Robert Morris has been plagued by an old problem as it heads into a new phase of its rivalry with Duquesne.

Although the teams have played nine times with Duquesne winning the past three for a 5-4 lead in the series, this will be the first meeting as members of the same conference -- the Northeast Conference. Duquesne had won or shared 11 titles in its 14 seasons in the now-defunct Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

Duquesne (2-2, 1-1) will face Robert Morris (1-4, 0-2) at noon today at Joe Walton Stadium in a game that will be televised on the NEC network and carried regionally by FSN Pittsburgh.

Robert Morris coach Joe Walton can pinpoint the biggest reason for his team's four-game losing streak and worst start in the NEC since the conference was organized in 1996.

"We can't stop the run," he said. "That was one of our goals coming into the season, but it's been a problem the past two weeks against Monmouth and Sacred Heart."

Sacred Heart's Evin Jones rushed for 187 yards and a touchdown in a 31-28 victory against Robert Morris last week, and Monmouth's David Sinisi ran for 147 yards and a touchdown in a 34-26 victory two weeks ago.

Duquesne uses the run to set up a potent passing game that features quarterback Connor Dixon, a transfer from Michigan State who has thrown for 1,208 yards and 13 touchdowns. Cleo Williams is the leading rusher with 334 yards (4.3 average per carry) and a touchdown.

"I don't know what to say about our pass defense because teams haven't had to throw on us," Walton said. "I know Duquesne likes the pass, but after watching films on us they might decide to run the ball."

Opponents have dominated the time of possession with the run.

"We can't get the ball," Walton said. "That's another one of our problems."

Robert Morris has a punishing running game with Myles Russ, who ranks ninth in Division I-AA with 124.8 yards rushing per game. Erik Cwalinski has completed 51.4 percent of his throws for 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns. The Colonials probably will be without their leading receiver, Sherrod Evers, who has missed the past two games and most of a third with a sprained ankle.

James O'Quinn, a freshman from Kiski Area, has emerged as Cwalinski's favorite target with 16 catches for 355 yards and three touchdowns.

At times, Robert Morris has hurt its cause -- the Colonials lead the NEC with 43 penalties for an average of 96.4 yards per game.

"We've been in most of the games and had a chance to win," Walton said. "Special teams have been hurting us and we've been getting lousy field position. If we can put everything together, we can still be a pretty good football team."

West Virginia State (5-0, 3-0) at Seton Hill (6-0, 3-0), 6 p.m. -- This is a showdown in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference between teams ranked nationally in the American Football Coaches Association Division II poll. Both feature premier running backs. No. 24 Seton Hill, in the ranking for the first time in the four-year history of the program, is led by Antwarn Jones, whose 124.3 yards rushing per game is ninth in the country. ... No. 20 West Virginia State will counter with Brian Mitchell, who is ninth at 123.8 yards per game and has rushed for 100 or more yards in each game. West Virginia State quarterback Kevin O'Brien has passed for 1,310 yards and 10 touchdowns and Seton Hill's David Wess, a transfer from Cincinnati who is taking graduate courses, has completed 67.4 percent of his passes for 1,121 yards and 11 touchdowns. ... Seton Hill's Sammy Tranks is the WVIAC co-offensive player of the week. He had nine catches for 165 yards and three touchdowns and returned a kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown in a 35-32 victory against West Virginia Wesleyan. West Virginia State's William Jackson is the WVIAC defensive player of the week. He had seven tackles (three for a loss) and forced a fumble in a 41-7 victory against Concord.

IUP (4-1, 2-1) at Edinboro (5-1, 2-1), 3:30 p.m. -- IUP is 16th and Edinboro 18th in the AFCA Division II poll. This is a critical game in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West because both teams have lost to California, which is in first place. It's also important because two losses will put a team in a precarious position when at-large bids to the playoffs are offered. IUP leads the league in scoring (38.2 ppg) and scoring defense (9.4 ppg). ... Offensively, the Crimson Hawks rely on Andrew Krewatch (62.5 percent completion, 1,096 yards, 11 TDs), Ken Witter (26 catches, 411 yards, 5 TDs) and Tobias Robinson (539 yards rushing, 6 TDs). Shane Brooks has rushed for 227 yards the past three games coming off an injury. Edinboro averages 33.7 points and has scored at least 30 points in each game. ... The Fighting Scots are led by Trevor Harris (1,435 yards passing, 14 TDs), Rich Cerro (24 catches, 366 yards, 6 TDs) and Houston Brown (446 yards rushing, 2 TDs).