- The Robert Morris University football team takes to the road for the first time in 2015 this Saturday, Sept. 12, as it makes a short jaunt to take on Youngstown State at 7:00 p.m. at Stambaugh Stadium. The Colonials dropped their opener against Dayton as the Flyers rallied in the fourth quarter to eke out a win. Youngstown State gave Pittsburgh everything it could handle in its opener but came up on the short end of a 45-37 decision. The Penguins have won four national championships, making YSU the third school Robert Morris has played in its history that has won a FCS title. True freshman
, an Ohio native, became the first true freshman to start a season opener at quarterback for RMU since 1994 as he went the distance last week. Sophomore strong safety
became the first Colonial to win a weekly honor after the season's opening week in six years when he was selected Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Week. RMU will return home next weekend as it hosts Notre Dame (Ohio) Saturday, Sept. 19, as part of the University's Homecoming festivities.
All-Time Series vs. Youngstown State
Series tied, 0-0
On This Date (Sept. 12) in Robert Morris Football History - Robert Morris has played twice on September 12 and dropped decisions both times. Like this Saturday, both of those contests were also non-conference road tilts that served as RMU's second game of the season. The most recent time the Colonials played on this date was in 2009 when RMU traveled to Bucknell for the only time in program history. After the Colonials and Bison played the first half to a 10-10 draw, Bucknell found the end zone with two defensive touchdowns in the first three minutes of the second half to seemingly take control. Robert Morris fought back with 13 straight points to pull within a point late in the fourth quarter, but the Colonials could not secure points on either of their final two drives and lost 26-23. RMU had a large advantage in total yards (348-183) thanks primarily to a tremendous effort against the run that saw the Colonials hold the Bison to -18 rushing yards. Ian Milanak (2006-09) posted 4.5 tackles for loss in the setback.
Head Coach John Banaszak (second 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 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 held a halftime lead, but a back-and-forth second half saw Dayton come away with a 27-24 victory … Dayton's 37-yard field goal with 2:32 remaining proved to be the game winner as the clock ran out on RMU's final possession with the Colonials driving in Flyer territory … RMU's first touchdown of the season came on a 6-yard pass from Mathew Barr to Nic Lamica … Junior Connor Shennan converted his first field goal try of the season, a 30-yard attempt … Redshirt senior Mike Stojkovic notched his first forced fumble in a Colonial uniform while redshirt sophomore Zack Zamiska and redshirt freshman Marquis Robinson both recovered fumbles.Back-to-Back - Sophomore
Ryan Richards Jr. was named Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Week Monday. It marked the second straight weekly release in which he was honored as he claimed rookie accolades to close the 2014 season. Richards grabbed a pair of interceptions in the season opener, his fourth career start, while adding six tackles and a pass breakup. Richards became the 18th distinct Colonial to grab multiple picks in a contest with his effort against the Flyers.
Special Special Teams -
Cole Blake returned a blocked punt 26 yards for a touchdown in RMU's season opener. It marked the first time RMU scored a special teams TD since Sept. 28, 2013 and the first time since 2002 that RMU returned a blocked punt for a TD.
Turning It Around - A main point of emphasis for Robert Morris in 2015 was to improve its turnover differential after last year's poor showing in that category. One week into 2015, RMU stands at +1 in turnovers. The Colonials did turn the ball over three times, but they forced four turnovers—two interceptions, two fumbles—to make up for that.
Initial Impressions - A number of RMU players accrued a 'first' during the 2015 season opener. Four Colonials made their first collegiate start. Each of those four was part of a group of 15 Colonials that made their collegiate deubt against Dayton. A total of 27 Colonials made their first career start a year ago while 35 Colonials made their collegiate debut last season.
Long And Short of It - The 2014 edition of the Robert Morris defense did not allow a single opponent to complete a pass of 50+ yards. It marked just the third time in program history that RMU achieved such a feat (2009, 1998). However, last season was the first in Colonial history in which neither team completed a pass of 50+ yards throughout the season. That trend continued in RMU's 2015 season opener, extending this streak to 12 games.
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