Quick Stat of the Evening - Robert Morris put forth one of its best yardage performances in recent history in running the ball in last week's road opener at North Dakota as the Colonials notched 214 yards on the ground. It marked the Colonials' best rushing total in the program's past 30 games and the best such figure by RMU in a non-conference game since a 2005 contest that doubled as the program's inaugural game at Joe Walton Stadium. Meanwhile, RMU held North Dakota to 113 rushing yards, more than 100 clear of its own total. It would stand to reason that rushing for 100+ yards more than one's opponent would greatly benefit a team's chances of winning. Indeed, that has proven to be the case in RMU's history as the Colonials were 43-1 (.977) all-time when outgaining their opponent by at least 100 yards rushing until last week's loss. Robert Morris has had at least one such win in every year in program history except 2007.

Saturday's Opponent - Robert Morris and Lafayette will meet for only the second time on the football field Saturday, with the only prior meeting coming at RMU. The Colonials jumped out to a 28-7 halftime lead only to see the Leopards pull even in the fourth quarter. Robert Morris used a 67-yard drive in the final minutes to set up Greg Langer's (2010-12) game-winning field goal with 19 seconds left. Donte Jeter (2011-13) hauled in seven catches for 131 yards in the contest, including a key 43-yard grab on the final drive. For more information on the all-time series against Lafayette, including the last game recap, please see page four of today's game notes.

All-Time Series vs. Lafayette
Robert Morris leads, 1-0

9/29/12 - W, 31-28; Home

@ Moon Township, Pa. - RMU, 1-0
@ Easton, Pa. - N/A

Lafayette Series Quick Outs - RMU's first contest against Lafayette was the second ever home night game in program history … Duane Mitchell caught a 26-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, marking the first touchdown of his career … Senior linebacker Mike Cook was the third Colonial to post a double-digit tackle figure as he contributed 10 stops … The win came after a Colonial bye week, giving RMU an 11-1 (.917) mark in program history when playing after a bye week at home … Antwan Eddie intercepted a pass on the Leopards' second play from scrimmage in the first meeting …  Robert Morris has only nine players on its current roster that played in the first meeting with Lafayette, only four of whom started … The victory was one of seven times in Jeff Sinclair's career that he led a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter, a program record … The two squads combined to go 6-for-6 in scoring in the red zone in their last meeting. All of the scores were touchdowns with the exception of RMU's game-winning field goal.

On This Date (Sept. 13) in Robert Morris Football History - Robert Morris has played three times before on September 13 but has only come up with one victory. The three contests were decided by a combined 15 points with all being one-possession games. RMU's lone win on this date came in 1997 when RMU played at Butler for the first time in its young history. The Colonials jumped out to a 12-0 lead at the half and then moved ahead 19-0 near the middle of the third quarter. The Bulldogs then scored two touchdowns in a span of 4:19 to cut the deficit to five points, but RMU came right back with a rushing touchdown. Butler got a late final touchdown, but Robert Morris held on for a 26-21 victory. Archie Wannamaker (1996-98) ran for 125 yards and a score while Jake Newman (1994-97) tossed three touchdowns to three distinct receivers. Nate List (1994-97) posted a team-high 10 tackles while Brian Dunn (1994-97) grabbed one of his program-record 19 interceptions, RMU's lone takeaway of the game.

Head Coach John Banaszak (first season; Eastern Michigan '75) - John Banaszak became the second head football coach in Robert Morris University history in December 2013. He served as an assistant coach and assistant head coach for the Colonials for 11 consecutive years prior to taking over the top spot. Banaszak was selected as Coach-In-Waiting in January 2012, allowing for a simple transition following the 2013 campaign.

At the end of the 2013 season, he was named as the Assistant Coach of the Year at the FCS level as selected by the American Football Coaches Association. He was one of five coaches selected for dedication to their teams and communities. He was the first RMU coach, as well as the first from the NEC, to claim this honor.

The 2013 season was Banaszak's sixth as assistant head coach for Robert Morris. Among his numerous duties with the program, he was responsible for tutoring the defensive line and the special teams unit.

Under Banaszak's guidance in 2013, Robert Morris led the NEC in net punting, punt return defense and punt return average. Banaszak was also a key component in instructing a RMU defense that finished second in the NEC in total defense within league play in 2013. Robert Morris finished its regular season ranked among the top 25 nationally in at least seven defensive categories including total defense.

