Robert Morris (2-8, 2-5 NEC) @ Duquesne (8-2, 6-1 NEC) Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at Noon Rooney Field (2,200) - Pittsburgh, Pa. Radio: WPIT-AM 730 (Chris Shovlin - play-by-play & Brian Cleary - color) Audio on the internet (live and archived) at: www.rmucolonials.com Top Story - The Robert Morris University football team concludes its 2011 campaign Saturday with a Noon kickoff against crosstown rival Duquesne at Rooney Field in Pittsburgh, Pa. The Colonials are coming off a 38-17 loss to Wagner (11/12) in their final home game of the 2011 season, RMU’s fifth straight loss. Freshman quarterback Matt Layman earned his first career start under center against Wagner and finished 6-for-16 passing for 70 yards before being knocked out of the game in the third quarter. Sophomore Tyler Forbes came on in relief of Layman and completed 10 of his 21 passing attempts for 140 yards, a touchdown and an interception and will make his first career start Saturday against the Dukes. Forbes hit senior wide receiver Jamie Cobb with a 38-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Seahawks, while redshirt freshman Deontae Howard scored his first collegiate touchdown with a one-yard run with 5:49 remaining. Robert Morris enters Saturday’s game against Duquesne having used eight different starting lineups on both offense and defense in 2011, with 25 Colonials having earned their first career start. In all, a total of 40 Colonials have earned starting assignments in 2011, including 19 each on both offense and defense. Quick Stat of the Afternoon - Senior tight end Shadrae King will suit up in a Robert Morris uniform for the final time Saturday afternoon at Duquesne and will go down as arguably the best tight end in school history. King became the program’s all-time leading receiver earlier this season, and it’s only fitting he’s coming off a performance against Wagner (11/12) in which he established an RMU single-season record for receptions. King finished with eight catches for 76 yards against the Seahawks, pushing his total this year in receptions to 49. That total broke the old mark of 47 that was established in 2009 by former wide receiver Sherrod Evers (2006-09). King’s average of 4.90 receptions per game entering Saturday’s season finale against the Dukes ranks fourth in the Northeast Conference and would also establish a new single-season school record. Saturday’s Opponent - Duquesne and Robert Morris will meet for the 13th time Saturday, with the Colonials and Dukes having split the previous 12 meetings. Robert Morris posted a 34-11 victory over Duquesne in last year’s matchup at Joe Walton Stadium (10/30/10) as former running back Myles Russ (2007-10) rushed for 154 yards and two scores and in the process became the program’s all-time leading rusher. For more information on the all-time series against Duquesne, including last year’s game recap, please see page four of today’s game notes. Robert Morris 2011 Quick Outs - RMU was picked third in the 2011 Northeast Conference preseason coaches poll, trailing only preseason favorite Central Connecticut State and Duquesne ... The Blue Devils earned five first-place votes in the NEC preseason coaches poll, the Dukes garnered two while RMU and Bryant each finished with one ... Senior tight end Shadrae King has caught at least one pass in 29 straight games dating back to the 2009 campaign, a school record ... King also owns 143 career receptions, a Robert Morris school record ... Junior quarterback Jeff Sinclair owns career totals of 4,121 passing yards and 42 touchdowns ... Junior defensive lineman Nolan Nearhoof is RMU’s active leader in tackles (137), tackles for loss (23) and sacks (16) ... Nearhoof is tied for fourth all-time at Robert Morris in career sacks ... A total of 25 Colonials have earned their first career start so far in 2011.
2011 Schedule Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12 Nov. 19
DAYTON L, 13-19 @ No. 21 Liberty L, 7-38 @ Morgan State L, 12-13 @ Monmouth * W, 23-20 SAINT FRANCIS * # W, 45-14 @ Albany * L, 17-28 BRYANT * ^ L, 27-34 SACRED HEART * L, 15-27 @ Central Conn. State * L, 24-31 WAGNER * $ L, 17-38 @ Duquesne * Noon
* NEC game; # Homecoming; ^ Hall of Fame Day; $ Senior Day
Colonials At A Glance Starters Returning / Lost ............................ 9 / 15 Offensive Starters Returning / Lost ............ 6 / 5 Defensive Starters Returning / Lost ............ 3 / 8 Specialist Starters Returning / Lost ............ 0 / 2 Letterwinners Returning / Lost .............. 36 / 22 Offensive Starters Returning / Lost .......... 6 / 5 LT - A.J. Dalton .................................. 6-5, 285, So. C - Logan Miles .................................. 6-2, 290, Sr. RG - Brad Rodgers ............................ 6-2, 305, Sr. TE - Shadrae King ............................. 6-3, 225, Sr. QB - Jeff Sinclair ............................ 6-3, 190, Jr. FL - Anthony Coleman ................... 5-11, 200, Sr. Defensive Starters Returning / Lost ........... 3 / 8 LE - Nolan Nearhoof ......................... 6-2, 280, Jr. RE - Steve Mitchell ............................ 6-2, 250, Jr. OLB - Brad Banas ............................... 6-1, 220, Jr. Specialist Starters Returning / Lost ........... 0 / 2
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