Alerus Center (12,283) - Grand Forks, N.D.

Top Story - The Robert Morris University football team hits the road for the first time in 2014 this Saturday, Sept. 6, as it travels to the University of North Dakota for a 7:00 p.m. Eastern kickoff at the Alerus Center. The Colonials dropped their season opener to Eastern Kentucky, a squad that is receiving votes in both national polls. North Dakota also played a tough foe a week ago as it met FBS member San Jose State. Nearly two-thirds (14-of-22) of RMU's offensive and defensive starters in its opener were making their first collegiate start, but that didn't stop a number of them from putting on impressive performances. This group of 14 included three Colonials that forced a combined four turnovers, three Colonials that reached double figures in tackles, a quarterback that completed 28 passes, a wide receiver that caught seven passes and a left tackle making his collegiate debut. This contest starts a three-game road trip for Robert Morris and is the first of two straight games in a new location as RMU will travel the length of Pennsylvania to Lafayette next Saturday, Sept. 13, to return a home game from the 2012 season.

Quick Stat of the Evening - In its season opener last week against Eastern Kentucky, Robert Morris used a tried-and-true formula for victory on the gridiron as the Colonial defense grabbed four turnovers while the offense did not give the ball away a single time. However, this plus-four differential would not be enough for a victory, a rare outcome considering RMU's history. The Colonials had won seven consecutive games when they did not turn the ball over and lost for only the fourth time in history in this circumstance as they fell to 20-4 (.833) in such situations. In fact, the game marked the first time ever that Robert Morris lost despite forcing at least four more turnovers than its opponent as RMU fell to 15-1 (.938) all-time in that situation. Recently, even having a differential of three or better had generally been good news for RMU as it had won nine of its past 10 games with a +3 turnover difference (or better) before last Thursday.

Saturday's Opponent - Saturday's game between Robert Morris and North Dakota marks the inaugural meeting between the two programs. Robert Morris owns a record of 19-12-1 (.609) when facing off with an opponent for the first time. North Dakota is the only new foe on RMU's schedule this year, but this is the fifth consecutive season in which RMU has played at least one new opponent. The Colonials have played in the Peace Garden State on two previous occasions when they played at North Dakota State (2010, 2012). Of RMU's previous 32 games against a first-time opponent, exactly half have come on the road. In those games, RMU is 7-8-1 (.469).

All-Time Series vs. North Dakota
Series tied, 0-0

On This Date (Sept. 6) in Robert Morris Football History - Robert Morris is 3-0 all-time on September 6 with a trio of non-conference victories. The wins were by margins of 10, 12 and 14 points and saw RMU score 27, 33 and 35 points. When the Colonials last played on this date, they were opening their 2008 season with a comfortable victory over Morehead State. RMU ran out to a 20-0 lead at the half before the guests began to find their bearings in the second half. Morehead State cut the lead to 14 points, 27-13, early in the fourth quarter, but the Colonial defense forced an interception, a fumble and a turnover on downs on the Eagles' final three possessions to keep the score intact. RMU held Morehead State to a mere 34 rushing yards on 29 attempts and just 239 total yards. Current assistant coach Alex DiMichele (2008-10) tallied 10 tackles in his debut with RMU while fellow staff member Myles Russ (2007-10) ran for 132 yards. Sherrod Evers (2006-09) tied the single game school record with 10 catches for 159 yards.

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 remained within striking distance into the final quarter, but Eastern Kentucky was able to put the game away in the final 10 minutes … RMU had advantages in passing yards against EKU and had fewer than half of the penalty yards that Colonels accrued … Duane Mitchell's nine grabs were the most by a Colonial since 2011 … Hunter Khaleghi knocked through a 39-yard field goal … Austin Trgovcich forced a fumble in his collegiate debut that sophomore Andy Smigiera recovered … Trgovcich posted 11 stops to aid the RMU defense … Robert Morris set a single game school record with 51 pass attempts, all of which were thrown by Luke Brumbaugh.