University of Richmond Athletics
Gameday Game Plan: Week 3 vs. VMI
Top 3 Individual Matchups
Richard Muldrow and Ryan Goss vs. Justin Smith
Possibly the marquee match-up of
Saturday night's game is the veteran left side of Richmond's offensive line -- senior
guard Ryan Goss and senior tackle Richard Muldrow -- versus Justin Smith, the
Keydets' sophomore right end in their 3-4 scheme. Richmond has allowed just one sack all season, while Smith
has been busy registering 13 tackles, 2.0 tackles and one sack through two games.
Kevin Finney vs. Byron Allen
Linebackers often draw tights end in coverage
in the 3-4 defense, and VMI converted cornerback Byron Allen would have the speed
to do so in a match-up with Richmond junior TE Kevin Finney. The 6-6, 250-pound Finney has been a force, with six
catches for 72 yards and a TD.
Allen is a preseason All-Big South pick with 239 career tackles.
Corey Jackson vs. Chaz Jones
Senior NG Corey Jackson is Richmond's
self-pro-claimed defensive run specialist. Chaz Jones is averaging 70 yards rushing over VMI's first
two games and has accounted for three of the Keydets' four touchdowns this
season -- one of only 39 players nationally with three or more TDs this season.
Richmond Advantages
1. Experience
in the Pro-Style
VMI's venture from the triple option to a pro style has been a challenge to date. Sophomore QB Eric Kordenbrock has thrown four interceptions
(no TDs), and the Keydets were limited to just 225 total yards in last week's 24-7
loss to William & Mary. On the
other side, Richmond senior QB Aaron Corp is entrenched in the pro-style system. The righty has thrown for three TDs and
429 yards in Richmond's first two games and has six TDs and 1,074 yards in his
first seven games for Richmond since transferring from USC last season.
2. Recent
Trends
The Spiders
and Keydets have met 86 previous times in their history, and Richmond has
recent history on its side in this rivalry that dates back to 1893. Richmond has won eight
straight over VMI, 14 of the last 15 and 19 of the last 22. But the all-time series is 41-40-5 in favor of the Spiders
(29-21-3 in games played in Richmond).
Stat of the Week
Richmond is one of just 12 remaining
undefeated FCS teams, but is the only team in the country that has a win over an FBS and an FCS
team.
Quotes of the Week
"They (Richmond) are athletically very equal to William & Mary. Maybe in some
cases a little longer and a litte faster than William & Mary. I don't think they (Richmond) play better at this point (than William & Mary). Wagner stayed in the ball game as a result of five turnovers, and we have to try and do that this week."
-- VMI head coach Sparky Woods
"The coaches were yelling "Ball security!" even when we weren't running the ball. They were
yelling it when we were running back to the huddle. The coaches are aware of the ball security we need."
-- junior FB Kendall Gaskins
"People that aren't with us now don't win or lose games. The team that we have right now, we're a pretty physical group and just trying to be the best defense we can possibly be with the people we have."
-- junior LB Derek Mayo
Milestones In Reach
Senior QB Aaron Corp is three completions shy of his 100th as a Spider... Sophomore WR Ben Edwards is nine yards from 200 career receiving yards... Senior Tremayne Graham needs 49 yards to reach 500 career kickoff return yards.... Senior RB Garrett Turner is 138 yards shy of 1,000 career rushing
yards