Capsule
The Robert Morris University football team wraps up the 2016 season and celebrates Senior Day this Saturday, Nov. 12, when they host the Wagner Seahawks in a Noon game at Joe Walton Stadium. The Colonials are coming off an 11-point loss at Bryant. Wagner has lost three consecutive games and are 4-5 overall.
 
All-Time vs. Wagner
> The Colonials are 14-8 all-time vs. Wagner
> RMU is 7-3 at home
> RMU has not beat Wagner at home since 2009
> Road team has won the last three games
 
About the Seahawks
> Wagner is 4-5 overall and 2-2 in the NEC
> They have league wins over Sacred Heart and Central Connecticut
> NEC losses have come to Bryant and Duquesne
> Offensively, average 24.0 points and 368.0 yards, 151.7 rushing and 142.9 passing
> They allow 22.6 points, 358.4 total yards and 142.9 rushing and 215.6 passing
> QB Alex Thomson is 147-265 for 1,915 yards, 11 TDs and four interceptions
> RB Denzel Knight averages 71.6 yards per game
> RB Matthias McKinnon tops the team with 113 carries and 6 TD averaging 54.0 ypg
> WR John Williams has 24 receptions averaging 20.2 yards per receptions
> TE Ryan Owens and WR AndreYevchinecz have 20 and 19 recoeptions, resepectively
> LB Santoni Graham has 74 tackles and 9 TFL
> LB Quinton Hampton leads with 5.0 sacks
> DBs Jesse Flaherty, Tim Hayes and Myron Morris have a combined seven interceptions
> PK James Cooper is 13-16 on FG with a long of 52
 
Musket Shots
> With a start Saturday, DB Marcelis Branch would set a team record for defensive starts (42)
> QB Joe Carroll has started the last four games going 47-117 for 432 yards and 2 TDs
> LB Gee Stanley was named to the FCS Stats Freshman of the Year Watch List
> Stanley is 29th nationally with 0.75 sacks/game (7.5 total)
> Stanley tied the RMU freshman record for sacks (Matt Grayson, 1998)
> Dante Satcher set team records with a 100-yd kickoff return and 173 KO return yards vs. SFU
> Satcher leads the nation in kickoff return TDs (2)
> Warren Robinson is second in the nation in punt return TDs (1) and 26th in punt returns (9.4)
> The Colonials 23.61 yard kickoff return average is 14th in the nation
> RMU is 8th in the nation in red zone defense at 67.5% (allowed 27 scores on 40 trips)
> Defense is 14th nationally with 2.80 sacks/game
> RMU is 15th nationally in punt return def. (3.63)
> Satcher and Robinson are the only players in team history with multiple kick return TDs
> Robinson set a school record with 123 punt return yards vs. Malone
> He had an 81-yard punt return for a TD, the second longest in team history
> WR Tim Vecchio had eight receptions, third most in team history, vs. Malone
> DB Andy Smigiera was named a semifinalist for the 2016 NFF William V. Campbell Trophy
> RB Sam Woods' 52-yard TD pass to WR Eldin Anu vs. Youngstown State was first passing TD by a non-quarterback in team history
> RMU was picked sixth in the 2016 NEC Football Coaches Preseason Poll
> Seniors Marcelis Branch (DB) and Andy Smigiera (DB) were Preseason All-NEC picks on defense
 


TEAM NOTES
 
Another Way to Score?
> RMU has scored the following ways this season:
   > Rushing TD (3)
   > Passing TD (5)
   > Field goal (6)
   > Kickoff return TD (2)
   > Punt return TD (1)
   > Interception return TD (1)
   > Safety (1)
   > Blocked FG return TD (1)
   > Blocked Punt return TD (1)
> They do not have a fumble return TD or defensive extra point
 
RMu Picks Up Pulley
> Three-star recruit Izon Pulley signed a scholarship agreement with RMU on Nov. 1
> A 6-4, 255-pound defensive end from Olney, Md. and Our Lady of Good Counsel HS
> Had offers from Illinios, Boston College, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Iowa and Miami (Fla.)
> Will enroll at RMU in spring semester
 
Standing in the Hall of Fame
> Three more football players join the RMU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016
   > DB Jason Hempstead (1999-03)
   > WR Tyjuan Massey (2002-05)
   > RB Myles Russ (2007-10)
> The trio brings the total number of football members in the Hall of Fame to 17
> For more information, see the inset on page five
 
Campbell Trophy Semifinalist
> Senior DB Andy Smigiera was named a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation William V. Campbell Trophy
> The award is given to the best football player in the country for academic success, football performance and community service
> He is a Preseason All-NEC Selection
> Smigiera was a CoSIDA Academica All-District pick last season
 
