All-Time Series vs. Notre Dame (Ohio)
Series tied, 0-0

On This Date (Sept. 19) in Robert Morris Football History - Robert Morris has played only once on September 19, and it came up seven points short. Like this Saturday, that contest was a home, non-conference tilt that was RMU's third game of the season. The only year the Colonials played on this date was in 2009 when RMU hosted Dayton, its most frequent non-conference opponent. The Colonials intercepted the Flyers on the game's opening drive and used a short field to turn the pick into a touchdown drive. Dayton then took control as it scored 21 straight points, spanning halftime, to take a two-possession lead. Robert Morris made it interesting with a touchdown with under three minutes to go in the fourth as Sherrod Evers (2006; 2008-09) hauled in a 25-yard catch. The Flyers would run out the clock by picking up a pair of first downs. Alex DiMichele (2008-10) had a strong game in defeat for the Colonials as he contributed 12 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and an interception. Myles Russ (2007-10) added 87 rushing yards.

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 led for 39:54 at No. 17 Youngstown State and never trailed in regulation, but the Penguins won it in overtime, 21-14 … Sophomore Gerald Ferguson notched the first fumble recovery of his career … Sophomore Rameses Owens reset his career-long rush with a 41-yard touchdown … The Colonials played their second overtime game in their past nine non-conference affairs … Sophomore Drew Allen contributed seven stops, tying his career high, while adding a tackle for loss and a pass breakup … Redshirt freshman Zach Walker made his first collegiate start … Robert Morris fell to 19-14-1 when playing an opponent for the first time in program history.

Stock Watch - Mike Stojkovic was named Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Week Monday. It marked the second straight week a Colonial won that honor, which meant RMU has won the NEC's defensive weekly award in the first two weeks of a season for the first time ever. Stojkovic helped limit nationally ranked Youngstown State's offense as he posted 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble last week. He has hit double digits in tackles and forced a fumble in both games of 2015.

In the Backfield - Junior Jimmy Masson entered the season with 1.0 career sack, but he already has 2.0 in the first two games. In fact, he has at least 1.0 tackle for loss in five of his past six games, a span in which he has 8.0 tackles for loss overall.

Tkach Attack - After serving as a reserve in prior years, Jake Tkach made the most of his opportunity to play in 2014. The linebacker led the team with 84 tackles and tied for the team lead with 10 tackles for loss. He ranked fourth in the NEC in tackles per game in 2014. The redshirt senior is tied for third on the team in 2015 with 14 stops.

No Passing Zone - The Robert Morris defense did well in keeping opposing offenses from moving the ball through the air near the end zone last year. The Colonials grabbed eight interceptions in 2014 within 20 yards of the end zone they were defending. Ryan Richards Jr. tallied a pick at his 6-yard line in the 2015 opener, giving RMU nine such grabs in its past 13 games. Six different Colonials have contributed to that mark.

Record-Breaking Rookies - Prior to 2014, no more than two Colonials had claimed weekly rookie awards within a calendar year. That all changed last season as four Colonials were named NEC Rookie of the Week, allowing RMU to tie a league record for distinct student-athletes honored in that category in a season. Rameses Owens (9/8), Nic Lamica (10/20), Gerald Ferguson (11/10) and Ryan Richards Jr. (11/24) each took home the honor a season ago. Although they did not win it last year, other active Colonials to have won the honor include Marcelis Branch and Marcus Prather.

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