What Is 2016 Robert Morris Colonials football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Robert Morris Colonials football team represented Robert Morris University in the NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 6–5 overall record and a 5–3 mark in the Northeast Conference (NEC). Head coach Joe Walton led the team, and they played home games at Joe Walton Stadium in Moon Township, Pennsylvania.

Key Facts

The 2016 Robert Morris Colonials finished the season with a 6–5 overall record
They posted a 5–3 conference record in the Northeast Conference (NEC)
Head coach Joe Walton led the team in his final season before retirement
Home games were played at Joe Walton Stadium, named after the coach
The Colonials did not qualify for the FCS playoffs in 2016

Overview

The 2016 Robert Morris Colonials football team represented Robert Morris University during the 2016 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Competing as a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC), the team was led by head coach Joe Walton, who was in his final year at the helm after serving since the program's inception in 1994.

The Colonials played their home games at Joe Walton Stadium, a 3,000-seat facility located on the university's campus in Moon Township, Pennsylvania. Despite showing improvement over previous seasons, the team narrowly missed qualifying for the FCS playoffs, finishing just outside the postseason picture.

Record: The Colonials finished the 2016 season with a 6–5 overall record and a 5–3 mark in NEC play, marking their best conference performance since 2012.
Head Coach:Joe Walton retired after the 2016 season, concluding a 23-year tenure that included guiding the program from its NAIA roots to Division I FCS status.
Stadium: Games were held at Joe Walton Stadium, named in honor of the coach, which underwent renovations in 2015 to improve field conditions and fan amenities.
Key Player: Quarterback Shane Drazan led the offense, throwing for 1,721 yards and 11 touchdowns while completing 58% of his passes.
Season Highlight: A 31–28 victory over St. Francis (PA) in October was a pivotal win, showcasing the team’s resilience in a conference matchup.

Season Performance

The 2016 campaign featured a mix of close losses and hard-fought wins, with the Colonials demonstrating competitiveness in the NEC despite falling short of a playoff berth. The team opened the season with a loss to Duquesne but rebounded with three consecutive wins, including a dominant 35–7 victory over Central Connecticut State.

Non-Conference Play: The Colonials went 1–3 in non-conference games, with their lone win coming against Central Connecticut State in September.
Conference Record: Their 5–3 NEC record placed them in the middle of the conference standings, behind champion Duquesne who went 6–2.
Defensive Standouts: Linebacker Darius Victor led the team with 87 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss, anchoring a defense that improved throughout the season.
Offensive Output: The team averaged 24.3 points per game, ranking third in the NEC, with a balanced attack that included both passing and rushing threats.
Season-Ending Loss: A 28–21 defeat to Wagner in November eliminated playoff hopes and marked Walton’s final game as head coach.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2016 Robert Morris Colonials compared to other NEC teams in key statistical categories:

Team	Overall Record	NEC Record	Points For	Points Against
Robert Morris	6–5	5–3	267	251
Duquesne	7–4	6–2	298	214
Wagner	7–4	6–2	276	208
Central Connecticut	4–7	3–5	224	312
St. Francis (PA)	3–8	2–6	189	287

Robert Morris ranked third in the NEC in both scoring offense and defense, showing consistency but lacking the decisive edge needed to secure a playoff spot. The team’s point differential of +16 reflected tight games, with five of their 11 contests decided by one possession.

Why It Matters

The 2016 season was significant as a transitional year for the program, marking the end of an era with Joe Walton’s retirement and setting the stage for new leadership under head coach Bernard Clark, who was hired in December 2016.

Legacy of Joe Walton: Walton’s retirement ended a 23-year coaching career that included building the program from scratch and achieving multiple NEC titles.
Program Transition: The 2016 season served as a bridge between eras, with the new coaching staff overhauling recruiting and training strategies.
Player Development: Several underclassmen gained experience, including future standout Isaiah Barnes, who would become a key defensive player in 2017.
Recruiting Impact: The competitive season helped attract higher-caliber recruits, with the 2017 class showing improved regional rankings.
Facility Investment: Continued upgrades to Joe Walton Stadium signaled the university’s commitment to football despite budget constraints.
Conference Stability: The Colonials’ performance helped maintain the NEC’s reputation as a competitive FCS conference.

The 2016 Robert Morris Colonials may not have reached the playoffs, but their season laid groundwork for future competitiveness and marked a respectful conclusion to one of the longest-tenured coaching tenures in FCS history.