Richmond 2016 FCS Football Playoff Capsule

Richmond Spiders
CAA
 
Despite some tough losses along the way, this is a very interesting and talented Richmond team. They started off the 2016 campaign with a 37-20 win over Virginia and beat some very good FCS teams too. The Spiders have proven that they can play any style of game and win in a shootout or in a tough, low scoring contest.
 
2016 Record: 8-3, 5-3
Coach: Danny Rocco
 
Big Wins: 9/3 at Virginia (37-20), 10/15 Villanova (23-0)
Bad Losses: 9/17 at Stony Brook (14-42), 11/5 James Madison (43-47)
 
Strengths:
The Richmond offense works around quarterback Kyle Lauletta and wide receiver Brian Brown. Lauletta has not quite lived up to his breakout sophomore season when he threw for 3,598 yards, but he is still a very good passer. And Brown is a very good receiver. When those two are having a good day, Richmond’s offense is nearly impossible to beat. However, they have struggled more at times this year because of the lack of a consistent ground game. Redshirt freshman running back Deontez Thompson was forced into a starting role following a season ending injury to Xavier Goodall. Thompson has had some good games, but he must be more consistent in the playoffs in order for Lauletta and Brown to be at their best.
 
Weaknesses:
When the Spiders struggle, they tend to give up quite a few points. In the 42-14 loss against Stony Brook in September that was because of the lack of a ground game. Richmond was forced to throw the ball and it led to three interceptions. In the 47-43 loss to James Madison in November, the offense played quite well. But the defense allowed James Madison to total 534 yards of total offense. The Spiders defense is usually superb against the pass, but an injury to All-American safety David Jones in mid-October does raise plenty of questions. Micah Keels and Tafon Mainsah deserve a lot of credit for continuing the solid pass defense even without Jones, but the team lacks that great playmaker in the secondary now. The front line will get some pressure on the quarterback, mostly due to Brandon Waller and Winston Craig, but a dynamic and balanced offense like James Madison can put a lot of points up against this Richmond defense.
 
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Deontez Thompson, RB, 761 yards
Passing: Kyle Lauletta, QB, 3,022 yards
Receiving: Brian Brown, WR, 1,179 yards
Tackles: Omar Howard, LB, 77
Sacks: Winston Craig, DL, 7.0
Interceptions: Tafon Mainsah, DB, 3
 
2016 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 147.0 (68th in nation, 9th in conference)
Passing Offense: 292.2 (14, 1)
Total Offense: 439.2 (21, 2)
Scoring Offense: 32.2 (26, 2)
Rushing Defense: 149.0 (50, 5)
Pass Defense: 153.2 (3, 1)
Total Defense: 302.2 (12, 3)
Scoring Defense: 22.2 (29, 5)
Turnover Margin: 1.10 (10, 3)
Sacks: 1.90 (63, 5)
Sacks Allowed: 2.00 (64, 9)
 
Recent Playoff Appearances:
 
2015    Second Round  Defeated William & Mary
2015    Quarterfinals     Defeated Illinois State
2015    Semifinals         Lost to North Dakota State
2014    First Round      Defeated Morgan State
2014    Second Round  Lost to Coastal Carolina
2009    First Round      Defeated Elon
2009    Quarterfinals     Lost to Appalachian State
2008    First Round      Defeated Eastern Kentucky
2008    Quarterfinals     Defeated Appalachian State
2008    Semifinals         Defeated Northern Iowa
2008    Championship   Defeated Montana
2007    First Round      Defeated Eastern Kentucky
2007    Quarterfinals     Defeated Wofford
2007    Semifinals         Lost to Appalachian State
2005    First Round      Defeated Hampton
2005    Quarterfinals     Lost to Furman
2000    First Round      Defeated Youngstown State
2000    Quarterfinals     Lost to Montana
1998    First Round      Lost to Lehigh
1987    First Round      Lost to Appalachian State
1984    First Round      Defeated Boston University
1984    Quarterfinals     Lost to Rhode Island
1984    Quarterfinals     Lost to Rhode Island
 
*all team stats through 11/12