What Is 2013 Robert Morris Colonials football

Overview

The 2013 Robert Morris Colonials football team represented Robert Morris University in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, during the 2013 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Competing as a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC), the Colonials were led by head coach Andrew Toole in his fourth year at the helm.

The team played its home games at Joe Albi Stadium, a 3,000-seat facility on campus, and faced a challenging schedule that included both conference and non-conference opponents. Despite not securing a playoff berth, the Colonials showed improvement in several offensive categories compared to previous seasons.

• Overall record: The Colonials finished the season with a 5–6 win-loss record, marking modest progress from their 4–7 performance in 2012.
• Conference performance: In NEC play, they went 3–4, placing them in the middle of the conference standings and missing the automatic playoff bid.
• Head coach:Andrew Toole was in his fourth season as head coach, having taken over in 2010 and gradually rebuilding the program.
• Home stadium: The team played at Joe Albi Stadium, a small on-campus venue with limited seating and artificial turf.
• Key player: Quarterback Joe Crabb started most games, throwing for 1,842 yards and 12 touchdowns during the season.

Season Performance

The 2013 campaign featured a mix of competitive losses and hard-fought wins, highlighting the team’s development under Toole’s leadership. Several games were decided by less than a touchdown, indicating the Colonials were competitive despite their sub-.500 record.

• Season opener: The Colonials began with a 27–24 loss to Duquesne, a local rival, in a tightly contested matchup.
• First win: They earned their first victory with a 31–28 win over Saint Francis (PA) in Week 3.
• Offensive stats: The team averaged 24.3 points per game, an improvement over the previous season’s 21.6.
• Defensive struggles: They allowed 28.1 points per game, indicating ongoing challenges on the defensive side.
• Rushing attack: Running back D.J. Foster led the ground game with 612 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns.
• Passing leader: Joe Crabb completed 61% of his passes with 12 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2013 season compared to recent years in key statistical categories:

The table illustrates that while the 2013 Colonials improved offensively and slightly on defense compared to 2012, they still fell short of the success seen in 2009 and earlier years. The team remained competitive in the NEC but struggled to close out tight games, especially against top-tier conference opponents.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a transitional year for Robert Morris football, reflecting both incremental progress and the challenges of competing in the FCS. It laid the groundwork for future development under Andrew Toole’s leadership and highlighted key players who would return in 2014.

• Program development: The season demonstrated steady improvement under Toole, who was building depth and experience.
• Recruiting impact: Competitive performances helped attract higher-caliber recruits in subsequent years.
• Player development: Quarterback Joe Crabb’s growth signaled emerging offensive potential for the future.
• Conference relevance: Despite missing the playoffs, the Colonials remained a respected mid-tier NEC team.
• Facility limitations: The small size of Joe Albi Stadium highlighted the need for infrastructure investment.
• Long-term trajectory: The 2013 season was a stepping stone toward greater competitiveness in the mid-2010s.

While not a breakout year, the 2013 Robert Morris Colonials season played an important role in the ongoing evolution of the program, setting the stage for future success in the NEC and FCS landscape.