2018 Personnel
- Thread starter MolivaManiac
- Start date
Richmond senior receiver Dejon Brissett was named first team All-CAA last season. ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH▲
Dejon Brissett▲
BY JOHN O'CONNOR Richmond Times-Dispatch
7 min ago
Where Dejon Brissett grew up in the Toronto area, there is a basketball court he recognized as “the main focus” for youth who lived nearby. Brissett often played, and brought his brother along, though Dejon said Oshae Brissett wasn't very good as a youngster.
For years, Dejon was the Brissett known for his hoops ability. He saw a future in college basketball before accepting the University of Richmond’s football scholarship and developing into one of the CAA’s top receivers.
Oshae, younger by two years, stuck to the court, which appears to have been a very wise decision. Dejon stopped growing at 6-foot-2. Oshae reached 6-8, and is among college basketball's finest young forwards, at Syracuse.
Oshae Brissett last season made the ACC’s all-freshman team after averaging 14.9 points and 8.8 rebounds.
“When he’s doing his thing and he’s on TV, it kind of motivates me to do my thing as well,” said Brissett, a senior who is the Spiders’ leading returning receiver with 63 catches, 896 yards, and seven TDs as a junior. “The fact that he could be playing in the NBA, it’s [inspiring] for me. He’s very successful and I’m proud of him. It makes me want to do the same thing.”
Football coaches want size, strength and speed, but they’re immaterial without a competitive streak. Brissett, 22, began developing that long ago, on the neighborhood basketball court. His willingness and ability to leap and aggressively beat defensive backs for receptions distinguishes Brissett, who calls himself “a go-up-and-get-it type of guy.”
Brissett was good enough in basketball to draw interest from college programs below the Division I level. Richmond’s Division I scholarship offer influenced him to pursue football. That also appears to have been a very wise decision.
Brissett, a 190-pounder, leads the Spiders’ most impressive position group. He was a 2017 first team All-CAA choice, and on the second team were teammates Cortrelle Simpson and Tyler Wilkins. They’re back, too, along with a few other receivers who were impactful for UR (6-5, 4-4 CAA).
“The competition in the receivers’ room is really stiff. That’s a good problem to have,” said Brissett. “We’re trying to make each other better.”
Junior Kevin Johnson steps in for departed Kyle Lauletta, the leading passer in Richmond history, the 2017 CAA offensive player of the year, and the fourth-round selection of the New York Giants in the 2018 NFL Draft.
The 6-0 Johnson doesn’t have the experience of Lauletta, a three-year starter, but Johnson's arm strength is superior. He will be the most watched Spider when UR kicks off preseason practice Friday.
“I don’t think Kevin’s nervous. He’s shown unbelievable leadership over the summer,” said second-year coach Russ Huesman. “I think kids gravitate to him."
Huesman projects Johnson as a more frequent runner than Lauletta, and the Spiders' spring offense was heavy with run-pass options that Huesman believes will open up rushing lanes. But with Brissett and Richmond's other quality receivers, Johnson's primary job is distributor. Last season, UR ranked fourth among FCS teams in passing (341 ypg).
“We’ll be a little different offensively. Not a ton, but a little bit,” said Huesman.
It's great to see our guys working out the days before camp...This could be time spent relaxing with family and friends; instead, it is spent with teammates in the gym.
Spiders' defensive tackle Andrew Clyde cracks offensive codes through video-session routine
JOHN O'CONNOR·4 hours ago
Uninvited, defensive lineman Andrew Clyde regularly appeared at University of Richmond football mid-week media meetings the last few seasons.
The Wednesday afternoon events spotlight coach Russ Huesman and a couple of Spiders. The sessions take place in a Robins Center classroom that doubles as a station where UR players study opponents' game video.
Typically on Wednesdays, the media would arrive and find Clyde watching video.
Clyde's video habit helps explain him being named an All-CAA defensive lineman last year after a league-leading nine sacks, and this year part of FCS preseason All-American teams and the 25-man Buck Buchanan Award Watch List (along with JMU cornerback Rashad Robinson). That award goes to the top defensive player in the FCS.
When Huesman is asked what distinguishes Clyde, the coach first mentions "pre-snap reads." They often allow Clyde to gain a head start on cracking the offensive code, Huesman believes.
