Football Game Notes vs. Eastern Kentucky (8/28/14)

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Eastern Kentucky (0-0) @ Robert Morris (0-0) Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. Joe Walton Stadium (3,000) - Moon Township, Pa.

Radio: WJAS 1320 AM (Chris Shovlin - play-by-play & Brian Cleary - color) Audio on the internet at: iHeartRadio / Live Video: www.necfrontrow.com Top Story - The Robert Morris University football team opens its 2014 slate and 21st season of intercollegiate football Thursday, Aug. 28, as it hosts Eastern Kentucky at 7:00 p.m. at Joe Walton Stadium. John Banaszak is set to make his Division I head coaching debut as he will become only the second man ever to lead the Colonials in program history after the retirement of Joe Walton after two decades. This is Banaszak’s 12th season overall on the staff at Robert Morris. Meanwhile, Eastern Kentucky is one of the more storied programs at the NCAA FCS level as it has won two national titles and made 20 playoff appearances, the second-highest amount in history. RMU’s returnees are headlined by preseason All-American Antwan Eddie, a starting cornerback who earned the accolade for his performance as a punt returner. On the flip side, a total of 12 Colonials, including quarterback Luke Brumbaugh, are expected to make the first start Thursday. After opening at home, Robert Morris will hit the road for three consecutive weeks, beginning with a trip to North Dakota next Saturday, Sept. 6. Quick Stat of the Evening - Robert Morris enters its 2014 season opener with an all-time record of 9-11 (.450) in season lidlifters, all of which have come in non-conference play. After opening the season on the road against nationally ranked opponents each of the past two years, including kicking off 2012 with eventual national champion North Dakota State, RMU will begin a season at home for the ninth time in program history in 2014. Robert Morris has dropped each of its past five season openers, four of which have come on the road … Top performances by RMU in season openers: most points – 47 (9/4/04 vs. Buffalo State); fewest points allowed – 0 (9/7/96 @ Mercyhurst); most rushing yards – 215 (9/6/03 @ Buffalo State); most passing yards – 282 (9/6/03 @ Buffalo State); most total yards – 497 (9/6/03 @ Buffalo State); fewest yards allowed – 167 (9/4/04 vs. Buffalo State) Thursday's Opponent - Robert Morris and Eastern Kentucky will meet for just the second time on the football field Thursday, with the Colonels having claimed a 38-6 victory over the Colonials in the inaugural meeting between the two programs almost exactly one year ago at a muggy Roy Kidd Stadium (8/29). EKU scored on its first two possessions and never looked back in the win. Jared McClain completed 16-of-21 passes while running for and throwing for two touchdowns each. For more information on the all-time series against Eastern Kentucky, including the last game recap, please see page four of today’s game notes. On This Date (Aug. 28) in Robert Morris Football History - Robert Morris will be navigating into uncharted waters as it will be playing on August 28 for the first time in program history when it takes field against Eastern Kentucky. Not only is it the first game on August 28, but it is actually the second game ever in the month of August for RMU, with the first being their opener with the Colonels last year. Playing in August isn’t the only unusual phenomenon associated with this year’s season opener for RMU. The contest against Eastern Kentucky will mark the second time Robert Morris has competed on a Thursday and only the third time the Colonials have not played on a Saturday. RMU’s prior game on a Thursday was also last year against EKU, but before that, one has to go back to 1995 when the Colonials played on a Friday night. On October 6 of that year, RMU nearly pulled off an improbable comeback as it scored 26 points in the final 16 minutes but fell to Gannon, 30-29. Both previous non-Saturday games in RMU history came on the road.

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 @ North Dakota @ Lafayette @ Dayton MONMOUTH # @ Sacred Heart * CENTRAL CONN. STATE * @ Bryant * WAGNER * SAINT FRANCIS * $ @ Duquesne *

7 p.m. 7 p.m. 6 p.m. 1 p.m. 3 p.m. Noon Noon 1 p.m. Noon Noon 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.

For the latest information on Robert Morris University football, including news, stats, records and videos, please visit:

www.rmucolonials.com


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