Delay, Part Trey
> The Colonials had a game delayed for the third time this season when an electrical issue caused the lights to shut off for 15 minutes in the fourth quarter at Duquesne
> Lightning in the Youngstown area forced RMU into a weather delay for the second consecutive game
> The YSU delay lasted 1:06 in the first quarter, from 4:39 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
> The RMU-Dayton tilt was called with 9:37 left in the fourth quarter due to inclement weather
> It was the first time in team history RMU did not play a full 60-minute game
> Play was initially stopped at 3:17 p.m. for lightning
> Delay lasted until 5:06 p.m. when the remainder of the game was called by officials
 
Academic Accolades
> Senior Andy Smigiera and 2016 graduate Nick Faraci were both named to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academica All-District II honorees in 2015
> Faraci was also named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Team
> It was the sixth time in the last six seasons a Colonial earned Academic All-America honors
 
First Time For Everything
> DB Marcelis Branch returned a blocked FG 63 yards for a TD, the first such score by RMU
> WR Warren Robinson is the first player in team history with two punt return TDs
> RB Dante Satcher is the first player in team history with two kickoff return TDs
> RMU has two first time opponents on its schedule this season - Alderson-Broaddus and Malone
> The Colonials are 24-16-1 when playing an opponent for the first time
> RMU also had a game called - against Dayton - before the full 60 minutes was played for the first time in history
 
NFL Experience for Miller
> Offensive coordinator Mike Miller has spent 12 seasons in the National Football League
> Most recently, he was the offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals in 2011 and 2012
> He spent six seasons with the Cardinals
> Miller was also an assistant with the Buffalo Bills (2004-05) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (1999-2003)
> He has also spent time in the press box as a public relations assistant with the Steelers, Colts and the Pittsburgh Penguins
> During his tenure as receivers coach with Arizona, he mentored Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston
 
Brother Act
> Tyler Lamica joins brother Nic Lamica on the RMU roster in 2016
> The elder Lamica, Nic, is a redshirt-junior who started seven games at tight end last season
> The younger Lamica, Tyler, is a freshman linebacker currently seated in the two deep at outside linebacker
> Nic returns to LB at RMU after spending last season at tight end
> Nic went to Forest Hills Central and Tyler went to Grand Rapids Christian
 
Score 30 or More
> Since the inception of RMU football in 1994, RMU is 72-5 (.935) when scoring 30 or more points
> The Colonials are 29-0 when tallying 40 or more points
 
The Founding Father
> RMU had only one coach in its first 20 seasons of existence, Joe Walton
> Walton was a former NFL tight end and head coach (see sidebar on page two)
> He was a four-time NEC Coach of the Year
> Under his guidance, RMU won two NCAA I-AA mid-major national titles
> Walton was inducted into the RMU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013
 
DEFENSIVE NOTES
 
National Rankings - Team
> RMU ranks in the top-30 in these categories:
   > 8th in red zone defense (27-40, 67.5%)
   > 13th in fumbles recovered (10)
   > 14th in sacks (2.8/game; 28 total)
   > 18th in 3rd down conv. pct (52-161, 32%)
   > 23rd in defensive TDs (2)
   > 30th in scoring defense (22.6)
   > 30th in rushing defense (127.9)
 
National Rankings - Individual
> Colonials rank in the top 50 in these categories:
   > 3rd in fumbles recovered (3, Gee Stanley)
   > 15th in fumbles recoverd (2, Eldin Anu & Adam Wollet)
   > 29th in sacks (7.5, Gee Stanley)
   > 36th in forced fumbles (0.3, Joseph Uhatafe & Gee Stanley)
   > 46th in forced fumbles (0.25, Steven Fiadewornu)
 
Dread Naught
> Freshman LB Gee Stanley has 7.5 sacks tying the RMU freshman record set by Matt Grayson (1998)
> Stanley is 16th in the nation in sacks (.83/game)
> He is third nationally with three fumble recoveries
> He leads the team with 11.5 TFL
> His 77 TFL yards are second in team history
> He had a season-high nine tackles vs. Alderson Broaddus and Duquesne
> Stanley is fifth on the team with 56 tackles
> He is fourth on the team with 28 solo stops
 
Brains and Braun
> Sophomore LB Adam Wollet was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District II Team
> He leads RMU with 77 tackles
> Ranks 15th in the nation with two fumble recoveries
> He is fourth on the team with 28 solo stops
> He had a career high 12 tackles against Sacred Heart and Dayton
> He is tied for third on the team with three pass break ups
 
Joltin' Joe Uhatafe
> Junior linebacker is second on the team with 75 tackles and 30 solo stops
> Is third on the squad with 3.5 sacks
> Has forced three fumbles
> Has 32 tackles in the last three games
> Had a career-high 14 stops at Sacred Heart
 
