University of Richmond Athletics
Inside the Spiders' Web -- Hightower and Vaughan
Aug. 10, 2006
Tim Hightower and Josh Vaughan combined for 980 yards on the ground and nine touchdowns in 2005. Hightower gave the Spiders a lift at James Madison in 2005, after former running back David Freeman and Vaughan both went down with injuries. The Alexandria, Va., native rushed for 119 yards on 20 carries and scored two touchdowns. Vaughan, prior to the injury and JMU, turned in what some consider the turning point in the Spiders' storybook 2005 season, on the road at Maine. The Richmond, Va., native hauled in a screen-pass from former Spider quarterback Stacy Tutt and rambled 79 yards for his first career touchdown. The play helped the Spiders garner their first win of the season, and marked the eighth-longest pass play in Spider football history. Recently, the duo took time out of the 2006 Preseason Camp to answer a few questions for RichmondSpiders.com.
 Junior Tim Hightower  |
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Junior
Alexandria, Va.
What is your best memory from the 2005 season?
"I probably have to say the JMU game. Not just because of my personal achievements during the game, but the way the running backs picked each other up. We were like a unit. When Josh (Vaughan) and (David) Freeman went down I told them I would take care of the game and wouldn't let them down. Walking off that field as a winner was the least I could do for Josh and Freeman, who were always there for me -- kind of like family."
How do you like the running back by committee approach?
"I think this year it will help a lot. We both push each other in practice as well as learn from each other. I feel like in a game it will give us the best situation. When guys get tired of tackling Josh -- it might help me out a bit. We bring a lot of different things to the table. We complement each other well. We both work hard. There is no letdown when either of us come in the game -- both are effective."
What are your goals for this season?
"I am not really a personal goal kind of guy. I feel like those kind of things should be personal. I just want to contribute as much as I can -- we want to win the A-10 and compete for the National Championship. I want to help my team move to the next level."
How has coach Wayne Lineburg (offensive coordinator/running back coach) helped you in your career?
"I started off rough with Coach Lineburg during my freshman year -- we didn't always see things eye-to-eye. I felt like at times he might have been hard on me. Seeing at the end he is big on character and discipline. He always talks about doing things the right way, and how it carries over away from the football field whether it is in the weight room or the classroom. It helps build your life. He has been hard on me at times, but it has paid off. I now feel I have to set the example for the younger running backs. The character building is helping me accomplish that role."
What is your favorite food?
"I like the good home-cooked southern comfort food of macaroni & cheese."
How do you get motivated for a game?
"I always pray. Prayer always gets me focused and calmed down and relaxed. It allows me to focus on the things we have been working on and the team's goals."
When was the last time you cut your hair?
"I think it was right before the football season my freshman year. I don't know why I kept growing it out. It must have been since the season didn't go to well, and I needed a change. I had long hair in high school, but cut it before coming to Richmond. I guess I just wanted to go back to the long hair."
 Sophomore Josh Vaughan |
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Sophomore
Richmond, Va.
What is your best memory from the 2005 season?
"For me it was probably the Maine game when we were down 21-7. I scored my first touchdown on the 79-yard screen pass."
How do you like the running back by committee approach?
"It definitely works for us. You can't have just one person doing everything. We both contribute in our own way. We are like a one-two punch."
What are your goals for this season?
"As far as the team goes -- we want to win the Atlantic 10 again and go on to compete for the National Championship. Personally, I'd like to rush for 1,000 yards and get an All-Conference honor as a running back or kick returner."
How has coach Wayne Lineburg (offensive coordinator/running back coach) helped you in your career?
"Coach helped me focus better. Coming in as a freshman I didn't have the focus level I needed to have. He helped me get myself on track and get my priorities straight."
How do you get motivated for a game?
"I normally listen to R&B at first, then I will switch to rap music on the way to the game. I will also listen to rap music while I warm-up during the individual time. Right before the game I listen to gospel music -- that gets me fired up and ready to go."
What is your favorite food?
"I like macaroni & cheese, mashed potatoes and fried chicken because it all tastes good."
Tell us more about the 79-yard pass play at Maine?
"The play at Maine was a screen-play scripted for me. I had missed an opportunity earlier -- I dropped a wide-open touchdown pass. I just remembered what Coach Clawson was saying about making big plays. My coach in high school used to emphasize that as well. I just felt like we needed a boost at some point in that game and I tried to make a play whenever I could."