I was able to speak with Richmond’s beat writer John O’Connor from the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Here is the transcript of our conversation:
Photo courtesy of NBC12.com
Me: Obviously the big story this week is Liberty going up against former head coach Danny Rocco. Some of the players have labeled this game as the “red letter game” for the season. I’m sure it’s a little personal for Rocco and some of his staff even if they don’t come out and say it, but do you get the sense that the Richmond players are taking this personal or are they treating it as just another game?
O’Connor: Given the result they had Saturday night, I don’t believe in this situation that the opponent is going to be as important as just getting back on the field for Richmond’s kids because they feel as though they didn’t really show up motivationally in that Gardner-Webb game they lost 12-10. I think maybe under different circumstances the Liberty factor could play in a little bit stronger, but in this circumstance I think Richmond is just looking to get back on the field and play somebody, anybody.
Me: Looking at the Gardner-Webb game, statistically, even Richmond’s first 3 games, the run game has been pretty much nonexistent the last game or two. I believe they had only 10 net rushing yards against Gardner-Webb. It seemed like they did pretty well against VMI over 200 yards. What are your thoughts on their running game?
O’Connor: Coming into this season, they had an experienced offensive line and very big, by FCS standards, and they ran the ball pretty well last year. But nobody who ran the ball consistently last year is back. They’re breaking in a couple of new runners, and they’ve had a couple of injuries up front that has affected their chemistry obviously. That was the big question coming into the season, if Richmond could run the ball? And they really haven’t answered that question affirmatively so far apart from that game against VMI.
Michael Strauss is 80/124 passing for 870 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 1 interception
Me: Quarterback Michael Strauss has been putting up pretty impressive numbers, throwing the ball a lot, how do you think he’s looking in his 2nd year in the system?
O’Connor: Yeah I think he’s had a good first 3 games. He played very well down at NC State, where Richmond lost 23-21, and was beaten by a 48 yard field goal with 33 seconds left. He threw the ball great there, and he’s thrown the ball great, for the most part, in the 3 games. He had some trouble down at Gardner-Webb. I think part of it is Richmond is just having such a difficult time running the ball, that maybe Michael Strauss is under a little bit more heat than he ordinarily would be. But he’s throwing the ball great, you can see why he was an FBS signee, he was at Virginia, because he can really be accurate and he has a very strong arm. He’s been good, he hasn’t been the problem.
Me: Stephen Barnett, stepping in for Edwards last game, seemed like he really broke out with 12 receptions, over 100 yards…
O’Connor: At NC State he caught 5 balls for 94 yards and a touchdown, so he’s had some good games. I think he’s had 3 or 4 100 yard games. He’s a long guy, really good athlete, with good hands. His twin brother plays safety, they’re Roanoke kids, so I’m sure people, perhaps some high school fans down in your area, would know of him or heard of those two guys – Reggie and Stephen Barnett. He’s a good player, only a junior, and he’s the kind of guy who maybe could get an NFL look following next year if he continues to progress.
WR Ben Edwards missed the Gardner-Webb game due to injury
Me: Ben Edwards was obviously out last game with the concussion and stitches from the NC State game, I know it’s early in the week, but what are your thoughts about him being able to play this weekend?
O’Connor: My guess is he will play. I haven’t heard anybody from Richmond say that, but I do get the feel that he is going to be active on Saturday.
Me: Statistically speaking the defense has been pretty dominant for Richmond, I think they rank in the top 10 for scoring defense and near there for total defense as well. I know Rocco used the 3-4 at Liberty, how is his defense at UR?
O’Connor: They usually go with 4 down lineman, that’s what he’s been doing since he’s been at Richmond. He inherited the defensive coordinator, Bob Trott, who’s been there for a few years now, he’s a veteran guy, a former NFL coach, and he’s been at several programs including Virginia. Really the defensive evolution really started about the middle of last season when Richmond was giving up a lot of points and still winning. I think Coach Rocco made it clear to those guys, “Hey, we really got to turn it up on defense,” and they did. The last 3 games of last season they only gave up a combined total of 31 points, and they’ve been really good this season. It’s a veteran group keyed by the defensive line.
Me: I was going to ask you, defensive line is key, how is the secondary play?
O’Connor: Secondary is ok, I wouldn’t say great, I’d say they’re good. You know the whole defense has been good, but the defensive line has been the strongest part of that defense.
Me: Switching to the kicker, I watched some of the end of the Gardner-Webb game, and I noticed he missed the field goal on the last play of the game. He missed it pretty bad actually, is that something…
O’Connor: Well, in the kid’s defense, he didn’t play college football until last Spring. Richmond had a kicker named Remington Hinshaw, a Roanoke kid, he kicked for them all last season, and in the middle of the Summer he transferred to Virginia Tech. I believe he’s on the team, but is not kicking regularly for Virginia Tech. Nonetheless, it left Richmond with a vacancy, and they were scrambling to get somebody ready for the season. The fella who’s kicking for them now, Brandon Jordi, has a fairly accurate leg inside of 35 yards or so, but he’s by no means a distance specialist. He’s doing the best he can I guess is the way to say it.
