Richmond Spiders

[Rjones61]

Things only get harder every week. It's time to talk about our next opponent.


I used to think Richmond was the easier match up for us, but a brief look at the stats is mounting evidence that says otherwise.

Richmond is second in the nation in passing yards allowed. Don't know if this is due to their opponents style if play or if their passing defense is just that good. Haven't gotten to delve into those statistics yet. But as far as I can see,  a passing team is exactly the team they want to play.

Richmond is also 10th in the nation for turnover margin. So, that means less gifts, as we are a team that typically capitalizes on turnovers.

This will be a big test for the Eastern offense. We can still score big (think UW 2014), but its going to take some serious discipline and desire

 

[Rjones61]

Just looked through and out of every opponent this year, only one team has been in the top 50 in passing offense.... James Madison. Who was only #36, beat them, and had slightly above their average passing game.

So, the passing yards allowed per game seems to be inflated. However, it's still something to keep in mind with this opponent.

 

[Rontheoldwiseeagle]

I watched their game with ND last night they have a very good receiver and QB is mobile. It is just my observation but I do not think they are as good a team as Cent. Ark., especially on defense. Offensive, they will get a few more big plays because of their style of play.

 

[clawman1]

I watched their game with ND last night they have a very good receiver and QB is mobile. It is just my observation but I do not think they are as good a team as Cent. Ark., especially on defense. Offensive, they will get a few more big plays because of their style of play.

I agree, they did not look that impressive vs ND. Their d-line is definitely not as good as UCA.

 

[EWURanger]

Richmond will be a different kind of challenge. Offensively they are much better than UCA, although I think UCA had a more physical defensive 7 from what I saw.

Also, we really need to win this game. If we do, I'll actually get to make the semi's this year. It'll be the first time I've been able to get back for a game (potentially) since 2012.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Central Arkansas has a great front 7 on D. That was definitely the bedrock of their team. Unfortunately, they needed to stay ahead because once they had to chase the game, they didn't have the offensive speed to do it.

Richmond seems to have better speed. Their QB is raw, but great on his feet. He's like a better version of the Montana State kid.

I think we will do well if we start fast. We probably would have beat UCA quite comfortably had we been coherent on either side of the ball to start the game. We seem to have the "finish strong" part worked out, we need to work on the "start fast" piece.

My guess is we'll continue to try to take away the line of scrimmage and stop a scrambling QB. We'll have to gamble a little bit with our coverages. Obviously, getting a couple LBs healthy and Kupp back into the line up will really help.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Also, we really need to win this game. If we do, I'll actually get to make the semi's this year. It'll be the first time I've been able to get back for a game (potentially) since 2012.

Every game is a must-win. This is especially true in the playoffs where there is absolutely no fall-back position.

 

[Stonewall D]

Hello y'all. Richmond fan here. I just wanted to say hello and I wanted to invite you to our forum, Spidernation.com. We are generally good natured, feel free to post. Hope to see youall posting.

 

[marceagfan5]

I don't think this game is going to be close, we are going to crush them.

Richmond Lost their stud quarterback in the last game of the season, their new quarterback will be making his second ever start on Saturday against us.

North Dakota had the game won on Saturday, they were up 24–7, in the fourth quarter. Richmond was punting to them, and they Roughed the punter. Richmond then Scores after the penalty, blocks a punt on North Dakota's next possession, has another freak play, and UND pissed it away.

I think we win easy on Saturday… And yes, I'm that confident

 

[luckyintheorder]

I don't think this game is going to be close, we are going to crush them.

Richmond Lost their stud quarterback in the last game of the season, their new quarterback will be making his second ever start on Saturday against us.

North Dakota had the game won on Saturday, they were up 24–7, in the fourth quarter. Richmond was punting to them, and they Roughed the punter. Richmond then Scores after the penalty, blocks a punt on North Dakota's next possession, has another freak play, and UND pissed it away.

