GAME 11
Robert Morris (6-4 / 5-0 NEC) @ #19 Central Connecticut (9-1 / 5-0 NEC)
Saturday, November 16, 2019 • Noon
Arute Field (5,500) • New Britain, Conn.

Video: CCSUBlueDevils.com • NECFrontRow.com 
Twitter: @RMUFootball • Instagram: @RMU_Football
 
Slant Routes
 
- The Robert Morris University football team, winners of five consecutive games and six of its last seven, travels to New Britain, Conn., to take on No. 19 Central Connecticut at Arute Field. 
 
- The Colonials and Blue Devils sit atop the Northeast Conference standings with perfect 5-0 league records. The last time these two program faced off with championship implications was 2010, when RMU posted a 42-24 win over CCSU (11/6) at Joe Walton Stadium. The win clinched a share of the 2010 NEC regular-season championship for Robert Morris as well as the NEC's first automatic bid to the NCAA FCS Playoffs.
 
- RMU is 5-0 in the Northeast Conference for the first time since 2010, and its five-game winning streak is also its longest since winning eight consecutive games, also in 2010.
 
- The Colonials improved to 5-0 in the NEC with a 41-21 victory over Duquesne (11/9) to conclude a three-game homestand. Robert Morris forced seven turnovers in the win, including four interceptions.
 
- Safety Mason Gray posted two interceptions, returning them both for touchdowns, in the win over the Dukes. Gray's interception returns were 36 and 81 yards, and he tied an NCAA FCS record with a pair of pick sixes, becoming the first student-athlete in the FCS ranks to turn the trick since 2013.
 
- Gray was tabbed the NEC Defensive Player of the Week for his role in RMU's win over Duquesne, and the Colonials were also selected as the STATS FCS Team of the Week. In addition, RMU earned a pair of votes in the latest 2019 AFCA FCS Coaches' Poll.
 
- Running back Terence Stephens, Jr., notched his second 100-yard rushing effort of the 2019 campaign in the win over Duquesne with 119 yards and a touchdown on 20 attempts, an average of 5.9 yards per rush. Robert Morris is 3-2 (.600) in the five games in which Stephens has eclipsed the 100-yard rushing plateau the last two years.
 
- RMU posted its fourth consecutive win with a 28-17 victory over LIU (11/2) at Joe Walton Stadium. Quarterback George Martin threw touchdown passes of 31 and 24 yards and also recorded a 12-yard touchdown run. He finished 12-for-18 passing for 150 yards against the Sharks.
 
- Alijah Jackson returned in the victory over LIU (11/2) after missing a 24-20 victory over Bryant (10/26) and rushed for 128 yards on 15 carries, an average of 8.5 yards per attempt. Jackson owns five 100-yard rushing performances in 2019.
 
- Senior tight end Matthew Gonzalez finished with nine receptions for 157 yards and two touchdown during RMU's three-game homestand. He enters Saturday's game @ Central Connecticut with four career 100-yard receiving efforts, including two in 2019.
 
- The Colonials opened their three-game homestand with a come-from-behind victory over Bryant (10/26), earning a 24-20 win. Quarterback George Martin hit wide receiver Garrett Houser on a slant route for a 72-yard touchdown score in the fourth quarter to put the Colonials in front for good.
 
- Martin finished 9-for-20 passing for 163 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Bulldogs. Houser caught two of those passes for 100 yards, his first career 100-yard receiving effort.
 
- Running back Terence Stephens, Jr., posted his first 100-yard rushing effort of the 2019 season in the victory over Bryant with 101 yards on 27 attempts, an average of 3.7 yards per carry.
 
- Robert Morris has had a 100-yard rusher in seven of its last eight games. During that span, Alijah Jackson owns five games eclipsing 100 yards rushing, while Terence Stephens, Jr., owns two. Jackson ranks second in the NEC in rushing with an average of 95.2 yards per contest.
 
- Either Jackson or Stephens has eclipsed the 100-yard rushing barrier in 12 of RMU's last 18 games dating back to the 2018 season. During that span, Jackson owns eight 100-yard rushing performance and Stephens five. The duo each eclipsed 100 yards rushing in a 49-45 victory over Central State (10/20/18) at Joe Walton Stadium.

CENTRAL CONNECTICUT LINKS
- Game Notes
- Video
- Live Stats
 
Three's Company - Robert Morris owns three of the top eight performers in the Northeast Conference in tackles entering Saturday's game @ Central Connecticut. Linebacker Aniello Buzzacco leads the NEC with an average of 10.6 stops per games, and his 106 total tanks 10th in NCAA FCS. Safety Mason Gray ranks fourth in the NEC in tackles per game at 8.1, while defensive back Jacob White ranks eighth in the circuit at 7.4 stops per contest. Buzzacco is averaging 12.4 tackles over RMU's last seven games, a stretch in which the Colonials are 6-1 (.857). Buzzacco is also 12 tackles shy of establishing a new Robert Morris single-season record for takedowns.
 
More On Gray - To say that Mason Gray has had an influence on the RMU defense in his first season with the Colonials in 2019 is an understatement. Gray joined former defensive back Corey Oaks (2001-02) as the only student-athletes in program to return a pair of interceptions back for a touchdown. Oaks accomplished the feat in a 41-12 victory over Buffalo State (9/7) at Moon Stadium that opened the 2002 season. Gray enters Saturday's game @ Central Connecticut ranked second in the NEC in both pass breakups (10) and passes defended (12). 
 
Return Yardage - The four interceptions for Robert Morris in a 41-21 victory over Duquesne (11/9) at Joe Walton Stadium marked the ninth time in program history the Colonials have registered at least four interceptions in a game. It also marks the first time RMU has posted at least four picks since Nov. 9, 2013, in a 54-21 victory @ Central Connecticut. The 176 yards in interception return yards against the Dukes, however, did establish a new RMU single-game record. The old mark of 148 came against Buffalo State (9/7/02) at Moon Stadium.
 
Defense Wins Championships - A key reason RMU has been able to complete comebacks in the second half during its four-game winning streak has been due to the defense playing its part. In the last five games, the Colonials have outscored their opponents, 87-38, in the second half. Robert Morris allowed just 23 yards of total offense in the second half of its win over LIU (11/2) in erasing a 17-14 deficit. The defense followed that up by not allowing a first down until there were 22 seconds left in the first half in a 41-21 win over Duquesne (11/9).
 
Gonzo - Senior tight end Matthew Gonzalez moved into a tie for fourth place all-time for career touchdown catches thanks to his 31-yard score in a 28-17 win over LIU (11/2). Gonzalez has hauled in 17 career touchdowns, which is tied with former wide receiver Duane Mitchell (2011-14). The school record of 21 is held by former wide receiver Tyjuan Massey (2002-05) and tight end Shadrae King (2008-11). Gonzalez enters Saturday's game @ Central Connecticut ranked sixth all-time in school history for both career receptions (92) and receiving yards (1,429).
 
There When You Need Him - Senior tight end Matthew Gonzalez leads the Colonials in receptions with 30, but did you know that of his 30 catches, 24 of them (80%) have either given RMU a first down or a touchdown.

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