Robert Morris (0-1) @ North Dakota (0-1) Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. EDT Alerus Center (12,283) - Grand Forks, N.D.
Radio: ESPN 970 AM (Chris Shovlin - play-by-play & Spencer Kowitz - color) Audio on the internet at: www.970espn.com / Live Video: www.WatchBigSky.com Top Story - The Robert Morris University football team hits the road for the first time in 2014 this Saturday, Sept. 6, as it travels to the University of North Dakota for a 7:00 p.m. Eastern kickoff at the Alerus Center. The Colonials dropped their season opener to Eastern Kentucky, a squad that is receiving votes in both national polls. North Dakota also played a tough foe a week ago as it met FBS member San Jose State. Nearly two-thirds (14-of-22) of RMU’s offensive and defensive starters in its opener were making their first collegiate start, but that didn’t stop a number of them from putting on impressive performances. This group of 14 included three Colonials that forced a combined four turnovers, three Colonials that reached double figures in tackles, a quarterback that completed 28 passes, a wide receiver that caught seven passes and a left tackle making his collegiate debut. This contest starts a three-game road trip for Robert Morris and is the first of two straight games in a new location as RMU will travel the length of Pennsylvania to Lafayette next Saturday, Sept. 13, to return a home game from the 2012 season. Quick Stat of the Evening - In its season opener last week against Eastern Kentucky, Robert Morris used a tried-and-true formula for victory on the gridiron as the Colonial defense grabbed four turnovers while the offense did not give the ball away a single time. However, this plus-four differential would not be enough for a victory, a rare outcome considering RMU’s history. The Colonials had won seven consecutive games when they did not turn the ball over and lost for only the fourth time in history in this circumstance as they fell to 20-4 (.833) in such situations. In fact, the game marked the first time ever that Robert Morris lost despite forcing at least four more turnovers than its opponent as RMU fell to 15-1 (.938) all-time in that situation. Recently, even having a differential of three or better had generally been good news for RMU as it had won nine of its past 10 games with a +3 turnover difference (or better) before last Thursday. Saturday's Opponent - Saturday’s game between Robert Morris and North Dakota marks the inaugural meeting between the two programs. Robert Morris owns a record of 19-12-1 (.609) when facing off with an opponent for the first time. North Dakota is the only new foe on RMU’s schedule this year, but this is the fifth consecutive season in which RMU has played at least one new opponent. The Colonials have played in the Peace Garden State on two previous occasions when they played at North Dakota State (2010, 2012). Of RMU’s previous 32 games against a first-time opponent, exactly half have come on the road. In those games, RMU is 7-8-1 (.469). On This Date (Sept. 6) in Robert Morris Football History - Robert Morris is 3-0 all-time on September 6 with a trio of non-conference victories. The wins were by margins of 10, 12 and 14 points and saw RMU score 27, 33 and 35 points. When the Colonials last played on this date, they were opening their 2008 season with a comfortable victory over Morehead State. RMU ran out to a 20-0 lead at the half before the guests began to find their bearings in the second half. Morehead State cut the lead to 14 points, 27-13, early in the fourth quarter, but the Colonial defense forced an interception, a fumble and a turnover on downs on the Eagles’ final three possessions to keep the score intact. RMU held Morehead State to a mere 34 rushing yards on 29 attempts and just 239 total yards. Current assistant coach Alex DiMichele (2008-10) tallied 10 tackles in his debut with RMU while fellow staff member Myles Russ (2007-10) ran for 132 yards. Sherrod Evers (2006-09) tied the single game school record with 10 catches for 159 yards.
2014 Schedule Aug. 28 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 8 Nov. 15 Nov. 22
EASTERN KENTUCKY L, 10-29 @ North Dakota 7 p.m. @ Lafayette 6 p.m. @ Dayton 1 p.m. MONMOUTH # 3 p.m. @ Sacred Heart * Noon CENTRAL CONN. STATE * Noon @ Bryant * 1 p.m. WAGNER * Noon SAINT FRANCIS * $ Noon @ Duquesne * Noon
* NEC game; # Homecoming; $ Senior Day
Colonials At A Glance Starters Returning / Lost ......................... 10 / 14 Offensive Starters Returning / Lost ........... 5 / 6 Defensive Starters Returning / Lost ........... 3 / 8 Specialist Starters Returning / Lost ........... 2 / 0 Letterwinners Returning / Lost ............. 20 / 30 Offensive Starters Returning / Lost ........... 5 / 6 LG - Max Robertson .......................... 6-3, 305, Jr. C - Nick Faraci ................................... 6-1, 285, Sr. RT - Jon Hill ................................... 6-4, 290, R-Sr. FB - Ryan Thermil ............................. 5-9, 235, Sr. WR - Duane Mitchell ........................ 6-1, 205, Sr. Defensive Starters Returning / Lost .......... 3 / 8 DE - Forrest Mason ........................... 6-2, 275, Sr. OLB - Mike Stojkovic ....................... 6-2, 220, Sr. CB - Antwan Eddie .......................... 5-10, 180, Sr. Specialist Starters Returning / Lost ........... 2 / 0 PK - Connor Shennan ....................... 6-2, 195, So. P - Tony LaMancusa ........................ 5-10, 195, Sr.
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