University of Richmond Athletics
Three Spiders Earn Preseason All-CAA Recognition
07/23/2014 | Cross Country, Football
BALTIMORE – University of Richmond Spiders WR Stephen Barnette, OL Austin Gund and DL Evan Kelly were selected to the CAA Preseason All-Conference Team on Wednesday at the league's annual Media Day at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
In the preseason poll released by the league, Richmond was tabbed to finish third in the conference, earning three first place-votes from the league's coaches and sports information directors.
The Preseason All-CAA selection is the third honor so far for Barnette, who was also named a preseason All-American by The Sports Network and BSN. The Salem, Va., native is a two-time All-CAA selection, as he appeared in all 11 games last season and totaled five 100-yard receiving games.
Barnette became Richmond's all-time leader in single-season yards and is just the fourth receiver in program history to eclipse 1,000 yards in one season.
Also earning his third preseason accolade was Gund, who along with Barnette was also named a preseason All-American by TSN and BSN. A three-year captain, Gund was named to the 2013 All-CAA and VaSID All-State first team squads. In the past two seasons, the Washington, D.C., native as started all 23 games at the center position.
A two-time All-CAA second team selection, Kelly started all 12 games for the Spiders last season. The defensive end finished with 47 tackles, nine tackles for a loss, six sacks and two breakups. The Pittsburgh, Pa., native has started in 23 consecutive games and earned preseason All-American honors from TSN this summer.
New Hampshire was tagged as the preseason favorite in a poll conducted of the CAA's head coaches and sports information directors with 15 first-place votes. Villanova was picked second with two first-place votes, followed by the Spiders in third place with three first-place votes.
William & Mary was picked fourth followed by Towson, Delaware, Maine, James Madison, Stony Brook and Albany. Rhode Island and CAA newcomer Elon rounded out the preseason poll.
Richmond opens the 2014 campaign on Saturday, August 30 when the team plays host to Morehead State. For tickets, be sure to go to RichmondSpiders.com.
For all the latest on Richmond Spiders football, be sure to go to RichmondSpiders.com. Fans can also follow the team on Twitter - @Spider_Football – and “Like” the team's Facebook page.
