University of Richmond Athletics
Three Spiders Named To Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference Football Squad
Dec. 20, 2005
Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference Football Team
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Richmond senior Brian Burnette and juniors Ryan Beers and Ben Davidson were named to the 2005 Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference team, officials announced Tuesday. The three Spider student-athletes joined a total of 79 individuals (40 offense, 39 defense) as part of the 2005 team.
To be eligible, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 and be a starter or key reserve. Voting is conducted by the Atlantic 10 Football Conference's sports information directors. First-year freshmen are ineligible.
Burnette, a co-captain in 2005, was named the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week, Oct. 9, and a Football Gazette Player of the Week Oct. 11 for his play against Villanova. The Chesterfield, Va., native, who is majoring in business administration, finished with 14 tackles - two for loss, an interception for a touchdown and one sack against the Wildcats. He ended the season with 74 tackles, including 6.5 for loss. He amassed two sacks, while breaking up two passes and recovering a fumble.
Beers was an important reserve for the Spiders' defensive line. Playing behind senior Dan Mangiero, Beers finished the season with 26 total tackles, including three for loss. He also recorded two sacks, one interception and a pass breakup. The Altoona, Pa., native, who will return for his senior season in 2005, is majoring in Rhetoric and Communications.
Davidson was part of an offensive line which paved the way for the most points ever scored by a Spider team (349); as well as the most yards of total offense ever gained by a Richmond team (4957). The Pulaski, Va., native who is a Biology/Pre-Med major, saw action in nine games on the offensive line and special teams this season.
The Spiders turned in a season which began by losing their first two and three of their first four, but ended the regular season on a seven-game win streak. The streak continued when the team went on the road to face the only undefeated I-AA team in the country, Hampton, and won 38-10 in the first round of the NCAA Playoffs. Richmond's loss to Furman in the I-AA quarterfinals ended an eight-game win streak, and a nine-game win streak over I-AA opponents.