Richmond Spiders
CAA
Despite some tough losses along the way, this is a very interesting and talented Richmond team. They started off the 2016 campaign with a 37-20 win over Virginia and beat some very good FCS teams too. The Spiders have proven that they can play any style of game and win in a shootout or in a tough, low scoring contest.
2016 Record: 8-3, 5-3
Coach: Danny Rocco
Big Wins: 9/3 at Virginia (37-20), 10/15 Villanova (23-0)
Bad Losses: 9/17 at Stony Brook (14-42), 11/5 James Madison (43-47)
Strengths:
The Richmond offense works around quarterback Kyle Lauletta and wide receiver Brian Brown. Lauletta has not quite lived up to his breakout sophomore season when he threw for 3,598 yards, but he is still a very good passer. And Brown is a very good receiver. When those two are having a good day, Richmond’s offense is nearly impossible to beat. However, they have struggled more at times this year because of the lack of a consistent ground game. Redshirt freshman running back Deontez Thompson was forced into a starting role following a season ending injury to Xavier Goodall. Thompson has had some good games, but he must be more consistent in the playoffs in order for Lauletta and Brown to be at their best.
Weaknesses:
When the Spiders struggle, they tend to give up quite a few points. In the 42-14 loss against Stony Brook in September that was because of the lack of a ground game. Richmond was forced to throw the ball and it led to three interceptions. In the 47-43 loss to James Madison in November, the offense played quite well. But the defense allowed James Madison to total 534 yards of total offense. The Spiders defense is usually superb against the pass, but an injury to All-American safety David Jones in mid-October does raise plenty of questions. Micah Keels and Tafon Mainsah deserve a lot of credit for continuing the solid pass defense even without Jones, but the team lacks that great playmaker in the secondary now. The front line will get some pressure on the quarterback, mostly due to Brandon Waller and Winston Craig, but a dynamic and balanced offense like James Madison can put a lot of points up against this Richmond defense.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Deontez Thompson, RB, 761 yards
Passing: Kyle Lauletta, QB, 3,022 yards
Receiving: Brian Brown, WR, 1,179 yards
Tackles: Omar Howard, LB, 77
Sacks: Winston Craig, DL, 7.0
Interceptions: Tafon Mainsah, DB, 3
2016 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 147.0 (68th in nation, 9th in conference)
Passing Offense: 292.2 (14, 1)
Total Offense: 439.2 (21, 2)
Scoring Offense: 32.2 (26, 2)
Rushing Defense: 149.0 (50, 5)
Pass Defense: 153.2 (3, 1)
Total Defense: 302.2 (12, 3)
Scoring Defense: 22.2 (29, 5)
Turnover Margin: 1.10 (10, 3)
Sacks: 1.90 (63, 5)
Sacks Allowed: 2.00 (64, 9)
Recent Playoff Appearances:
2015 Second Round Defeated William & Mary
2015 Quarterfinals Defeated Illinois State
2015 Semifinals Lost to North Dakota State
2014 First Round Defeated Morgan State
2014 Second Round Lost to Coastal Carolina
2009 First Round Defeated Elon
2009 Quarterfinals Lost to Appalachian State
2008 First Round Defeated Eastern Kentucky
2008 Quarterfinals Defeated Appalachian State
2008 Semifinals Defeated Northern Iowa
2008 Championship Defeated Montana
2007 First Round Defeated Eastern Kentucky
2007 Quarterfinals Defeated Wofford
2007 Semifinals Lost to Appalachian State
2005 First Round Defeated Hampton
2005 Quarterfinals Lost to Furman
2000 First Round Defeated Youngstown State
2000 Quarterfinals Lost to Montana
1998 First Round Lost to Lehigh
1987 First Round Lost to Appalachian State
1984 First Round Defeated Boston University
1984 Quarterfinals Lost to Rhode Island
1984 Quarterfinals Lost to Rhode Island
*all team stats through 11/12
