What an emotional week. Coming off a huge win against UVA, the Spiders made national news for their effort in Charlottesville. National news found its way back to Richmond later in the week and not in a good way. Facing a team with former UR staffers on the sidelines and a roster chock-full of Richmond natives, UR had to find a way to gut out a win. Here's what we learned, questions we have and another prediction.
3 Things We Learned
1 - You Still Shall Not Pass
UR has a two man wrecking crew up front in Winston Craig and Brandon Waller. After sitting out all but 3 games of 2015 with injuries and the majority of the UVa game due to a targeting ejection, Waller played like a man on fire. Craig commanded double and triple teams allowing Waller to go to work on the edge. Waller went to work, collecting 2.5 tackles for a loss, two QB hurries and corralled the spartan QB into the waiting arms of Craig. On the day, the two combined for 14 tackles, 4.5 of those being for a loss. Waller earned CAA Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts.
2 - Good Teams Find Ways to Win
UR's offense was very efficient against UVa, earning 62% of available yards on drives that mattered (not counting drives at the end of halves/games in which UR is not attempting to score). Against Norfolk St., UR only captured 39% of available yards and only 19% in the first half. Coming out of the locker room, UR earned 70% of available yards.
On a day where UR's offense thought the game started around 5:00pm, they found a way to win against a highly motivated opponent. That's the hallmark of good teams.
3- We Need Some Fast Learners
Gordon Collins' injury immediately hurts our ground game for obvious reasons, but will also affect our passing game. Collins' replacements are all very proficient with the ball in their hands. Pass protection is often the reason talented running backs don't see the field. UR's running backs will need to quickly become capable blockers. The offensive line is capable of providing ample time for receivers to get open for QB Kyle Lauletta but the backs must pick up the extra men.
Stony Brook frequently sends their DB's after the quarterback. Lauletta will need to identify this, adjust protection and get the ball out quickly but the backs will have to pick those guys up. I expect this will be a point of emphasis in practice this week.
2 Questions
1 - What is this team's identity?
This team came out red hot against UVa and came out slow and uninspired against Norfolk State. They found a way to nearly cover the spread despite sloppy play and a stagnant offense in the first half.
The defense is currently ranked #7 in total defense and #9 in 3rd down defense. They have shown to be a championship caliber defense thus far. The offense has matched in 75% of the halves played and special teams play has been good. Does this team need the inspiration of playing an FBS rival to play a complete game or do they have it within themselves to bring it every week?
Will this team find their identity against Stony Brook?
2 - Who carries the load at RB?
New week, same question. Collins appeared to the be guy at RB after his performance against UVa but a season-ending injury against Norfolk State has us asking who will step up and be the hot hand for UR. Against UVa, David Broadus had only three rushes from the Wildcat. He led the team with eight carries, all of which came after Collins left the field. Expect his workload to stay high, but UR needs to find a traditional RB to step up as well.
Who will carry Richmond into the playoffs?
1 Prediction
UR will be ranked #1 in the country in next week's polls.
