University of Richmond Athletics
Wells Fargo Athlete Of The Week: Brendan Coniker
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. – The play might not stick out in the box score, but for many surrounding the University of Richmond football program, one of the biggest plays in the Spiders’ 37-20 victory over Virginia on Saturday was by brand new starter Brendan Coniker.
With Richmond leading 6-0 midway through the first quarter, the Cavaliers were driving deep into Spiders territory. On a short run play, Coniker came from his safety to make the stop and followed by stripping the UVA ball carrier and shifting momentum right back to the Spiders.
In addition, the Pittsburgh, Pa. native tied a career-high with six tackles in the victory. For his efforts, he was named the Wells Fargo Student-Athlete of the Week.
We caught up with Brendan about
RichmondSpiders.com: Talk about Saturday and what it meant to you. Earning the starting spot and getting a chance to knock off a BCS school
Coniker: Earning a starting spot is a huge honor for anyone and I don’t take it for granted. We always talk as a team about everyone doing their job and together with everyone doing their job, it helps the team and that’s all I’ve been trying to do. Our defense has a lot of experience with guys like David Jones, Winston Craig and Omar Howard, so it allows guys like me who don’t have as much experience to just focus on our jobs and know that we all have each others backs.
RichmondSpiders.com: Let’s talk about the play in the first quarter. What did you see from your stand point?
Coniker: We knew we had to get a stop and at least try to force a field goal to keep momentum with us. They called a run and our guys up front once again did a great job and that gave me a one-on-one shot with their running back. I came up and met him and when I went to tackle my arms were right there by the ball so I just went to try and grab it away and was able to come up with it.
RichmondSpiders.com: Do you know that you’re going to go after the ball or do plays like that just kind of happen?
Coniker: There are different instances, but in that play it just kind of happened. I was trying to get the stopped and I ended up with the opportunity to try and take it away and that’s exactly what I did. But again, that doesn’t happen if our guys up front don’t do their job and give me the chance to come up and make the play.
RichmondSpiders.com: In the starting role now, what’s your goal and process throughout this season?
Coniker: Like I talked about earlier, I just want to focus on doing my job and putting in the extra work, doing whatever my team needs me to do. We all have high expectations and standards for ourselves, and that won’t change. We want to continue to push each other and do everything we can to achieve those goals.
Favorite place to go in Richmond: Short Pump
Favorite Vacation Spot: Hilton Head, easily.
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Sports Teams: Anything Pittsburgh! All Black & Gold! Steelers, Penguins, Pirates. Love them all