University of Richmond Athletics
Spider Football Garners 12 All-CAA Honors
RICHMOND, Va. – The No. 16/18 University of Richmond Spiders had 12 student-athletes named to the All-CAA teams on Tuesday, the conference office announced.
The 12 all-league honorees are the most for the Spiders since 2009 and push Richmond’s All-CAA total to 34 in three seasons under head coach Danny Rocco. The 12 honorees this season were the second-most in the league behind only New Hampshire’s 13.
RB Seth Fisher, OL Austin Gund and DL Evan Kelly were all named First-Team All-CAA, while WR Reggie Diggs, PK Peter Yoder, LB Aaron Roane, LB Eric Wright and DB Reggie Barnette were all named second-team all-conference. QB Michael Strauss, WR Brian Brown, OL Jacob Ruby and DL Justin Williamson were named Third-Team All-CAA.
After earning Second-Team All-CAA honors last season, Fisher was named to the first team in 2014. Fisher leads the Spiders with 717 rushing yards and ranks third in the league with 13 total touchdowns on the year.
A three-year team captain, Gund was named First-Team All-CAA for the second-straight season on Tuesday. An anchor at center, Gund helped lead a Richmond offensive line that surrendered a CAA-low 12 sacks this year.
A two-time Second-Team All-CAA honoree, Kelly was named to the all-conference first-team in 2014. Kelly posted 42 tackles in the season, including 5.0 sacks. Kelly also recorded four quarterback hurries on the year.
After leading the team with 885 receiving yards – second best in the CAA – Diggs was named second-team all-league. Diggs also ranked third in the conference with 69 receptions and had five touchdowns on the year.
In his first season as placekicker for the Spiders, Yoder was named Second-Team All-CAA. Yoder tied the Richmond single-season record with 18 made field goals and led the conference in scoring amongst kickers with 84 points.
Earning his third-straight All-CAA honor was Wright, who was named to the second-team after two straight seasons of earning third-team honors. Wright led the Spiders in tackles with 82, including 4.0 sacks and 7.0 tackles for loss.
Fellow linebacker Roane was also named to the All-CAA Second-Team after earning third-team honors last season. Roane posted 70 tackles on the season and also had three interceptions on the year.
Rounding out Richmond’s second-team honorees is Barnette, who had a great season for the Spiders. Barnette had 62 tackles on the year to go with 3.0 tackles for loss and three pass breakups.
Despite missing four games, Strauss earned his first All-CAA honor. Strauss has completed 191-of-277 passes this season for 2,202 yards and 16 touchdowns. Strauss ranks second in the CAA in passing yards per game and fourth in passing touchdowns.
Also earning All-CAA Third-Team honors was Brown, who ranked third in the league with 873 receiving yards this year. Brown also ranked fourth in the CAA in receptions with 65, while reeling in a pair of touchdowns.
A constant in the Richmond offensive line, Ruby earned his first All-CAA Third-Team accolade this year. Having started 45-straight games, Ruby helped the UR o-line surrender just 12 sacks this season.
Richmond’s final All-CAA honoree is Williamson, who led the team with 7.0 sacks this season. Williamson totaled 54 tackles on the year with 9.0 tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries, five pass breakups and forced one fumble.
The No. 16/18 Richmond Spiders will host the Morgan State Bears on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Robins Stadium in the first round of the FCS Playoffs. To purchase tickets for the game, please click HERE.