Spiders aim to help tailback Xavier Goodall, coming back from ACL tear, take the next step at BC
JOHN O'CONNOR·5 hours ago
Freshman kicker Jake Larson, a 170-pounder, made the University of Richmond's first tackle of the season. The ball found him, basically, as Jacksonville returned the opening kickoff 39 yards last Thursday at Robins Stadium.
Things rapidly improved for the home team in a 38-19 win. On UR's first offensive snap, Xavier Goodall ran for 20 yards, a sign that the Henrico High graduate who led Richmond in rushing two years ago was confident and fit after missing last season because of a second torn ACL in his right knee.
"The night before, I couldn't even sleep, so it was wonderful," said Goodall, who gained 63 yards on nine carries in UR's opener. "I just told myself that, 'This moment could go good, or it's going to go bad.' I wanted to be the best I can be."
Spiders coach Russ Huesman liked what he saw of Goodall against Jacksonville, and now looks for the next step: "He's just got to start making people miss like he's done in the past and not letting a first- or second-level guy get him on the ground."
From Richmond's perspective, Saturday's game at Boston College would be an excellent time to establish Goodall to a greater extent.
"We have to keep the ball, chew the clock," said Goodall.
If the Spiders fail to sustain drives, opportunities to get eroded by 250-pound tailback AJ Dillon running behind a huge and deep offensive line will multiply.
"We may face one as big, but he won't run as fast, and he won't be as good. I promise you that," Huesman said of Dillon. "Somebody will trot a 250 out there, and we won't have any problem getting that guy on the ground. This guy is little different, now. He's probably one of the top two or three backs in college football."
UR faces a demanding defensive endeavor, but one preferable to preparation and execution previously required of the Spiders, according to Richmond cornerback Brandon Feamster, a transfer from Duke. UR spent two weeks preparing for the triple-option offense used by Jacksonville. Feamster characterized the process as mentally taxing.
"I'm just honestly excited to be playing regular football again," he said.
The Spiders' defensive and special-teams plan is to avoid serious damage in open-field situations, where superior athletes work with an advantage.
"We can't give up the 75-yard, play-action pass touchdown, or the 70-yard punt return, or the 100-yard kickoff return, those types of things," said Huesman.
Starting quarterback Joe Mancuso and back-up Beau English played against Jacksonville and Huesman projected that both would participate at Boston College (1-0).
"Both managed the offense really well," the coach said
