August 2008 is Richmond Spiders Month at AGS - Read the fact a day!

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8/1

University Information
Location.University of Richmond, Va. 23173
Founded...1830
Enrollment...2,950
Nickname..Spiders
School Colors...Red and Blue
Affiliation....NCAA FCS
Conference...CAA Football
President.Dr. Edward L. Ayers (Tennessee ‘74)
Athletics Director.Jim Miller (Old Dominion ‘74)

Stadium Information
Stadium (Capacity)...UR Stadium (21,319)
Surface ....Natural Grass

Head Coach
Head Coach.Mike London (Richmond ‘83)
Richmond Record (Years)...0-0 (1st)
Overall Record (Years)...0-0 (1st)

Assistant Coaches & Staff
Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach ..Mike Faragalli
Defensive Coordinator/DB Coach ...Russ Huesman
RB Coach/Special Teams Coord. .Charles Bankins
LB Coach ...Vincent Brown
TE/H-Backs Coach ..Scott Burton
WR Coach .Mark Carney
Asst. H.C./DL Coach/Recruiting Coord. .Jeff Hanson
CB Coach ..Dave Legg
OL Coach ....Bill Polin
DT Coach ...Byron Thweatt
Director of Football Operations .John Richardson
Equipment Manager ...Ken Hart
Strength & Conditioning ...Brandon Hourigan
Director of Sports Medicine/Football .Chris Jones

Team Information
2007 Record...11-3
CAA Football Record.7-1 CAA
CAA Football Finish.1st South / Co-Champions
Offense....Multiple
Defense...Multiple
Lettermen Returning / Lost..37 / 12
Offensive Starters Returning...8 / 3
Defensive Starters Returning / Lost...8 / 3

Offensive Starters Returning
QB (1).Eric Ward (6-3, 209, Jr.)
FB (1)..John Crone (5-11, 249, Sr.)
OL (3)...Matt McCracken (6-4, 291, Jr.);
.Jared Decker (6-5, 294, Jr.);
...Michael Silva (6-5, 299, Jr.);
...Missed ‘07 with injury: Tim Silver (6-6, 310, Sr.)
WR (2)...Kevin Grayson (6-3, 200, So.);
...Jordan Mitchell (6-0, 186, Jr.)
TE (1)..Joe Monteverde (6-6, 255, Sr.)

Defensive Starters Returning
DL (3).Lawrence Sidbury, Jr. (6-4, 265, Sr.);
...Martin Parker (6-3, 283, So.);
...Pierre Turner (6-1, 254, Jr.);
...Missed ‘07 with injury: Sherman Logan (6-3, 241, Sr.)
LB (3)..Eric McBride (6-2, 214, So.);
..Collin McConaghy (6-0, 223, Jr.);
..Tyler Sullivan (6-0, 225, So.)
DB (2)...David Horton (5-11, 195, Jr.);
...Seth Williams (5-10, 182, Sr.)

Specialists Returning
PK (1).Andrew Howard (6-0, 174, Jr.)
P (1)...Brian Radford (6-2, 213, Jr.)
KR (1).Justin Rogers (5-10, 165, So.)
PR (1)..Derek Hatcher (5-9, 189, Jr.)
LS (1)...Joe Monteverde (6-6, 255, Sr.)

Radio Broadcast Services
Flagship Station...ESPN Radio 950 AM
Play-by-Play Announcer.Bob Black
Website...www.RichmondSpiders.com

History
Seasons of Football..126th in 2008
First Season...1881
All-Time Record (Pct.)...466-597-53 (.441)
All-Time Postseason Record (Pct.)...6-7 (.462)
All-Time Bowl Record (Pct.).1-1 (.500)
All-Time Conference Championships.9
Southern Conference...4
Yankee Conference.1
Atlantic 10 Conference...3
CAA Football....1
NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances.6
All-Time Playoff Record (Pct.).5-6 (.455)
Last Appearance...2007 (Semifinals)

