Moon Township, Pa. - Senior outside linebacker Jeff Rommes (Gibsonia, Pa. / Deer Lakes) garnered the second weekly accolade in three weeks for the Robert Morris University football team Monday, as he was named the Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Week. It marks the second such honor for Rommes on his Colonial career, as he also claimed the award Oct. 10, 2005.
In a 23-17 double overtime victory over nationally ranked Central Connecticut State Oct. 14, Rommes established a new career high in tackles by posting 18 against the Blue Devils, including seven solo and three for a loss. He also added a fumble recovery, pass breakup and interception in the victory.
The 18 tackles is the second highest single-game total in Robert Morris school history, and it ties Rommes with former linebacker James Noel (2002-05), who posted 18 tackles in a game twice over his four-year career.
In overtime Rommes posted five tackles, with possibly his biggest coming in the first extra frame. On second-and-goal from the RMU five-yard line, Blue Devil running back Justise Hairston reached the one-yard line before being met by Rommes and falling short of the end zone.
In regulation, his fumble recovery on a CCSU signal caller Ryan Holmes miscue was followed by an 88-yard drive that produced a Robert Morris touchdown and gave the Colonials a 14-7 edge. On the following Central Connecticut State possession Rommes intercepted Holmes and rumbled 47 yards to the Blue Devil eight-yard line. RMU would settle for a field goal on the ensuing drive to take a 17-7 advantage into halftime.
On the 2006 season Rommes leads the Colonials with 55 tackles, including 26 solo, and owns 11 tackles for a loss, including two and-a-half sacks. He ranks seventh in the NEC in tackles and fourth in tackles for a loss.
Thanks to RMU's win over Central Connecticut State, the club's fifth straight victory after opening the 2006 season with back-to-back losses, the Colonials have moved up to No. 4 in the latest I-AA mid-major poll according to The Sports Network.
Under the direction of 13th-year head coach Joe Walton, Robert Morris closes out a two-game homestand Saturday Oct. 21, when it welcomes Monmouth to Joe Walton Stadium for a 1:00 p.m. league tilt. The Colonials enter the game with an overall record of 5-2 and 3-0 in conference play, while the Hawks own an overall record of 6-1 and 2-1 in league action after a 28-7 win at Wagner Oct. 14.
