University of Richmond Athletics
Spider Football Garners Preseason National Rankings
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. – With the start of the season still two months away, the University of Richmond Spiders have already begun to garner preseason attention in the national preseason rankings.
The Spiders are ranked 12th in the nation by Sporting News, 18th by Athlon Sports and 23rd in Lindy’s Preseason Poll. The Sports Network preseason Top 25 will not be released until August.
Richmond returns 16 starters from last year’s team that rose as high as No. 11 in the country in 2013, posting back-to-back wins over nationally-ranked Delaware and William & Mary to end the season.
Among the returnees for the Spiders are seven players who earned All-CAA honors a season ago, including OL Austin Gund, WR Stephen Barnette, FB Seth Fisher and QB Michael Strauss. Nine starters in total return on the offensive side of the ball for a unit that ranked second in the league and 24th in the country in total offense.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Spiders bring back six starters, including 2013 All-CAA honorees DL Evan Kelly, LB Aaron Roane and LB Eric Wright.
The Richmond Spiders will open the 2014 season at Robins Stadium on August 30 when the team plays host to Morehead State. To purchase tickets for the 2014 season, please click here.