Things didn’t get off to a good start for Joe Walton and the Robert Morris Colonials as they were blanked 52-0 by defending FCS Champion North Dakota State in the season opener for both teams. But while it would be nice to chalk that one up as a learning experience and move on, things don't get any easier for RMU this week. Facing a very tough schedule out of the gate, Robert Morris returns home Saturday afternoon for their home opener against defending NEC Conference champs Albany. One ... Read More
Dukes Look to Shore Up Pass Defense in Home Opener
For one half at least, things looked good for the Duquesne Dukes in their season opener against Old Dominion. Duquesne took a 20-10 halftime lead into the locker room against No. 6 Old Dominion- the highest ranked FCS team that the Dukes have ever faced. Then Monarchs quarterback Taylor Heinicke went nuts, setting school records for yards (492) and passing attempts (63) as Old Dominion ended up cruising to a 57-23 season opening victory. Duquesne allowed 723 total yards and Heinicke ... Read More
Chapman adds to Pitt’s QB depth
While the Paul Chryst era may be off to an incredibly disappointing start on the field, it’s off to a solid start on the recruiting trail. Chryst’s first class at Pitt is headlined by Roosevelt HS (Kent, OH) quarterback Tra’von Chapman, who committed to the Panthers in June. Chapman is rated the No. 13 QB in the 2013 class by Scout and No. 18 by Rivals. Both services consider him a four-star prospect. Chapman also had offers from Wisconsin, Cincinnati, Arizona, and others. Chapman is a ... Read More
Fixing Defense, Not Sunseri Priority No. 1 for Panthers
For Pitt Panthers fans, it's become a habit to point the finger at quarterback Tino Sunseri after every heartbreaking Panthers defeat. Not this time. While Sunseri certainly could always be better under center for the Panthers, he shouldn't even be a concern for new head coach Paul Chryst as the Panthers have a quick turnaround, beginning Big East Conference play Thursday night at Cincinnati. All attention should be on fixing the Pitt defense and doing so quickly. With big games against ... Read More
Robert Morris loses to national champion North Dakota State 52-0
Fargo, N.D. - September 1, 2012 - The Robert Morris University football team dropped its 2012 season opener Saturday night as defending national champion and preseason No. 1/2 North Dakota State claimed a 52-0 non-conference decision at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome. Playing in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 18,769, the largest crowd that RMU has ever competed in front of, the host Bison used good field position throughout the game to launch a number of short scoring drives. ... Read More
Pitt loses shocker to Youngstown State to start the Paul Chryst era
The Paul Chryst era of Pitt Panthers football got off to a memorable start Saturday evening - just not the start that Chryst and many Pitt fans envisioned when he was hired last winter to replace Todd Graham. Chryst committed a first in Panthers’ history as Pitt lost to an FCS program for the first time - 31-17 to Youngstown State at home nonetheless. The loss was the school's first in 11 all-time games against FCS opponents. It was the Panthers' third meeting all-time against the ... Read More
Duquesne bested by Old Dominion in season opener
NORFOLK, VA. - Duquesne went toe-to-toe with one of the top teams in the Football Championship Subdivision for three quarters, before falling 57-23 at No. 6/8 (Coaches/Sports Network) Old Dominion before a sellout crowd of 19,818 at S.B. Ballard Stadium. The Dukes, who led 20-10 at the half, couldn’t contain the Monarchs who scored 47 second-half points to up their all-time home record to 17-5. Sophomore Taylor Heinicke completed 41-of-63 passes for 492 yards and four scores to lead the ... Read More
Panthers look for quick transition in 2012
To say the 2012 football season is a transition period for the Pitt Panthers would be a huge understatement. Paul Chryst comes in from Wisconsin to become the fourth Pitt head coach in a two-year span. Chryst also brings with him a pro-style offense, which could be good for senior quarterback Tino Sunseri, who’s under his fourth different offense since enrolling at Pitt. While there’s a ton of excitement surrounding the arrival of Chryst and what the future holds for a Pitt program that’s ... Read More
Robert Morris looks to make vast improvements in 2012
The 2011 season was a rough one for Joe Walton and the Robert Morris Colonials as their 2-9 record tied for the fewest wins since Walton and the program got started back in 1994. Although Robert Morris was picked to finish only sixth in the preseason NEC Coaches’ Poll, the Colonials have some talent in place to potentially be a surprise in 2012, as Walton returns 17 starters and 39 overall letter winners from a season ago. The strength of the Colonials could be on the defensive side of the ... Read More
Duquesne looks to build on successful 2011 season
The Duquesne Dukes quietly put together a solid 2011 season, in which they finished 9-2 and near the top of the Northeast Conference. They finished 7-1 in the NEC, but a loss to Albany meant the Great Danes headed to the FCS Playoffs while the season ended prematurely for the Dukes. Head coach Jerry Schmitt’s team returns a ton of talent from that 2011 team and while there are still some holes left to be filled, this Duquesne team still is capable of winning the NEC. While Albany certainly ... Read More