University of Richmond Athletics
No. 1 Richmond Battles No. 19 Villanova
Sept. 23, 2008
No. 1 Richmond Spiders (3-1, 2-0)
vs.
No. 19 Villanova Wildcats (2-1, 0-0)
Villanova Stadium (12,000) • Villanova, Pa.
Sept. 27, 2008 • 3:30 p.m. ET
Television: CN8 with Scott Graham (play-by-play), John Ritchie (analyst) and Gregg Murphy (sideline).
Radio: ESPN 950 AM and Wolf 93.1 FM in Richmond with Bob Black (play-by-play), fomer Spider defensive lineman Jasmonn Coleman '97 (analyst) and Matt Smith '92 (sideline).
Internet Broadcast: RichmondSpiders.com; espn950am.com
Weekly Releases:
Richmond: PDF 
Villanova: PDF
CAA Football: PDF
Weekly Audio/Video:
CAA Football Teleconference: Audio 
Weekly Press Conference #5: Video London | Silver & Mitchell 
Quick Slants:
• For the first time in 23 years, the Richmond Spiders will play as a No. 1-ranked team after taking the top spot from Appalachian State in this week's Top-25 Poll. The Spiders are ranked first by Sports Network and second by the FCS Coaches.
• At No. 1, it matches Richmond's highest spot in the Top-25 since spending five-consecutive weeks at No. 1 in 1985.
• Richmond owns a 4-1 record all-time as a No. 1 team -- all coming during the 1985 campaign.
• The Spiders are fresh off a 44-17 win at home over Maine -- the team's eighth-consecutive home victory -- and are averaging 38.9 points in the second-longest home-winning streak in school history.
• Richmond's defense leads CAA Football and ranks among the nation's best after holding its first four opponents this season to under 18 points, less than 92 yards rushing, less than 234 yards passing, while intercepting nine passes.
• Richmond is under the direction of first-year head coach Mike London, who is a 1983 Richmond graduate and the first alum to lead the Spiders' football program since Ed Merrick (1951-65).
• Sophomore CB Justin Rogers has three interceptions in last two games and has returned one for a TD in each contest.
• Junior QB Eric Ward passed for a career-high 273 yards in the Maine win, while junior WR Jordan Mitchell caught a career-high 139 yards and two TDs.
• The 2008 season 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.
Up Next:
Richmond stays on the road next weekend for a game at Commonwealth-rival VMI. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. ET.