GAME TWO
at #6 / #8 Youngstown State
9.9.17 // 2:00 PM
Youngstown, Ohio // Stambaugh Stadium (20,630)
RADIO: ESPN 970 AM / WBGG 106.3 FM
TWITTER: @RMUFootball ColonialPride REVOLUT18N
INSTAGRAM: RMU_Football SNAPCHAT: RMUAthletics
 
Capsule
Robert Morris travels to #6/#8 Youngstown State in week two of the 2017 season for a 2:00 p.m. game Saturday, Sept. 9, at Stambaugh Stadium. The Colonials opened the year with a win for the first time since 2008 defeating Dayton at home, 13-10, while the Penguins lost in overtime at Pitt, 28-21.
 
All-Time vs. Youngstown State
> The Colonials are 0-2 against Youngstown
> They have played each of the last two seasons
> Both games were played at Stambaugh Stadium
> RMU and YSU went to overtime in their first meeting in 2015, a 21-14 Penguins victory
> The Penguins won last year, 38-6
 
Players of the Week
> RMU had three NEC Players of the Week for the first time since 2014
> Senior LB Gerald Ferguson is the NEC Defensive Player of the Week
> R-Freshman WR Tavin Allison is the NEC Rookie of the Week
> Freshman K Nick Bisceglia is the NEC Special Teams Player of the Week
 
Musket Shots
> The team's win over Dayton was their first in a season-opener since 2008
> It was also the team's first over Dayton since 2000
> Nick Bisceglia's FG with :04 left was the fifth gamewinning FG in the game's final minute in team history
> The Colonials 320 yards in week one was the team's most since 11/7/15 vs. E. Tenn. St.
> The 72-yard TD pass from Jimmy Walker to Tavin Allison is the team's longest since 2005
> R-Jr. RB Cole Blake has 986 rushing yards, 14 shy of 1,000 for his career
> He is 11th at RMU in career rushing
> Punter Adam Check was named to the 2017 Preseason All-NEC team
> Check set team records for punts (85) and punt yardage (3,150) in 2016
> DB Ryan Richards, Jr. is the only All-NEC pick returning to the team in 2017
> He was a second team selection last year with 51 tackles, 2.0 sacks and one interception
> RMU was in the top-30 nationally in nine different statistical categories in 2016
    > Punt Return Defense (7th, 3.19)
    > Red Zone Defense (10th; .711)
    > Team Sacks (15th; 2.73)
    > 3rd Down Defense (16th; .326)
    > Fumbles Recovered (17th; 11)
    > First Downs Defense (22nd; 194)
    > Blocked Punts (28th; 1)
    > Defensive TDs (30th; 2)
    > Rushing Defense (30th; 131.7)
> WR Tim Vecchio was the Colonials offensive MVP in 2016 with 35 receptions (308 yds.)
> The Colonials return 15 starters - 7 on offene, 7 on defense and 1 special teams
> RMU was picked seventh in the 2017 NEC Football Coaches Preseason Poll



TEAM NOTES
 
Dr. Howard In College Football
> RMU President Dr. Chris Howard is serving a three-year term on the College Football Playoff (CFP) selection committee
> He is also on the planning committee to commemorate the 150th birthday of college football
> Howard was a running back at Air Force
> He won the NFF Cambell Trophy, the highest academic award for a football player
 
USMC Sports Hall of Fame
> RMU head coach John Banaszak was inducted into the United States Marine Corp Sports Hall of Fame in July 2017
> He is one of just 45 members of the exclusive club
> When he separated from the Marine Corps, he was a corporal serving as a supply clerk after a two-year appointment
> Banaszak won three Super Bowls as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers
 
Colonials Marine Corps Members
> WR Janar Walker spent four years in the United States Marine Corps prior to enrolling at RMU
> He is a 2011 graduate of Woodland Hills
> RMU head coach John Banaszak was also a US Marine upon high school graduation
> Banaszak reported to Parris Island in 1969 and served a two-year appointment
 
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
> Freshman kicker Nick Bisceglia joins brother Matt Bisceglia at Robert Morris
> Matt is a goalkeeper on the Colonials soccer team
> Both attended Kiski Area High School
 
