University of Richmond Athletics
GAMEDAY BLOG: The CAA's Mainline Match-Up
Sept. 27, 2008
Entry #26:: 6:08 p.m. ET I'm heading down to the field now... stay tuned to RichmondSpiders.com later this evening for a recap, notes, highlights and more.
Entry #25:: 5:55 p.m. ET Wow... nearly the (fill in corporate sponsor here) Game Changing Moment. Like sprinter out of the starting block, Sherman Logan was in the backfield and knocked the ball out of QB Whitney's hand. A brief scramble for the rock, but a Cat pounced on it and the Wildcats are forced to kick a 48-yard FG.
Which Joe Marcoux drilled and the Cats lead by 10 -- 23-13 -- with exactly 8 minutes left.
Entry #24:: 5:51 p.m. ET You've got to credit the Villanova offensive line. They have paved the way for something no other team has been able to do this season: establish a running game. As a result, Nova has controlled the clock and the tempo and are in the red zone again with a seven-point advantage.
Entry #23:: 5:47 p.m. ET Richmond turns the ball over on downs after Ward's fourth-down pass was into-and-out-of the hands of Monteverde in the end zone. So the Spiders go for the tie, instead of taking the points.
Nova ball 13 minutes left and the home team leads by a touchdown, 20-13.
Entry #22:: 5:40 p.m. ET That's the first fake -- punt or field goal -- in two years that I can remember Richmond running. Tip of the cap to speical teams coach Charles Bankins.
End of the third. Nova leads 20-13 and the Spiders will be faced with a big decision on fourth-and-five at the 6-yard line when the final quarter begins.
Entry #21:: 5:37 p.m. ET A little trickery... Brian Radford complete to Brian Radford throws his first career completion to TE Joe Stewart for a 14-yard gain on fourth down. Big play, obviously. The Spiders are now in the red zone thanks to Eric Ward's run.
Entry #20:: 5:28 p.m. ET Well credit the Richmond defense. That's back-to-back big holds in the red zone. Although a 25-yard FG has given the Cats a 20-13 lead with 4:52 left, it remains just a one-score game.
This is a physically bruising football game, as you'd expect. Some of the hits administered by both teams have been punishing.
Entry #19:: 5:28 p.m. ET The most alarming stat: Richmond 31 yards rushing to Nova's 171. Villanova has knifed its way downfield again and is knocking on the door. 5:09 left in the third.
Entry #18:: 5:21 p.m. ET The Spiders have had the ball for nearly half of the third quarter, but had to settle for a 35-yard field goal, making the score 17-13 Villanova with 8:28 on the clock in the third.
Including halftime, that should be a nice breather for the Spider defense that looked winded when the first half ended.
With two field goals today, Andrew Howard has moved into third all-time at Richmond in made three-pointers, if you will. Howard has looked good.
Entry #17:: 5:17 p.m. ET Ward hits Grayson to keep the chains moving on a key fourth-and-four deep inside enemy territory.
Entry #16:: 5:12 p.m. ET Two big plays have put the Spiders across midfield on their first possession of the second half: A pass to Grayson on the first play from scrimmage and a personal foul against Nova a few plays later.
Entry #15:: 4:49 p.m. ET Halftime at Villanova Stadium and a 21-yard field goal in the closing seconds extended the Wildcats' lead at the break to 17-10. The Spiders found some success through the air as the half progressed, but still struggled on the ground (14 carries for 13 yards).
The Spiders have not allowed a team to rush for 100 yards in a game this season, but the shifty Wildcats have 133 at the break.
Entry #14:: 4:40 p.m. ET That was Eric Ward's 36th career TD pass, moving him into a tie for fourth all-time at Richmond. The junior is 9-for-12 thus far with 88 yards.
Entry #13:: 4:34 p.m. ET Joe Stewart and the Spiders have pulled within four at 14-10 with 3:47 left in the half. Circle that play if you're scoring at home. It was third-and-two deep in Villanova territory and the Spiders ran a play fake to the left. Both TEs Stewart and Joe Monetverde rolled out right and were open in the end zone. Ward flipped it to Stewart who reeled in his second TD of the season. As a side note, Jim Miller called that play in the press box before it happened.
Entry #12:: 4:32 p.m. ET There we go! Eric Ward's to Tre Gray for 43 yards and we're deep in Nova territory with 5:07 left in the first half.
