University of Richmond Athletics
They're In: Atlantic 10 Champion Spiders Set To Play Hampton Saturday In NCAA Playoffs
11/20/2005 | Football
Nov. 20, 2005
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The ESPN News announcement and reaction
Coach Dave Clawson addresses the crowd at the Selection Show gathering
Senior linebacker Brian Burnette
Sophomore running back Tim Hightower
Scene setter: Richmond will be part of the 2005 NCAA Division I-AA Championships for the fifth time in the school's history. Nationally ranked at No. 17, The Spiders earned an at-large bid after winning a share of the Atlantic 10 title with New Hampshire. Richmond has won its last seven contests dating back to Oct. 8 against Villanova, and its last eight against I-AA opponents dating back to Sept. 17 against Maine. In that stretch the Spiders clinched their first A-10 Championship since 2000 -- their third in eight years, an A-10 South Division title for the first time since 1987 and outscored their opponents by an average of 35-16.
On Tap: Richmond will face third-seeded Hampton, the only undefeated team in the field, Nov. 26 at 8 p.m. at Armstrong Stadium in Hampton, Va. The game will be televised on ESPNU. The winner of the game will advance to the round of eight and face the winner of the Furman/Nicholls State game the following weekend.
Richmond in the NCAA Division I-AA Championships: Richmond is making its seventh trip to postseason play and its fifth trip to the NCAA Division I-AA Championships. The Spiders' last time in the playoffs was in 2000 when it topped Youngstown State, 10-3, in the first round at UR Stadium, then fell 34-20 at Montana in the quarterfinals. Prior to 2000, Richmond played first round games in 1998 and 1987, but lost both -- 24-23 vs. Lehigh (`98) and 20-3 vs. Appalachian State (`87). The Spiders advanced to the second round of the playoffs in 1984 with a 35-33 win over Boston University at UR Stadium, but later fell at Rhode Island in the second round, 23-17. Richmond also took part in two Tangerine Bowls in 1968 and 1971. The Spiders topped Ohio 49-42 in 1968, but fell 28-3 to Toledo in 1971.
Richmond vs. Hampton: Richmond has never met Hampton in its 123 seasons of football. Saturday's meeting will mark the first-ever clash of the Pirates and Spiders.
Records: Richmond is 8-3 after winning its last seven. The Spiders finished the A-10 season with a 7-1 mark, and won their last seven against conference opponents. Richmond not only has won its last seven, but has topped its last eight I-AA opponents. The Spiders' only loss since Sept. 17 came at Division I Vanderbilt of the SEC, 37-13. Hampton is the only undefeated team in the NCAA Division I-AA Championships 16-team field. Hampton secured the automatic bid out of the Mid-Eastern Conference, by finishing 8-0 in the league.
Rankings: Richmond is ranked 17th in the latest poll from The Sports Network. The Spiders debuted at No. 23, Oct. 31, for the first time since Sept. of 2002, and has been ranked each week since. Richmond's 17th-place ranking last week is the highest for the Spiders since Sept. 24, 2001, when they were also listed at No. 17. Hampton is the second-ranked team in the country according to latest Sports Network poll. The Pirates recorded 39 first place votes and were behind only New Hampshire, the number one seed in the 2005 NCAA I-AA Playoffs.
Hampton in the NCAA Division I-AA Championships: Hampton has appeared in three NCAA Division I-AA Championships, but has yet to advance past the first round. The Pirates will be making their second-straight appearance in the postseason after falling to the Tribe of William & Mary in 2004, 42-35. Prior to last season, Hampton went to the playoffs in 1997 and 1998 but lost both first round contests. Saturday's game will be the first I-AA playoff game played at Hampton's Armstrong Stadium.
NCAA Division I-AA Championship seeds: New Hampshire tops the bracket as the top seed after capturing the automatic qualifying berth from the Atlantic-10 Conference. The Wildcats, who are making their fourth tournament appearance, will be looking to make it past the quarterfinal round for the first time in school history. Appalachian State, which is making its 13th tournament appearance, is the number-two seed. The Mountaineers finished the regular season as the outright champion of the Southern Conference for the first time since 1995. Third-seeded Hampton is the only undefeated team in the field. The Pirates, which captured the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference automatic berth, are making their fourth appearance and looking for their first victory. Rounding out this year's seeded teams is Texas State with the number four seed. The Bobcats, who are making their first appearance in the I-AA football championships, were co-champions from the Southland Conference along with Nicholls State University.
