Tag: Robert Morris Football

Air Force vs. Robert Morris: Falcons Game Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Prediction

Air Force vs. Robert Morris: Falcons Game Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Prediction Can Air Force Win Their 17th Consecutive Season Opener Contact/Follow @Sean or @MWCWire The 2023 Season Kick’s Off for Air Force Against the Robert Morris Colonials. …

Air Force vs. Robert Morris: Falcons Game Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Prediction

Can Air Force Win Their 17th Consecutive Season Opener

Contact/Follow @Sean or @MWCWire

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The 2023 Season Kick’s Off for Air Force Against the Robert Morris Colonials.

WEEK 1: Air Force Falcons 0-0 (0-0) vs. Robert Morris Colonias 0-0 (0-0)

WHEN: Saturday, September 2nd — 11:00 A.M. MT/ 10:00 A.M. PT

WHERE: Falcon Stadium (Colorado Springs, CO)

WEATHER: Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 92F. WNW winds shifting to SSE at 10 to 15 mph.

TV: Altitude Sports

STREAM: GoAirForceFalcons.com / MWNetwork

RADIO: KVOR AM 740 in Colorado Springs, 104.3 the Fan in Denver; SIRIUS 388, SXM App 978

Jim Arthur (play-by-play), Jesse Kurtz (analyst)

SERIES RECORD: Air Force has never played Robert Morris.

WEBSITES: RMUColonials.com, the official Robert Morris athletics website | GoAirForceFalcons.com, the official Air Force athletics website

GAME NOTES (PDF): Robert Morris | Air Force

SP+ PROJECTION: Air Force by 44.8

FEI PROJECTION: Not Available

PARKER FLEMING PROJECTIONS: Not Available

In what seems to be a tradition, Air Force opens their season against an FCS opponent yet again. The 2023 edition of FCS opener comes by way of the Robert Morris University Colonials.

A once proud contender out of Northeast Conference, now playing in the Big South, RMU, affectionately known locally as Bobby Mo is coming off of a dreadful season. Dreadful may actually be kind. The Colonials were winless in 2022, going 0-11.

Entering his sixth years as the head coach at RMU, Bernard Clark is in desperate need of a turnaround. With just one winning season coming back in 2019, he’s posted an overall record of 13-34, going just 9-23 in Conference games.

By complete contrast, Troy Calhoun and Air Force enter the 2023 campaign having recorded double digit wins each of the last three full seasons. On top of that, they’ve never lost a contest against an FCS opponent.

It would be a monumental stumble if the Falcon’s fell victim to the Colonials at home in this season opener. But stranger things have happened. Or have they? To avoid validating either way, here are a few keys to this years home opener.

Keys to an Air Force Victory

give nothing

Give nothing, and that means absolutely nothing. Air Force is superior to this team in every conceivable facet of the game. So to do anything that gives RMU any dissolution that they are a threat leave Colorado Springs victorious is unnecessary and unacceptable.

Don’t give the ball away, take penalties or offer a special teams freebee. There should be absolutely no reason starters are needed to carry a helmet onto the field in the second half. Avoiding these things will help ensure that.

the chemistry lab

One of the great advantages to playing an inferior opponent to open the season is it allows you find your identity. We all know who Air Force wants to be offensively; a relentless ground and pound attack.

The thing is, they are going to be breaking in a new quarterback, full-back and multiple offensive lineman. This is a great opportunity to allow the Diesels up front to gel, and let all those skilled players behind them work on their trade. As the game wears on, you should hope to see these units coming together.

arrive healthy – leave healthy

While merely “staying healthy” isn’t going to put points on the board or keep them off, it is still a critical objective in week 1. The Falcons have a few players still nursing injuries entering the season, so adding any names to the infirmary by way of a game against Robert Morris would not be good.

We all expect a vanilla game plan, hopefully simple execution is a good recipe for a clean bill of health at the games end.

Prediction

My good friend John Steilner was a three year starter on the offensive line for Robert Morris during a run that the program saw a lot of success. Behind Johnny’s steady blocking, I could all but guarantee the Colonials would crack the end zone against Air Force.

But John is now a family man and has a very successful career in the Energy Technology industry.

While Robert Morris on the other hand, couldn’t muster 10 points per game on offense last year, and the defense they face on Saturday are not going to do any favors for improving that number.

Offensively, Air Force is breaking in a few new starters in key positions, namely quarterback and fullback. The stable of runners at fullback in tandem with the NCAA’s leader in yards per carry for 2022, John Lee Eldridge III should allow the run game to excel in spite of the departure of all time great, Brad Roberts.

The quarterback competition between a trio of seniors should play out well into this game as Zac Larrier, Jensen Jones and Ben Brittan should all see significant playing time. I don’t know if this is the kind of game that validates a starting quarterback for the season, but live game action will only help the process.

