UR braces for latest FBS transfer QB

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.

"It's just the way the school is here. It's a very good academic school," said Richmond coach Mike London. "That's not to say we can't take transfers. If they meet the academic requirements to get into school here, then they will.

"That's something that's been like this for a while, and it's not anything that causes us to look to the left or the right. We just keep looking forward and moving ahead."

FBS transfers have been featured at Delaware since K.C. Keeler became coach in 2002. The most notable ones played quarterback. Penn State transfer Pat Devlin continues the trend this season. Since Keeler took over at his alma mater, Delaware has started every season with a transfer QB: Andy Hall from Georgia Tech, Sonny Riccio from Missouri, Joe Flacco from Pittsburgh, Rob Schoenhoft from Ohio State, and now Devlin.

"We've done a poor job of recruiting freshman quarterbacks," said Keeler. Hence his willingness to accept transfers, Keeler suggested. He said Delaware now has young quarterbacks he believes will end the transfer cycle, following Devlin's presumed two-season run.

With Hall, Delaware won the 2003 FCS championship. With Riccio, the Hens reached the 2004 quarterfinals. With Flacco, they advanced to the title game. Schoenhoft started half of last season, experienced concussion issues an is no longer at Delaware or playing college football.

This year's Delaware roster also includes eight other transfers from non-FBS schools. They are from junior colleges, FCS schools or lower levels. Of the 10 FBS transfers, only a few start.

Devlin, who's 6-4 and 220 pounds, played in 10 Penn State games last season. He looked for a fresh situation when it became evident he would be a PSU reserve this year. Flacco went from Pittsburgh to Delaware to the starting job for the Baltimore Ravens.

"The reality is that Joe's success really brought a lot of eyes here, and a lot of quarterbacks contacted us," Keeler said. " . . . When you do a little research, you figure this is a good place to come play."

Against West Chester, Devlin completed 12 of 15 for 227 yards and two TDs. "We feel really good about where he is and where he's going to take us," Keeler said.

Delaware lost eight games last season, the most in the history of a program that began in 1889. Keeler believes his 2008 defense was playoff-caliber but said the Hens "were just so woeful on the offensive side of the ball." They averaged 17.5 points, lowest in the Colonial.

In came new offensive coordinator Jim Hofher and Devlin. As preseason practice concluded, Keeler had reason to believe Delaware's offensive frustration was about to end with Hofher's new scheme, a more experienced set of blockers and Devlin.

"I think we're one of the better defenses in this league, and the good news is that our offense drove them crazy all training camp," he said. "I think we're back in the hunt with [other league championship contenders].

"We're back in that position now, and it's going to come down to a lot of close ballgames. That's the definition of the CAA."

NOTES: Richmond won 24-16 at Duke on Saturday, and the last time the Spiders started a season with a win at Duke (2006), they went 3-5 in the A-10 (now CAA) and 6-5 overall. . . . Former UR running back Josh Vaughan (Hermitage High) failed to make the Jacksonville Jaguars' 53-man active roster but was signed to the team's eight-man practice squad. . . . Brandon London, the son of Spiders coach Mike London and a former University of Massachusetts player, was cut by the Dolphins and is looking for another NFL opportunity, according to his father. Brandon London previously played for the New York Giants.

Contact John O'Connor at (804) 649-6233 or .