Moon Township, Pa. - The Robert Morris University football program enters its 15th season of intercollegiate competition in 2008 under the only head coach the program has ever known in Joe Walton, and the familiarity that surrounds the days in August in which another season begins is never lost on the Colonial head coach.

"I always look forward to training camp, and especially so this year," said Walton. "We had a very good freshman class last year, and I believe we have the makings of a good freshman class this year. Obviously, we'll have questions marks until we get going, but the future looks very promising."

Despite welcoming just four seniors among a group of 14 returning starters in 2008, there are pieces in place that can help build the puzzle for RMU to again become a championship club. Building depth will be important, and the Colonials will use the 2008 version of training camp to help fill both starting and backup positions.

"I see a lot of ability in some of these kids," Walton said. "We've got size, we're strong and we have some speed. I was extremely pleased to see how much they improved in the spring, and hopefully that development continues."

OFFENSE: PRO STYLE
Seven Starters Returning
1 QB / 3 OL / 1 TE / 2 RB

At various points throughout the course of the 2007 season, it wasn't uncommon to witness a trio of true freshman on the offensive line for the Colonials. That group went through growing pains, but Walton feels it will only make Robert Morris better in the long run.

"One of our problems the past few years has been running the ball," Walton said. "We've just had too many situations where we were faced with second and long or third and long. That puts a lot of pressure on the quarterback and a lot of pressure on pass protection. The bottom line is if the offensive line doesn't come through, we'll struggle. However, it's an area I feel much better about after spring practice."

Returning as starters on the offensive line in 2008 are senior Joe Setticase, who has seen time at both left and right tackle in a starting role, and sophomores Carlos Andrade and Corey Konycki.

"Joe has been a work in progress, but he's grown tremendously from his first couple of years and will be a leader for that group," Walton said. "Carlos and Corey will only get better after starting as freshmen, and they'll anchor the right side."

Sophomore Dave Coleman will get the first crack at replacing former All-NEC center John Steilner, while Ian Margerum, who has started 12 games for the Colonials throughout his career, should help bolster the line. Add in a mix of underclassmen, and building depth on the line will be important for RMU in 2008.

"Overall I thought the offensive line looked 100 percent better in the spring," Walton said. "What we need to do is build depth and develop backups in training camp. That's only going to solidify us not only for this year, but the next few seasons."

Having a strong offensive line will go a long way for Robert Morris in 2008, and it could benefit a group behind them that could be coming into its own.

At quarterback is senior Erik Cwalinski, who will enter his third full season as the starter in 2008. He completed 49.6 percent of his passes in 2007, throwing for 1,838 yards and 12 touchdowns.

"Erik has a lot of ability, and he's shown it at times," Walton said. "I really believe he needs a running game, just like any quarterback does. If we can run the ball better this year, and again, that goes back to our offensive line, I think it might settle him down a bit. When Erik's confident, he's proven to be a good quarterback."

Cwalinski will enter his senior season with some familiarity in the backfield, as sophomore Myles Russ and junior Raphael Johnson each return. The duo combined for 816 yards on the ground last season, and each bring a solid repertoire to the table.

"Both Myles and Raphael have talent, and now that they each have a year under their belts it's going to help them get better," Walton said. "It's nice to have two solid runners, and they can be a good tandem."

At fullback, a trio of Colonials could see time at the position, including senior Karey Murray, who returns as the starter. Senior Jesse Kastelic and sophomore Jeff Link could also work their way into the rotation, as well.

"I like to rotate my running backs, and the key thing with Karey is that he's multi-dimensional," Walton said. "He can do a lot of different things, and he'll be important on third down and in short yardage situations. Jesse had a really good spring camp and should work his way into the rotation, while I think Jeff is ready to blossom this year."

While familiarity will be good for Cwalinski in regard to the backfield, the same can't be said for the receiving corps. Gone from a year ago are RMU's top three receivers. A boost for the Colonials will be the return of Sherrod Evers, who lost his junior year in 2007 to injury.

"Sherrod can be special," Walton said. "He's a great leaper, has great hands, is a tough kid and can run after the catch. He can help us out a lot. We just need him to stay healthy."

Even without its top three receivers from last season, plenty of options remain. Senior Chris Kozak and sophomores Lance Patterson, T.J. Green and Michael Blanchard each could see extended playing time, while RMU's 2008 recruiting class includes a number of capable wide receivers.

At tight end, Robert Morris has one of its deepest crops in years. Entering 2008 as the starter is junior Chris Molnar, a bruising blocker who blossomed in the second half of the 2007 campaign. Joining him is senior Regis Flowers, junior Harry Girting and sophomore Sean McElhinny, who each bring different aspects to the table.

