Robert Morris (1-3 / 0-0) @ Wagner (0-3 / 0-0) Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015 at Noon Wagner College Stadium (3,300) - Staten Island, N.Y.
Radio: ESPN 970 AM (Chris Shovlin - play-by-play & Spencer Kowitz - color) Audio on the internet at: www.970espn.com / Live Video: www.necfrontrow.com Top Story - The Robert Morris University football team commences Northeast Conference play this Saturday, Oct. 3, as it travels to Staten Island to face defending co-champion Wagner at Noon at Wagner College Stadium. RMU is coming off of a setback at South Dakota State, which was the Colonials’ second contest in three weeks on the road against a nationally ranked opponent. Wagner is playing its third home game in as many weeks this Saturday. The Seahawks took a lead into the fourth quarter against Lafayette last weekend, but the Leopards rallied for a victory. RMU linebacker Kimani Smith and placekicker Connor Shennan collected defensive and special teams honors, respectively, in the league’s weekly release Monday, giving the Colonials a NEC-best five awards this season. Robert Morris’ rushing attack has put up impressive numbers in recent weeks as the Colonials have increased their rushing output in each game thus far this season. RMU will continue NEC play next Saturday, Oct. 10, as it hosts the league’s 2014 playoff participant, Sacred Heart, on ESPN3 before enjoying its lone bye of the campaign. Quick Stat of the Afternoon - Saturday’s contest with Wagner will, in some sense, mark the beginning of a new season for both programs as the Colonials and Seahawks will be opening Northeast Conference play this weekend, starting an eight-week journey that will decide the league’s automatic qualifier for the NCAA Playoffs. Robert Morris is 10-9 (.526) all-time in conference lidlifters dating back to the NEC’s first season sponsoring football in 1996. The interesting part about that mark is that the Colonials are only 3-7 (.300) when starting a conference season at home but are a robust 7-2 (.778) when starting NEC play away from Moon Township. Somewhat surprisingly, this will be the first time RMU has ever opened conference play with Wagner, making the Seahawks the eighth distinct school with which RMU has commenced league action. After Saturday, RMU will have met each of its current league foes in a NEC opener. Saturday's Opponent - Wagner is one of just three opponents Robert Morris faced in each of the first 21 years the Colonials fielded an intercollegiate program, joining fellow NEC foes Central Connecticut State and Saint Francis. All-time the Colonials are 13-8 (.619) against the Seahawks. RMU owns nearly its entire advantage due to its play in home games. Although Robert Morris lost four of its first six on Staten Island, the Colonials have won four of their past five in New York, including a thrilling 17-13 victory in 2013. For more information on the all-time series against Wagner, including the last game recap, please see page four of today’s game notes. On This Date (Oct. 3) in Robert Morris Football History - Robert Morris has played twice before on October 3, posting a victory and a loss. Like this Saturday, each of the two previous occasions was a conference road contest for RMU. The first time the Colonials took the field on this date came in 1998 as they collected their first-ever win at Wagner, this week’s opponent. A rushing touchdown by the Seahawks was the lone score of the first quarter, but RMU used a pair of second-quarter TD’s to take a 14-9 lead at the break. After a scoreless third frame, Robert Morris found the end zone four times in the fourth quarter to turn a close affair into a laugher. The game only featured two turnovers, but both were interceptions thrown by Wagner that RMU returned for touchdowns. The Colonials outgained the Seahawks, 459-296, a difference aided by 330 passing yards by Tim Levcik (1998-2001), including a 94-yard bomb to Archie Wannamaker (1996-98). Chris Beene (1998) and Brad Miller (1998-2000) each contributed a pick-six.
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 L, 10-34 @ 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:
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