2008 Schedule
Aug. 30...at Elon..7 p.m.
Sept. 6..at Virginia...ESPNU.3:45 p.m.
Sept. 13.Towson *...3 p.m.
Sept. 20.Maine * (FW)..3 p.m.
Sep. 27.at Villanova *...CN8.3:30 p.m.
Oct. 4...at VMI..1:30 p.m.
Oct. 11...James Madison *...CSN...12 p.m.
Oct. 18.at Massachusetts *.CN8.3:30 p.m.
Oct. 25...Georgetown (HC).3 p.m.
Nov. 8..at Hofstra *...1 p.m.
Nov. 15..Delaware *...CN8...3:30 p.m.
Nov. 22...at William & Mary *...CSN.12 p.m.
All times Eastern
Times subject to change

2007 Results
Sept. 1..at Vanderbilt.L, 41-17...32,215
Sept. 8...at Northeastern * ...W, 49-14...4,167
Sept. 22.at Bucknell .W, 45-14...2,474
Sept. 29.New Hampshire * (FW)...W, 45-38...8.995
Oct. 6...at Towson *...L, 23-21..5,756
Oct. 13...Stony Brook..W, 42-0...5,150
Oct. 20...Rhode Island *.W, 38-6...5,550
Oct. 27...at James Madison *.W, 17-16.14,009
Nov. 3.Villanova * (HC)..W, 35-27...7,126
Nov. 10..at Delaware *...(5otot) W, 62-56.21,187
Nov. 17..William & Mary *...W, 31-20...7,652
NCAA FCS PLAYOFFS
Nov. 24..Eastern Kentucky ..W, 31-14...3,253
Dec. 1.at Wofford...W, 21-10...8,500
Dec. 7..at Appalachian State...L, 55-35...24,140
* - CAA Opponent
(FW) - Family Weekend

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8/2

The Richmond Spiders have four Conference Championships since 1998. That is more than all other CAA football teams.

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8/3

The Spiders are also leaders off the field. The Spider football team has volunteered at each of the last 13 Virginia Special Olympic Summer games.

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8/4

1939 was an amazing year for the Spiders. Three defensive records from that year still stand.

DefensiveTeamRecords
Fewest Points Allowed
Season 20 1939
Fewest Touchdowns Allowed
Season 3 1939
Most Shutouts of Opponents
Season 7 1939

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8/5

The University of Richmond football team has been conference champions 9 times. '68, '69, '71, '75, '87, '98, '00, '05, '07.

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8/6

UR made appearances in the NCAA playoffs in '84, '87, '98, '00, '05, and most recently in 2007.

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8/7

Richmond had more wins against Top-25 ranked teams (six) than any other FCS team in the nation last season.

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8/8

The Spiders went 6-0 at home last season and carry the nation’s fifth-longest home winning streak into the 2008 season. Last season marked the Spiders’ first spotless UR Stadium slate since 1995 (5-0).

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8/9

The Spiders appeared on television seven times during the 2007 season, including a national game in prime time on ESPN2 & ESPN2HD during the NCAA playoffs.

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8/10

Richmond is scheduled for at least six regular-season games on TV in 2008, beginning with a national game on ESPNU versus Virginia.

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8/11

The Spiders are one of just 25 Division I (FCS &FBS) teams in 2007 to earn the NCAA’s public recognition award for the graduation rates of their football student-athletes.

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8/12

Three seniors from the 2007 team have an opportunity to play on Sundays:

Arman Shields was drafted in the fourth round by Oakland.
Tim Hightower drafted in the 5th round by Arizona.
Stephen Howell signed as a free agent by Detroit.

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8/13

Shawn Barber ’98 was a fourth round draft choice by Kansas City in 1998. Barber has played 10 seasons in the NFL. The Richmond Native was an All-American linebacker for the Spiders.
Brian Jordan ’88 is a two sport pro with both the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta Braves. Jordan was named one of SI.com’s greatest college athletes of all time.

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8/14

Four of the last six conference Rookie of the Year honors have been on by the Spiders. McBride was the 2007 CAA Defensive Rookie of the year, along with classmate Kevin Grayson as the Offensive Rookie of the Year. Sherman Logan was the A-10 Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2005 and Eric Ward was the A-10 Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2006.

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8/15

Of the 16 starters returning in 2008, 14 were freshmen or sophomores last season, including All-American left guard Matt McCracken (sophomore) and All-American kick returner Justin Rogers (freshman). The Spiders lost just five starters to graduation -- Tim Hightower (RB), Derek Stoudt (OL), Bryan DeMoss (DL), Andrew Harris (FS) and Stephen Howell (SS).

