The Robert Morris University football team enters its second decade as an intercollegiate football program in 2004 with the lone goal its had from the beginning: winning championships. To that end, while the goal remains the same, so does the preparation for each season.

“The team that wins the championship usually uses the same formula each year,” head coach Joe Walton said. “You have to cut down on mistakes, be able to play defense and effectively run the football.”

In 2004, the Colonials return 14 starters from a 2003 club that finished with an overall record of 6-4, including 4-3 in Northeast Conference action. Of those 14 starters, six return on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

OFFENSE: PRO STYLE

Looking for a point of emphasis for the Colonials in 2004? Look no further than the offensive line and quarterback positions. Stability at those spots will be key for Robert Morris in 2004 if it hopes to challenge for another NEC crown.

“The whole key for us this year is how we develop the offensive line and settle on the best quarterback,” Walton said. “Our quarterback situation has been shaky the past couple of seasons, and we have to stabilize the position. We have to rebuild the offensive line as well. We have three key returnees in Vince Romo, Clifton Jean-Jacques and Gus Alonso, who all will help us this season, but not only do we have to find two new starters, we have to build some depth at the position. It’s a spot that we recruited hard at, and hopefully we’ll have some players step up in training camp.”

Romo and Jean-Jacques, both seniors, will lead the offensive line in 2004. Jean-Jacques enters his third season as the starting left guard, while Romo played well down the stretch of the 2003 campaign at center after transferring from Citrus Junior College in California. Alonso, a sophomore, impressed the coaching staff in 2003 in just his first year with the club, starting the first five games before going down with a season-ending injury.

The incumbent starting quarterback is senior Shaun Abkarian, also a transfer from Citrus. He played sporadically as a junior in 2003 but has become more comfortable in the offensive system thanks to a solid spring. The Colonials will also look at a few freshman in training camp, including Jordan Potter and Bill Theobold. Regardless, the Colonials will be bolstered by assistant coach Rich Demaio, a four-year member of the Colonials who threw for a school record 444 yards in his final collegiate game and who will coach the quarterbacks in 2004.

“Having Rich on the staff is important,” Walton said. “He’s someone who is smart and understands the system. We’re going to have some competition at quarterback in camp, and the best one is going to play.”

One area Robert Morris is deep at is wide receiver, which puts more emphasis on a quarterback stepping up in 2004. Returning as the starting split end is senior Dante Settles, who finished with 24 catches for 343 yards in 2003. Senior Tyjuan Massey also returns. He moves into the starting flanker position after leading the team in receiving yards (457) while finishing second on the squad in receptions (30) last year.

“I feel very comfortable with our returning group of wide receivers,” Walton said. “Yet that is only going to be a strength if we stabilize the quarterback position. If one of the quarterbacks steps up, he’ll certainly have plenty of weapons to utilize.”

The Colonials also have depth at the wide receiver position thanks to senior Rob Meyer, who will back up Settles at split end and had an impressive spring. Adding to that depth is senior tight end Rupert Rickards, a converted receiver who led RMU in receptions in 2003 with 33 and finished second on the team in receiving yardage (415). Robert Morris, which often features a two tight end set, will also look to fill the void left by Rob Quaranta, an able blocking tight end for the Colonials in past seasons.

“One of the keys for the tight end position is who emerges as a good blocker,” Walton said. “One has to be a good blocker and the other a good receiver. In Rupert we have a quality receiver, but we’ll have to find that blocking tight end to use in our sets.”

A hole Robert Morris will have to fill in 2004 is at tailback, as Sam Dorsett departs the program as the school’s all-time leading rusher. Junior Devin Wilson, who saw most of the time as Dorsett’s backup in 2003, looks to fill the starting role. “Backs like Sammy don’t come around too often, but Devin has worked hard and improved each year,” Walton said. “I’m comfortable with him in the position, and as long as he continues to improve he’s going to be a good football player.”