This comes from video study, according to Clyde.
"I try to spend a lot of my time watching for trends, looking how the O-linemen are in their stances," said the 6-foot-3, 275-pound senior from Dallas. "If I can figure out what formation and how he is in his stance, I can know the play from the get-go and that first step can be that much quicker.
"I don't think I'm the strongest guy. I don't think I'm the fastest guy. But I think the amount of preparation I do lets me use my skill set to be the best that I can."
UR's defense would appear to be the team's prime area of concern, as it was last year (6-5, 4-4 CAA), Huesman's first at Richmond. The Spiders experienced early-season issues adjusting to the 4-2-5 scheme installed by Huesman. Before his arrival, UR was based in a standard 4-3-4 system.
The 4-2-5, with two linebackers and five defensive backs on every snap, is designed to poison no-huddle, spread offenses that have proliferated. But there is roster-building required to bring in players necessary to effectively fill those positions, and the Spiders continue to work in that direction.
Richmond's defense improved as last year progressed, and Clyde said the plan is "carrying over everything we learned from last season into spring ball, and then through summer workouts, and into training camp, not showing up at training camp on day one and being, 'OK, what are we doing?'"
Spiders' defensive tackle Andrew Clyde cracks offensive codes through video-session routine
JOHN O'CONNOR·4 hours ago
Uninvited, defensive lineman Andrew Clyde regularly appeared at University of Richmond football mid-week media meetings the last few seasons.
The Wednesday afternoon events spotlight coach Russ Huesman and a couple of Spiders. The sessions take place in a Robins Center classroom that doubles as a station where UR players study opponents' game video.
Typically on Wednesdays, the media would arrive and find Clyde watching video.
Clyde's video habit helps explain him being named an All-CAA defensive lineman last year after a league-leading nine sacks, and this year part of FCS preseason All-American teams and the 25-man Buck Buchanan Award Watch List (along with JMU cornerback Rashad Robinson). That award goes to the top defensive player in the FCS.
When Huesman is asked what distinguishes Clyde, the coach first mentions "pre-snap reads." They often allow Clyde to gain a head start on cracking the offensive code, Huesman believes.
This comes from video study, according to Clyde.
"I try to spend a lot of my time watching for trends, looking how the O-linemen are in their stances," said the 6-foot-3, 275-pound senior from Dallas. "If I can figure out what formation and how he is in his stance, I can know the play from the get-go and that first step can be that much quicker.
"I don't think I'm the strongest guy. I don't think I'm the fastest guy. But I think the amount of preparation I do lets me use my skill set to be the best that I can."
UR's defense would appear to be the team's prime area of concern, as it was last year (6-5, 4-4 CAA), Huesman's first at Richmond. The Spiders experienced early-season issues adjusting to the 4-2-5 scheme installed by Huesman. Before his arrival, UR was based in a standard 4-3-4 system.
The 4-2-5, with two linebackers and five defensive backs on every snap, is designed to poison no-huddle, spread offenses that have proliferated. But there is roster-building required to bring in players necessary to effectively fill those positions, and the Spiders continue to work in that direction.
Richmond's defense improved as last year progressed, and Clyde said the plan is "carrying over everything we learned from last season into spring ball, and then through summer workouts, and into training camp, not showing up at training camp on day one and being, 'OK, what are we doing?'"
One of JOC's better articles. Andrew has played as much football for the Spiders as anyone in recent memory, and as a wily veteran, he knows the little things, watching extra tape, taking care of your body, and mastering techniques, are what separate a good player from a great player. I hope the other defensive lineman, in particular Ritten, appreciate having him around and will learn from him in his final season.
Here or there, heavier or lighter, Maurice Jackson makes a defensive difference for Spiders
Richmond coach Russ Huesman called defensive end Maurice Jackson “an unbelievable effort guy." JOE MAHONEY/TIMES-DISPATCH▲
Richmond's Maurice Jackson JOE MAHONEY/TIMES-DISPATCH▲
BY JOHN O'CONNOR Richmond Times-Dispatch
5 hrs ago
Offensive linemen and defensive linemen got together for some pass-protection/pass-rush work during Friday morning’s University of Richmond practice at Robins Stadium.
