For Bevels, Waller, happy returns in Spiders' spring game
BY JOHN O'CONNOR Richmond Times-Dispatch|2 hours ago
NBC12 WWBT:
http://www.nbc12.com/Clip/12368388/...mond-football-spring-game#.VxQP0yEktvQ.mailto
On April 3, Jarmal Bevels tweeted, "1 year ago today." There was room for elaboration, even in a 140-character format. Those familiar with Bevels' story did not need it.
He emerged as a productive receiver for the University of Richmond as a true freshman late in 2014. During spring drills last year, on April 3, Bevels suffered a non-contact knee injury that kept him out of the 2015 season. The Spiders shared the CAA Football championship and advanced to the FCS semifinals.
"It was tough sitting out, but everything happens for a reason," said Bevels.
Bevels, a 6-foot-3 188-pounder from Fredericksburg, started in Saturday's spring game and made a pair of catches, one of them stretching and in the air. There will be more opportunities this season, when coverage schemes are tilted toward Brian Brown, a senior who made 76 receptions for 1,450 yards last year.
For Bevels, it was the left knee. For Brandon Waller, it was the right.
Waller, a 6-3 257-pound junior defensive tackle who also started Saturday, suffered a season-ending injury last Sept. 12 at Hampton while making a pass-rush move.
"The hardest thing is you're not able to help the guys win," Waller said of last season. "It was definitely difficult to watch, but they were in good hands without me. If you have to watch, it's always great when they're winning."
Bevels and Waller are two of several reasons the Spiders, who return 15 starters from a 10-4 team not including those two, could be better this season.
Before about 1,000 at Robins Stadium Saturday, the offense wasn't as sharp as the defense, which is common in spring games. A few dropped passes slowed the offense, which the defense defeated 53-33. The defense scored via punts forced, tackles for losses, pass break-ups, fourth-down stops, and other non-traditional methods.
"The defense, at times, showed that we have a chance to be really good on defense," said UR coach Danny Rocco. "I felt like the defense kind of controlled the tempo of the game. … I don't think anybody got hurt and to be quite frank with you, that was my biggest objective here today."
Junior Gordon Collins, a Stafford resident, started at tailback (5 carries for 13 yards). The Spiders graduated Jacobi Green, who rushed for 1,595 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. Rocco acknowledged that the Spiders struggled to run Saturday, but also recognized that after 14 spring practices, defensive players had a pretty good idea of what running plays were coming.
Junior quarterback Kyle Lauletta (16 for 22, 193 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT), a returning starter, "made some throws. There is no doubt that he is going to be able to get some strikes down the field and we did that here today," said Rocco.
NOTES: Named captains were senior linebacker Omar Howard (Midlothian High), senior wide receiver Brian Brown (Hermitage High), senior safety David Jones, senior defensive lineman Winston Craig, senior offensive lineman Thomas Evans, and junior quarterback Kyle Lauletta.
Spring awards went to weight-room champion (junior cornerback Jarriel Jordan), most improved offense (junior tight end Garrett Hudson ) and most improved defense (sophomore defensive end Chad Wiggins).
Richmond opens at Virginia on Sept. 3.
Passing: Kyle Lauletta 16-22, 193 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT; David Broadus 1-3, 8 yards, 1 TD; Jake Clise 4-8, 64 yards, Kevin Johnson 3-6, 42 yards.
Rushing: Gordon Collins 5 attempts, 13 yards; Jake Clise 2-7; Deontez Thompson 1-5; Caleb Drake 2-8; Kyle Lauletta 1-15; Jay Palmer 3-17; Kevin Johnson 1-2.
Receiving: Porter Abell 3 catches, 52 yards; Brian Brown 4-49; Gordon Collins 5-31; Jarmal Bevels 2-35; Garrett Hudson 1-2, 1 TD; Dajon Brissett 1-12, 1 TD; Will McCombs 1-34, 1 TD; Deontez Tompson 2-18; Tyler Wilkins 1-7; Caleb Drake 2-35; Gershon Ejoni 1-11; Dashon Tibbs 1-31.
Tackling leaders: Lemond Johnson 5, Billy Caughell 5, Brendan Coniker 4, Omar Howard 4, Logan Sedergren 4.
