Only three among 124 FCS teams have caused fewer TOs than UR, again last in CAA in TO margin
Richmond’s Maurice Jackson recovered a fumble by Jacksonville QB Calvin Turner in UR’s season-opener and returned it 56 yards for a touchdown. That’s one of only nine Spiders’ takeaways in 11 games. Their minus-8 turnover margin is last in the CAA.
MARK GORMUS/TIMES-DISPATCH
CAA Football (2007-present) used to be Atlantic 10 Football (1997-2006), which used to be the Yankee Conference (1946-96), with Richmond joining in 1986, James Madison and William & Mary in 1993.
One thing has not changed over the years. The teams at or near the head of the class at the conclusions of seasons typically have the top turnover margins.
Richmond coach Russ Huesman prioritized that stat, above all others, heading into this year. The Spiders came off a dreadful 2018 season when it came to turnover margin (minus-9, last in CAA), with 18 takeaways (eight fumbles recovered, 10 interceptions) and 27 giveaways (nine fumbles lost, 18 interceptions thrown). They finished 4-7 (2-6 CAA).
Huesman was the defensive coordinator for the 2008 Richmond team that won the FCS championship and completed a 13-3 season with a turnover margin of plus-24.
“That’s why you win a national championship. You don’t win championships without playing great defense and hanging on to the football,” Huesman said in February. “Two things will happen (in 2019). We’ll play great defense and we will not turn the ball over.”
The Spiders (5-6, 4-3 CAA) head into Saturday’s season finale against visiting William & Mary (4-7, 2-5) having achieved Huesman’s goal of turnover reduction, in a significant way. UR has committed 10 fewer TOs (seven lost fumbles and 10 interceptions thrown).
But the Spiders are right where they were after 11 games a year ago: last among CAA teams in turnover margin (minus-8) because they have not caused many turnovers (five recovered fumbles, four interceptions), relatively speaking.
Only three of 124 FCS teams have generated fewer turnovers than Richmond: Wofford (eight), Howard (eight) and Long Island (seven).
“Not getting turnovers is concerning, no question about that,” Huesman said. “But I want our guys to be physical on defense. I want us to tackle well. I want us to get off of blocks. I want us to control the line of scrimmage. Those are important things, and sometimes the turnovers come with that.”
The Spiders lost Part I in back-to-back rivalry weeks at No. 2 James Madison 48-6 last Saturday, when UR committed four turnovers and the Dukes committed none. JMU has 20 takeaways (third in the CAA). In Part II, Richmond faces a W&M team that has caused 19 turnovers (fourth in the CAA).
Field position, momentum and points can come with turnovers caused, and Huesman acknowledged the Spiders’ missed opportunities. They dropped several potential interceptions, according to the coach, and they failed to strip the ball while tackling as often as Huesman would like to see.
“But if you look back on it … I’d rather play great defense and get punts and do those types of things than playing poor defense and hoping for turnovers,” he said.
A win over the Tribe would allow Richmond to finish at .500, avoiding back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 2003-04.