The defensive linemen were easily identified by their numbers in the 90s. Except one.
Maurice Jackson, a junior starter at defensive end, is No. 36.
When Jackson signed with UR in February of 2016, he was 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds. Richmond's staff projected him as a safety, outside linebacker, or running back. Jackson had more interceptions (four) than sacks (three) as a senior outside linebacker at Truman High School in Levittown, Pa., near Philadelphia.
All of that happened dozens of pounds ago. Jackson is now a 255-pound defensive end. He played defensive tackle at around 270 last season.
During Jackson’s freshman year, the Spiders had some injury issues along the defensive line midway through the schedule and moved him there from linebacker. He weighed about 235 pounds, and had never before played defensive line.
“At first, it was like, ‘This is going to be interesting,’ but I think it has turned out well so far,” said Jackson.
Handling weight fluctuations is not new for Jackson. When he played in a youth league with a pound limit, “I was always the overweight kid, so I’d always have to lose weight to play," he said. "And then I’d gain it back, and I had to lose it again.
“This has really been my life for a very long time.”
Richmond coach Russ Huesman called Jackson “an unbelievable effort guy, extremely talented. He can be as good as he wants to be. He’s still making mistakes, but he’s new at that [tackle] position.”
Richmond, which comes off a 6-5 season (4-4 CAA) in Huesman’s first year, started preseason practice on Aug. 3 and has remained healthy so far, for the most part. The coach viewed the first week of camp as constructive.
“We’re better right now than we were last year at this time,” said Huesman. “I do think that’s because, partly, this is their second year in the system. Have we progressed as fast as I want to progress here in camp? Close, but I would probably like a little bit faster progression.
“But I think the key thing is we’re ahead of last year, no question.”
NOTES: The highlight of Friday morning’s practice was All-CAA receiver Dejon Brissett snaring the ball with his right hand for a touchdown. Brissett was covered on his left when a line-drive pass from Kevin Johnson arrived during a red-zone drill.
The Spiders hold their first scrimmage Sunday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Robins Stadium. It is open to the public and free. The emphasis will be on evaluation of young players who lack game experience, according to Huesman. Richmond opens at Virginia on Sept. 1.
Richmond will honor the 2008 FCS championship team (10th-year anniversary) and the 1968 Tangerine Bowl championship team (50th anniversary) on Oct. 6, when Delaware plays at Robins Stadium.
Richmond coach Russ Huesman called defensive end Maurice Jackson “an unbelievable effort guy." JOE MAHONEY/TIMES-DISPATCH▲
Richmond's Maurice Jackson JOE MAHONEY/TIMES-DISPATCH▲
BY JOHN O'CONNOR Richmond Times-Dispatch
5 hrs ago
Offensive linemen and defensive linemen got together for some pass-protection/pass-rush work during Friday morning’s University of Richmond practice at Robins Stadium.
The defensive linemen were easily identified by their numbers in the 90s. Except one.
Maurice Jackson, a junior starter at defensive end, is No. 36.
When Jackson signed with UR in February of 2016, he was 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds. Richmond's staff projected him as a safety, outside linebacker, or running back. Jackson had more interceptions (four) than sacks (three) as a senior outside linebacker at Truman High School in Levittown, Pa., near Philadelphia.
All of that happened dozens of pounds ago. Jackson is now a 255-pound defensive end. He played defensive tackle at around 270 last season.
During Jackson’s freshman year, the Spiders had some injury issues along the defensive line midway through the schedule and moved him there from linebacker. He weighed about 235 pounds, and had never before played defensive line.
“At first, it was like, ‘This is going to be interesting,’ but I think it has turned out well so far,” said Jackson.
Handling weight fluctuations is not new for Jackson. When he played in a youth league with a pound limit, “I was always the overweight kid, so I’d always have to lose weight to play," he said. "And then I’d gain it back, and I had to lose it again.
“This has really been my life for a very long time.”
Richmond coach Russ Huesman called Jackson “an unbelievable effort guy, extremely talented. He can be as good as he wants to be. He’s still making mistakes, but he’s new at that [tackle] position.”
Richmond, which comes off a 6-5 season (4-4 CAA) in Huesman’s first year, started preseason practice on Aug. 3 and has remained healthy so far, for the most part. The coach viewed the first week of camp as constructive.
