Spiders spin strong offense in turnaround > UM at Richmond Saturday

For the past four seasons, the University of Richmond football Spiders mostly got stepped on by the competition in the Yankee Conference. Their record in that span: 8-36.

But after jumping to a 2-1 start this season, teeny, tiny Richmond suddenly looks big, and hairy, and scary, like something that’s been left alone in the basement too long.

Fourth-year Spider coach Jim Marshall is hoping nobody has noticed his dangerous brood, which has spun wins over James Madison (49-40) and Rhode Island (46-14), falling only to preseason YC favorite Villanova (36-33).

“I can’t say we’ve turned the corner yet,” said Marshall, whose team welcomes 2-1 Maine to UR Stadium Saturday. “We’re only 2-1. We’re just like Maine.”

Richmond’s record may be just like Maine’s, but the Spiders’ offensive statistics to date are in a class by themselves.

Led by junior quarterback Greg Lilly, the No. 1-rated passer in the nation with a 230.4 efficiency rating (10 TDs, 1 INT, 64.7 completion rate), Richmond leads the conference in both total offense (466 yards per game) and scoring offense (42.6 points per game).

What’s more, the Spiders are racking up those numbers with an offense balanced evenly on Lilly’s ability to hit the sticky fingers of a web full of quick receivers, plus the nimble running of sophomore tailback Uly Scott (129 yards per game).

“You can’t load up against the run. You can’t load up against the pass,” is how Maine head coach Kirk Ferentz assessed his defense’s task this week.

Marshall concedes skill players like Lilly, Scott, and deep-threat wide receivers Rod Boothes (11 catches, 324 yds) and Sterling Browne (10-187) deserve credit. But the coach says the key has been the maturation of the offensive line.

“They’ve grown up together. They’re all juniors and one senior. They’ve strengthened up and are starting to play,” Marshall said of the unit that averages 270 pounds per man from tackle to tackle.

While the UR offense has gotten most of the credit, the Spider defense has been deceivingly effective. The “D” is surrendering 425 yards per game, but is tied for the league lead with 18 takeaways.

“We’re getting better every game,” said Marshall, who credits new defensive coordinator Jim Reid with the improvement. Reid, a 1973 Maine graduate, was formerly the head coach at UMass. Reid switched the Spiders from an odd front to an even front.

Defensive personnel keys include All-American inside linebacker Eric Johnson (14 tackles per game), junior cornerback Brian Lyle (3 INT), and junior tackle Matt Joyce (6-7, 277).

The Spiders major weakness to date has been placekicking. Sophomore Todd Barton is 0-for-3 on field goals.

GAME NOTES…. Maine starting quarterback Emilio Colon has been throwing well in practice this week and will start, according to head coach Kirk Ferentz. Asked about the right shoulder sprain he suffered in the Sept. 19 loss to Northeastern, Colon said Thursday, “It feels fine. No problem.”… Senior fullback Gordon Willey should make his first appearance against Richmond after missing the past month with back spasms.