University of Richmond Athletics
McCracken, Rogers, McBride Earn Preseason All-America Honors
July 10, 2009
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The Richmond Football Team placed three on the Sports Network Preseason All-America Team, which was announced Thursday. Senior OL Matthew McCracken and junior DB Justin Rogers were first-team picks, with junior LB Eric McBride making the second team.
The reigning National Champions captured three of FCS-leading 20 spots garnered by athletes from CAA Football schools. The league, which is regarded as the nation's premier FCS conference, has had four National Champions since 1998.
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, who was named one of four senior captains, 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.
McBride enjoyed an All-American season in 2008, leading the team in tackles for the second-consecutive season. The rising junior from nearby L.C. Bird High in Richmond was in on 108 stops last season after collecting 126 as a redshirt freshman on his way to CAA Football Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. The linebacker has started all 30 games of his career.
Richmond captured the school's first NCAA Championship in 2008 and enters 2009 as the nation's top-ranked FCS team. The Spiders open Sept. 5 at Duke, with their CAA opener set for the following Saturday at Delaware.
Season tickets to watch the Spiders play for the 81st and final season at UR Stadium are now on sale. Contact the Robins Center Ticket Office at 1-877-SPIDER-1 for more information.