Spiders juggling playoffs, exams

It's preparation and execution times two this week for University of Richmond football players.

UR's exam period began yesterday and runs through early next week. The Spiders also are getting ready for their Football Championship Subdivision semifinal game at Northern Iowa on Saturday. Bruce Matthews, UR's assistant athletic director for academics, said the school's administration is trying to make "reasonable accommodations" for the Spiders.

That includes postponing some exams until next week. But if Richmond wins Saturday, the Spiders are required by the NCAA to be in Chattanooga, Tenn., site of next Friday's championship game, by next Wednesday at noon.

Matthews said at least one academic adviser will accompany the Spiders to the Northern Iowa campus, which is in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Richmond faced the same challenge last year, when the Spiders also advanced to the FCS semifinals. Matthews said "it's stressful, but our students took a very workmanlike approach, 'This is what I have to do,' and they did it. They fought through."

-- John O'Connor