GAME 4
RMU (0-3) @ Delaware State (2-2)
Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 • 6:00 p.m.
Alumni Stadium (7,193) • Dover, Del.
 
TV: ESPN+
Audio: RMU Athletics Gameday App
Talent: Chris Shovlin (pxp)
Twitter: @RMU_Football • Instagram: RMU_Football
 
Slant Routes
 
- The RMU football team heads back on the road Saturday in search of its first win of the 2022 campaign when it visits Dover, Del., for a 6:00 p.m. kickoff against Delaware State at Alumni Stadium.
 
- 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 13-26 (.333).
 
- RMU is coming off a 45-3 setback at home to East Tennessee State (9/24) as part of Parents/Family Weekend. The Buccaneers scored their first touchdown on a blocked punt and also received a trio of rushing scores from running back Jacob Saylors.
 
- In his first start for the Colonials, junior quarterback Jake Simmons finished 12-for-21 passing for 97 yards, while sophomore Corbin LaFrance saw the most extensive action of his young career, finishing 7-for-12 for 66 yards.
 
- Running back Anthony Purge caught three balls out of the backfield for 62 yards to pace the receiving corps for RMU, while running back Alijah Jackson posted six receptions for 14 yards.
 
- The RMU secondary produced the leading tackler for the Colonials against ETSU and also notched a pair of interceptions. Redshirt senior Sydney Audiger posted a career-high 12 tackles against the Buccaneers, while Gregory Young II and Tim White each notched their first interceptions in an RMU uniform.
 
- In its first road game of the 2022 season, RMU dropped a 31-14 decision @ Miami (Ohio) (9/10). The Colonials led, 7-3, before three straight scores gave the RedHawks a 24-7 advantage at halftime en route to the victory.
 
- RMU dropped a 22-20 decision to Dayton (9/3) at Joe Walton Stadium in its 2022 season opener. The Colonials led, 14-6, at halftime, but the Flyers scored 16 points over the course of 3:27 in the third quarter grab a 22-14 lead en route to the victory.
 
- In his first collegiate start, junior quarterback Anthony Chiccitt finished 18-for-26 passing for 189 yards and a touchdown against the Flyers. Junior Jake Simmons also saw time under center in the second half in relief of Chiccitt, completing nine of his 16 passes for 107 yards.
 
- 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 returns home to Joe Walton Stadium to host Gardner-Webb in its first Big South tilt of the 2022 season Saturday, Oct. 8. The game is part of Homecoming festivities at the University and begins with a kickoff at Noon.
 
DELAWARE STATE LINKS
- RMU Two-Deep
- Audio
- Video
- Live Stats
- RMU Athletics Gameday App

The All-Time Series (Delaware State) – The Colonials and Hornets square off on the gridiron for the first time Saturday. Delaware State is one of four programs RMU is facing for the first time in 2022, joining Miami (Ohio), Appalachian State and Murray State.
 
Rico Suave – Defensive lineman Rico Watson has been a consistent presence for the Colonials on the defensive line during his time at RMU, and he'll be an anchor for the defense in 2022. Named to the 2022 Preseason All-Big South First Team, Watson finished third in the Big South in sacks with eight last year, including seven solo. He also finished with 36 tackles, including 26 of the solo variety, while notching a forced fumble and an interception. In the first three contests of the 2022 campaign, Watson has recorded seven takedowns, including five solo.
 
Dynamic Duo – Linebackers Joe Casale and Amauri Floyd, each of who have earned their first career starts at RMU this season, have shined in the early going for the Colonials in the middle of the defense. Combined, the duo has racked up 57 tackles, including 30 from Casale, who also leads RMU in solo takedowns (17). Casale, a transfer from UAlbany who recorded 64 tackles in 32 games with the Great Danes, is now six stops shy of 100 for his career. Floyd, meanwhile, entered the 2022 season with 11 tackles to his credit over the last two seasons and has more than doubled his career total in the first three games of the year.
 
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 2,444 yards rushing on 568 attempts, an average of 4.30 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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