Robert Morris coach Joe Walton is itching to begin another seven-year run like the first seven seasons the Colonials enjoyed when the program started in 1994.

The Colonials had success right away, with a 7-1-1 record in their first season. Their 52-18-1 record from 1994-2000 included five consecutive Northeast Conference championships, capped by a 10-0 record the last year.

But the past seven years haven't been as productive for Robert Morris, which is 34-37 without an NEC title.

"Our conference has become much more competitive," said Walton, the only coach the Colonials have had. "We're playing better teams, better-coached teams."

The conference will become even stronger in 2008 with the addition of Duquesne, which is moving from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

"Now our rivalry will even be more important," Walton said. "We're happy they're coming in because that makes our league even better."

With 14 starters returning from a 4-6 team, the Colonials are expecting to climb in the standings

"We might be a year away from really being a good team," Walton said. "But we should be very competitive."

Walton is looking forward to this season, with one eye on future years, because the Colonials will have only four or five seniors playing prominent roles in the fall. Robert Morris will conclude its spring drills with a controlled scrimmage at 4 p.m. today at Joe Walton Stadium.

"The biggest thing I'm looking for is backups," Walton said. "I may not have it until the new class comes in the fall. I'm pretty comfortable with our frontline players."

The offense will again be led by quarterback Erik Cwalinski, who completed nearly 50 percent of his passes for 1,838 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. He threw nine interceptions. There are times, however, when Cwalinski holds onto the ball too long and takes a sack rather than throwing it away for an incomplete pass.

"I always like to see him learn a little quicker than he has," Walton said of Cwalinski, a senior-to-be who has started two years. "He has talent and is a tough kid, but he has a hard time making quick decisions. Let's just say he's a little better this spring."

Halfback Myles Russ (594 yards rushing, three TDs) will be running behind an offensive line that is more cohesive after being inconsistent last season.

Cwalinski will be throwing to a different receiving corps with the loss of Mario Hines, Alvin Hill and Julian Ellison. The top returnee is tight end is Regis Flowers (14 catches, 177 yards).

"I think I've found a couple wide receivers who can help us," said Walton, citing 6-foot-4 T.J. Green, a sophomore who was seldom-used last season, and Sherrod Evers, who sat out a year ago with a wrist injury after standing out in the 2007 spring drills.

The only questions on what should be a solid defense is at cornerback, where the Colonials will have two new starters. End Mark Szymanski, whose 7 1/2 sacks last year, anchors a strong line and Adam Lawrence is the headliner of a linebacking corps that will be bolstered by the addition of Alex DiMichele, a transfer from Temple.

DiMichele enrolled a Robert Morris this winter and is participating in spring drills. He started one game and played in all 12 as a freshman at Temple in 2005 and remained in school there but didn't play football in '06.

"I'm particularly pleased with our linebackers," Walton said. "We have some guys who can make plays."

Also back are safeties Nathan Argenta and Michael Landers.

"I like the direction were heading," Walton said. "I like what I'm seeing."