at Noon as the Colonials face in-state rival Saint Francis in a Northeast Conference (NEC) matchup at DeGol Field. If RMU wins, it will claim a share of the NEC championship, which would be the program’s seventh league title in the last 18 seasons. Joe Walton, the only head coach the program has ever known, will be at the helm for the final game of his career Saturday as he is set to retire following the season. Both redshirt senior linebacker Mike Cook (six tackles) and junior wide receiver Duane Mitchell (six receptions) are within striking distance of breaking notable single-season school records entering Saturday’s finale. Junior cornerback Antwan Eddie sits third in the nation at the FCS level in punt return average (15.0) and, with a strong day Saturday, could make a play for the national lead in that category. When RMU takes the field next, current assistant head coach John Banaszak will be leading the Colonials as he makes his Division I head coaching debut. Quick Stat of the Afternoon - With head coach Joe Walton set to retire following the season, this Saturday’s game will mark the final football contest with which he is directly involved. It will be his 207th game as RMU head coach in his 20th season with the Colonials. He has a chance to win his seventh NEC title in his final game. Of course, RMU was hardly the first stop in Walton’s coaching travels. Saturday will be his 321st game as a head coach when adding in his time spent leading the New York Jets. Walton also served as an assistant coach for four different National Football League teams over 16 seasons. When those seasons are added in, Saturday will mark Walton’s 558th game as a coach in a collegiate or professional environment. Finally, Walton was an All-American selection in college and also played seven seasons in the NFL. That means on Saturday he will participate in his 674th game as a player or coach at the collegiate or pro level. Saturday's Opponent - Saint Francis is one of just three opponents Robert Morris faced in each of the first 19 years the Colonials fielded an intercollegiate program, joining fellow NEC foes Central Connecticut State and Wagner. All-time the Colonials are 15-3-1 (.816) against the Red Flash, but Saint Francis did claim a low-scoring affair in 2012. In fact, the 10-3 Saint Francis win last year at DeGol Field marked the lowest combined point total in series history. In the previous nine meetings, the winning score was at least 28. For more information on the all-time series against Saint Francis, including the last game recap, please see page four of today’s game notes. On This Date (Nov. 23) in Robert Morris Football History - Robert Morris has never before played a regular-season game this late in the calendar year. However, the Colonials did compete on this date once before in a postseason affair. After an 8-2 regular season in 1996, RMU was rewarded with a spot in the ECAC Bowl against local rival Duquesne. Taking on an undefeated Dukes squad on the road was quite a test for a young RMU program, but the Colonials rose to the challenge. Robert Morris built a 14-0 lead fewer than nine minutes in courtesy of two Archie Wannamaker (1996-98) touchdown runs. RMU would eventually open up a 28-7 lead early in the third quarter when Jake Newman (1994-97) threw a 49-yard TD strike. Duquesne would make a late charge, but the Colonials held on for a 28-26 win. Wannamaker ran for 123 yards while Newman threw for 246 and two scores. Brian Dunn (1994-97) and Nate List (1994-97) tied for game-high honors with 12 tackles, and each added an interception.
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 L, 9-35 DUQUESNE * # L, 20-21 @ Wagner * W, 17-13 BRYANT * W, 24-3 @ Central Conn. State * W, 54-21 SACRED HEART * ^ $ L, 25-42 @ 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