University of Richmond Athletics
Ward Among Five Spiders Named FCS Preseason All-America
May 6, 2009
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Rising senior QB Eric Ward was among five Spiders named to the 2009 FCS Preseason All-America Team, released Wednesday by Consensus Draft Scout. Fellow rising senior OT Matthew McCracken and junior DB Justin Rogers were first-team selections, while Ward and junior DT Martin Parker were second-team picks. Rising senior OG Michael Silva earned an honorable-mention spot.
Richmond's four players on the First and Second Teams led all FCS schools, followed by Appalachian State -- which had its three-year National Championship run snapped by the Spiders in 2008 -- with three.
McCracken is a two-time All-America selection and returns to anchor an offensive line that is one of the most experienced at the FCS level. Including McCracken and Silva (both All-CAA honorees in 2008), four of Richmond's five projected starters on the O-line are fifth-year seniors.
Rogers enjoyed one of the most prolific seasons by a defensive back in Spider history in 2008, leading to his second-consecutive All-America award. The rising junior, who may be one of the most dangerous all-around threats in the FCS, had seven interceptions last season (fourth-most in school history), returned two picks and one fumble for touchdowns and blocked a punt.
Ward, regarded by some as the FCS's best prospect at his position in 2009, returns as the Spiders' career leader in completion percentage (62.0), ranks third in career passing yards (6,573) and second in TD passes (45). The senior owns a 6-1 career record in the playoffs and is 30-10 overall in three years as the Spiders' starting signal-caller. He was among the NCAA's leaders in passing efficiency, guiding the Spiders to the National Title.
Parker and the rest of Richmond's D-line will have big shoes to fill in 2009, following the graduation of All-Americans Lawrence Sidbury and Sherman Logan. Sidbury was a fourth-round draft pick by Atlanta to become the Spiders' third NFL draftee in two seasons. A rising junior, Parker finished last season with 56 tackles, but his 8.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks were third-highest on the club behind Sidbury (20.0, 11.5) and Logan (12.5, 6.0), respectively.
Four other standouts from CAA Football joined the five Spiders on the First and Second Team, including New Hampshire TE Scott Sicko (First Team), Maine RB Jared Turcotte (Second Team), Massachusetts OT Vladmir DuCasse (First), William & Mary DE Adrian Tracy (Second) and James Madison KR Scotty McGee (First).
The reigning National Champion Spiders open the 2009 season Sept. 5 at Duke and commence CAA Football play the following Saturday at Delaware, before opening the 81st and final season historic UR Stadium Sept. 19 versus Hofstra. Game times and TV information should be announced soon.