UR football notes: Ex-Huguenot CB succeeds another at UMass

UMass: Ex-Huguenot CB succeeds another

The University of Richmond faced former Huguenot High cornerback Sean Smalls when the Spiders played at Massachusetts last season. UR will deal with another ex-Falcon Saturday when the Minutemen visit Richmond.

Ke'Mon Bailey, a redshirt junior, is in his first season as a Massachusetts starter. He succeeds Smalls, a three-year starter and 2007 All-Colonial Athletic Association choice. Both players were convinced to attend UMass by Guido Falbo, a Massachusetts assistant.

"Coach Falbo, when he came to recruit Sean, he saw Ke'Mon, and that kept the ball rolling," said Richard McFee, the former Huguenot High coach.

Bailey, 5-10 and 185 pounds, began his Massachusetts career as a wide receiver and switched positions last spring. His older brother, Kevin, played running back at Elon. Smalls was viewed as a potential NFL player until he suffered a serious hip injury following his senior season.

The Minutemen (2-1 CAA, 4-2), the 14th-rated team in the Football Championship Subdivision, play top-rated UR (4-0, 6-0) at 3:30 p.m. The Minutemen last Saturday upset previously unbeaten New Hampshire (23-17), which was rated No. 4.

'Parker Brothers' keep defensive line tight

Last year, there were Lawrence Sidbury and Sherman Logan, two elite CAA defensive ends for UR. The Spiders appear to have another set of top-notch linemen this season: Parker Miles and Martin Parker, a pair of defensive tackles.

"Someone has got to be able to step up and provide plays," UR coach Mike London said. "Lawrence did a great job for us, putting pressure on the quarterback, pass-rushing, getting hits on the quarterback. Sherman Logan did a great job.

"With the experience of the Parker Brothers -- Martin Parker and Parker Miles -- you've got to have someone else to step in and make those plays and put the pressure on, or make sacks."

During the Spiders' 38-21 victory at Maine last Saturday, Parker (6-3, 283 pounds) was in on 10 tackles and had two sacks. The week before, the junior stripped the ball from James Madison quarterback Justin Thorpe and UR recovered at JMU's six with :58 left in Richmond's 21-17 win.

Miles (6-3, 276 pounds), a senior, tipped a pass with his left hand, then intercepted it in the second quarter at Maine and returned it to the Bears' seven to set up a field goal.

Running backs recovered, ready for Massachusetts

UR's top two running backs left the Maine game with physical problems. Starter Justin Forte left with 1:23 remaining in the third quarter with a shoulder issue. His back-up Garrett Wilkins, was shaken up with 9:06 left. Third-team TB Tyler Kirchoff emerged as UR's featured back thereafter.

London reported that Forte and Wilkins are expected to be ready for Saturday's game.

Hatcher's punt return justifies London's faith

Derek Hatcher mishandled a few punts through the first half of the season. London stuck with him and was rewarded at Maine.

With the Spiders leading 17-14 in the third quarter, Hatcher returned a punt 90 yards for a TD, and was named CAA special-teams player of the week.

Hatcher, a senior and the son of former Major League Baseball player Billy Hatcher, leads the conference and is ranked 11th in the FCS in punt returns (12.6 ypr).

"He comes from an athletic family, and a big part of that is vision," London said. "And when these guys are barreling down on you trying to tear your head off, you've got to have instincts."

The 90-yard return is the second-longest in school history, second-longest in the FCS this season, and second-longest in CAA history.

-- John O'Connor