Branch Lands With Atlanta Falcons
> DB Marcelis Branch '17 signed with the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent
> He was given a spot on the practice squad after the preseason
> Was fouth on the team with 12 tackles in the preseason
> Branch also plays on the Falcons kickoff return, kickoff coverage and punt coverage teams
> He was an All-NEC first team pick in 2016
> Started 42 games, a record for an RMU player on defense
 
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)
> 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
 
Standing in the Hall of Fame
> Three football players joined 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
 
DEFENSIVE NOTES
 
National Rankings - Team
> RMU ranks in the top-30 in these categories:
    > 3rd Down Defense (4th; .111)
    > Fumbles Recovered (7th; 2)
    > Pass Yards Allowed (17th; 122.0)
    > Red Zone Defense (21st; .667)
    > Scoring Defense (19th; 10.0)
    > Total Defense (24th; 257.0)
 
National Rankings - Individual
> Colonials rank in the top 50 in these categories:
    > Forced Fumbles (Devon DeFrances, 3rd, 1.0; Chris Stanford, 3rd, 1.0)
    > Fumbles Recovered (Gerald Ferguson, 1st, 1; Ryan Richards Jr., 1st, 1)
    > Sacks (Tevaul Brown, 20th, 1.0; Gerald Ferguson, 20th, 1.0)
 
Defensive Player of the Week
> Senior OLB Gerald Ferguson was named the NEC Defensive Player of the Week
> Ferguson led RMU with eight tackles
> He also had a sack, 1.5 TFL and a fumble recovery
> Ferguson had 44 tackles and 5.5 TFL last season
 
Flyers Grounded
> RMU held Dayton to just 257 yards of offense
> It's the 13th time since 2010 Robert Morris held an opponent under 260 yards
> The Colonials last held a non-conference opponent under 260 in 2015 vs. ETSU (11.7.15)
> Robert Morris has been a top-30 defense in eight of Farison's 13 seasons as DC
 
Senior Laden
> The Colonials list five seniors on their starting two-deep
> Three of those seniors are in the defensive backfield
    > Ryan Richards, Jr.
    > Andy Smigiera
    > Drew Allen
> Linebackers Joseph Uhatafe and Gerald Ferguson are also seniors
> DT Zack Zamiska is also a senior and will likely return to the starting lineup soon
 
Brains and Braun
> Junior LB Adam Wollet was named to the 2016 CoSIDA Academic All-District II Team
> He led RMU with 89 tackles
> Wollet tied for second on the team with seven tackles against Dayton
> Was third on the team with 34 solo stops
> Registered a career-best 12 tackles vs. Dayton, Sacred Heart and Wagner in 2016
 
Joltin' Joe Uhatafe
> Senior linebacker was second on the team with 81 tackles in 2016
> Forced three fumbles
> Had a career-high 14 stops at Sacred Heart
 
Smith's First Start
> Sophomore DL Derian Smith made his first start vs. Dayton
> He was one of four players to tally seven tackles
> Smith also had a 0.5 sack and a quarterback hurry
> He had two solo stops and five assisted stops
 
Get it Back
> RMU came up with a pair of fumble recoveries in game one against Dayton
> In 2016, RMU forced a total of 18 turnovers, seven interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries
> The 11 fumble recoveries ranked 17th nationally
> The Colonials two defensive TDs ranked 30th
> Six players had fumble recoveries and six had interceptions
 
Boom Sack-a-Lacka
> RMU ranked 15th nationally with 2.73 sacks per game
> Colonials collected four sacks against Alderson Broaddus, Malone, Duquense and Bryant
> The Colonials had two or more sacks in nine of 11 games
> Eleven different players recorded at least a half sack
> Seven players recorded multiple sacks
 
OFFENSIVE NOTES
 
National Rankings - Team
> Colonials rank in the top-30 in these categories:
    > Fumbles Lost (1st; 0)
    > Passing Yds./Completion (23rd; 14.14)
    > Red Zone Offense (1st; 1.000)
 
National Rankings - Individual
> Colonials rank in the top-50 in these categories:
    > Passing Yards (Jimmy Walker, 45th, 198)
    > Passing Yds./Game (Walker, 44th, 198.0)
    > Passing Yds./Completion (Walker, 23rd, 14.14)
    > Total Touchdowns (Tavin Allison, 48th, 1)
    > Yards/Attempt (Walker, 39th, 6.83)
    > Yards/Reception (Allison, 5th, 38.00; Green, 42nd, 21.50)
 