“We’re better right now than we were last year at this time,” said Huesman. “I do think that’s because, partly, this is their second year in the system. Have we progressed as fast as I want to progress here in camp? Close, but I would probably like a little bit faster progression.
“But I think the key thing is we’re ahead of last year, no question.”
NOTES: The highlight of Friday morning’s practice was All-CAA receiver Dejon Brissett snaring the ball with his right hand for a touchdown. Brissett was covered on his left when a line-drive pass from Kevin Johnson arrived during a red-zone drill.
The Spiders hold their first scrimmage Sunday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Robins Stadium. It is open to the public and free. The emphasis will be on evaluation of young players who lack game experience, according to Huesman. Richmond opens at Virginia on Sept. 1.
Richmond will honor the 2008 FCS championship team (10th-year anniversary) and the 1968 Tangerine Bowl championship team (50th anniversary) on Oct. 6, when Delaware plays at Robins Stadium.
All our friends out on SpiderNation may want to take a look at the team roster on the regular website. Someone has been updating the height and weight of many of the players since Friday. I'm not sure all have been updated yet.
Defensive linemen are bigger, OL guys are bigger, and some of the linebackers have put on weight. I knew from watching practice that lots of them were bigger than the old roster sizes. Go Spiders!
Defensive linemen are bigger, OL guys are bigger, and some of the linebackers have put on weight. I knew from watching practice that lots of them were bigger than the old roster sizes. Go Spiders!
I hope everyone had a chance to tune in to the live stream of practice this morning. For it being the dog days of camp, I liked what I saw from the guys. The 1 on 1 segments were very competitive, and in particular, a rep between Ritten and Settepani. If our centers and guards can pro up #92 and #97, I like our chances against anyone in the CAA
Our media department has done a terrific job over the past few years, and they deserve a S/O.
Our media department has done a terrific job over the past few years, and they deserve a S/O.
At practice this am. Out of pads, working on side were Simpson / Bevels / Coleman / Gerrity.
Hope just a little banged up. Next up for punt returner after Brissett # 83 Canaday and # 4 Dykes.
Best depth on team obviously at WR and RB. Looking for biggest improvement from DB position.
Really like # 12 Vinson. Only 17 more days. Go Spides !
Hope just a little banged up. Next up for punt returner after Brissett # 83 Canaday and # 4 Dykes.
Best depth on team obviously at WR and RB. Looking for biggest improvement from DB position.
Really like # 12 Vinson. Only 17 more days. Go Spides !
There was a player in helmet circling the track while dragging a weight behind.It looked like a significant weight.Did the kid miss curfew last night?
Keihn
Melvin Keihn switched from basketball to football, where he became a top recruit. UR ATHLETICS▲
Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer and linebacker Melvin Keihn, then a Hokies’ freshman, celebrated a 24-20 win over Virginia in 2014. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS▲
By JOHN O’CONNOR Richmond Times-Dispatch
6 hrs ago
Melvin Keihn keeps a picture of his mother, Satta, in his sock on football game days. Her decision 15 years ago started him on a track from Liberia to Baltimore, to Virginia Tech and Maryland, and finally, the University of Richmond.
The picture is his way of always keeping her with him, said Keihn (pronounced CANE).
“She’s a strong woman. I’m not going to lie. That’s where I got it from. I got my strength from her,” said Keihn, who visited his mother in Liberia last year, their first meeting since he left the country.
Keihn, 23, was eight when his mother determined he would be safer in the United States with his father, Bainda, rather than in Liberia. That African country was nearing the end of civil war, and entering a period of continued unrest.
Keihn’s father had been living in the U.S. since 1999. When Melvin arrived from Liberia, father and son settled in the Baltimore area. Keihn acknowledges that his story separates him from other Division I athletes, though he has no interest in emphasizing it.
“I don’t want people to be like, ‘Oh man, he’s been through the struggle, he’s got to be treated a certain way.’ I’m just a human being,” said Keihn. “We all go through struggles at some point in our lives. That was my struggle right there. I went through it. I came to the U.S. knowing where I’m from and what my background is.”