"Tight end is a strong area for us," Walton said. "Chris is a big, strong individual, and I think he's really going to be a top-notch tight end. Regis will still be a feature guy for us because he's probably the best receiver out of the group, but we have depth at the position, and that's a positive."

DEFENSE: Multiple
Six Starters Returning ? 3 DL / 1 LB / 2 DB

The Colonial defensive unit has been a solid and steady group over the past couple of seasons, and "I don't see that changing," Walton said.

Robert Morris has to replace five starters on defense, but there is reason to be excited with what the club returns. Junior Adam Lawrence turned into one of the best linebackers in the conference in 2007 after finishing third on the team with 86 tackles, while junior defensive lineman Mark Szymanski became a force at left end by leading the club with seven sacks.

"Szymanski is as good of a defensive end as you'll find in the league, and I'm really excited about the whole defensive line," Walton said. "It's an area that really impressed me in the spring."

Right end Shannon Smoot is the lone returning starter on defense that is a senior, and he'll anchor a line that includes Szymanski and junior right tackle Andy Walton. At left tackle, junior Gavin Marshall and sophomore Chris Roberts are coming off impressive springs, while the Colonials have high hopes for a few of the incoming recruits, including Sam Miller, Sam Kelley and Aric Blythe.

"We're going to have good competition and depth on the defensive line," Walton said. "That's key, because we can rotate players in and out to give guys a rest. I expect Smoot to have a good senior year and help lead an area that is real exciting."

Lawrence will anchor a unit at linebacker that will have two new starters. Much like the defensive line, depth will not be a problem at linebacker. Seniors Jake DaGrava and John Jackson, junior Ian Milanak and sophomore transfer Alex DiMichele each have the opportunity to make an impact.

"It's nice to see that when one player graduates, others step up and fill the role at linebacker, much the way Adam did last year," Walton said. "He's a tough, hard-nosed player, and we've got other guys that now have an opportunity to do what he did last season."

In the secondary, the Colonials will look for a pair of cornerbacks, but the safety position continues to be a strong suit for RMU. Returning are juniors Michael Landers and Nathan Argenta, each who moved into starting roles last season, while sophomore Troy Cree is one of the hardest-hitting players on the roster.

At cornerback, Rolph Bathold saw plenty of time as a freshman and could slide into a starting role, while sophomore teammates James Snider and Barry Nowell seem ready to blossom.

"We'll have to find a few cornerbacks in training camp, but I like what I saw in the spring from some of the guys we have coming back," Walton said. "Bathold is a smart player, and Snider has some talent. And again, we think we've recruited a few freshmen that can make an impact."

SPECIAL TEAMS
One Starter Returning  ? 1 P

One of the most pleasant surprises last season came at punter, as Nick Schirtzinger took over the starting position as a freshman and went on to earn All-NEC Second Team honors after leading the conference with an average of 41.4 yards per punt.

"Nick is a solid, capable punter with a strong leg," Walton said. "He's a big plus to our special teams. Overall, we have excellent players on special teams that cover a lot of ground. If you have good cover teams, they're usually linebackers or defensive backs. We've used those types of players over the last few years, and when it comes time for them to slide into starting spots, they're usually ready."

Robert Morris will look to replace the departed Michael Walser at placekicker, and entering training camp as the favorite is sophomore Garrett Clawson, a transfer from Temple.

"We're lucky to have Garrett," Walton said. "Walser was great at kickoffs and became more comfortable in his abilities last year in hitting field goals, and I think Garrett is ready to step in and fill that role admirably."

SCHEDULE

Robert Morris will be familiar with Joe Walton Stadium in September, as three of the club's first four games are at home. The Colonials open the season against Morehead State (Sept. 6), will square off with Bucknell for the first time a week later before opening Northeast Conference play against Monmouth (Sept. 27).

After its first NEC road game of the year at Sacred Heart Oct. 4, the Colonials return home to host crosstown rival Duquesne (Oct. 11) for the first time as a league opponent.

"I think it's great Duquesne has joined the NEC," Walton said. "They're a quality program and will fit in well. Our conference continues to improve, and that makes for great football each week."

SUMMARY

The Colonials will look to move forward in 2008 under the only head coach the program has had in Walton, and he's excited to start another season with the beginning of training camp.

"There is no question the potential with our players is there," Walton said. "They have the ability to grow into a good football team. We have good athletes with both size and speed, and as a coaching staff we'll work to get them ready each week and get better each week."