NEC Rookie of the Week
> R-Fr. WR Tavin Allison was named the NEC Rookie of the Week
> He had two catches for 76 yards
> His second reception went for 72 yards and a touchdown
 
Transfer Impact
> A trio of transfers are listed as starters on the RMU offensive two-deep
> QB Jimmy Walker came to RMU from San Diego State
> Walker went 14-29 for 198 yards, a TD and an interception
> TE Reggie Green was once a Pitt Panther
> He caught two passes for 43 yards vs. Dayton
> WR Tavin Allison first went to Eastern Michigan before arriving in Moon
> Allison was the NEC Rookie of the Week, catching two passes for 76 yards and a TD
> WR Eldin Anu, who will see time at receiver, transferred from Kent State
 
Nine Wide
> Nine different players caught passes for RMU against Dayton
> Tavin Allison, Reggie Green, Tim Vecchio, Cole Blake and TJ Neal each caught two passes
> Every player who was targeted had a reception
 
Cole Train Back on Track
> Cole Blake rushed for 69 yards in his first game back since 2015
> He is 11th at RMU with 986 career yards
> Blake rushed for 722 yards on 170 carries in 2015
> He averaged 4.2 yards per carry and had two TDs
> Blake missed all of 2016 due to injury

Same Players, New Positions
> Former quarterbacks Mathew Barr and Andrew Romanchak have both moved to wide receiver
> Barr was the Colonials starting QB in 2015
> Barr will be available to take snaps under center if necessary
> Romanchak started four games at QB in 2016
 
Freshmen Front Five
> The two-deep lists five first-year players on the starting offensive line
> Four of those - LT Trevor Hicks, LG John Sheldon, RG Alex Minford, RT Dylan Young - are true freshmen
> C Eric McAllister is a redshirt-freshman
 
Valuable Vecchio
> WR Tim Vecchio was the Colonials Offensive MVP in 2016
> He led the team with 35 receptions and 308 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)
 
Warren "Wildcat" Robinson
> WR Warren Robinson took 16 snaps out of the "wildcat" formation in the last four games of 2016
> He rushed for 51 yards on 10 carries
> He was 3-5 passing for 45 yards
> He also had 14 receptions for 100 yards and one touchdown
> 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
 
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
 
National Rankings- Individual
> Colonials rank in the top-50 in these categories:
    > FG Pct. (Nick Bisceglia, 47th, .667)
    > FG / Game (Bisceglia, 5th, 2.00)
 
NEC Special Teams POTW
> Freshman K Nick Bisceglia was named the NEC Special Teams Player of the Week
> He had two field goals in his first career game
> His second kick from 26-yards won the game with four seconds left
 
Intimidation Factor
> Due to its dangerous kick return, the Colonials last four opponents of 2016 opted not to kick deep
> The strategy gave RMU an average starting field position at their own 36 the last four games
 
Specialty Scoring
> Special teams accounted for five of the teams 14 touchdowns in 2016
> 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
> Dante Satcher had kickoff returns of 100 and 99 yards
> Warren Robinson had an 81 yard punt return TD
> Robinson is the only player in team history with two punt return TDs
 
Check Marks
> Adam Check was named to the Preseason All-NEC team as a punter
> Check owns the following RMU single game reocrds
   > Punts - 12 vs. Youngstown State
   > Punt Yards - 455 vs. Youngstown State
> Check owns the following RMU single season records
   > Punts - 85
   > Punt Yards - 3,150
> He averaged 37.1 yards on 85 punts in 2016
> He planted 22 punts inside the 20
> His long was 53 yards
> His career avg. of 36.87 is fourth at RMU
 
Robinson Returns
> Warren Robinson is the only player in team history with two punt return TDs
> He had an 81-yard return for a TD vs. Malone
> His 12.95 career punt return avg. is third 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
 
Freshman Foot
> Freshman kicker Nick Bisceglia won the starting kicking job in camp
> He will handle both kickoffs and field goals
> Was an all-conference punter and kicker in high school
> Also played soccer for Kiski Area
> His brother, Matt, plays soccer at RMU