University of Richmond Athletics
2005 Spider Football Just A Month From Kickoff
Aug. 1, 2005
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The 2005 Richmond Spider football season kickoff is just 30 days away. Head coach Dave Clawson and his team will begin their preparation Friday, Aug. 5, with the first of two helmet-only practices.
2005 SPIDER PREVIEW
Don't be fooled by their smiling faces and their calm demeanor. They haven't strapped on their helmets yet. And when this year's Richmond Football senior class laces up its cleats for one final season, don't expect to see anything but a focused stare.
This is their last chance. Don't bother telling these seniors their contribution to the program goes well beyond wins and losses. Every bead of sweat they shed this year goes toward the program's first winning season since 2000.
The respected group won't be alone. Their teammates and second-year coach feel the same immediacy of the moment.
"We have a very good senior class," head coach Dave Clawson said. "This is their last shot to play football for the Spiders. Our entire football team has to have a sense of urgency."
You will see their names in the Richmond record book and on the list of all-time letterwinners. Their goal for this year goes beyond those accolades.
At the very least, Clawson claims, the Spiders want a winning season. However, the annual goal of winning the Atlantic 10 Championship and competing in the I-AA playoffs is the ultimate prize.
Clawson's second version of a Spider football team is much deeper than his first. He expects another productive off-season to lend itself to a more consistent performance in every phase of the game.
This year's team should be able to read and react, playing the game at a much higher speed. Less thinking and more instinctive play-making are important, Clawson states.
Another facet of this year's team Clawson feels comfortable with is leadership. Captains Brian Burnette, David Freeman, John Gromin and Stacy Tutt, all fifth-year seniors, understand the sense of urgency the Spiders must carry into every lift, every practice and every game this fall.
OFFENSE
Improvement at the skill positions, including more depth, should enable the Spiders to score more points this season. Eight starters return to a unit which averaged 18.0 points per game, a number Clawson expects to increase this fall.
Clawson will depend on more consistent play down the line as he implements a creative attack.
Quarterback
The most interesting storyline heading into fall camp comes at the quarterback position. The incumbent, Stacy Tutt, who tossed his way to the fifth most passing yards in a season (2,156) in his first full campaign as the signal caller, may be the best athlete on the team. His speed and agility are dangerous on the outside.
Shifting Tutt would depend on the development of young quarterbacks Will Healy and Levi Brown. Healy, who redshirted last season, and Brown, who played the spring season with the Spiders, are quality quarterbacks capable of running the offense. However, neither has taken a collegiate snap.
Running Backs
Freeman enjoyed an outstanding junior season when he ranked third in the Atlantic 10 with 85.9 rushing yards per game. He led the team with five rushing touchdowns while averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
"David is a very good downhill runner," Clawson said. "He has the ability to break tackles and then uses his speed to make big plays."
Sophomore Tim Hightower will also see time at tailback. The emergence of a fullback will also help the run game. Redshirt freshmen John Crone and Shawn White are expected to see several reps in the backfield.
Wide Receiver
Several veterans litter the wide-out corps. Seniors Harry Wilson and Jeff Ritch team with sophomores Arman Shields and Andy Lehatto to form an experienced group. Wilson led the team with 56 receptions and 71.1 receiving yards per game last fall.
Newcomers Matt Hale and Dan Desriveaux, a UConn transfer, will also compete for playing time.
Tight End
The emergence of redshirt freshmen Joe Stewart and Joe Monteverde to compliment Eddie Darney, an excellent run blocker, will transition the tight end into more of a focal point of the offense.
Offensive Line
Three starters - John Gromin and Derek Stoudt - return to this vital component of the attack. Senior Ben Teufel has been added up front to bolster the offensive line after spending last season at tight end. This talented group of student-athletes must produce this year if the offense plans to move the ball.
Richmond cannot afford to wait for the young linemen to develop; they must be ready for the complicated schemes from the first snap. Tim Silver, Tyler Webb and Adam Packett will be heavily depended upon.
DEFENSE
The strength of this year's team, its defense, will be responsible for achieving the highest level of performance every down. The front seven has to stop the run. After earning valuable experience on the field last season and another year of off-season strength and conditioning, the Spiders should be ready.
More consistent play from the secondary is also crucial. Cutting down on the number of big plays will reduce the 27.0 points allowed average from last fall.
Richmond must also improve on its -10 turnover ratio. Clawson has emphasized verbally, and with practice drills, the importance of winning the turnover battle.
Defensive Line
Experience from veterans Johnny Campbell, Dan Mangiero and Ryan Beers in the middle and David Gracia and Ryan Cameron on the end, will combine with enthusiasm from newcomers Sherman Logan and Lawrence Sidbury, Jr. in the trenches. Ryan Brandt and Brian DeMoss will also be part of the rotation up front.
"We should be firmer through the middle," Clawson said, "and we have some dynamic players on the edge."
Linebacker
All four starters and the three top returning tacklers from last season are featured in the linebacking corps. Brian Burnette (81) as the anchor of last year's defense. Anthony Dabney also brings extensive experience.
"Burnette is smart and understands the game and its angles," Clawson said. "Gray has some of the best football instincts of any player I've coached. Goloboski is a play maker and Dabney has vastly improved."
Secondary
Returning corners Joe Mallory and Damien McCallum join safeties Stephen Howell and Ryan Mace for a developing group. Clawson hopes they will rely on game-worn experience and can decrease the amount of big plays given up. Competition for playing time will come from Andrew Harris and Brooks York at safety and Travis Warren at corner.
Special Teams
The increased depth across the board will help on special teams. Several athletic players will be used to secure this area. Senior punter Chris Radford and kicker Joseph Fore have contributed throughout their careers. Sophomore Carter Ball returns after handling much of the kicking duties last fall.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE FOR SPIDER FOOTBALL:
Wed., Aug. 3 - Head coach Dave Clawson at A-10 Conference Media Day (Warwick, R.I.) - Click the Atlantic 10 link for a live broadcast of the entire day. (Clawson's scheduled interview time is 11:30 a.m.)
Thur., Aug. 4 - Players Report
Fri., Aug. 5 - Practice (helmets-only) - First Market Stadium
Wed., Aug. 17 - Media Day - First Market Stadium
Thur., Sept. 1 - GAMEDAY vs. UMASS (7 p.m.)