This was a very physical contest from the outset, and both teams lost players to injury and bangs and bruises throughout. The two teams are evenly matched on paper (what with RMU's rash of injuries along their defensive front) but the ball just bounced more often in RMU's favor. You would have thought that Penn State transfer QB (RS Fresh #10) John Kelly might have given SFU a slight advantage in this one, but he seemed out of sync with his receivers, and never got much done. RMU's offense was sluggish too. Their solid NEC running back, Myles Russ (a Jr., #3) never did get it really going after an anemic first half, and all-NEC WR Sherrod Evers also had a subpar game. SFU's defense deserved a lot of credit keeping the team in this one early--they finally allowed a score with 8:20 remaining until half time to break the scoreless tie. A penalty opened the door for RMU to finally get on the board at that point, and that seemed to open the floodgates.

SCOUTING SUMMARY:

College: St. Francis (PA) Conference: Northeast Columnist: Steve Martin

Game Notes
Scott Lewis 44 5' 11.0" 205 4.65 LB 2011: A fine small college LB who has everything you want except size and blazing speed. He'd be playing down the road in Happy Valley if he had those things. Chases pretty well. Diagnoses well. Plays faster than he probably times. Gets all around the field after it and never lets up. Liability in coverage and could be run at. Only a junior. GRADE: Neutral

Matthew Parker 31 6' 0.5" 215 4.80 LB 2011: A little bigger than Lewis and is also quite active. Lacks a bit of intensity.. Good blitzer who leads the NEC in sacks. Played dirty. Saw him twisting a player's ankle after the play, and was also whistled for a horse collar. Only a junior. GRADE: Neutral

Russel Fisher 99 6' 2.0" 260 5.15 DT 2010: Energizer bunny. Bad body, and lacks size, but at this level he's a holy terror. Moves around pretty well, but is kind of "boxy" in his movements. More relentless than quick. Strong for his size. Has no pro potential because of agility and lateral motion concerns, but he is a football player at this level. Poor man's Dan Klecko. GRADE: Positive

Cody Kekipi 56 6' 1.0" 272 5.25 C 2010: Fundamentally sound. Aggressive run blocker, who just keeps driving after contact. Playing center, but might project better to guard at the next level, though he'll need 20 pounds of muscle to even get a sniff of a camp. A leader. Cut blocks quickly off the snap. Nice base. 6'1" may be being generous. Like Fisher he has no hope at the NFL, but he's a football player who has everything but ideal size. Solid stamina. GRADE: Positive


College: Robert Morris Conference: Northeast Columnist: Steve Martin

Game Notes
Sherrod Evers 84 6' 2.2" 200 4.55 WR 2010: A bit of a "flash, then disappear" type. Nice length. Big play guy at this level who won't be after college. Lacks really good separation quickness. Good, but not great straight line speed. Spindly. Average hands. Has made a lot of big plays in college but I see him having trouble beating the jam and getting open after he graduates. Very average day today. GRADE: Neutral

Alex DiMichele 6 6' 1.7" 242 4.85 LB 2011 Only a junior. Tracking him now because he is the leader of this defense and has pro size. A bit of a poor man's Zak DeOssie. Great straight ahead, on short yardage and goal line, and when a running play is indicated. Not so great when asked to tackle one on one in space or to cover a back or TE out of the backfield. Can be blocked by a back, and that should never happen with his mass and gifts. Sheds well, and is a force in pileups and close quarters situations. Reads well, and finds the ball. Has some talent, but needs some time. 4.85 seems about right...GRADE: Neutral

Mark Szymanski 32 6' 2.0" 255 4.90 DE 2010: DNP. Injured.

Michael Landers 24 6' 0.7" 210 4.60 S 2010: The reason we scout small schools. Definitely a diamond in the rough here boys, who I would mark as borderline draftable right now. Has pro size. 4.60 seems legit. Certainly plays 4.60. Covers well and broke up some passes. Knockout hitter who makes the sure tackle when he must. Seems to really understand the game, schemes, etc. Good special teams warrior. I'd definitely bring this guy in for a look-see. LOC issues abound, especially in coverage, but the tools appear to be there. May deserve to be in the position rankings late as a SS, Bret? GRADE: Very positive

Andy Walton 97 6' 4.3" 295 5.25 DT 2010: DNP. Injured. A real shame. I really wanted to see this kid.

OTHER NOTES:

RMU: Junior RB Myles Russ looked like a possible future PP last year when I scouted RMU. I didn't see anything in this game to make me think that will ever be the case. Wired to the LOS. If he doesn't get a hole he isn't going to make one. #4 WR Anthony Coleman flashed.

SFU: Their best player may turn out to be Senior WR-KR Antoine Rivera (#4) who leads the NEC with 84.5 Ypg receiving. Goes high and snatches. Maybe a 4.65-4.70 guy though, and for now, that keeps him out of the database. RS Freshman QB (and Penn State) transfer John Kelly (#10) has some tools. Throws a tight spiral and can throw on the run. Gets a lot of balls batted down though....Plenty of time to develop. Physically mature. Bit if a sideline whiner though...