Keihn graduated from Maryland with a degree in public health and he is pursuing his master’s degree in Human Resource Management at Richmond. He was a part-time starter at defensive end in 2016 with the Terps and didn’t play as often last year.
With one season of eligibility remaining, Keihn investigated the possibility of transferring to UR, Liberty, Robert Morris and Hampton.
“When I came to Richmond for my visit, even the offensive linemen were like, ‘Come join us. You get me better, I get you better,’” said Keihn, who started practicing with the Spiders last week, after transcript issues were resolved. “[Players] were all really friendly. It has honestly felt like I’ve been here forever. We’re all close, and I’m having a blast.”
In discussing reasons he left the Terps, Keihn did not mention recent allegations of mental and physical mistreatment of football players at Maryland. After Spiders’ practice Wednesday morning, he declined the opportunity to offer insight about the Maryland program.
Keihn, who’s 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, first played football at the age of 14, after years of basketball competition that included AAU.
“My AAU coach was like, ‘You’re a good hooper, but it’s time to switch paths, man. It’s time to focus on football,’” said Keihn, who began receiving offers of football scholarships as a 10th grader at Gilman School in Baltimore. Keihn moved in with the family of his coach at Gilman, Biff Poggi.
UR coach Russ Huesman said Keihn’s speed and quickness make him effective. Those were the attributes that drew former Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer when he recruited Keihn, who spent a season with the Hokies before transferring to Maryland.
“A lot of times you can get him matched up on a tackle, and it’s hard for those guys to get off the ball and block him,” said Beamer.
At Gilman School, Keihn had offers from many of the nation’s top college programs. He switched from Virginia Tech to Maryland in part to get closer to his Baltimore connections. Keihn’s decision to shift to Richmond was related to parameters of the graduate program in which he is enrolled.
Keihn said his father repeatedly told him, “There’s one thing nobody can ever take away from you, and that’s your education.’ Football? You can lose football in the snap of a finger.”
Brothers Trau get a kick out of competing against one another as Spiders
University of Richmond kickers Griffin Trau (left), a senior, and Duncan Trau, a freshman. JOHN O'CONNOR/TIMES-DISPATCH▼
BY JOHN O'CONNOR Richmond Times-Dispatch
1 hr ago
When the University of Richmond conducts preseason practice periods for field goals and extra points, coaches no longer can simply scream “Trau!” to designate the desired kicker, as they have in years past.
More specific information is required.
Griffin Trau (rhymes with now), a 5-foot-8 senior and a 2016 All-America, is joined this year at UR by his brother, 5-9 freshman Duncan Trau, also a place-kicker.
“He’s a very talented kicker, better than I was at his age,” said Griffin Trau. “He’s a little bit taller, which doesn’t hurt. He earned his way here. I can’t say I had anything to do with it.”
Duncan Trau chose Richmond, as Griffin did, because of its high-level combination of academics and athletics. But there was an obvious familial twist involved when Duncan made his college selection.
“My brother was here. I felt like I could follow in his footsteps. He could mentor me. He could help me be the best I could be, because I know he’s experienced it all, high to low,” said Duncan.
The Trau brothers haven’t lived together on a regular basis for years. Griffin attended boarding school, starting at age 14. The family has lived in many states because their parents often relocated as educators and coaches.
“Big happy family, but just always on the move,” said Griffin, who recognizes suburban Pittsburgh as home of the Brothers Trau.
In 2016, Trau turned in the most productive season that a Spiders kicker ever had. He converted a school-record 23 field goals in 26 attempts, missing once inside 40 yards. Trau also went 42 for 42 on point-after attempts as the Spiders finished 10-4 with a loss at Eastern Washington in the FCS quarterfinals.
That year, Trau set the UR record for points by a kicker in a season (111) and was named a first team FCS All-America by The Associated Press.
Last season, he was named first team All-CAA after converting 12 of 15 field-goal attempts. In July, he was honored as a member of the CAA preseason all-league team.
Trau has become one of the finest kickers in Spiders’ history the last two seasons (combined 35-41 on FG tries, 79-83 on PAT attempts) despite dealing with FBS transfers aiming to win the job. In 2016, Richmond enrolled Old Dominion graduate transfer Ricky Segers (Henrico High). Segers, who came with starting experience from ODU, had physical issues that cleared the way for Trau to start as a UR sophomore. He went on to have that record-setting year.