I think we win easy on Saturday… And yes, I'm that confident

Right where my heart is. The Richmond thread on their game with EWU is mostly about how they will outbid for home field in the semi-finals against YSU or Wofford and seem to know little to nothing about the Eags. :roll: Apparently, the Spiders are super good again like when they beat Montana in Chattanooga a few years ago./s There are a few knowledgeable folks over here and am sure there will be more analysis to come. Here is the link https://richmond.forums.rivals.com/threads/spiders-v-eastern-washington.9004/

 

[Colter_Nuanez]

From our Richmond-UND preview last week:

This year’s Spiders began the year with a commanding 37-20 win over Virginia in Charlottesville. Richmond lost in Week 3 to Stony Brook 42-14 (the one common opponent the Spiders share with UND) before ripping off five straight wins, including a 36-30 win over No. 16 Albany in triple overtime and a 23-0 win over No. 11 Villanova the following week.

Richmond (9-3) lost two of three down the stretch, including a 47-43 loss to fourth-seeded James Madison and a 34-13 loss to William & Mary. In the season finale in Williamsburg, Virginia, Richmond quarterback Kyle Lauletta, a second-team All-Colonial Athletic Association pick, tore his ACL and was lost for the season.

At the time of the injury, Richmond held a 13-6 lead over the Tribe in the first half. William & Mary went on to score 28 unanswered points as the Spiders’ passing game became completely negated. Reid Chenault and Jake Clise combine to complete one pass in five attempts for 11 yards after Lauletta’s injury.

Replacing Lauletta was a tall task. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound junior finished 9th in the FCS with 3,022 passing yards and his 24 touchdown passes were 13th nationally. He completed 63 percent of his passes and threw just eight interceptions as Richmond’s 275 passing yards per game ranked 8th in the nation.

Kevin Johnson, a 6-foot, 190-pound dual-threat from Atlanta, came to Richmond as a three-star recruit with a ton of upside. He played in three games as a true freshman in 2015 before electing to redshirt this season. After watching his team struggle in the regular-season finale, Johnson approached Rocco about forfeiting his redshirt year and starting in Richmond’s first-round playoff game.

“I was very adamant about not doing it,” Rocco said. “But when it came down to it, he just really wanted to play. He told me he wanted to lead the team. He told me this was something he and his family strongly believed in. He told me his family would be wasting an incredible opportunity if he did not take advantage of this chance to lead us into the postseason.”

With the prospect of losing a year of eligibility because of one game, Johnson thrived. He completed 15-of-23 passes for 315 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for a touchdown.

“There were a lot of question marks coming into the game, but we all knew we could rally behind Kevin,” said Richmond senior Nicholas Vergos, a three-year starter at offensive tackle. “We knew he could run the show. We had the most confidence in him. We put up 39 points on the board even though we left some points on the field.”

“Kevin has been the best scout team quarterback for the first 12 weeks of the season and this last week, we asked him to be our starting quarterback. He has an unbelievable arm, probably the best arm of any of our quarterbacks. We knew he can run the offense to its full efficiency.”

Lauletta’s injury was just the latest in a plague of injuries that have ravaged the Spiders this fall. Gordon Collins, a 220-pound junior tailback expected to take over for 2015 All-American Jacobi Green, tore his ACL in the first game of the season. Six games into the season, talented freshman running back Xavier Goodall tore the ACL in his right knee.

All-American safety David Jones, the preseason CAA Defensive MVP and one of the top NFL prospects in the FCS who is currently ranked the No. 4 free safety in all of college football by NFL Draft Tracker, shattered his forearm midway through the season as well.