Enjoy the rest of Colorado, Robert Morris. Because I don’t think you’ll find ‘The Springs’ very hospitable. Air Force takes this one by as much as they want.

Air Force ‘a lot’ – Robert Morris 6

 

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Air Force Football: First Look At The Robert Morris Colonials

The Falcons will begin their 2023 season by hosting the FCS Colonials. Here’s a first look at Robert Morris.

Air Force Football: First Look at the Robert Morris Colonials

The Falcons will begin their 2023 season by hosting the FCS Colonials. Here’s a first look at Robert Morris.

Contact/Follow @MattK_FS and @MWCwire

Air Force’s customary tune-up looks to bounce back.

Air Force Football: First Look at 2023 Non-conference Opponents

Robert Morris | Sam Houston State | Navy | Army

Note: Headline photo provided courtesy of RMU Athletics.

Throughout his long and decorated tenure, Air Force football under Troy Calhoun have often made quick work of a FCS opponent to begin each season. Last season’s romp over Northern Iowa marked 16 years in a row that the Falcons came out on top in their opener.

The Robert Morris Colonials hope to be the team that ends the streak, but it could be an uphill battle after a tough 2022 campaign.

Location: Moon Township, Pennsylvania

Conference: Big South

Series History: This will be the first meeting between Air Force and Robert Morris.

2022 Record: 0-11 (0-5 Big South)

Head Coach: Bernard Clark (sixth year, 13-34 overall). Since making their lone appearance in the FCS playoffs back in 2010, things haven’t always come easily for RMU. Clark inherited a program that had gone 2-9 the year before his arrival and guided them to a 7-5 finish in his second season in charge, 2019, but the program has gone 4-20 in the past three years.

Last year’s winless campaign must have felt particularly galling since the Colonials opened 2022 with a pair of one-score losses to Dayton and Delaware State and a competitive loss to Miami of Ohio in the season’s first month. RMU only managed to score at least 20 points in two contests all year, though, which explains why they were outscored on average by 24.4 points per game and finished 128th among FCS teams in overall SP+.

Key Players

Joe Casale, LB

The Colonials have one all-conference player from last season back for 2023, but Casale is a solid anchor in the middle of their defense. After transferring in from Albany, he settled in to lead the team with 69 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 74.1.

Tony Brown, LB

Casale’s primary running mate at linebacker, Brown had a fairly productive 2022 himself by racking up 68 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. According to Pro Football Focus, he also finished second to Casale in making 27 stops while missing just 11.8% of tackle attempts.

James Westry, WR

Westry has had an interesting collegiate career thus far, spending three seasons at Robert Morris which culminated in catching 35 passes for a team-high 460 yards with four touchdowns in 2021. Last May, however, he transferred to nearby Lackawanna College and finished the 2022 season with 31 receptions, 528 yards, and a touchdown before returning to RMU with a second transfer.

Robert Carter Jr., CB

Westry’s return wasn’t the only big prize that RMU landed from the transfer portal, though. Carter Jr.’s arrival from Division II University of Virginia-Wise could be a boon in more than one way considering that he was an all-South Atlantic selection as both a defensive back and a return specialist in 2022, grabbing a program-record six interceptions (including two pick-sixes) while returning one kickoff for a score and averaging 21.4 yards per return.

Luke Beltavski, C

Arguably the best center in the Big South, Beltavski held that position down for the Colonials last year after being elevated to the starting lineup late in 2021. That move paid dividends as the Cleveland native tallied an overall PFF grade of 71.4, allowing one sack and seven hurries in 720 total snaps.

Overview:

Offense

The Colonials struggled mightily on this side of the ball in 2022, finishing dead last among all FCS teams in scoring 9.9 points per game, averaging 3.55 yards per play, and converting 24.4% of third-down opportunities. It’ll be a titanic challenge for first-year offensive coordinator Josh Firm to turn things around.

At the top of the to-do list: Settle on a quarterback. Senior Anthony Chiccitt and sophomore Zach Tanner combined to complete 49.4% of their throws for slightly under five yards per attempt, with five touchdowns against 14 interceptions a primary culprit for the offense’s stumbling. The Colonials also need to replace their top two running backs from 2022, though transfer portal additions Zachary Bair (870 rushing yards in two seasons at Dartmouth) and DJ Moyer (Elon) should have every opportunity to compete with incumbents like Kimon O’Sullivan for carries.

Westry’s return gives the passing game one reliable option and slot receiver Parker Fetterman (20 catches, 237 yards, one touchdown) provides another, but it remains to be seen who else will step up as outside options and at tight end.

Along the offensive line, Beltavski leads a quartet of starters back for 2023, including the entire left side: senior tackle Diego Turcios and junior guard Dante Thompson. Collectively, one point of emphasis will be to allow fewer sacks since the 36 they gave up in 2022 were the most in the Big South.

