GAME 5
Gardner-Webb (1-4) vs. RMU (0-4)
Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022 • Noon
Joe Walton Stadium (3,000) • Moon Township, Pa.
 
TV: ESPN3
Audio: RMU Athletics Gameday App
Talent: Chris Shovlin (pxp) & Ray "Smoke" Thomas (color)
Twitter: @RMU_Football • Instagram: RMU_Football
 
Slant Routes
 
- The RMU football team opens Big South action Saturday when it welcomes Gardner-Webb to Joe Walton Stadium for a Noon kickoff as part of the University's Homecoming festivities.
 
 - The Colonials are led by Bernard Clark, Jr., who is in his fifth season leading the Colonials. In his first head coach position, Clark was named the 2019 Northeast Conference (NEC) Co-Coach of the Year and owns an overall record of 13-27 (.325).
 
- RMU dropped a 14-9 decision @ Delaware State (10/2) to open the month of October. The Hornets took advantage of a muffed punt to score a touchdown to grab a 14-3 lead late in the third quarter, but running back Anthony Purge scored on a three-yard run with 4:14 remaining to trim the deficit for the Colonials to 14-9. DSU recovered the ensuing onside kick and was able to run out the clock to seal the win.
 
- Freshman Zach Tanner came on in relief of starter Jake Simmons at quarterback and finished 10-for-25 passing for 98 yards. Wide receiver Bryce Bevins led the receiving corps with four catches for 36 yards, while on the ground running back Alijah Jackson carried 14 times for 52 yards.
 
- Defensively, the Colonials held the Hornets to just 115 yards of total offense, including 82 yards rushing and 33 yards through the air. Delaware State registered just five first downs, one of which came via penalty.
 
- Linebacker Joe Casale and defensive end Rico Watson each finished with six tackles to pace the RMU defense, with Casale notching four solo takedowns and Watson three. Each also registered a tackle for loss.
 
- A total of five Colonials were named to the 2022 Big South Preseason All-Conference Team, which came as part of Big South Media Day presented by Buy1.com, held at the Charlotte Marriott SouthPark Hotel. Named to the 2022 Preseason All-Big South First Team was defensive back Sydney Audiger, offensive lineman Hayden Baron, running back Alijah Jackson and defensive lineman Rico Watson. In addition, linebacker Jamar Shegog was tabbed 2022 Preseason All-Big South Honorable Mention.
 
- As part of Big South Media Day presented by Buy1.com, RMU was picked to finish sixth in the league in 2022. The Colonials posted an overall record of 4-6 (.400) in 2022, including a 4-1 (.800) mark at Joe Walton Stadium, and tied for third in the league standings. North Carolina A&T was selected as the 2022 preseason favorite in the Big South.
 
- RMU heads back out on the road after hosting Gardner-Webb Saturday, traveling to Buies Creek, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 15, for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff against Campbell.

GARDNER-WEBB LINKS
- RMU Two-Deep
- Audio
- Video
- Live Stats
- RMU Athletics Gameday App
- Tickets
 
The All-Time Series (Gardner-Webb) – RMU and Gardner-Webb are meeting for just the second time in program history Saturday. In the first-ever meeting between the two programs last year at Spangler Stadium, the Runnin' Bulldogs jumped out to a 21-0 lead just six seconds into the second quarter en route to a 28-10 win. In that contest defensive lineman Rico Watson notched seven tackles, including four solo stops and a pair of sacks.
 
Defensively Speaking – RMU posted its finest defensive performance in the Bernard Clark, Jr., era @ Delaware State (10/2), holding the Hornets to just 115 yards of total offense. It's the lowest amount by an opponent since the Colonials held Albany to just 91 yards Nov. 4, 2006, at Joe Walton Stadium. The school record for fewest total yards allowed also came during the 2006 campaign, when RMU held Rowan to -19 yards of total offense in a 21-0 victory Sept. 23, 2006, which also came at the Joe. In that contest the Profs managed just 25 yards through the air and -44 yards rushing as the Colonials racked up eight sacks on the afternoon. So far during the 2022 season, the Colonials rank second in the Big South in total defense, yielding 323.5 yards per game, including the fewest passing yards (466).
 
The Backfield – Fifth-year Alijah Jackson will be a key component for the offense in 2022 as well as a veteran presence for the unit. In 34 career games, Jackson has amassed 2,496 yards rushing on 582 attempts, an average of 4.29 yards per carry. He ranks fifth all-time in rushing yards and is looking to become just the third student-athlete in program history to eclipse 3,000 yards on the ground. All-time leading rusher Myles Russ (2007-10) posted 4,271 yards, while Sam Dorsett (1999-2003) finished with 3,847. Jackson owns eight career 100-yard rushing efforts, with each of his three from the 2021 campaign coming at Joe Walton Stadium. In RMU's season finale last year, a 20-17 overtime triumph over Campbell (11/20) at the Joe, Jackson finished with a season-high 132 yards on 23 attempts.
 
Still On Top – The program's first running back, Tim Hall (1994-95), spent two seasons with the Colonials and during his career rushed for 2,908 yards. He accomplished the feat on 393 carries, an average of 7.40 yards per attempt. That total remains No. 1 in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) record book entering the 2021 season, a span that hits 26 years this fall.

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