What Is 2011 Robert Morris Colonials football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2011 Robert Morris Colonials football team represented Robert Morris University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 5–6 overall record under head coach Joe Walton. They competed in the Northeast Conference (NEC), going 4–4 in conference play, and played their home games at Joe Walton Stadium in Moon Township, Pennsylvania.

Key Facts

2011 Robert Morris Colonials finished with a 5–6 overall record
Team played in the Northeast Conference (NEC), posting a 4–4 conference record
Head coach Joe Walton led the program in his 15th and final season
Home games were played at Joe Walton Stadium in Moon Township, PA
The team scored 237 points while allowing 277 over 11 games

Overview

The 2011 Robert Morris Colonials football team represented Robert Morris University in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) during the 2011 season. Competing in the Northeast Conference (NEC), the team was led by head coach Joe Walton, who retired after the season following 15 years at the helm. The Colonials played their home games at Joe Walton Stadium, named in his honor, located on campus in Moon Township, Pennsylvania.

This season marked a transitional year for the program, as it concluded Walton’s long tenure and set the stage for future development under new leadership. The team finished with a 5–6 overall record and a 4–4 mark in NEC play, placing them in the middle of the conference standings. Despite not qualifying for the FCS playoffs, the season provided valuable experience for a developing roster.

Record: The Colonials finished the 2011 season with a 5–6 overall record, including a 4–4 performance in the Northeast Conference.
Head coach: Joe Walton stepped down after 15 seasons, having led the program since its transition to Division I in 1994.
Stadium: All home games were played at Joe Walton Stadium, a 2,500-seat facility named after the retiring head coach.
Scoring: The team scored 237 total points (21.5 per game) while allowing 277 points (25.2 per game) on defense.
Season end: The final game of the season was a 31–21 loss to Duquesne on November 19, 2011, marking Walton’s last game as head coach.

How It Works

The structure of college football at the FCS level involves a regular season followed by a playoff system for qualifying teams, though only conference champions or top at-large teams typically advance. The 2011 Robert Morris Colonials competed within this framework but did not earn a postseason berth.

Division: Robert Morris competed in the NCAA Division I FCS, the second tier of college football, below the FBS.
Conference: The team was a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC), which awarded its champion an automatic playoff bid.
Schedule: The 2011 season included 11 games: seven against NEC opponents and four non-conference matchups.
Playoff eligibility: Only teams with winning records and strong conference finishes typically qualify; Robert Morris’ 5–6 record made postseason play impossible.
Roster composition: The team relied heavily on underclassmen, reflecting a rebuilding phase entering a new coaching era.
Game operations: Each game followed standard FCS rules, with 60-minute game clocks, 11-player squads, and NCAA-regulated officiating.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2011 Robert Morris Colonials with other NEC teams and national FCS averages:

Team	Overall Record	NEC Record	Points For	Points Against
Robert Morris	5–6	4–4	237	277
Central Connecticut	4–7	3–5	186	252
Duquesne	6–5	4–4	258	224
Liberty (non-NEC)	7–4	N/A	287	218
FCS Average	6.2–5.8	N/A	24.1 per game	23.8 per game

The Colonials’ performance was slightly below the FCS average in both scoring and defense. While they matched Duquesne in conference record, they scored fewer points and allowed more, highlighting defensive struggles. Their non-conference schedule included tough matchups against stronger FCS programs, which impacted their overall win-loss tally.

Why It Matters

The 2011 season was significant as a turning point in Robert Morris football history, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a rebuild. It provided insight into the challenges of sustaining competitiveness in the FCS, especially within a mid-major conference like the NEC.

Leadership transition: Joe Walton’s retirement opened the door for new coaching strategies and player development philosophies.
Recruiting impact: A losing record made recruiting more difficult, though the program continued to attract regional talent.
Stadium legacy: Naming the stadium after Walton honored his contributions to the university’s athletic growth.
Conference stability: The NEC remained a competitive but resource-limited conference, affecting team funding and exposure.
Player development: Several underclassmen from the 2011 team became starters in subsequent seasons, showing long-term value.
Program identity: The season reinforced the need for a clear football vision, eventually leading to future investments in facilities and staff.

While not a standout season in terms of wins, the 2011 campaign laid groundwork for future improvements and underscored the importance of continuity and investment in collegiate athletics.