East Rutherford, N.J. – Robert Morris University sophomore linebacker
Gee Stanley and junior punter
Adam Check were named to the Preseason All-Northeast Conference Football team at the league's annual #NECFB Social Media Day held Thursday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. In addition to the all-conference squad, the league released the Preseason Coaches' Poll which predicted Duquesne, with four first-place votes, to have the top finish in 2017. Robert Morris was selected seventh.
As a rookie in 2016, Stanley was named the NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year and earned a spot on the HERO Sports FCS Freshman All-America Team. The Miami, Fla.-native set an RMU freshman record by recording 8.5 sacks and led the Colonials with 12.5 tackles for loss. His sack total ranked 21st in the nation. Stanley finished the year with 59 tackles, 29 solo, to help anchor a defense that finished in the top-30 in FCS in seven different statistical categories.
Check set Robert Morris game and season records for punts and yardage as a sophomore. In addition, the native of McKees Rocks already ranks fifth in the Colonials career record books in punts and yardage while his 36.91 yard average is tied for third in team history. Last season, Check kicked 85 times for 3,150 yards.
The Colonials return 13 starters, seven on offense and six from one of the top defenses in FCS last season. Defensively, RMU finished in the top-30 nationally in seven different categories – red zone defense (11th - .711), fumbles recovered (14th – 11), sacks (16th – 2.73), third down percentage (17th - .326), defensive touchdowns (27th – 3), rush defense (29th – 131.7) and first downs allowed (30th – 194).
Offensively, the bulk of the Colonials starters return while 2015 standouts Matt Barr (quarterback) and
Cole Blake (running back) return after missing last season due to injury. An influx of new bodies – 38 freshmen on both sides of the ball at last count – will also bolster the Colonials depth and talent when they have the ball.
2017 Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Duquesne (4)
2. Saint Francis (1)
3. Wagner (2)
4. Central Connecticut
5. Sacred Heart
6. Bryant
7. Robert Morris
