Midlothian's Madison Day, Spiders want to cap transitions with win over W&M
John O'Connor|1 hour ago
Madison Day joined Richmond's football program under unusual circumstances. That's the way he's leaving, too.
The UR staff recruited Day, a redshirt senior linebacker from Midlothian High, but he broke his ankle in high school and ended up coming to Richmond to play lacrosse. He was part of the Spiders' lacrosse program for one year.
"And then, I just missed football too much, so I came back out," said Day, a 6-foot-3, 230-pounder who developed into a valuable special-teams player and a member of the linebackers rotation. "I'm probably the only true lifelong Spider fan on the team. I kind of grew up coming to games."
His career ends Saturday, when the Spiders (5-5, 3-4 CAA) play visiting William & Mary (2-8, 0-7 CAA). Richmond went to the FCS playoffs each of the last three years. With 16 starters returning, the Spiders were ranked No. 7 in the FCS preseason poll. But 2017 has turned out to be a transition year in some ways under Russ Huesman, hired as UR coach in December.
Four defeats were determined by seven or fewer points. Each of those losses pivoted on a few plays. Richmond's players are accustomed to spending Thanksgiving week preparing for a postseason game, but that will not be the case this year.
"I'd say we're the best 5-5 team in the country," said UR senior tight end Garrett Hudson. "I think all the seniors kind of realize what this season could have been had we executed better in some key situations. So we're all kind of a little upset, kind of a little mad."
William & Mary started 2-1, with the loss at Virginia (28-10). The Tribe's offense stayed quiet as Coach Jimmye Laycock tried three quarterbacks. W&M averages 14.5 points.
"Generally, defensively we've played pretty well," said Laycock. "Offensively, we really have struggled for a number of reasons, whether it's injuries, whether it's the quarterback situation, whether it's new people, new coaches in positions. Youth, too. Obviously, we're pretty young. All those things kind of go into it."
Through 38 seasons at W&M, Laycock has noted the value of this rivalry game at the end of the schedule. Regardless of records, there is anticipation throughout both programs and their fan bases, and jubilation for the winners.
"When you see Richmond on our schedule – we've met (127) times – it's a little extra motivation to keep the Capital Cup in Williamsburg," said W&M senior defensive end Matt Ahola, part of the Tribe team that beat Richmond 34-13 last November at Zable Stadium to take the trophy. "Games are a little bit more physical, a little bit more trash-talking. It just means that little extra push."
The Tribe plays for respect, and to avoid being the only CAA member to close the season without a league victory. The Spiders shoot for a winning year, and want their seniors to celebrate following their final appearance at Robins Stadium.
"I don't see our team or their team not wanting to play this game, not preparing like they should to win a football game," said Huesman, a W&M defensive assistant 1984-97. "It's Richmond-William & Mary."
