A near-perfect grade point average of 3.98 has a single flaw that brings a wry smile to junior linebacker Adam Lawrence's face.

"I got an A-minus in one class. In freshman English literature," the environmental science and premed major said. "That still annoys me."

Not much else has provided even a slight bump thus far in Lawrence's smooth handling of academics and athletics, although he will face a minor obstacle this semester because classes will force him to miss a few minutes of practice.

"Coaches would never punish you for that. It's Robert Morris and we're not planning to go to the NFL," he said. "I've always been academic-oriented and I'm done with football when I graduate."

Lawrence credits football for making it easier to excel in the classroom and get along off the field.

"You have to be disciplined for [football and school]. They help each other. You have to have time management and make sure you crack down so you always have time for everything. You have to give up the bad things in college, the things that get you in trouble. Football helps keep you straight," he said.

"Playing football can also help your social skills and helps you be a better person. In football, you have to communicate and know how to work with others as a team."