University of Richmond Athletics
Surging Spiders Set For Semis
No. 7 Richmond Spiders (11-3)
vs.
No. 4 Northern Iowa Panthers (12-2)
UNI-Dome (16,324) • Cedar Falls, Iowa
Dec. 13, 2008 • 4 p.m. ET
Television: ESPN, ESPN-HD & ESPN360.com with Joe Tessitore (play-by-play) and Rod Gilmore (analyst).
Radio: Richmond ISP Sports Network (ESPN 950 AM in Richmond) with Bob Black (play-by-play), former Spider defensive lineman Jasmonn Coleman '98 (analyst), Matt Smith '92 (sideline) and Matt Josephs (studio host).
Internet Video Broadcast: ESPN360.com
Internet Audio Broadcast: RichmondSpiders.com; espn950am.com
Weekly Releases:
Richmond: PDF 
Northern Iowa: PDF
CAA Football: PDF
MVC Football: PDF
Weekly Audio/Video:
CAA Football Teleconference: Coach London 
CAA Football Teleconference: Eric Ward
UNI Teleconference: Audio (Coming Wednesday)
Weekly Press Conference #15: Video (Coming Wednesday) 
Weekly Press Conference #15: Audio (Coming Wednesday)
Quick Slants:
• One win away from playing for the FCS National Championship, No. 7 Richmond battles No. 4 Northern Iowa Saturday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
• The Spiders are making their seventh all-time appearance in the FCS Playoffs, their second-straight and third in the last four years. It also marks the team's second-straight appearance in the semifinals.
• Richmond is one of just four schools with multiple appearance in the Semifinals in the last four years -- the others are Northern Iowa, Appalachian State and Montana.
• First Team All-CAA CB Justin Rogers is one of the most versatile threats in the FCS, with seven interceptions, 20 pass breakups, three defensive TDs, a blocked punt, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. He was an All-American kick returner last season.
• Junior QB Eric Ward -- the Spiders' career leader in completion pct. -- is 28-10 as Richmond's starter, and 11-5 in Top-25 match-ups.
• Senior TB Josh Vaughan is the 11th-leading rusher in the FCS (116.9 yds/game) and is second at UR in career rushing TDs (33).
• Anchored by senior DEs Lawrence Sidbury and Sherman Logan, the Spiders rank fifth in the FCS in total defense. Seven-straight UR opponents (and 11 this season) have failed to rush for more than 100 yards.
• The 2008 campaign marks the 126th season of football at Richmond and is the 40th Anniversary of the 1968 team that finished 8-3 and won the Tangerine Bowl, beating previously undefeated Ohio U.
Up Next:
The winner of this game meets the winner of the Montana vs. James Madison game in the FCS National Championship game in Chattanooga, Tenn. (Dec. 19, 8 p.m., ESPN2).