UR football notes

Flying helmets becoming an issue

Tight end William Bischoff caught a TD pass at Towson last Saturday, was hit in the end zone, and his helmet popped off as if it was spring-loaded. This scenario has become more common in recent years. Earlier this season, UR's Nick Battle made a sack after his helmet had come off.

"I've got to make sure these guys are buckled up properly, so they are protected," said Spiders coach Mike London.

Ken Hart, UR's equipment manager for 30 years, said new styles of helmets don't stay on heads as tightly as the older styles because of the positioning of the chinstrap snaps on the newer models. Also, he said players now prefer hard plastic chinstraps with cushioning that can become wet and slip off the chin. Hart said he is concerned about the possibility of injury, as is London. He suggested that players sometimes feel more comfortable with only two of the four chinstrap snaps buckled.

"You don't play the game without a helmet," Hart said.

Punting problems still to be solved

Five times this season, UR has experienced negative results while attempting to punt. At Towson, a high snap in the third quarter allowed the Tigers to take over at Richmond's 34, and TU scored six plays later in a 42-14 loss. That's the fourth poor snap of the season -- each of the first two resulted in safeties -- and a UR punt also was blocked for a TD at James Madison.

Richmond has used reserve safety Colin Pehanick, reserve quarterback Chase Boyer and starting offensive tackle Jared Decker as long-snappers. "It's still a work in progress, and everything is being evaluated as far as that's concerned," London said. "We'll make sure that whoever we put out there is going to give us the best chance of getting the punt off."

From the 2008 FCS title team, UR lost Joe Monteverde, a tight end who flawlessly handled long-snapping for four seasons.

UR's aim: hold VU on third down

The Spiders, top-ranked in the FCS, entertain fourth-ranked Villanova on Saturday on UR's homecoming at 3:30. Maintaining control against an offense that leads the Colonial Athletic Association in third-down conversions will be a key for Richmond (6-0 , 8-0). The Wildcats (4-1, 7-1) have gained a first down on 46.2 percent of their third-down chances.

VU junior QB Chris Whitney, a 6-2, 230-pounder, is "definitely a dual-dimension guy back there," London said. Whitney ranks fourth in the Colonial in rushing (70.1 ypg) and first in pass efficiency. He has thrown for 11 TDs and been intercepted twice.

Wildcats feeling effects of flu

Villanova coach Andy Talley reported Monday that 15 Wildcats were suffering with flu. "That's just one more headache that you have to worry about," he said. "I'm really concerned about that as we go into this week. It's day to day. You just don't know. I mean, our trainer was out for a couple of days. It's kind of crazy up here."

UR is experiencing some problems with flu too. London chose not to expand on the subject.

-- John O'Connor