UR aims to quiet Elon’s pitch-catch combination

Defensive game plans at the University of Richmond begin with the who and the what.

Who does the opponent emphasize, and in what capacity? This week's game plan was simple to formulate.

Elon features a record-setting quarterback who passes to a record-setting receiver. In today's first round of the FCS playoffs, the Spiders (10-1) will focus on Phoenix QB Scott Riddle and Terrell Hudgins, who leads the FCS in receptions (10.1) and receiving yards per game (133.3).

Riddle, a 6-0 junior, holds the Southern Conference record with 77 touchdowns passes and 16 times has thrown for 300 or more yards. Forty-three of those TD passes have gone to Hudgins, a 6-2, 236-pound senior who this season passed Jerry Rice as the FCS career leader in reception yards (4,812). With 27 games of 100 or more receiving yards, Hudgins holds the Division I record.

"Both players are great athletes. If you give the quarterback any time to set his feet and get the ball off like he wants to, he'll pick you apart," said UR defensive tackle Martin Parker, who leads UR with 6.5 sacks and 15 tackles for losses.

In the 2008 opener for both teams, Riddle threw for 213 yards and Hudgins made 10 catches for 78 yards in UR's 28-10 win. Richmond collected three sacks. "[Riddle] runs when he needs to, when he feels pressure, but I would say he stays in he pocket the majority of the time, which is good for a defensive lineman," Parker said.

Riddle has thrown 22 touchdown passes this season, 15 to Hudgins, who UR coach Mike London refers to as "a Randy Moss-type receiver. He can go up and get the ball, very athletic."

It's reasonable to assume that the Phoenix (9-2) will be required to pass frequently. Richmond ranks third in the FCS against the run (70.2 ypg). Elon, which is located near Burlington, N.C., isn't known for its running (143.1 ypg).

Hudgins made 111 receptions for 1,466 yards during the regular season. Elon's next-best receiver caught 38 passes for 476 yards. Hudgins played QB in high school, signed with East Carolina and transferred when he realized the Pirates intended to use him as a linebacker. He is viewed, because of his size, as an H-back possibility in the NFL.

"He could be covered and the quarterback will still throw him the ball and [Hudgins] will still come down and make plays with it," London said. "We have to minimize his effect on the game."

Richmond is the defending FCS champion, and this is Elon's first appearance in the FCS playoffs. Elon last participated in a postseason game in 1981, when it captured the NAIA national title.

"We don't feel like we're underdogs at all," said linebacker Josh Jones, Elon's top tackler. "We hope people overlook us. They shouldn't. This is the playoffs. Every team in here is a good team."

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