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8/16

The Spiders broke 13 team records during their 2007 CAA Championship season, which included most points (489), most rushing yards (3,284), and most yards of total offense (5,675).

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8/17

(cont. from 8/16)

In addition, five players combined to break or tie a total of 17 individual records -- led by All-American and former Spider Tim Hightower’s six records.

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8/18

Richmond will be entering the 2008 season ranked in the polls. Anygivensaturday Preseason Poll: 3rd
Lindy's Preseason Poll: 6th

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8/20

TSN Preseason Poll has Richmond ranked 6th.

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8/21

2008 Senior Captains
Sherman Logan
Will Healy
John Crone
Lawrence Sidbury Jr.

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8/22

2007 Longest Plays

Run:
90 yards (TD) Tim Hightower vs. Northeastern
Touchdown Run:
90 yards Tim Hightower vs. Northeastern
Pass:
35 yards Eric Ward to Kevin Grayson vs. William & Mary
Touchdown Pass:
31 yards Will Healy to Joe Stewart vs. Stony Brook (TD)
Punt Return:
66 yards Derek Hatcher vs. Stony Brook (TD)
Kickoff Return:
93 yards Justin Rogers vs. Vanderbilt
Interception Return:
44 yards Patrick Weldon vs. Rhode Island
Seth Williams vs. Delaware
Fumble Return:
19 yards Andrew Harris vs. Wm. & Mary
Punt:
(t) 52 yards Brian Radford vs. Vanderbilt
Brian Radford vs. Delaware
Made Field Goal:
41 yards Andrew Howard vs. Delaware

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8/23

Most Touchdown Receptions

GAME
Name Date No. Opponent
1. Jerry Haynes 10/24/70 3 East Carolina
Walker Gillette 11/1/69 3 The Citadel
Walker Gillette 11/23/68 3 William & Mary
Walker Gillette 10/19/68 3 Furman

SEASON
Name Year No.
1. Walker Gillette 1969 11
2. Rod Boothes 1992 10
3. Dwaune Jones 1999 9
4. Walker Gillette 1968 8
Leland Melvin 1985 8
6. Kevin Grayson 2007 7
Boyd Ouden 2002 7
Muneer Moore 1999 7
Jerry Haynes 1970 7
10. Rod Boothes 1993 6
Mike Mahoney 1973 6
Jim Livesay 1969 6
Jim Livesay 1968 6
John Hilton 1964 6

CAREER
Name Years No.
1. Walker Gillette 1967-69 22
2. Rod Boothes 1990-93 18
3. Jim Livesay 1968-70 17
4. Boyd Ouden 2000-03 16
Leland Melvin 1982-85 16
6. Dwaune Jones 1996-99 15
7. John Hilton 1961-62, 64 14
8. Arman Shields 2003-07 13
Mike Mahoney 1972-74 13
10. Muneer Moore 1996-99 12

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8/24

Yards Rushing Leaders

GAME
Name Date Att Yds TD Opponent
1. Tim Hightower 9/22/07 24 295 4 at Bucknell
2. Barry Redden 11/26/81 51 280 2 Pennsylvania
3. Tim Hightower 9/8/07 19 246 4 at Northeastern
Cordell Roane 11/3/01 37 246 2 Hofstra
5. Larry Zunich 10/22/66 36 239 2 Davidson
6. Barry Redden 10/25/80 48 233 1 Virginia Tech
7. Barry Redden 9/12/81 32 223 1 at Virginia Tech
8. Jarvis Jennings 11/12/83 37 221 1 at Colgate
9. Minoso Rodgers 11/2/96 37 216 0 at N. Hampshire
10. Erwin Matthews 10/29/87 22 206 2 at Boston Univ.