Hurricane Watch
> Hurricane, W.Va., native Zach Cooper is third on the team with 67 tackles
> Made a career-best 12 tackles at Duquesne
> He has 2.5 sacks this season
> His 6.5 tackles for loss rank second on the team
> Cooper has two hurries and three PBUs
> He has started 15 consecutive games at OLB
 
Branching Out
> DB Marcelis Branch has started 22 consecutive games and is the active RMU leader with 41 career starts
> His 41 starts are tied for most all-time among defensive players
> Is 10th at RMU with 245 career tackles
> Blocked a field goal and returned it 63 yards for a TD at Duquesne
> It was the first blocked FG return for TD in team history
> He is fourth on the team with 65 tackles
> He had a career-high 10 tackles against Saint Francis
> He also has an interception, returning it 15 yards
> Second on the team with three pass break ups
> A Preseason All-NEC pick, he had one interception, three PBU's and four passes defensed last season
 
Get it Back
> RMU has forced a total of 17 turnovers, seven interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries
> The 10 fumble recoveries rank 13th nationally
> The Colonials two defensive TDs rank 23rd
> Six players have fumble recoveries and six have interceptions
 
Boom Sack-a-Lacka
> RMU ranks 14th nationally with 2.8 sacks per game
> Colonials collected four sacks against Alderson Broaddus, Malone, Duquense and Bryant
> The Colonials have two or more sacks in eight of 10 games
> Freshman LB Gee Stanley has accounted for 7.5 of those sacks
> Eleven different players have recorded at least a half sack
> DE Ryan Lewis has 4.5 sacks
> Five players have multiple sacks
> RMU tied the team record with 34 sacks last season (34, 2006)
 
Swiss Steve
> In eight starts this season, DT Steven Fiadewornu has 21 tackles
> In season opener vs. Alderson Broaddus, he made nine tackles
> He has a sacks, 3.5 TFL and two forced fumbles
> He had five career tackles coming into the season
> Hometown is Zurich, Switzerland
 
25-7
> The defense ranked in the FCS top-25 in seven different statistical categories - and the top 15 in five categories in 2015
   > 7th - Sacks by (3.09/G)
   > 11th - Third down conversion pct. (.309)
   > 14th - Fourth down conversion pct. (.333)
   > 14th - Pass yards allowed (172.0/G)
   > 14th - Tackles for loss (7.7/G)
   > 18th - Passing efficiency defense (108.13/G)
   > 21st - Total defense (321.4/G)
> RMU has ranked in top 25 in total in defense in four of last five seasons
> 2015 tied the team record with 34 sacks
 
OFFENSIVE NOTES
 
Quarterback Carousel
> The Colonials have used five different quarterbacks this season
> Andrew Romanchak, Luke Brumbaugh, Joe Carroll and Chase Bodeman have all made starts at QB
> Mathew Barr has also taken snaps under center
> All but Carroll have missed time due to injury
 
Tim Time
> Freshman WR Tim Vecchio leads the team with 31 receptions and 231 yards
> He hauled in eight passes for 64 yards against Malone
> Its the third most catches in team history and ranks 11th in the record book (10 - two players; 9 - eight players)
 
Carroll Under Center
> R-JR QB Joe Carroll made his first career start at Duquesne
> In three starts, he is 47-117 for 432 yards, two TDs and four interceptions
> He was 7-18 for 122 yards in his first game
> He tossed a pair of touchdown passes
> Completed his first pass to Eldin Anu for 8 yards
 
Romanchak Under Center
> R-Freshman Andrew Romanchak made his quarterbacking debut in week one and his first start at Dayton
> He went 8-of-9 for 68 yards against Malone
> This season, he is 56-119 for 424 yards
> He finished 13-32 for 121 yards and one interception in week one
> Romanchak has tossed eight interceptions
 
Going to the Wells
> Sophomore Malik Wells made his first career start at Liberty
> He has 292 yards on 83 carries
> Wells had 17 carries for 73 yards vs. Flames
> He had just two carries coming into that game
 
Un-Dante-d
> Sophomore RB Dante Satcher has 71rushes and nine receptions
> He leads the team with 80 offensive touches
> He leads RMU with 237 rushing yards
> He set career highs for rushes, 20, and yards, 88, against Malone
 
Real Deal T.J. Neal
> RB TJ Neal, who transitioned from DB, started at Bryant
> He has 46 carrries this season for 126 yards
 
Going, Going, Gonzo
> Freshman TE Matthew Gonzalez hauled in four passes for 40 yards vs. CCSU
> He had three reception coming into the game
> In eight games, he has 10 receptions for 73 yards
 
