Wednesday, September 24, 2003

By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Quarterback controversy? What quarterback controversy? "Not at Robert Morris," coach Joe Walton said with a laugh. "No, we don't have a controversy."

But the Colonials do have three quarterbacks vying for the starting job when RMU (2-1) plays host to St. Francis (0-2) in a Northeast Conference game Saturday at Moon High School Stadium.

"I'll make up my mind by the end of the week," Walton said. "A lot has to do with their understanding of the game plan and how they've prepared going into the game. We're still unsettled at that position. It upsets the rhythm of the offense."

Walton used all his quarterbacks to try to jump-start the offense in a 31-24 victory at St. Peter's last week. Drew Geyer, a sophomore from Deer Lakes, started and was ineffective, 3 of 10 for 41 yards. He was replaced by junior-college transfer Shaun Abkarian, who played the last two series of the first half and was 2 of 6 for 29 yards.

Abkarian's attempted screen pass on the final play of the half was intercepted and returned 97 yards for a touchdown to make the score 17-17.

"We were making too many mistakes, and when the quarterback makes mistakes it makes it tough for the offense to operate," Walton said. "I made a change because I wanted to see if we could settle things down."

Walton inserted Chris Demaio, a seldom-used senior from Chartiers Valley who completed 9 of 13 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown to lead the victory.

Will Demaio be in the lineup against St. Francis?

"He did some nice things last week," Walton said. "The rest of the team is gelling pretty good and we know what we're doing. We're improving each week on defense. I thought we'd be more settled at quarterback at this time of the season. Everybody wants one quarterback. I want one quarterback.

"I only had two starting quarterbacks for the first eight years."

Jake Newman and Tim Levcik each started for four seasons.

"It will all take care of itself. You have to do what you have to do to try to win a football game," Walton said. "It's a tough decision because I'm dealing with some kids who have talent. "

The PSAC

IUP's 28-7 win at New Haven was its 13th consecutive victory in the regular season and was the 25th consecutive game the Indians scored at least 20 points. IUP ended an eight-game losing streak in games played outside Pennsylvania. ... Shippensburg's John Kuhn rushed for 128 yards in a 35-6 victory against Kutztown for his 11th consecutive game with 100 or more yards rushing. ... Slippery Rock senior quarterback Chad DeVore came off the bench to pass for 134 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-14 victory against Fairmont State. He passed for 137 yards and a touchdown last season.

The PAC

Thiel wideout Brandon Chambers, a sophomore from Farrell, set a school record for receiving yards in a game with eight catches for 283 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-7 victory against Bluffton. ... Bethany's 69-7 loss to Wooster was its most lopsided defeat since a 74-0 loss to Washington and Jefferson. ... Waynesburg freshman Ben Popson set a school record with his 19th consecutive extra-point conversion, then missed his next attempt in a 31-30 loss at Gettysburg.

The rankings

Duquesne (1-2) fell three spots to fifth in the Sports Network Division I-AA mid-major poll after a 51-10 loss to Ivy League champion Penn, which is No. 21 in the I-AA national poll. ... IUP (3-0) stayed at No. 4 in the American Football Coaches Association Division II poll and is ranked for the 42nd consecutive week dating to the 2000 preseason poll. IUP's highest ranking was No. 2 late in 2001. Shippensburg (3-0) jumped six places to No. 14. ... Washington and Jefferson (2-0) moved up three positions to No. 16 in the AFCA Division III poll.

The big game

Johns Hopkins (3-0) at Carnegie Mellon (3-0), 1 p.m. Saturday: Johns Hopkins is ranked No. 23 in NCAA Division III.

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