SEASON
Name Year Att Yds TD
1. Tim Hightower 2007 327 1,924 20
2. Barry Redden 1981 335 1,629 10
3. Uly Scott 1992 299 1,318 13
4. Erwin Matthews 1987 253 1,234 11
5. Jarvis Jennings 1983 221 1,163 5
6. Barry Redden 1980 247 1,151 10
7. Greg Grooms 1984 202 1,085 13
8. Uly Scott 1993 234 1,025 4
9. Minoso Rodgers 1996 239 979 5
10. David Freeman 2004 188 945 5

CAREER
Name Years Att Yds TD
1. Tim Hightower 2004-07 704 3,712 34
2. Uly Scott 1991-94 807 3,520 29
3. Barry Redden 1978-81 707 3,324 21
4. TyRonne Turner 1997-00 565 2,603 21
5. Eric Hopkins 1987-90 528 2,318 8
6. Jasper Pendergrass 1995-98 572 2,304 18
7. Minoso Rodgers 1993-96 527 2,209 17
8. Erwin Matthews 1985-89

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8/25

15 Most Recent 100-Yard Rushing Performances

Name Date Att-Yds Opponent
Tim Hightower 11/24/07 31-180 Eastern Kentucky
Josh Vaughan 11/17/07 28-132 William & Mary
Tim Hightower 11/10/07 29-113 at Delaware
Tim Hightower 11/3/07 36-187 Villanova
Tim Hightower 10/27/07 28-103 at James Madison
Tim Hightower 10/13/07 19-101 Stony Brook
Tim Hightower 10/6/07 26-120 at Towson
Tim Hightower 9/29/07 22-168 New Hampshire
Tim Hightower 9/22/07 24-295 at Bucknell
Josh Vaughan 9/8/07 15-110 at Northeastern
Tim Hightower 9/8/07 19-246 at Northeastern
Josh Vaughn 11/18/06 15-108 at William & Mary
Josh Vaughn 10/21/06 8-110 Delaware
Tim Hightower 9/30/06 37-149 Northeastern
Tim Hightower 9/16/06 9-106 VMI

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2008 PRESEASON ALL-CAA FOOTBALL SELECTIONS

Offense
WR Kevin Grayson Richmond
OL Matt McCracken Richmond
Defense
DL Lawrence Sidbury, Jr. Richmond
LB Eric McBride Richmond
LB Collin McConaghy Richmond
Specialists
KR Justin Rogers Richmond

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8/27

10 most recent 100-Yard Receiving Performances
(By Date)

Name Date Rec-Yds Opponent
Kevin Grayson 12/7/07 7-122 at Appalachian State
Kevin Grayson 11/10/07 11-111 at Delaware
Kevin Grayson 9/29/07 10-111 New Hampshire
Kevin Grayson 9/22/07 6-118 at Bucknell
Arman Shields 9/1/07 12-107 at Vanderbilt
Arman Shields 11/4/06 8-124 at Villanova
Matt Hale 10/7/06 6-102 at New Hampshire
Arman Shields 11/5/05 6-131 vs. VMI
Arman Shields 10/22/05 14-147 vs. Hofstra
Matt Hale 10/22/05 9-112 vs. Hofstra

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8/28

All-Americans

2007
Tim Hightower, RB
Walter Camp
Sports Network, First Team
College Sporting News
Associated Press, Second Team
Dudley Award runner-up
Walter Payton Award finalist
Texas vs. Nation All-Star Game
Justin Rogers, KR
Sports Network, Third Team
College Sporting News
Matt McCracken, OL
Sports Network, Third Team

2005
Adam Goloboski, LB
Sports Xchange, Second Team

2001
Jonathan Wilfong, DL
Associated Press, Second Team
Sports Network, Second Team
I-AA Academic All-Star Team

2000
Eric Beatty, OL
NFCAA Coaches All-America
Associated Press, Second Team
Sports Network, Second Team
Josh Spraker, DL
Associated Press, Second Team

1998
Marc Megna, DL
Walter Camp, First Team
Sports Network, First Team
Don Hansen, First Team
Associated Press, Second Team
Strength Team
Buck Buchanan Finalist
Eric King, OL
Burger King, First Team
Winston October, DB
Sports Network, Second Team

1997
Shawn Barber, LB
Sports Network, First Team
Burger King, First Team
Marc Megna, DL
Sports Network, Third Team

1996
Lamont Neal, DB
Don Hansen, Third Team
Shawn Barber, LB
Don Hansen, Hon. Mention
Art Blanchard, DL
Don Hansen, Hon. Mention

