So lets talk Richmond....

[jegbomb52]

Re: So lets talk Richmond....

We couldn't ask for a better semi-final match up. Midwest style, run dominated, smash mouth offense, similar to, better but similar to Maine, at home in the dome!

[Trapped in California]

Re: So lets talk Richmond....

I see these two teams as mirror images of one another statistically and style wise. I believe that UNI has a size advantage, slightly less than the one against UNH.

The only injury I have heard about with regards to Richmond is the starting Crone FB is questionable. He was injured in the William & Mary game -

UR fullback John Crone spent the second half of last Saturday's win at William and Mary on crutches after suffering an ankle injury. Crone, one of the keys to Richmond's rushing game, is expected to play.

"He's been injured several times. He's probably got cadaver parts all over his body," London said. "He's a tough kid. He loves the game. He'll bounce back."

Depending on how many extra parts he has, does he count as two players? Creepy.

[JayJ79]

Re: So lets talk Richmond....

Their running back Josh Vaughan needs one more rushing TD to tie the school record set by Tim Hightower in 2008 (Arizona Cardinals running back). Vaughan had 3 TD's and 133 yards against Appy State. He has rushed for triple digits 9 times this season.

I didn't even know that Hightower PLAYED for Richmond in 2008.... (this year).

hehehe

[UNI Fight]

Re: So lets talk Richmond....

I didn't even know that Hightower PLAYED for Richmond in 2008.... (this year).

hehehe

Sorry, the article I got that from says Hightower was a Richmond class of 2008 grad. He did not play football in 2008 but graduated from Richmond in 2008 apparently.

[JayJ79]

Re: So lets talk Richmond....

Interesting stat:

Richmond and UNI are the two top teams in the FCS in overall turnover margin.

Richmond is at +23 for the season (41 gained: 13 fumbles, 28 ints. 18 lost: 11 fumbles, 7 ints)
UNI is at +21 for the season (39 gained: 15 fumbles, 24 ints. 18 lost: 10 fumbles, 8 ints)

Well, technically Grambling is also tied with UNI at +21, and have played 2 fewer games. but who cares. ;op

[06panther10]

Re: So lets talk Richmond....

but who cares

That was good enough to convince me.

[Khan4Cats]

Re: So lets talk Richmond....

Some observations:

Personally have very fond memories of Richmond. Particularly Richmond Coliseum and watching Mo Newby drain a three just before the buzzer.

As for the Spider football team. It looks to be a near mirror image of us in terms of game style. They want to come in play smash-mouth football, splendid. We fare better against that than a team that wants to chuck it all over the place. (And none of the remaining teams is a pass-first offense).

I don't buy that they have played tougher competition, only that they have lost to, possibly, tougher competition. Their only close games have been losses to JMU and Villanova (7 and 6 point losses) and and overtime win over NON-PLAYOFF William & Mary. My guess is that that is kind of a Rivalry game for them, much like ours against YSU, and it was the last game of the year and seen as a play-in game for both teams. They got 6 interceptions against W&M and were held scoreless in the second-half, kicking a FG in OT to win after blocking a W&M FG.

Key will be ball protection. We don't give them short fields, I don't think they have the offense to move on us. I think our offense can be efficient enough to move on them, we just need to protect the ball. In the end, home-field, lack of having to travel, and the Dome effect will pull us through. I don't think they will respond well to a close game.

[run&blade]

Re: So lets talk Richmond....

Don't turn the ball over.

Please figure out a way to kickoff without them starting on the 40 to 45 yard line.

If we do these things I like UNI's chances.

[UNIAlum95]

Re: So lets talk Richmond....

We don't give them short fields

$1M question. Will we actually kick off to them or will we sit through a bunch of pooch kicks. I guess I could live with the short kicks as long as I don't see another squib...

[dasJamin]

Re: So lets talk Richmond....

I betcha Tim Hightower and Warner/Keith have some kind of bet going on for this game.

[bobsboy84]

Re: So lets talk Richmond....

$1M question. Will we actually kick off to them or will we sit through a bunch of pooch kicks. I guess I could live with the short kicks as long as I don't see another squib...

Is my memory correct? Our first 4 kickoffs resulted in: two (2) that provided NH starting postion beyond the 40; one at the 5; and one with a NH fumble and UNI recovery. If accurate, I am ok with pooch kicks.

[clenz]

Re: So lets talk Richmond....

Other than that one squib kick that the up man played short stop on, I thought our kicks were pretty good. It kept them off balance and they weren't sure what to do a lot of times.

[bobsboy84]

Re: So lets talk Richmond....

Other than that one squib kick that the up man played short stop on, I thought our kicks were pretty good. It kept them off balance and they weren't sure what to do a lot of times.

On our first deep kick, the two deep men were confused as to who would (should) catch the ball. Provided for a touch back.

[clenz]

Re: So lets talk Richmond....

On our first deep kick, the two deep men were confused as to who would (should) catch the ball. Provided for a touch back.

exactly. The other team has no idea what to prepare for in the huddle for the upcoming kick. This can cause a lot of things to happen...like starting at the 3

[SteinPizza]

Re: So lets talk Richmond....

While not disputing that Richmond must be a talented team, one must take into account that Appy St. QB, Armanti Edwards threw a career-worst five interceptions in the second half, leading to four Richmond scores.
In my opinion, Appy St. beat themselves and Richmond happened to be talented enough to capitalize on the Appy errors...

I read an article about this game. I believe Edwards threw at least one pic in the end zone...similar to Grace last week. The game was also played in 30 degree weather with scattered snow. Not exactly ideal conditions for Appy, but perfect for a power team like Richmond.

Hard to say if Appy St. beat themselves, buy their coach alluded to a couple of their turnovers (8 total I believe) being due to bad bounces. Those things happen, but their luck could just as easily go the other way.