Last season, Richmond brought in John Chereson, who handled kickoff responsibilities for Notre Dame and wanted to become the Spiders’ place-kicker. Trau again emerged as the starter.
This year, Trau is getting pushed by a far more familiar foot, and Duncan Trau has no intention of acquiescing.
“You can’t hide from competition. That’s one of the most important things in life. If you don’t have any competition, there’s no way to get better,” said Duncan. “It makes it even more competitive because it’s my brother.”
Said Griffin: “Duncan would rather die than let me win. But we’re going to support each other, no matter what.”
University of Richmond kickers Griffin Trau (left), a senior, and Duncan Trau, a freshman. JOHN O'CONNOR/TIMES-DISPATCH▼
BY JOHN O'CONNOR Richmond Times-Dispatch
1 hr ago
When the University of Richmond conducts preseason practice periods for field goals and extra points, coaches no longer can simply scream “Trau!” to designate the desired kicker, as they have in years past.
More specific information is required.
Griffin Trau (rhymes with now), a 5-foot-8 senior and a 2016 All-America, is joined this year at UR by his brother, 5-9 freshman Duncan Trau, also a place-kicker.
“He’s a very talented kicker, better than I was at his age,” said Griffin Trau. “He’s a little bit taller, which doesn’t hurt. He earned his way here. I can’t say I had anything to do with it.”
Duncan Trau chose Richmond, as Griffin did, because of its high-level combination of academics and athletics. But there was an obvious familial twist involved when Duncan made his college selection.
“My brother was here. I felt like I could follow in his footsteps. He could mentor me. He could help me be the best I could be, because I know he’s experienced it all, high to low,” said Duncan.
The Trau brothers haven’t lived together on a regular basis for years. Griffin attended boarding school, starting at age 14. The family has lived in many states because their parents often relocated as educators and coaches.
“Big happy family, but just always on the move,” said Griffin, who recognizes suburban Pittsburgh as home of the Brothers Trau.
In 2016, Trau turned in the most productive season that a Spiders kicker ever had. He converted a school-record 23 field goals in 26 attempts, missing once inside 40 yards. Trau also went 42 for 42 on point-after attempts as the Spiders finished 10-4 with a loss at Eastern Washington in the FCS quarterfinals.
That year, Trau set the UR record for points by a kicker in a season (111) and was named a first team FCS All-America by The Associated Press.
Last season, he was named first team All-CAA after converting 12 of 15 field-goal attempts. In July, he was honored as a member of the CAA preseason all-league team.
Trau has become one of the finest kickers in Spiders’ history the last two seasons (combined 35-41 on FG tries, 79-83 on PAT attempts) despite dealing with FBS transfers aiming to win the job. In 2016, Richmond enrolled Old Dominion graduate transfer Ricky Segers (Henrico High). Segers, who came with starting experience from ODU, had physical issues that cleared the way for Trau to start as a UR sophomore. He went on to have that record-setting year.
Last season, Richmond brought in John Chereson, who handled kickoff responsibilities for Notre Dame and wanted to become the Spiders’ place-kicker. Trau again emerged as the starter.
This year, Trau is getting pushed by a far more familiar foot, and Duncan Trau has no intention of acquiescing.
“You can’t hide from competition. That’s one of the most important things in life. If you don’t have any competition, there’s no way to get better,” said Duncan. “It makes it even more competitive because it’s my brother.”
Said Griffin: “Duncan would rather die than let me win. But we’re going to support each other, no matter what.”
I just finished listening to this interview and am excited to watch Tim Coleman play this year. You could hear his love and passion for the game, and I believe it will be infectious across the offensive line and though the entire team. As much as we would have liked for Tim to play last season, I believe the season off will pay dividends. He is obviously ready physically but mentally the game will mean more to him since he had it taken away. If I were in the offensive line group, I would want the season to depend on us because the best bets in life are the ones in yourself.
BY JOHN O'CONNOR Richmond Times-Dispatch
8 hrs ago
University of Richmond kickoffs will reveal how two new NCAA rules simultaneously play out this season.
