Delaware is 2-4 in the Colonial Athletic Association, 4-6 overall. That’s odd. The Blue Hens have advanced to the Division I-AA playoffs 10 times since 1990, won the 2003 national title, and were runners-up last season. “The comment was that we dress like Delaware, we talk like Delaware, but we’re not playing like Delaware,“ said coach K.C. Keeler, whose injury-plagued team visits seventh-ranked Richmond (4-2, 7-3) on Saturday at 3:30.

A dozen University of Richmond seniors will play their final home football game Saturday at 3:30 p.m. against the University of Delaware Blue Hens. Among the 12 Spider seniors are starters Josh Vaughan (running back), John Crone (fullback), Tim Silver (offensive lineman—injured), Joe Stewart (tight end), Joe Monteverde (tight end), Lawrence Sidbury (defensive end) and Sherman Logan (defensive end).

If Chris Mooney guesses right, there will be just as many 3-point attempts and 3-pointers as last season, but by fewer players. If David Gonzalvez guesses right, the University of Richmond’s spread offense will become more potent.

When he retired as a college football coach a decade ago, Jim Tait identified what made his occupation most enjoyable. “You see a guy come in as a ‘this’ and end up as a ‘that,‘“ Tait said. The “thats,“ former University of Richmond players with whom Tait interacted, organized the upcoming Jim Tait Day. For the Spiders’ home game against Delaware on Saturday, UR coach Mike London asked Tait to be honorary sideline coach. Tait will be recognized by his ex-players during a halftime ceremony.

University of Richmond senior tailback Josh Vaughan picked up national offensive-player-of-the-week honors yesterday in addition to being named the Colonial Athletic Association’s football player of the week. Vaughan (Hermitage High) rushed for a career-high 240 yards on 26 carries Saturday in leading the No. 7 Spiders to a 34-14 win at Hofstra. He scored twice for the fifth consecutive game and set a career high in rushing yards for the third straight game.

Randolph-Macon guard Justin Short occasionally joined University of Richmond players last summer for pickup games at the Robins Center. “Comfortable, friendly competition,“ the Yellow Jackets’ senior guard from Manchester High said. Saturday night, change is coming. Yesterday, Short was asked to complete the sentence “Randolph-Macon can beat Richmond if . . . “

Sensibility trumps sizzle for the University of Richmond’s offense. The Spiders do some of that spread stuff that evolved into college football’s favorite flavor. They run some option. Their passing game occasionally stretches the field. But UR is most successful when it lines up and punches defenses in the gut with a physical running game.

CARY, N.C.—Making their first appearance in the ACC Championship match, Virginia Tech’s women’s soccer team was able to hang tough with top-ranked North Carolina before the Tar Hells pulled away with a 3-0 victory yesterday. Emily Jukich made the most attempts on offense for the Hokies, even getting a shot into the net, but her score was called back due to an offsides call.

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - University of Richmond tailback Josh Vaughan ran for a career-high 166 yards yesterday at Hofstra. That happened in the first half. Vaughan, a senior from Hermitage High, finished with 240 rushing yards on 26 carries as the Spiders rolled 34-14 in the Colonial Athletic Association game before a sparse crowd on a rainy afternoon at Shuart Stadium.

No.18 Massachusetts capitalized on two penalty corners with goals to win its second consecutive Atlantic 10 field hockey title with a 2-0 victory over the University of Richmond yesterday. In the game’s 20th minute, Mary Shea knocked in a rebound after a penalty corner to give Massachusetts a 1-0 lead. With less than 23 minutes left, Cher King took a pass from Jacki Tait after a penalty corner and scored.

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y.—Senior Josh Vaughan rushed for a career-high 240 yards as the University of Richmond rolled over Hofstra 34-14 Saturday in the Colonial Athletic Association. Vaughan, from Hermitage High, gained 166 yards in the first half. The Spiders (4-2, 7-3), ranked No. 7 in the Football Championship Subdivision, led 27-0 at halftime on rainy day at Shuart Stadium. The Pride (1-5, 3-7), which had the league’s second-worst rushing defense before this game, has dropped four straight and five of six.

Reckless abandon generally is advisable in football. But before their game today at Hofstra, the University of Richmond’s Spiders may want to remind themselves to be careful. Mentally, that is. Wounded and wobbly Hofstra has nothing to lose. The Pride already has experienced 12 season-ending injuries, according to coach Dave Cohen. They have dropped three straight and four of five, are starting their third quarterback (a true freshman) due to physical issues encountered by those who were ahead of him, and committed seven turnovers in last week’s 45-25 loss at New Hampshire.

Division III Randolph-Macon, making 13 of 23 3-point attempts, won 73-72 at George Mason on Wednesday night in an exhibition.

Virginia Commonwealth forward Lance Kearse has been unable to practice during the preseason because of a back problem.

Dave Clawson is a bit surprised at how his first—and perhaps only—season as Tennessee offensive coordinator is playing out.