Returning as the starting fullback is sophomore Moises Hernandez, who despite limited carries in 2003 finished with four touchdowns, including a pair each rushing and receiving. An able blocker and adept at catching the ball out of the backfield, Hernandez will team with junior Vince Magnone at the position in 2004. Magnone missed the 2003 season due to injury.

“Moises got a lot of experience and played well last year, much the same way Vince did the previous season,” Walton said. “We have depth at that position, and that’s important because it affords our running back a couple extra open holes to hit.”

DEFENSE: Multiple

One only has to be familiar with Robert Morris over the past couple of seasons to be aware of the program’s current trio of linebackers in seniors Jonathan LeDonne, Justin Marino and James Noel, a cornerstone group that has led the defense in more ways than one.

“Not only are these guys good football players, they’re smart people,” Walton said. “They understand (defensive coordinator) Dan Radakovich’s defense, and he does a good job of putting them in the right situations at the right time. It’s going to be fun watching these three play this season.”

Noel was named the Northeast Conference Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2002 and proved that season was no fluke in 2003 by leading the team with 107 tackles, one takedown short of the single-season school record he tied in 2002. LeDonne added 67 tackles last season, while Justin Marino chipped in with 47 stops.

While the Colonials will be strong at linebacker, there is high hopes for the defensive line, which will be led by junior Jason Forrest and senior Babafemi Odumeru in 2004. Forrest, considered by Walton to a be a pro prospect, finished with 53 tackles in 2003, including a team best 13 takedowns for a loss. Odumeru established himself last season with 43 tackles, including a team-high five sacks.

“Odumeru really came on last year, and Forrest has solidified his spot on the defensive line and is also a great leader,” Walton said. “Those two will anchor the line, and we also feel Michael Crandle and Victor Silva can contribute, as well. As a whole, our defensive line is a solid group.”

Robert Morris will have a few holes to plug in the secondary with the graduation of Robb Butler, Vladimir St. Surin and Josh Weight, but there are quality players to fill the voids. Sophomore Mike Niklos returns as the lone starter at left corner, and he led the NEC with six interceptions last season, including a pair he returned for touchdowns. For those efforts he was named the league’s defensive rookie of the year. The Colonials will also get a boost from the return of senior Josh Marino, who missed last season due to injury. He returns to the starting weak safety position.

“It will be a big boost to get Josh back from injury,” Walton said. “Niklos was a pleasant surprise last season. He’s got quick feet and quick reaction to the ball. He’s a smart individual who plays receiver’s extremely well.”

SPECIAL TEAMS

Returning as the starting placekicker in 2004 is sophomore Nathan DiLorenzo, who gave the Colonials a boost early in the 2003 campaign and grew into the position. Junior Michael Schlaepfer enters his third season as the starting punter in 2004 after averaging 33.2 yards per punt last year.

“As a whole we need to be more consistent with our kicking game in terms of field position, and we’ll have some competition there this season,” Walton said. “Special teams is one-third of the game, and it’s an extremely important part of the game, as well.”

SCHEDULE

For the eighth straight season, Robert Morris will open its season with Division III Buffalo State, this time at home. It marks the first of a school-record seven home games on the 2004 slate for the Colonials and the first of three straight at Moon Stadium to open up the campaign. RMU won’t take to the road until Sept. 25 at in-state rival St. Francis.

“Having seven home games is nice,” Walton said. “Moon Stadium is a great field, and we’ve had a great relationship with the people in the Moon Area School District over the last 11 years. Yet our conference has improved each year, without question. Whether it’s a team’s athletic ability, speed or just good old-fashioned football players, when you combine that with all the good coaching in our league, it’s always competitive, and I don’t expect that to change this season. The quality of competition in our conference makes it fun for everyone, including the coaches and the players.”

SUMMARY

Looking forward to another season, Walton is confident his team will be up to the task of competing in the always tough Northeast Conference.