In April, the NCAA announced that the receiving team can fair catch the kick inside the 25-yard line and have it result in a touchback. The move is designed to increase the number of touchbacks, since more injuries occur on kickoffs that are returned than those that are not.
“In my mind, for the safety of the game, the more you can take the kick-return out of the game, the better it is,” said Spiders coach Russ Huesman.
In June, the NCAA announced that players can participate in up to four games and still retain their redshirt years. Previously, competing in any games equated to a year of eligibility.
The Spiders last season ranked No. 93 among 123 FCS teams in kickoff-return defense, allowing an average of 22.1 yards on 56 kickoff returns. The new redshirt rule will allow Richmond to rotate fresher players on its kickoff team, as well as other special teams, without that participation counting as a season of eligibility.
“Having the ability to play some freshmen on special teams, we’ll feel better about covering kicks this year than we did last year,” said Huesman.
Ten days into preseason practice, which started on Aug. 3, the UR staff began formulating a general plan for which players would be used in four or fewer games, how they will be deployed, and when. That roster-management blueprint is subject to change every week, depending on injuries and other factors, according to Huesman.
In terms of those freshmen who will play in up to four games, “I think probably what we’ll do is positions we have depth in, we’ll plug them in quickly. Positions you don’t have depth in, you’ll try to save some kids, because when your depth thins out, then you’ll need them at that point in time,” said Huesman.
As an example, Huesman identified freshman linebacker Grayson Overstreet, a 6-foot-2 225-pounder who’s from the Roanoke area. The Spiders, at this time, have depth at linebacker with more experienced players.
“A guy like him, you play early on special teams,” Huesman said of Overstreet. “And as you get into the fifth, sixth, seventh game, you see where you are. If you’re still healthy, you may play another guy, plug him in.
“You’re kind of playing the odds … We’ll make mistakes and say, ‘Gosh, I wish we hadn’t played this guy that early,’ or ‘Man, I wish we had played this guy earlier.’ Whatever it is, nobody has a crystal ball and can foresee what’s going to happen eighth, ninth, 10th, even 12th, 13th, 14th game of the season.”
When the Spiders return kickoffs, their deep men “are going to put their heels on a certain yard line, based on what we’re seeing kick-wise,” said Huesman. “If we come forward, we’ll return it. If we go backwards, we’ll fair-catch it.”
joconnor@timesdispatch.com
(804) 649-6233
@RTDjohnoconnor
8 hrs ago
University of Richmond kickoffs will reveal how two new NCAA rules simultaneously play out this season.
In April, the NCAA announced that the receiving team can fair catch the kick inside the 25-yard line and have it result in a touchback. The move is designed to increase the number of touchbacks, since more injuries occur on kickoffs that are returned than those that are not.
“In my mind, for the safety of the game, the more you can take the kick-return out of the game, the better it is,” said Spiders coach Russ Huesman.
In June, the NCAA announced that players can participate in up to four games and still retain their redshirt years. Previously, competing in any games equated to a year of eligibility.
The Spiders last season ranked No. 93 among 123 FCS teams in kickoff-return defense, allowing an average of 22.1 yards on 56 kickoff returns. The new redshirt rule will allow Richmond to rotate fresher players on its kickoff team, as well as other special teams, without that participation counting as a season of eligibility.
“Having the ability to play some freshmen on special teams, we’ll feel better about covering kicks this year than we did last year,” said Huesman.
Ten days into preseason practice, which started on Aug. 3, the UR staff began formulating a general plan for which players would be used in four or fewer games, how they will be deployed, and when. That roster-management blueprint is subject to change every week, depending on injuries and other factors, according to Huesman.
In terms of those freshmen who will play in up to four games, “I think probably what we’ll do is positions we have depth in, we’ll plug them in quickly. Positions you don’t have depth in, you’ll try to save some kids, because when your depth thins out, then you’ll need them at that point in time,” said Huesman.
As an example, Huesman identified freshman linebacker Grayson Overstreet, a 6-foot-2 225-pounder who’s from the Roanoke area. The Spiders, at this time, have depth at linebacker with more experienced players.
“A guy like him, you play early on special teams,” Huesman said of Overstreet. “And as you get into the fifth, sixth, seventh game, you see where you are. If you’re still healthy, you may play another guy, plug him in.
