University of Richmond Athletics
Lawrence Sidbury Accepts NFL Combine, East-West Shrine Bowl Invitations
Jan. 12, 2009
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND - University of Richmond senior defensive end Lawrence Sidbury, Jr. has accepted an invitation to play in the 84th East-West Shrine Game, set for January 17, 2009 in Houston, Texas. Sidbury, who recorded a career high four sacks in the Spiders' NCAA National Championship victory over Montana, has also been invited to the NFL Combine in February.
For Richmond, it marks the second consecutive season to have a player in a postseason senior-bowl game and to have a player in the NFL Combine. Last season, Tim Hightower represented the Spiders at the Texas vs. The Nation All Star Game, while Arman Shields competed at the Combine in Indianapolis.
The East-West Shrine Game is held annually at the University of Houston's Robertson Stadium and can be seen live on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. ET.
Sidbury is one of just 11 players on the 100-man roster of seniors from outside the FBS (formerly I-A) and is joined on the East squad by such names as Missouri QB Chase Daniel and Virginia Tech DL Orion Martin. The East squad is under the director of former San Diego Chargers head coach Bobby Ross, who began his legendary coaching career at Colonial Heights High School in Richmond, Va.
Sidbury ended his college career in memorable fashion, racking up four of Richmond's seven sacks as the Spiders rolled to a 24-7 win over Montana in the NCAA Division I National Championship game. Anchored by the Cheltenham, Md. native, Richmond limited Montana to just 39 yards rushing and to its lowest point total in more than two seasons.
The senior collected 11.5 sacks in 2008, which ranks third on the Spiders' single-season list, while his 20.5 career sacks ranks fourth all-time at Richmond. Sidbury was a 2008 CAA Football First Team selection, named the College Sporting News Playoff Most Valuable Player and was a Sports Network All-America pick.
As a team, the Spiders' defense finished second nationally in turnover margin (+24), sixth nationally in scoring defense (15.6 points/game), 10th nationally in total defense (268.8 yards/games) and 12th nationally in rushing defense (94.0 yards/game). Each of those stats led the CAA.
Richmond earned the school's first NCAA Championship in any sport on its way to a school-record 13-3 record. The Spiders won nine-consecutive games to end the season, which stands as the longest winning streak in the FCS entering 2009.