West Long Branch, N.J. - The Robert Morris University football team capped a dramatic turnaround to its 2009 season Saturday afternoon by earning a 23-9 victory over Monmouth in the season finale for both programs at Kessler Field.

The Colonials, after starting the year 0-6, claimed their fifth straight victory to close out the year with a 5-6 overall mark, including a ledger of 5-3 in the Northeast Conference. RMU finishes in a tie for third place with Wagner, which also finished 5-3 in conference play. The Hawks end the season with a 5-6 overall record and a 4-4 mark in NEC action.

Robert Morris held the NEC's all-time leading rusher, David Sinisi, to just 62 yards on 20 carries in the win while sacking quarterback Kyle Frazier five times, forcing him to lose a fumble and intercepting him three times. In all, the Colonials allowed just 192 yards of total offense.

RMU never trailed in the game, taking a 7-0 lead at the 2:52 mark of the first quarter when junior halfback Myles Russ (Boca Raton, Fla. / West Boca) scored from 10 yards out to cap a seven-play, 34-yard drive.

Russ carried four times for 28 yards during the possession, which was aided by a 20-yard punt by Jacks Daniels of the Hawks and gave the Colonials great field position deep in Monmouth territory.

Robert Morris nursed its one touchdown lead into halftime but stretched its advantage to 10-0 when junior kicker Garrett Clawson (Duncansville, Pa. / Hollidaysburg) connected for a 26-yard field goal with six minutes to play in the third quarter. 

The trifecta was set up by the RMU defense, as senior defensive lineman Mike Burkett (New Castle, Pa. / Laurel) forced a Frazier fumble with a sack, which was recovered by senior defensive lineman Mark Szymanski (Cadogan, Pa. / Ford City) at the Monmouth 19-yard line.

Freshman quarterback Jeff Sinclair (Natrona Heights, Pa. / Highlands) helped Robert Morris take control of the contest by directing the Colonials on their second longest touchdown of the season. His four-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Sherrod Evers (Philadelphia, Pa. / Mastbaum Area) capped an 11-play, 84-yard drive that started in the third quarter, ate up 5:41 of the clock and gave RMU a 16-0 lead with 12:39 to play. The extra point attempt, however, was blocked and returned by Jose Gumbs for two points.

On the second play of Monmouth's next possession, Frazier was intercepted by senior linebacker Ian Milanak (North Apollo, Pa. / Apollo Ridge), who set up the Robert Morris offense at the 16-yard line of the Hawks with a 14-yard return. Penalties on both teams ensued after the interception, with RMU starting the drive at the Monmouth 31-yard line after a personal foul penalty.

On the first play of the drive, however, Sinclair connected with sophomore wide receiver Anthony Coleman (Cheltenham, Md. / St. John's College High School) for a 31-yard touchdown pass to increase the Colonial lead to 23-2 with 11:26 remaining in the game.

Monmouth scored its only touchdown of the contest with 4:45 to play when Frazier hit Ron Lauch for a 15-yard touchdown pass, trimming its deficit 23-9. The Hawks held the Colonials on their next possession and got the ball back and began to drive, but the comeback bid was foiled with 1:37 to go when senior defensive back Marvin McCalla (Coral Springs, Fla. / Coral Springs) intercepted Frazier in the end zone.

Russ eclipsed 1,000 yards for the second straight season by finishing with 74 yards on the ground on 23 carries, while Sinclair completed 13 of his 17 passing attempts for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Sinclair completed four passes to Evers for 29 yards and a touchdown, while Coleman caught three balls for 50 yards and a score. 

Junior linebacker Alex DiMichele (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Sto-Rox) tied for game-high honors with eight tackles, while Burkett and junior linebacker Elias Navarro (Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / South Plantation) each finished with seven takedowns. Junior defensive lineman Chris Roberts (Bear, Del. / Caravel Academy) recorded two of RMU's five sacks.

Notes: Clawson's field goal in the third quarter was his 14th of the year, establishing a new RMU single-season record ... The four receptions for Evers pushed his season total to 47, also establishing a new Robert Morris single-season mark ... Junior punter Nick Schirtzinger (Hurricane, W.Va. / Hurricane) became the first Colonial in school history to eclipse 7,000 yards punting by finishing with 144 yards on four punts ... Schirtzinger will enter his senior season in 2010 with 7,117 punting yards ... The 74 yards rushing for Russ pushed his career total to 2,908, which is tied with inaugural running back Tim Hall (1994-95) for second all-time in school history ... RMU racked up 272 yards of total offense and held a 33:05 to 26:55 edge in time of possession ... Robert Morris scored first in each of its five games during its winning streak to close out the year and outscored its opponents, 110-36, during the stretch ... The Colonials were 5-for-13 on third down, while the Hawks finished 8-for-16.