- Central Connecticut State is one of just three opponents Robert Morris faced in each of the first 21 years the Colonials fielded an intercollegiate program, joining fellow NEC foes Saint Francis and Wagner. All-time the Colonials are 16-5 (.762) against the Blue Devils. The home team has won nine of the past 10 games in the series with the exception being the last time the teams met in Connecticut in 2013. RMU used fourth quarter comebacks to down CCSU in 2012 and 2014.
10/18/14 -Â W, 27-24; Home
@ Moon Township, Pa. - Robert Morris, 9-1
@ New Britain, Conn. - Robert Morris, 7-4
CCSU Series Quick Outs - Robert Morris and CCSU own 10 NEC titles between them, the most among active league schools, with the Colonials having produced six and the Blue Devils four … RMU won its first 10 games over CCSU, its longest winning streak against one opponent in school history … 13 of the prior 21 meetings have been decided by 10+ points … RMU's victory over the Blue Devils in 2006 doubled as the program's first-ever game against a nationally ranked opponent … RMU has scored 40+ points on six occasions against CCSU, its highest such figure against any opponent.
On This Date (Oct. 31) in Robert Morris Football History - Robert Morris has competed only once on Halloween, and it came away victorious. Like this Saturday, that game was also against a league foe from Connecticut, but it came in the confines of Joe Walton Stadium. RMU and Sacred Heart played through a light rain six years ago on this date, and offense was hard to come by. After a scoreless first quarter, RMU took the lead 70 seconds before the half on a Garrett Clawson (2008-09) field goal. Clawson would tack on a 35-yard field goal in both the third and fourth quarters to give the hosts a two-possession edge. That would prove to be vital as the Pioneers broke the shutout attempt by using a long kickoff return to launch a short touchdown drive. RMU ran out the final 5:20 with 12 straight rushes. Raphael Johnson (2007-10) rushed for a career-high 115 yards, including 42 on the final drive. Michael Landers (2007-10), Elias Navarro (2007-10) and Chris Roberts (2008-10) all intercepted passes in the win.
Head Coach John Banaszak (second season; Eastern Michigan '75) -Â
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 and final as assistant head coach for Robert Morris. Among his numerous duties with the program before becoming head coach, 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 11 years and ranked among the top four nine times in the past 12 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 helped five distinct Colonials win an award at return specialist within the span of one 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 was unable to maintain its halftime lead on a rainy night and dropped a 16-7 decision to Duquesne … The RMU defense kept the Colonials in the game for much of the evening as it held the Dukes to one touchdown and zero scoring drives longer than 50 yards … Robert Morris held the guests under a 50% completion mark and limited preseason All-American receiver Chris King to just two receptions … Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman
Zack Zamiska notched a career-best eight stops, including a half sack … Junior weak safety
Andy Smigiera forced a fumble that was recovered and returned 44 yards by redshirt senior captain
Mike Stojkovic.
Homegrown - After missing most of his rookie season due to injury, sophomore Cole Blake has flashed his potential in recent weeks. Blake ran for 117 yards on 22 carries last week, averaging 5.4 per attempt. It was his second time passing the century mark in the last five games. While the local product has yet to reach the end zone this season, he has rushed for a team-leading 19 first downs, including seven on third-down plays.Sack Master - Redshirt junior
Austin Trgovcich had a monster game Oct. 10 as he notched career highs in tackles (12), tackles for loss (3.5) and sacks (2.5). Trgovcich leads the league in tackles per game among defensive linemen (6.4) and is tied for second overall in sacks (5.0). He has posted a sack in three of the past four games.
Next Man Up - Starting in place of an injured teammate,
Gerald Ferguson made the most of his chance last week. He contributed a game-high 15 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two pass breakups. His effort helped keep the Dukes to one touchdown and a season-low 167 passing yards.
Long Rush Trio - In its past two road games, the Robert Morris offense has produced three rushes of at least 50 yards. That equals the number of 50+ yard rushes that RMU combined for in the five seasons from 2010-14. The three lengthy runs came from the feet of three Colonials with
Mathew Barr,
Cole Blake and
Dante Satcher each contributing one. In fact, this is only the second season ever, and the first since 1996, in which three distinct Colonials have each posted a rush of 50+ yards.
Not Halfway Home – Entering the 2015 season, the team trailing at the half had won only 13.5% of games all-time in Robert Morris history. However, the team losing at the break in RMU's games this season has a remarkable 5-2 record.
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