Defense

Considering the Colonials on this side of the ball often got little help from their offensive counterparts, you can take some of last year’s numbers with a grain of salt. RMU had just 13 sacks as a team, the fewest in their conference, but did manage 17 total takeaways and gave up a respectable 5.99 yards per play.

There’s plenty of work left, however, most notably on a defensive line that needs to replace the majority of its disruption. Fifth-year seniors Daunte Boudy and Garret Fairman could lead the charge after combining for ten tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks a year ago, though Noah Stevenson may also factor in after he led this unit with 522 snaps and tallied nine hurries from the interior.

The linebackers could be a strength with Casale, Brown, and Donovan Parham (35 tackles, 4.5 TFLs) all returning. As for the secondary, the big challenge revolves around replacing all-conference cornerback Sydney Audiger, though veterans like Dakari Cabell (60 tackles, three TFLs) and William Barber (33 tackles, two TFLs) could mesh with newcomers like Carter Jr., Dee Pierce (Miami of Ohio), and Travell Cook (St. Francis).

Early Prediction

Even if the Falcons aren’t yet sure what they will do at quarterback and fullback, it is likely they’ll be able to roll over RMU pretty easily.

Air Force 49, Robert Morris 3

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James Madison vs Robert Morris Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Spring Football

James Madison Dukes vs Robert Morris Colonials prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

James Madison Dukes vs Robert Morris Colonials prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

James Madison vs Robert Morris Broadcast

Date: Saturday, February 27
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field, Harrisonburg, VA
Network: NBC Sports Washington, FloFootball

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

James Madison (1-0) vs Robert Morris (0-0) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM

Why Robert Morris Will Win

The Colonials should have a solid pass defense returning for a defense that will be among the best in the NEC even though it’s missing a few of the key parts form a few years ago. Aniello Buzzacco is an all-around playmaking linebacker leading a good group that should be able to hold up reasonably well.

The offense works around smallish quick back Alijah Jackson, who has the toughness to handle the ball 20 times a game in a variety of ways for a ground attack that might not dominate, but needs to at least be effective to keep the JMU offense off the field, but …

Why James Madison Will Win

The Dukes were in midseason form in the 52-0 light scrimmage against Morehead State.

The run defense didn’t allow a thing, the ground attack was dominant, and the passing game clicked without any problems. Cole Johnson hit 10-of-14 passes for 147 yards and a score, Percy Agyei-Obese ran for 116 yards and a score, and the rest of the offense came up with big play after big play.

This is a talented, veteran team with national championship potential, and …

What’s Going To Happen

The James Madison offensive line was great, the team was in total control, and it should be just that strong again. Robert Morris is hardly going to be a pushover, and this will be a far stronger game than the Morehead State domination, but it’ll be another big offensive performance.

James Madison vs Robert Morris Prediction, Line

James Madison 34, Robert Morris 13
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: James Madison -38.5, o/u: 54.5

Must See Rating: 2

5: Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy
1: Clarice

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Hawaii Adds Robert Morris To Its Schedule For 2020 Season

Hawaii lost four games but now they have added one as a replacement in getting Robert Morris on the docket.

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Hawaii Adds Robert Morris To Its Schedule For 2020 Season

Warriors add an independent FCS team

Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Hawaii now has nine games scheduled.

Hawaii has already lost four games due to the Pac-12 going to an league-only slate and Fordham cancelling its game as part of the Patriot League which is not playing football this fall.

The Warriors were looking for an opponent to add to its slate since the first month is basically has been cancelled out.

Well, not anymore, Hawaii announced the addition of playing Robert Morris of the FCS ranks and the two will play on Sept. 26.

“I’m pleased we were able to fill one of our open dates with Robert Morris,” Athletics Director David Matlin said. “With so much uncertainty surrounding the fall season, it was important to lock up a home game and try to salvage as close to a full schedule as possible. That said, the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff is still our number one priority and we’ll make decisions with that in mind.”

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This now gives Hawaii 10 games, for now, but what it also gives an insight into how the Mountain West might be addressing its upcoming season.

The initial thought was that all of the conferences would go to league-only slates but this move from the Warriors could mean a few things. For one, it allows Hawaii to have more games for TV inventory for its SpectrumTV deal for Warriors fans on the Hawaii islands.

The bigger picture could mean that if Mountain West teams can replace cancelled games then they will be able to do with a willing opponent.

Adding games will be an interesting thing to watch as the Mountain West has lost 15 total games vs. Power 5 teams.

Hawaii’s 2020 football schedule

Sept. 26 vs. Robert Morris (New addition)

Oct. 3 Nevada

Oct. 10 New Mexico State

Oct. 17 at Air Force

Oct. 24 Boise State

Oct. 31 at Fresno State

Nov. 7 New Mexico

Nov. 14 UNLV

Nov. 21 at San Jose State

Nov. 28 at San Diego State

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