University of Richmond Athletics
Spiders Host Gardner-Webb In Home Opener
09/04/2012 | Football
| 2012 Gameday Information - Week Two: Gardner-Webb | |
| When | Saturday, September 8 - 6 PM |
| Where | University of Richmond, Va. | Weather | Campus Map |
| Venue | Robins Stadium | Seating Chart | Parking | Maps |
| Tickets | RichmondSpiders.com | Gameday Promotions |
| Radio | ESPN 950 AM | WOLF 93.1 FM | RichmondSpiders.com | ESPN950am.com |
| Live Video | RichmondSpiders.com |
| Live Stats | RichmondSpiders.com |
| Game Notes | Richmond | Gardner-Webb | CAA | Big South |
| Pregame Media | Coach Rocco CAA Teleconference | Coach Rocco Press Conference Coach Dickerson Big South Teleconference |
| Social Media | Twitter | Facebook | Spider Football Live Gameday Blog |
The Game
- Under first year head coach Danny Rocco, the Richmond Spiders football team hosts Gardner-Webb in its 2012 home opener at Robins Stadium this Saturday.
- The Spiders will be looking to win their seventh-straight home opener on Saturday night. The Spiders have not lost a home opener since the 2005 season, beating three Big South teams during the streak.
- Coming off a hard-fought loss to Virginia, senior QB and team captain John Laub will look to improve on the career bests he set against the Cavaliers last Saturday. Laub set career-best marks in completions (17), attempts (35) and yards (178) in the setback.
Quick Slants
- Richmond head coach Danny Rocco brings a 5-1 career record against Gardner-Webb into Saturday's contest. As head coach at Liberty, Rocco was defeated by the Runnin' Bulldogs in his first season at the helm of the Flames before reeling off five-straight wins over GWU.
- Richmond will look to keep its unblemished record at night at Robins Stadium in tact against the Runnin' Bulldogs on Saturday. The Spiders are 2-0 at night in Robins Stadium, defeating Wagner and VMI last season.
- The Spiders played a very clean and disciplined game against Virginia last week. Richmond did not commit a turnover, while only committing three penalties for just 25 yards.
- Virginia transfer Michael Strauss made his Richmond debut against his former team last weekend, going 7-for-8 for 60 yards and a touchdown pass.
- Redshirt freshman FB Seth Fisher made his Spider debut a good one as well, catching a 4-yard touchdown pass from Laub in the third quarter. Later, true freshman Jacobi Green (pictured) plunged in from one-yard out for a score.
- In total, 10 redshirt or true freshmen played against Virginia. Of the 10 players, six were true freshmen.
Last Time Out
- The Spiders started the 2012 season with a 43-19 loss at Virginia on September 1.
- Falling behind 16-0, the Spiders played much better after a tough first quarter, trailing the Hoos just 27-19 the rest of the way.
- The loss was just the second in Richmond's last four meetings against FBS teams. The Spiders are 2-2 in their last four contests versus FBS squads, beating Duke on two occasions (2009, 2011).
Rocco vs. Gardner-Webb
In his six years as head coach at Liberty, Richmond head coach Danny Rocco faced the Runnin' Bulldogs five times, posting a 4-1 record against the Big South Conference foe. After losing his first game against Gardner-Webb, Rocco has won four-straight against the Runnin' Bulldogs.
Spiders Look to Extend Home Opener Streak
Coming into their contest against Gardner-Webb on Saturday, the Richmond Spiders have won six-straight home openers dating back to the 2005 season. During that streak, Richmond has defeated three Big South teams (Elon, VMI and Wagner). At Robins Stadium, the Spiders are 2-0 in home openers, winning by an average margin of 10.5 points.
Non-League Brilliance
Richmond has not lost a non-conference FCS game in the regular season since 2005 and is a spotless 14-0 since then. The last FCS loss in the regular season was at Lafayette, 7-0, in 2005. Including the Spiders' annual game versus an FBS opponent, Richmond's non-conference regular-season record since 2007 is 12-3 (that includes wins at Duke in 2009 and 2011).
Richmond Undefeated in Night Games at Robins Stadium
After not playing a home night game during the inaugural 2010 season at Robins Stadium, the Spiders won both of their night contests at home last year. In 2011, Richmond defeated Wagner, 21-6, in the first night game at Robins Stadium before defeating VMI, 34-19, the following week.
Laub Posts Career Bests at Virginia
Despite falling to Virginia in the 2012 season opener, redshirt senior John Laub posted career-best numbers. The Coplay, Pa., native set career highs in completions (17), attempts (35) and yards (178). The team captain also tied his career high in touchdowns when he connected with FB Seth Fisher for a 4-yard score.
New Faces for the Spiders
In its season-opening game at Virginia on September 1, 10 players made their debuts for the Spiders. In total, 10 freshmen appeared in the game, with six of those being true freshmen. Notable performances include true freshman Jacobi Green scoring a rushing TD and redshirt FB Seth Fisher catching a score.
Strauss Solid in Spider Debut Against Former Team
Thrust into action quickly, redshirt sophomore QB Michael Strauss made the most of his playing time against his former team - the Virginia Cavaliers. After starting QB John Laub's helmet was yanked off, Strauss came in and threw a TD pass to Kendall Gaskins on his first collegiate pass. On the day, Strauss went 7-for-8 with one touchdown toss.
Great Debuts for Fisher, Green
Making their debuts for the Richmond Spiders against Virginia on September 1, redshirt freshman FB Seth Fisher and true freshman Jacobi Green each scored a touchdown. Green punched in a score from 1-yard out, while Fisher caught a 4-yard toss from John Laub in the third quarter.
Career Defensive Days for Five Spiders
Five Richmond Spiders posted career highs in tackles in the season-opening game at Virginia on September 1. Sophomore DB Aaron Roane (12), redshirt sophomore LB Eric Wright (nine), redshirt senior DB Doug Howell (eight), sophomore DB Justin Grant (five) and redshirt junior LB Cole Gonet (three) all posted career-best efforts in the setback.
Gaskins Moves into Sixth Place on Career TD List
With his receiving touchdown against Virginia on September 1, senior FB Kendall Gaskins moved into a tie for sixth place on Richmond's all-time touchdown list. Gaskins now has 23 career scores, tying him with Eric Ward and Greg Grooms. Tim Hightower holds the career mark for Richmond with 39 scores.
Hicks Kicks it Well Versus Virginia
Redshirt senior P Nick Hicks had a career day against Virginia on September 1. On the afternoon, Hicks punted the ball eight times for a career-best 345 yards. Hicks also tied his career high with a 65-yard effort in the second quarter. For the game, Hicks averaged 43.1 yards a punt, including pinning the ball inside the 20 yard-line three times.