1994
Maurice Glenn, DB
Don Hansen, Pre Second Team
Uly Scott, RB
Don Hansen, Pre Third Team

1992
Rod Boothes, WR/KR
Associated Press, Third Team
Eric Johnson, LB
Associated Press, First Team
The Sports Network, First Team
Walter Camp, First Team
Greg Lilly, QB
Sports Network, Hon. Mention

1991
Eric Johnson, LB
The Sports Network, First Team

1988
Tom Coles, DL
Associated Press, Second Team
Howard Fahnestock, OL
Associated Press, Hon. Mention
Brian Jordan, DB
Associated Press, Hon. Mention

1987
Pat Brown, LB
Associated Press, Hon Mention
Howard Fahnestock, OL
Associated Press, Hon. Mention
Brian Jordan, DB
Associated Press, Hon. Mention
Erwin Matthews, RB
Associated Press, Hon. Mention

1986
John Henry, TE
Associated Press, Second Team
Sporting News, Preseason
Bob Bleier, QB
Sporting News, Pre First Team
Bryan Tuft, DL
Sporting News, Pre First Team
Don Miller, LB
Sporting News, Pre First Team
Rafe Wilkinson, LB
Sporting News, Pre First Team

1985
Doug Hite, QB
Apple Academic, First Team
Randy Kienzle, LB
Apple Academic, First Team
Taylor Lackey, DB
Sporting News, Hon. Mention
Leland Melvin, WR
Associated Press, Hon. Mention
Apple Academic, Second Team
Strength Team, First Team
Don Miller, LB
Strength Team, First Team

1984
Greg Grooms, RB
Associated Press, Second Team
Taylor Lackey, DB
Sporting News, Pre First Team
Eddie Martin, OT
Football News, First Team
Kodak, First Team
Associated Press, Second Team
Leland Melvin, WR
Associated Press, Hon. Mention
Brendan Toibin, K
Associated Press, Hon. Mention

1981
Barry Redden, RB
Football News, Third Team
Associated Press, Hon. Mention
Strength Team, First Team

1980
Jesse Moore, OG
Associated Press, Hon. Mention
Ken Tweedy, WR
Associated Press, Hon. Mention

1978
Jeff Nixon, DB
Associated Press, First Team
Kodak, First Team
Walter Camp, First Team
AFCA, First Team
FB Writers Assoc., First Team
Gameplan Magazine, First Team
UPress Inter., Second Team

1969
Walker Gillette, WR
Football Writers Association
Associated Press, First Team
Time Magazine, First Team
Sporting News, First Team
News Enter. Assoc., First Team

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8/28

Gameday notes from Elon.

http://org.elon.edu/athletics/gamenotes/fb/gamenotes.pdf

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8/30

Gameday notes from Richmond

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/rich/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/08fbnoteswk1.pdf

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8/31

He played here. He graduated from here. He was an assistant coach here. Now Mike London is back, after being introduced as Richmond’s 33rd head football coach on January 19, 2008.

A 1983 Richmond graduate, London, 47, had spent six of the past seven seasons molding one of the nation’s top defenses at the University of Virginia.

This is London’s first head coaching position and marks the first time at Richmond since the Ed Merrick era (1951-65) that an alumnus has led the football program.
“The University of Richmond is a special place,” said London. “I chose Richmond as a player, started my collegiate coaching career here and am honored to be introduced today as its head coach…”

A native of Hampton, Va., London played defensive back at Richmond from 1979-82. Under head coach Dal Shealy, he led the Spiders with six interceptions as a senior captain in 1982. In addition to earning All-State honors, he was chosen the team’s MVP and received the Coaches Award. In 1982, the Virginia Peninsula Sports Club selected him as the male in-state Athlete of the Year.

London broke into the coaching ranks in 1988, spending two seasons with Richmond as the outside linebackers coach and admissions liaison. He then spent four years (1990-93) as the defensive line coach at William & Mary and was instrumental in the development of 1993 consensus All-America defensive tackle Craig Staub.

He returned to Richmond for three more years (1994-96) as the outside linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator on Jim Reid’s staff. London coached All-America linebacker Shawn Barber, who was a fourth-round draft pick by the Washington Redskins in 1998 and completed his ninth NFL season in 2007.

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On behalf of the members of anygivensaturday.com, we wish to thank the fans of the University of Richmond, for their generous donations. Thanks for sponsoring the Fact a Day for August.