“I feel like we’ve overcome a lot of adversity and with that, we’ve become very united,” Rocco said. “When you survive together, you can’t help but continue to unite. I felt like our locker room before the game, at halftime and after the game was as good a locker room as we’ve had. I sense that everyone responded to Kevin’s decision. Here’s a young man who took ownership and sacrificed for the team. Everyone wanted to be a part of that.”

http://skylinesportsmt.com/after-three-weeks-off-und-ready-for-first-ever-playoff-game-against-richmond/

 

[tomq04]

Richmond is a tough team, but they have too many injuries and will have traveled to much in the past week to come away with a W in my opinion. I wouldn't wish their end of season injury plague on anyone.

I think they offense can score (For a half), but their D appears thin from injury.

EWU 48-30

 

[kalm]

I don't think this game is going to be close, we are going to crush them.

Richmond Lost their stud quarterback in the last game of the season, their new quarterback will be making his second ever start on Saturday against us.

North Dakota had the game won on Saturday, they were up 24–7, in the fourth quarter. Richmond was punting to them, and they Roughed the punter. Richmond then Scores after the penalty, blocks a punt on North Dakota's next possession, has another freak play, and UND pissed it away.

I think we win easy on Saturday… And yes, I'm that confident

I'd like to think you're right, but this will be Johnson's 3rd start and he also go some PT last year. He's not completely green and is averaging 300 ypg passing with 3 td's, zero picks, and has run for another in two games against playoff opponents this year. Remember, we knocked Towson's QB out of the game and lost to an inexperienced dual threat back up in 2013. Sometimes, young players simply don't know any better than to be great athletes and make plays.

Richmond is beat up and down starters but so are we. This is a team that manhandled Virginia and defense good enough to pitch a 23-0 shut-out against a very good and top 10 Villanova. They've been inconsistent at times this season but most of that was due to Lauletta being sloppy with the ball and turning it over. He's no longer playing.

They obviously have some terrific talent remaining in Brown at WR and Deontez Thompson at RB. I'm guessing their line is playing well too, giving enough time for a young qb and opening up holes for Thompson. I think they might be a tough out.

 

[Obzerver]

Looks like snow is a strong possibility...wonder how that will effect either team? Going to be colder than the Spiders are use to and spiders are slow in cold/snow when being pursued by a can of "Raid"!

 

[Rjones61]

Looks like snow is a strong possibility...wonder how that will effect either team? Going to be colder than the Spiders are use to and spiders are slow in cold/snow when being pursued by a can of "Raid"!

As the weather forecast stands now, there will be snow on the ground, but not much will be falling leading up to and during the game. The turf will be drained of snow by gametime and won't really be a factor.

 

[marceagfan5]

I don't think this game is going to be close, we are going to crush them.

Richmond Lost their stud quarterback in the last game of the season, their new quarterback will be making his second ever start on Saturday against us.

North Dakota had the game won on Saturday, they were up 24–7, in the fourth quarter. Richmond was punting to them, and they Roughed the punter. Richmond then Scores after the penalty, blocks a punt on North Dakota's next possession, has another freak play, and UND pissed it away.

I think we win easy on Saturday… And yes, I'm that confident

I'd like to think you're right, but this will be Johnson's 3rd start and he also go some PT last year. He's not completely green and is averaging 300 ypg passing with 3 td's, zero picks, and has run for another in two games against playoff opponents this year. Remember, we knocked Towson's QB out of the game and lost to an inexperienced dual threat back up in 2013. Sometimes, young players simply don't know any better than to be great athletes and make plays.

Richmond is beat up and down starters but so are we. This is a team that manhandled Virginia and defense good enough to pitch a 23-0 shut-out against a very good and top 10 Villanova. They've been inconsistent at times this season but most of that was due to Lauletta being sloppy with the ball and turning it over. He's no longer playing.

They obviously have some terrific talent remaining in Brown at WR and Deontez Thompson at RB. I'm guessing their line is playing well too, giving enough time for a young qb and opening up holes for Thompson. I think they might be a tough out.

They may be a tough out, but back to back cross country trips and a team that has been decimated by injuries, is bound to fall apart. This has the makings of a blowout IMO. UND was absolutely rolling against them through 3+ qtrs when they decided to lay an egg in the 4th, and we are much, much better than UND...