Media Availability: Richmond head coach Dave Clawson will be on the Atlantic 10 Teleconference Monday morning at 10:10 a.m. Media wanting to join the teleconference should contact the Atlantic 10 Conference office (215-545-6678) for access numbers. The Spiders will hold their regular weekly press conference at 1 p.m. at First Market Stadium (weather permitting). Clawson along with select student-athletes will be available for comment at that time. Clawson will also join Bob Black, Voice of the Spiders, at Buffalo Wild Wings (7801 West Broad Street) Wednesday, Nov. 23, from 7-8 p.m. for the Spider Sportsline.
Head Coach Dave Clawson
On his feelings of the show and the gathering:
"It is very enjoyable to win a championship and go to the playoffs. You work all year to get to the position and to see it announced on a national cable network, with everybody who cares about your program -- it just never gets old."
On his team:
"I think the whole way of this team is to work to the next game. When we were 1-3, was I certain we were going be here going into the playoffs? No. After we played Vanderbilt I felt good about our team. After we beat Villanova I felt good about our team. Once we were able to go to JMU and beat them at their place, I certainly thought we had a shot at making a run for it."
On facing Hampton:
"It is the game we expected. We really don't know a lot about them. We know they are an undefeated football team. We know they have one of the best defenses in the country. The bulk of today now is going to get the films and start breaking it down. We are going to try and make the week as normal as possible. It is game number 12 and we will try to get into a routine as quickly as we can."
On being labeled a possible underdog:
"We have been in this position all year. I enjoy it -- it is kind of a motivator for our team. We were picked fifth out of six in the (A-10) southern division and weren't ranked nationally until two or three weeks ago. Even then I thought some of the credit this football team deserved was slow in coming. It is a position we have been in all year so it is just business as normal. We are excited to be in it. We are one of 16 and we have as good as shot as anybody."
On the Atlantic 10 getting two teams into the playoffs:
"Anytime you suffer a fourth loss in I-AA you put yourself at risk. I think it is unfortunate because (A-10) performance in the playoff as a conference speaks for itself. Four of the final eight and two of the final four, arguably three of top four teams in the country last year were Atlantic 10 teams. You would hope a committee recognizes that, but at the same time every single coach in this league knows the second you lose your fourth game you put yourself at risk."
On the programs turnaround from last season's 3-8 finish:
"I think our players have much better focus, their work ethic is better and their preparation is better. We have some players who have really developed. We played a lot of young players on offense early. Right now we start three sophomores and a freshman on the offensive line. Right now those guys are much better players 10 and 11 games into their career, than they were in games one and two. Certainly, a lot has been made of the change in Stacy (Tutt) going back to quarterback -- I don't want to discount that. How well the players around him are playing has dramatically improved. We are playing better now than we have at any point this season. I am most encouraged by how you can see progression in every single football game."
On Richmond's defense:
"We are pretty good on defense. We have a collection of what makes a pretty good defense. We have players who are well coached. Our guys play hard and fly to the football. We have a good defensive line which can rush the passer with four so we don't have to blitz to get pressure on a quarterback and we have guys in the back making plays. They are extremely well-coached."
Senior Stacy Tutt
On his feeling about being part of the playoffs:
"It feels pretty good. Quite a turnaround from last year. It feels real good to be able to be with these guys and the coaches longer. We just have to go out and practice this week. Not lose our mentality and attack the way we have been attacking these last seven opponents. We are just looking forward to it and are ready to go."
On being labeled a possible underdog:
"I don't think it matters. We are going to do what we do regardless of how much attention we get or what people think of us. Just as long we worry about what we do and continue to perform the way we have -- I think everything will be fine."
On this season's turnaround:
"I think our leadership is a big difference and we are a lot hungrier than we were last year. A lot of the offseason work has paid-off. We are doing a lot of things we need to do to win. We are a lot more consistent than we were last year. We have guys playing great and it just feels good to be in this situation."
On playing Hampton:
"I think we expected it, but you really never know with these situations. We were just hoping to get in because there is always a chance we might not get in. We are glad we made it and now just have to prepare this week."
On playing close to home:
"It will give us a chance to get some fans down there as opposed to playing on the other side of the country. It is only a couple hours away from home so that will be good."
Senior Brian Burnette
On getting into the playoffs:
"It feels great and has been a long time coming. Four and half years now and to go out like this is a great feeling. I can't ever count how many bad years we had and now to have eight in this last year and beat William & Mary for a championship is a great feeling."
On the team's turnaround from last season:
"One is being in the system again with the coaches. Two is the guys -- all 80 some of us took it serious this year. Throughout the summer and throughout the week guys watch film more than I have ever seen here."
