Senior Eric Ward became UR’s career leader in total offense (8,081 yards) during Saturday’s 16-15 win at Delaware. Ward was responsible for 293 yards (247 passing, 46 rushing). That allowed him to top the 7,991-yard mark of quarterback Bob Bleier (1983-86). “That’s a great accomplishment, but the season’s still young and we still want to accomplish a few other things,“ Ward said.

The Mad Wrapper haunts the University of Richmond’s football locker room. He—presumably it’s a he—so tightly tapes together helmets, cleats, shoulder pads and other items that it requires several minutes for the targeted Spider to untangle his gear. The Mad Wrapper operates before UR players arrive for workouts, or maybe after. “Out of the blue,“ said Richmond defensive tackle Martin Parker.

“Desperation” is the name of the University of Richmond specialty unit that takes the field in emergencies. Yesterday, before 20,800 at Delaware Stadium, the Spiders were hanging on to a 16-15 lead with 47 seconds left. Blue Hens kicker Jon Striefsky came on for a 23-yard field-goal attempt. This qualified as an emergency.

In its Colonial Athletic Association opener Saturday, the University of Richmond’s Kevin Grayson blocked a 23-yard field-goal attempt by Delaware with 38.1 seconds left to preserve a 16-15 win over Delaware before 20,800 at Delaware Stadium.

Nothing said more about the University of Richmond football operation at Duke last Saturday than the way the Spiders arrived. Minutes before kickoff, in a stadium nearly filled with 33,011 fans, UR players eschewed the tradition of running from locker room to sideline. Instead, the Spiders and their coaches walked, slowly, purposefully, in rows of three or four, with arms locked.

When: 3:30 p.m.
  On the air: TV - Comcast Network; radio - WXGI (950), WLFV (93.1), 3
  Records: UR 1-0; UD 1-0; Colonial Athletic Association opener for both.
  Players to watch: Richmond - QB Eric Ward, Sr., 31-10 as starter; LB Collin McConaghy, Sr., needs 6.5 tackles to crack the school’s career top-10 list; WR Tre Gray, So., led team with five catches for 51 yards at Duke. Delaware - QB Pat Devlin, Jr., Penn State transfer completed 12 of 15 last week vs. Division II West Chester in first UD start; LB Matt Marcorelle, Sr., former standout defensive end now anchors Blue Hens’ defense from another spot.

Edward L. Ayers, the University of Richmond’s president, walked the sideline at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C., last Saturday as the Spiders defeated Duke 24-16. Ayers stayed away from the bench area occupied by players and coaches, but otherwise followed the line of scrimmage and periodically clapped after plays. Though the presence of the school president on the sideline might be disconcerting to some coaches, UR’s Mike London didn’t mind.

Hybrids, such as the University of Richmond’s Tyler Kirchoff, are becoming more common every season in the Football Championship Subdivision. Last Saturday at Duke, Kirchoff blocked a punt, carried the ball seven times, made a reception, scored a touchdown and collected two tackles on special teams in a 24-16 victory. Take away offensive linemen, defensive tackles, quarterbacks, redshirting players and injured players—groups that aren’t helpful in the kicking game—and the pool of special-teams candidates is limited, noted Delaware coach K.C. Keeler, whose team entertains UR on Saturday. FCS programs have a 63-scholarship limit.

For a guy who wasn’t even on the two-deep, Tyler Kirchoff significantly affected the University of Richmond’s 24-16 win at Duke last Saturday.

• The junior reserve running back blocked the Blue Devils’ first punt. The play resulted in a touchdown for the Spiders.

Same league. Different philosophies. When the University of Richmond visits Delaware on Saturday in a Colonial Athletic Association game, one roster will have zero transfers from the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A). The other will include 10. Richmond has no FBS transfers, and that’s pretty typical for the Spiders. Their staffs over the years have consistently stated that Richmond’s academic structure limits options.

The University of Richmond yesterday ascended to No. 1 in the Football Championship Subdivision poll. Spiders supporters hope this top ranking lasts longer than the previous one. Last September, UR rose to No. 1, then fell 26-20 at Villanova five days later. Richmond slipped to No. 6 in the poll and finished the regular season ranked No. 7. The Spiders returned to No. 1 in the final poll after beating Montana in the FCS title game.

DURHAM, N.C.—This University of Richmond football season began as the last one ended. Coach Mike London got a Gatorade shower from his players. With 16 starters back from the 2008 Football Championship Subdivision title team, the Spiders humbled ACC member Duke 24-16 last night before 33,311 at Wallace Wade Stadium in the opener for both teams.

When: 7 p.m.  Radio: WXGI (950), WLFV (93.1), 6:30 Records: Season opener Players to watch: Richmond—QB Eric Ward, Sr., four-year starter, made first collegiate start in 13-0 win at Duke in 2006; LB Eric McBride, Jr., shared Colonial Athletic Association preseason defensive player of the year award; WR Kevin Grayson, Jr., led team in receiving last season (14 ypc). Duke—QB Thaddeus Lewis, Sr., made first collegiate start vs. Richmond in 13-0 loss in 2006; DT Vince Oghobaase, Sr., 6-5, 305-pounder has an NFL future. He has started 36 consecutive games.

Acquaintances reunite tonight in Durham, N.C. Four seasons ago, University of Richmond quarterback Eric Ward made his first collegiate start at quarterback. Duke defensive tackle Vince Oghobaase also made his first collegiate start. The two met early. “He caught me one good time up under the chin after I let go of a screen pass,“ Ward said. “That was really my first college football hit. After that one, I kind of settled in and was like, ‘Let’s go.‘“

Sixteen starters returned from the University of Richmond’s 2008 FCS title team. Mike London’s goal was to keep the Spiders fit until this season’s opener. UR’s second-year coach succeeded. Richmond’s depth chart heading into tomorrow night’s opener at Duke is unaffected by physical problems. How did London do it? Two spot. That’s the name of a conflict-resolution tool London periodically employs. In summer camp, players grow irritable. Occasionally, there’s a post-whistle skirmish. That’s when the Spiders begin chanting “Two spot! Two spot! Two spot!“