 

[EWU98]

I don't think this game is going to be close, we are going to crush them.

Richmond Lost their stud quarterback in the last game of the season, their new quarterback will be making his second ever start on Saturday against us.

North Dakota had the game won on Saturday, they were up 24–7, in the fourth quarter. Richmond was punting to them, and they Roughed the punter. Richmond then Scores after the penalty, blocks a punt on North Dakota's next possession, has another freak play, and UND pissed it away.

I think we win easy on Saturday… And yes, I'm that confident

I'd like to think you're right, but this will be Johnson's 3rd start and he also go some PT last year. He's not completely green and is averaging 300 ypg passing with 3 td's, zero picks, and has run for another in two games against playoff opponents this year. Remember, we knocked Towson's QB out of the game and lost to an inexperienced dual threat back up in 2013. Sometimes, young players simply don't know any better than to be great athletes and make plays.

Richmond is beat up and down starters but so are we. This is a team that manhandled Virginia and defense good enough to pitch a 23-0 shut-out against a very good and top 10 Villanova. They've been inconsistent at times this season but most of that was due to Lauletta being sloppy with the ball and turning it over. He's no longer playing.

They obviously have some terrific talent remaining in Brown at WR and Deontez Thompson at RB. I'm guessing their line is playing well too, giving enough time for a young qb and opening up holes for Thompson. I think they might be a tough out.

They may be a tough out, but back to back cross country trips and a team that has been decimated by injuries, is bound to fall apart. This has the makings of a blowout IMO. UND was absolutely rolling against them through 3+ qtrs when they decided to lay an egg in the 4th, and we are much, much better than UND...

I would agree but didn't we say that about the redbirds a few years back when they had the multiple trick before they came up here? Those guys are hungry and confident.

 

[Colter_Nuanez]

Big Sky Breakdown: FCS quarterfinals — Richmond at Eastern Washington - http://skylinesportsmt.com/big-sky-breakdown-ewu-quarterfinals/

In this episode, hear the audio from Eastern Washington head coach Beau Baldwin and senior rover J.J. Njoku on the Big Sky Conference playoff call along with the audio from Richmond head coach Danny Rocco from the Colonial Athletic Association conference call. Richmond and Eastern Washington play in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs in Cheney, Washington on Saturday at 1 p.m. PST.

Note: Baldwin is asked about being a finalist for Nevada’s head coaching vacancy. Hours later, Nevada hired Jay Norvell over Baldwin as its head football coach.

 

[Colter_Nuanez]

Eastern Washington hosts surging Richmond in quarterfinals of FCS Playoffs
http://skylinesportsmt.com/ewu-hosts-surging-richmond-with-final-four-spot-at-stake/

 

[UND92]

I don't think this game is going to be close, we are going to crush them.

Richmond Lost their stud quarterback in the last game of the season, their new quarterback will be making his second ever start on Saturday against us.

North Dakota had the game won on Saturday, they were up 24–7, in the fourth quarter. Richmond was punting to them, and they Roughed the punter. Richmond then Scores after the penalty, blocks a punt on North Dakota's next possession, has another freak play, and UND pissed it away.

I think we win easy on Saturday… And yes, I'm that confident

To say the UND pissed the game away is an understatement. Up until the running into the kicker penalty, which was a questionable call at best, Richmond had 1, yes 1 successful play in the first 43 minutes of the game. That play resulted in their 1st half TD of 75 yards. When UND was called for the penalty, I believe Richmond had negative yards rushing and barely over 100 yards passing to that point. The player called for the roughing penalty was a freshman who more or less stumbled into the punter because no one blocked him. After that penalty, all the momemtum went Richmond's way. I predice a blow out this weekend as Richmond was no competition for the first 43 minutes. EWU has too much experience and talent to let them hang around very long. EWU 52-13 Good luck to both teams and I hope the winner wins it all.