Third and Long
> Of the 135 third downs RMU has faced this season, 52 have been third-&-10 yards or more
> RMU is 15-37 (40.5%) when facing third-and-four yards or shorter
> Colonials are 5-98 (5.1%) when facing third and five or longer
 
Finding 14 Targets
> Fourteen different players have caughts passes for RMU this season
> WR Tim Vecchio leads the team with 31 receptions
> WR Warren Robinson has added 13 receptions
> Five different players have scored touchdowns
> Robinson, Vecchio, Blake Skuratowicz, Trey Edwards and Eldin Anu have touchdowns
> Edwards second career catch was a 65-yard TD pass against Duquesne
 
Hello Mr. Robinson
> WR Warren Robinson has taken nine snaps out of the "wildcat" formation in the last three games, rushing for 28 yards
> He also has 14 receptions for 100 yards and one touchdown this season
> Hauled in a season-best three passes at Dayton
> He had two catches against both Alderson Broaddus and Youngstown State
> Also returns punts for the Colonials
 
Who to Anu?
> RB Sam Woods hit WR Eldin Anu for a 52-yard TD pass against Youngstown State
> It was the second touchdown pass by a non-quarterback in RMU history
> It is the second longest play from scrimmage for RMU this season
 
Barr Set
> Sophomore QB Mathew Barr made his 2016 debut against Malone
> He was 5-of-13 for 24 yards and a TD
> In 2015, earned two of the last three NEC Rookie of the Week accolades in 2015
> Barr started nine games last season, going 90-188 for 989 yards
 
Cole Shortage
> The team's top returning rusher, junior Cole Blake, will miss all of the 2016 season due to injury
> Blake rushed for 722 yards on 170 carries last season
> He averaged 4.2 yards per carry and had two TDs
 
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
 
National Rankings - Team
> RMU ranks in the top-30 in these categories:
   > 14th in kickoff return average (23.61)
   > 15th in punt return defense (3.63)
   > 19th in blocked punts (1)
 
National Rankings- Individual
> Colonials rank in the top-50 in these categories
   > 1st kickoff return TDs - Dante Satcher (2)
   > 4th punt return TDs - Warren Robinson (1)
   > 26th punt return avg - Warren Robinson (9.4)
 
Intimidation Factor
> Due to its dangerous kick return, the Colonials last three opponents have opted not to kick deep
> The strategy has given RMU an average starting field position at their own 36 the last three games
 
Specialty Scoring
> Special teams has accounted for five of the teams 14 touchdowns this season
> LB Gerald Ferguson had a 26-yard blocked punt return for a TD at Bryant
> Marcelis Branch blocked a FG and returned it 63 yards for a TD, the first in team history
> Satcher has kickoff returns of 100 and 99 yards
> Warren Robinson has an 81 yard punt return TD
> Satcher is the only player in team history with more than one kickoff return TD
> Robinson is the only player in team history with two punt return TDs
 
Check Marks
> Adam Check is averaging 36.9 yards on 77 punts this season
> He owns the RMU single-season records for punts and punting yards (2,845)
> Check set school records punting 12 times for 455 yards at Youngstown State
> He has planted 20 punts inside the 20
> His long is 53 yards
> His career avg. of 36.80 is fourth at RMU
 
The Tin Man
> Sophomore Dante Satcher has the two longest kickoff returns in team history
> He had a 100-yard return for TD against Saint Francis
> Satcher set the school record for return yards in a game with 173 vs. the Red Flash
> He had a 99-yard kickoff return against Alderson-Broaddus
> He is first in the nation averaging 43.1 yards per kick return
> His career kick return average of 29.2 yards is second in team history (35.6, Archie Wannamaker 96-98)
> He is the career leader with three KO returns for TD
> He had a 96-yard return for a score against Sacred Heart (10/10/15) last season
 
Robinson Returns
> Warren Robinson is 26th in the nation averaging 9.4 yards per return
> He is the only player in team history with two punt return TDs
> He had an 81-yard return for a TD vs. Malone
> His 12.9 career punt return avg. is second in team history
> In 2015, Warren Robinson set the single-season school record for punt return average (18.2 yds.)
> Robinson ranked second nationally in punt return average in 2015
> He has three of the four longest punt returns in team history - 81(T), 66(T) and 58
 
Shennan-igans
> Kicker Connor Shennan is 6-13 on FG this season
> He made a career-long 47-yd FG against Central Connecticut
> 14 of his 26 kickoffs have resulted in touchbacks
> He has had four field goals blocked
> His 19 career FGs are fifth in RMU history
> For his career, 48 of 125 kickoffs have been touchbacks
> He also punted 28 times with 40.7 average
> Six of 28 punts pinned opponents inside the 20

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