“You’re kind of playing the odds … We’ll make mistakes and say, ‘Gosh, I wish we hadn’t played this guy that early,’ or ‘Man, I wish we had played this guy earlier.’ Whatever it is, nobody has a crystal ball and can foresee what’s going to happen eighth, ninth, 10th, even 12th, 13th, 14th game of the season.”
When the Spiders return kickoffs, their deep men “are going to put their heels on a certain yard line, based on what we’re seeing kick-wise,” said Huesman. “If we come forward, we’ll return it. If we go backwards, we’ll fair-catch it.”
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Cover those knees with pants and pads, NCAA players, or be asked to leave the football field
JOHN O'CONNOR·2 hours ago
Offensive rhythm was difficult to generate at the University of Richmond's second football scrimmage last Sunday. Very early, three whistles blew before snaps. Each time, officials waved their hands over their heads and ran toward the center, stopping him from snapping the ball.
There were no penalties. Uniform infractions interrupted the activity.
A wide receiver didn't have his pants and knee pads over his knees. Another receiver didn't have his lower-back plate – the hard plastic protector that attaches to the bottom of the shoulder pads – covered by his jersey. A tight end's undershirt was hanging below his jersey level.
"Guys, get dressed before you get out here!" Jeff Durden, Richmond's offensive coordinator, yelled on the sideline.
This season, officials were directed to enforce the rules, which are not new. Players' entire knees must be covered by pants with inserted knee pads. Back plates cannot be exposed. Undershirts cannot be visible below the bottom of the jersey, and mid-level jerseys that expose midsections are prohibited.
The back-plate rule exists to prevent players from suffering injuries that an uncovered protector can cause. The jersey rules are designed for appearance uniformity, so players can't individualize looks. Knee pads are required for safety sake, and that is a rule that wasn't often enforced in past years, according to Jim Maconaghy, the CAA's coordinator of officials.
"What was happening was almost all wide receivers, most kickers, and a lot of running backs, rather than wearing normal football pants, they were wearing like a bike short that ended above the knee," said Maconaghy.
Spiders guilty of the Sunday uniform infractions jogged off the field for a play, as directed by coach Russ Huesman. In a game, officials will handle a uniform infraction the same way they deal with a player whose helmet comes off during a play: Coaches can remove the offender for one snap, or call a timeout, which would allow the player to remain on the field.
"I'm glad they did it, to be honest with you," Huesman said of the new enforcement of uniform infractions. "But I know most of the players throughout the country aren't real thrilled with it."
Richmond defensive back Daniel Jones, a junior from Williamsburg, believes the last time his knees were covered in a football game was when he played in high school.
"DBs just roll up [pants] and it's more comfortable, because the knee pads, they ride up, they twist, and I just feel like they're unnecessary," said Jones. "But I understand that's a rule now, so it must be done."
Steve Shaw, the secretary-rules editor for the NCAA Football Rules Committee, in January sent an email to conference commissioners, coaches and coordinators of officials regarding knee-pad coverage.
In part, the email stated: "Coaches must see to it that players are wearing equipment as prescribed by the rules. It is especially noticeable when players are not wearing regulation knee pads, tailbone protectors, or pants that come to at least the knees. The wearing of shorts rather than pants is not acceptable. Conferences and their coordinators of officials have front-line responsibility for ensuring that the rules are vigorously enforced."
After reviewing the Spiders' Offensive Lines over the past five to ten years. I asked myself what makes one group more successful than the other? Obviously, a few groups were more physically talented with size and strength, but the consistency of a starting five is what stood out most.
The 2015 group is the group that came mind. We retained the same starting five for 14 straight games and made to the Semi-Finals behind a lethal rushing attack and play action, take a shot offense. We were able to control the football and impose our will on other teams.
Offensive Line play is predicated on communication, familiarity, and comfortability*, and the only way to build that is by consistently playing together. I know we are dinged up right now, but I would like for us to solidify a starting five for UVA and build on it throughout the year.
I did like what Yarborough said about this years OL being that they should be better in run game cause they are more physical. The group from 2007-2009 was a group that had a majority of 2 years together and it proved out very well with Hightower and Vaughan having some very strong years and Ward being well protected.
