University of Richmond Athletics
Spraker Named Second Team All-America
07/03/2001 | Football
July 3, 2001
University of Richmond, Virginia - University of Richmond senior defensive tackle Josh Spraker was named to The Sports Network's 2001 Division I-AA Preseason All-America Second Team.
A native of Harmony, Pa. and a 1997 graduate of Seneca Valley High School, Spraker was an All-American a season ago as well. He was named to the Associated Press' 2000 I-AA All-America Second Team. Spraker was also First Team All-Atlantic 10 and was named to the Academic All-Conference team a year ago. He was also selected to the Division I All-State Team.
Spraker (6-2, 255) was fourth on the team with 80 tackles and had 40 unassisted tackles last season. He led the Spiders and was fourth in the Atlantic 10 with 16 tackles for loss. Spraker was second on the team and sixth in the league with 6.5 quarterback sacks. He also has one interception, two forced fumbles, six pass breakups and 17 quarterback hurries.
Richmond, under sixth-year head coach Jim Reid, set a school record with 10 victories in 2000. The Spiders were co-champions of the Atlantic 10 and received an at-large bid to the NCAA I-AA Playoffs. Ninth-seeded Richmond defeated #8 Youngstown State 10-3 in the first round of the playoffs before falling at top-ranked Montana 34-20 in the quarterfinals. The Spiders were ranked #6 in the final Sports Network poll, their highest final ranking in school history.
With 16 starters and 38 lettermen returning, the Spiders open the 2001 season on Saturday, September 1 with a 4:30 p.m. contest at Virginia.
