RMU Colonials Vs. Dayton Flyers GameDay, Live Stream, And Preview
By Larry Snyder
While summer breezes gently linger in Allegheny County, the challenge of the 2015 college football campaign begins this weekend for Robert Morris University. Head coach John Banaszak and the Colonials open the season at Joe Walton Stadium against the University of Dayton Flyers. The contest Saturday, Sept. 5th will kick-off at noon.
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Center Nick Faraci, a redshirt senior, brings leadership to a Colonials offense that seeks to reduce a league-high 37 turnovers committed in 2014. Youth will be at the forefront this fall in moving the offense forward. Matthew Barr, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound freshman, is starting his first game for the Blue and White. He is the first true freshman to open the season at quarterback since Jack Newman in 1994.
A pair of redshirt seniors wants to help the program rebound from last season’s 1-10 mark. Inside linebacker Mike Stojkovic and defensive end Forrest Mason lead the charge to tighten up the defense. Through last season’s adversity, the Robert Morris defense did well in keeping the opposition out of the end zone through the air. Six different players put up eight interceptions within 20 yards of the end zone.
The Colonials are not a team that will beat themselves. RMU finished 13th in the country in fewest penalty yards accrued among Football Championship Series (FCS) programs. They led the Northeast Conference in fewest penalty yards per game with 44.82.
When: Saturday, Sept 5
Kick Off: Noon
Venue: Joe Walton Stadium in Moon Township
Live Feed
With the First Pick
Playing Surface: Field Turf
All-Time Series: 17 games – Flyers are 15-2
Last RMU Win: Saturday, Oct. 14, 2000 17-13 at Welcome Stadium
Last Dayton Win: Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014 31-7 at Welcome Stadium
Radio And Streaming Audio: ESPN 970 AM – WBGG
Announcers: Chris Shovlin and Brian Cleary
Live Free Video Stream: NEC Front Row
RMU Live Stats: Sidearm Sports
RMU Social Media – Twitter/Facebook: @RMUAthletics / Robert Morris University Athletics
Weather Channel Online Forecast: Partly Cloudy with a high of 89 and 20% chance of rain. Winds should be out of the southeast at 5 to 10 mph.
Dayton concluded last season with an 8-3 mark overall and 6-2 in the Pioneer Football Leauge. The Flyers, under head coach Rick Chamberlin, finished in a tie with Drake for second place in the PFL. It was their 37th winning season in the last 38 years.
One of the Flyers to keep an eye on is running back Connor Kacsor, who is Dayton’s career record holder in rushing yardage. The 6-foot, 211-pound redshirt senior was the 2014 PFL Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 1,547 yards and recording 17 touchdowns.
Senior linebacker Christopher Beaschler and senior defensive end Nate Sudnick were both selected preseason All-PFL by the league’s coaches. The 6-foot, 226-pound Beaschler led Dayton with 101 tackles last season. The 6-foot-2, 245-pound Sudnick contributed five 1/2 sacks and one interception in 2014.
My Prediction: The Colonials start the season with a 14-13 victory.
Up Next: The Colonials load up the bus and hit the turnpike Saturday, Sept. 12 for their next match-up. Coach Banaszak’s squad battles the Youngstown State Penguins at Stambaugh Stadium. The evening contest gets underway at 7 p.m.
Next: Can Pitt avoid the upset blues against Youngstown State?