University of Richmond Athletics
Inside The Game: Football Travels To Rhode Island
10/23/2002 | Football
Oct. 23, 2002
Complete Release in PDF Format
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. -- The Richmond football team returns to the gridiron for an Atlantic 10
game against Rhode Island in Kingston, R.I. on Saturday, Oct. 26. The Spiders (2-4, 2-2 Atlantic 10) and Rams (3-4, 1-3 A-10)
will kickoff in Meade Stadium at Noon.
Richmond has won the last seven meetings between these two rivals, including last year's 28-0 blanking
at UR Stadium. The Spiders hold a 9-4 overall lead in the series.
Both teams enjoyed impressive victories last Saturday. Richmond blanked James Madison, 26-0, while Rhode Island
upset Delaware, 17-14, in overtime.
The following are game notes for this Saturday's contest.
Happy Halloween ... Since Head Coach Jim Reid arrived at Richmond for the 1995 season, the Spiders are 6-1 in their game played before Halloween ... That stretch includes last year's 28-0 win against Rhode Island (Oct. 27), and the only loss -- a 20-3 decision against Villanova on Oct. 26, 1996.
A Reinforced Ground Attack ... After establishing the top-two program marks in rushing each of the last two seasons (2,932 in 2000; 2,748 in 2001), Richmond ran for only 565 yards (141.2 yards/game) in the first four games of the 2002 season ... However, in the last two contets, the Spiders have gained 525 yards (262.5 yards/game) on the ground ... Sophomore Lee Williams leads a balanced attack with 245 yards on 50 carries in six games (40.8 rushing yards/game).
Success Against The Rams ... The Spiders seven-game win streak against Rhode Island is the third-longest running streak for Richmond ... The longest win streak is 15 games against Hampden-Sydney, but that series hasn't resumed since 1954 ... The second longest streak is 12 games against Randolph-Macon, but the Spiders and Yellow Jackets haven't played since 1957 ... Head coach Jim Reid 5-0 record against URI is the best against any opponent during his Richmond tenure.
A Special Kicker ... After setting three Richmond single-game record against James Madison (Oct. 19), senior kicker Doug Kirchner earned Atlantic 10 Special Teams Player of the Week ... Kirchner established new program marks in field goals made (4) and attempted (5) and points in a game by a kicker (14) ... He already holds Richmond's career extra point record (78) and is second in career field goals (32) and points by a kicker (174) ... Kirchner trails Rob Courter (188) in points scored kicking and field goals (41) for a career.
More Homecomings Please ... The Spiders have shutout their opponent in each of the last two Homecoming contests at UR Stadium ... In Richmond's last game, the Spiders defeated James Madison, 26-0, on Oct. 19 ... The 2001 Homecoming crowd was greeted with a 28-0 blanking of fourth-ranked Rhode Island on Oct. 27 ... Against JMU, Richmond outgained the Dukes 378-144 (71 rushing, 73 passing) ... Against URI, the Spiders outgained the Rams 365-92 (46 rushing, 46 passing).
Respecting The Football ... One of the main story lines with Spider football this season has been turnovers ... Following a five-turnover performance against UMass (Oct. 5), the Spiders have committed only one turnover in each of the last two games ... Just as significant, the defense has forced nine in the last two contests, including six against James Madison (Oct. 19) ... The Spiders have improved from a -3 turnover margin to a +2 in two weeks ... They now rank sixth in the A-10 in that department.
More On Turnovers ... Richmond forced six turnovers in a 26-0 win against James Madison on Oct. 19 ... That was the most turnovers the Spiders have earned since forcing six against New Hampshire (four interceptions, two fumbles) in a 27-17 win on Sept. 25, 1999.
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