RMU Football: Richards Jr. Named NEC Defensive Player of the Week
By Larry Snyder
The Northeast Conference announced Monday that strong safety Ryan Richards Jr. of the Robert Morris University Colonials had been named Defensive Player of the Week. It was the sophomore’s first weekly honor in the NEC’s defensive category.
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The 6-foot-1, 200-pound defensive back began his sophomore campaign with two interceptions in the same contest. Just 17 other players accomplished this feat over the past one-quarter century of Robert Morris football.
The Buffalo, New York native recorded both picks in the second quarter. The two interceptions allowed the Colonials to own a 10-0 lead going into halftime. His first interception came on Dayton’s first possession of the second quarter as Richards picked off Flyers redshirt sophomore quarterback Blake Bir’s pass attempt at the Dayton 15-yard line. He returned it 12 yards to the Flyers 3-yard line. It set up freshman quarterback Mathew Barr‘s six yard touchdown strike to redshirt sophomore tight end Nic Lamica.
Richards’ second pick late in the first-half thwarted a Dayton drive at the RMU six yard line. He returned redshirt freshman quarterback Alex Jeske’s pass to the Colonials 21-yard line. He contributed two solo tackles and assisted on four more stops for six tackles. He added one broken-up pass attempt. His biggest hit occurred when he dropped redshirt senior running back Connor Kacsor for a 2-yard loss on a 2-and-2 run play which led to a Flyers punt two snaps later.
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With the First Pick
City Of Champions Sports Players To Watch: One player of interest is redshirt freshman Kyle Buss. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound wide receiver hauled in four passes for 74 yards. The Mechanicville, New York native’s longest reception was 32 yards.
Another is redshirt senior captain Mike Stojkovic, who had a team high 13 tackles against the Flyers. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound linebacker from Katy, Texas contributed his first forced fumble as a Colonial.
Up Next: The Colonials head to Stambaugh Stadium in Ohio Saturday, Sept. 12 for their next match-up. Head coach John Banaszak‘s squad faces the Youngstown State Penguins at 7 p.m.
You will ba able to listen to the game on ESPN 970 AM – WBGG with Chris Shovlin and Brian Cleary.
Next: James Conner sidelined for the rest of the season