With Banaszak's assistance, RMU has led the NEC in total defense four times in the past 10 years and ranked among the top four nine times in the past 11 seasons.

Banaszak was a key component to a 2010 defense that led the NEC in total defense as the Colonials claimed the NEC's inaugural berth in the FCS Playoffs. In 2006, he helped tutor an RMU defense that led I-AA in total defense, allowing an average of just 228.36 yards per game.

10 of the 13 players in school history to earn All-NEC recognition on the defensive line have come under the tutelage of Banaszak, including Nolan Nearhoof (2009-12), who was named the 2012 NEC Defensive Player of the Year after breaking both the school and league records for career sacks. Nearhoof would go on to earn All-America honors, becoming the third Colonial defensive lineman to claim an All-America nod under Banaszak in a seven-year span.

As much as Banaszak's presence has been felt on the defensive side of the ball, the same can be said on special teams. He has helped five distinct Colonials win an award at return specialist within the past decade.

A graduate of Eastern Michigan, Banaszak signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers prior to the 1975 season and was one of only three rookies to make the defending Super Bowl champion team out of training camp.

Primarily a special teams player on Pittsburgh's Super Bowl X championship team, Banaszak started five games the following season and then started at both right end and inside tackle in 1977 before suffering a knee injury that forced him to the injured reserve list.

Between 1978 and 1980, Banaszak started 45 regular-season games at defensive end as the Steelers won back-to-back Super Bowls. In Super Bowl XIII, Banaszak recorded six tackles, including a pair of sacks, and a fumble recovery in a 35-31 win over the Dallas Cowboys, which garnered him Defensive Player of the Game honors. The following year, Banaszak helped the Steelers to a 31-19 victory over the Rams.

Last Time Out - Robert Morris twice held the lead but was unable to get over the hump and fell to North Dakota, 16-13, inside the Alerus Center … RMU had advantages in a variety of statistical categories including rushing yards (214-113), total yards (363-268), first downs (19-10), time of possession (34:41-25:19), third down conversion percentage (8-for-18, 3-for-15) tackles for loss (10.0-8.0) and sacks (2.0-1.0) … Senior linebacker Mike Stojkovic recovered a fumble to set up a RMU touchdown … Luke Brumbaugh tossed his first-career touchdown, a six-yard strike to Duane Mitchell … Sophomore Ryan Lewis tallied his first-career sack in the setback.

Ramming Defenses - Rameses Owens was named National Freshman of the Week after breaking multiple school records in the team's road opener. He is believed to be the first Colonial ever to earn Freshman of the Week honors from The Sports Network. Owens had a breakout performance as he racked up a game-high 199 rushing yards while finding the end zone once. The 199 yards represents a new RMU record for single-game rushing yardage by a freshman and is among the top 15 performances ever by a RMU running back. Owens added a 38-yard reception to finish with 237 all-purpose yards.

Seeing Red - After ranking 19th nationally in red zone defense a year ago, Robert Morris, despite having eight new starters on defense, has continued to impress in this area thus far in 2014. RMU has allowed only two touchdowns on its opponents' 10 trips to the red zone. In fact, Eastern Kentucky and North Dakota combined for five trips inside RMU's 10-yard line, but the Colonials have allowed only one TD on those drives.

Mix It Up - Darrin Hicks has shown he's not afraid to try different strategies in RMU's first two games. In the season opener, Luke Brumbaugh set a school record with 51 pass attempts, 28 of which he completed. Last week at North Dakota, Rameses Owens set a school record with 39 rushing attempts.

First Impressions - A number of RMU players have accrued a 'first' in the season's opening two games. A total of 18 Colonials have made their first-career start thus far, nine on offense and nine on defense. 11 of those 18 had never competed in a collegiate game before 2014. In all, 29 Colonials have made their collegiate debut this season. Luke Brumbaugh became the first redshirt or true freshman to start a season opener at QB for RMU since 1994.

Welcome Back  - After missing the season opener, redshirt senior linebacker Luke Mueller got his season started a big way at North Dakota. Mueller tallied eight solo tackles, a career high. He added two tackles for loss and a pass breakup. His biggest stop might have come when he stuffed the ballcarrier at the 1-yard line for no gain, helping keep UND out of the end zone on that drive.