Entry #11:: 4:24 p.m. ET Villanova's Aaron Ball just ran 63 yards for a touchdown and the Wildcats lead 14-3 with 8:39 left in the first half. The Spider defense has been on the field a lot this half as the offense has found trouble moving the ball.
Richmond's most sustained drive was its last possession, moving the sticks a few times, but had to punt it away.
Entry #10:: 4:19 p.m. ET In the absence of Justin Forte, we're getting our first taste of true freshman running back Michael Silva pounced on it.
Entry #9:: 4:07 p.m. ET The Spiders are in some trouble right now. We've run nine plays in the game and racked up a a total of minus 6 yards. Nova leads 7-3 and have the ball back across the 50 as the first quarter is winding down.
Entry #8:: 3:52 p.m. ET Richmond on the board, 3-0, with a 42-yard field goal from Andrew Howard -- looked like it would have been good from about 50. Sp the Spiders' scoring drive goes three plays, minus two yards and consumes 1:33 off the clock.
The Spiders have just three points to show off an interception and blocked punt.
Entry #7:: 3:46 p.m. ET A quick three-and-out by the Spiders led to a punt, but Brian Radford boot pinned the Wildcats deep in their own territory at the 2-yard line.
Entry #6:: 3:42 p.m. ET Richmond has now matched its total number of interceptions all last season. Patrick Weldon tipped a Chris Whitney pass and Michael Ireland yanked it out of the air for pick No. 10 this season.
Entry #5:: 3:33 p.m. ET Well the American and Virginia flags are back after going M.I.A. for one week. They were accidentally left behind at the Robins Center for the Maine game. But no worries, they made the trip to Pa. and just came flying out of the tunnel.
This is a big game on all sides. Both Bruce Dowd (College Sporting News) and Dave Coulson (Sports Network) are here, who cover FCS football on a national level at their respective outlets. In addition, there's a scout here from the NFL watching the referees.
Radford set to kickoff for Richmond. Game time!
Entry #4:: 3:25 p.m. ET Time for the national anthem.... a nice contingent of Spider Faithful filling in.
Entry #3:: 2:58 p.m. ET I'm finally settled in to the press box at 37 minutes before kickoff. The weather suits us well... warm and muggy. We've seemed to thrive in these conditions early this year and much has been made about the our players' level of conditioning -- thanks in large part to the work of Brandon Hourigan and our strength & conditioning staff -- compared to our opponents'. We'll see soon if that holds true today.
Entry #2:: 10:16 a.m. ET You'll notice on the front page of RichmondSpiders.com that CN8.tv provides live streaming video of all its programming for free! Meaning those of you not in a CN8 market -- or that have a dish -- can watch the game on your computer. Be sure to mute the audio and turn up the Spider Sports Network broadcast (click here for Richmond radio broadcast on ESPN 950)
A brief capsule about today's game appeared in the Philly Inquirer. Also, the Inquirer's "College Football Report" mentioned that instead of former Richmond and Villanova coach Dave Clawson on the sidelines today with the No. 1-ranked Spiders, he'll be in the coaches' box at Auburn leading the Tennessee offense.
Here's a link to John O'Connor's Saturday's preview story in the Times-Dispatch: click here.
Entry #1:: 9:54 a.m. ET It's a dreary morning outside, but spirits are high inside as kickoff now is just hours away. Pretty typical road trip so far. Traffic Friday morning was a breeze through D.C., Baltimore and into Philly. We walked through at Villanova Stadium (in a misty rain) Friday evening, then returned to the hotel for dinner and team meetings.
Many of Richmond's assistant coaches were not on the bus, but on the road recuiting in the Philly area.
Breakfast was good Saturday morning -- typical fare -- eggs (scrambled), bacon, and fruit, but the french toast generated some interesting discussion. It seemed they coated the french toast slices in corn flakes -- not sure the reason, but they needed Clark Griswold's famous crunch enhancer (see National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation). It was a bit soggy.
Speaking of movies... on the bus Friday, we watched "The Waterboy" and "Kingdom". It was a very democratic process, orchestrated by QB Will Healy, to pick both flicks.
As of 10 a.m. Saturday, the team was in positional meetings. We leave for the stadium at 1 p.m.