To say that the Robert Morris Colonials are having their issues moving the football would be an understatement, after being outscored by a combined score of 87-10 in a pair of season opening losses.
However things could be looking up for RMU on a pair of fronts as they look for their first win of the season Saturday at Dayton.
The Flyers, while still a very talented team, are also looking for their first win of the season, after losing to Duquesne 17-7. Not that Dayton is a pushover by any stretch of the imagination, but considering that the Colonials had to open at defending FCS champion North Dakota State and followed that up with defending NEC champion Albany, Joe Walton’s team would welcome a break in the schedule.
However, it doesn’t matter who is on the schedule for the Colonials if they don’t figure out a way to fix their struggling offense.
There’s good news on that front as well as RMU will welcome back senior quarterback Jeff Sinclair, who missed the first two games of the season serving a suspension for violating team rules.
Sinclair moved into the starting role midway through his freshman campaign at RMU and hasn’t looked back since. He’s a dual threat that can hurt teams with both his arm and his legs. He’s mobile and has a strong arm and the Colonials need every bit of the spark that Sinclair can provide.
In his absence, Matt layman got the nod under center for RMU and in two games, combined to complete only 22-of-46 pass attempts for only 187 yards. Layman also has thrown three interceptions to only one touchdown.
However the problems go deeper than Layman for the RMU offense.
Sinclair will help with the Robert Morris rushing attack that has gained only 109 yards on the season on 60 attempts. If you’re scoring at home, that a 1.8 average per rush. He can also help move the chains and sustain drives as the offense has produced only 18 first downs on the year.
Considering the type of playmaker that Sinclair has been throughout his career and the fact that RMU has gained a total of 297 yards of offense through two games, Walton should be welcoming back his quarterback with open arms.
RMU has issues on the defensive side of the ball as well, but getting back an experienced quarterback is certainly a step in the right direction.
Photo Credit: Robert Morris
