Coach Tony Elliott’s first game in charge of the Virginia football team is just under three months away as the Cavaliers will face in-state foe Richmond on Sept. 3 at Scott Stadium. Richmond, a member of the Colonial Athletic Association, is the first of four non-conference opponents that Virginia will face in 2022. The Cavaliers travel to Illinois (Big Ten Conference) and host Old Dominion and Coastal Carolina (both Sun Belt Conference) for their other three non-conference matchups.

It’s time to take a closer look at the first of the 2022 opponents.

Richmond Spiders

• Saturday, Sept.
• Scott Stadium – Charlottesville, VA/natural grass field
• 2021 Record: 6-5
• Coach: Russ Huesman, 6th season
• Last FCS Playoff Appearance: 2016, lost in Quarterfinals vs. Eastern Washington 38-0
• Key Returning Players: RB Aaron Dykes – leading rusher with 125 rushes for 516 yards and 6 TDs; 25 receptions for 309 yards and 4 TDs. LB Tristan Wheeler – leading tackler with 42 solo and 114 total; 2 interceptions

What To Expect On Game Day

What’s To Like: Linebacker Tristan Wheeler, the Colonial Athletic Association’s leading tackler from a year ago, headlines a Richmond defense that allowed just 20 points per game last season, good for 21st among FCS programs. The rushing defense was especially good for the Spiders, allowing just 114 rushing yards per game (20th best in FCS). So, with Wheeler anchoring the defense again this year, the Spiders will hope to repeat their solid defense against the run.

On offense, Richmond added a graduate transfer at the quarterback position in Reece Udinski. A former FCS All-American at VMI, Udinski will lead a retooled Richmond offense in 2022. Richmond also added two transfers at the receiver position, Jakob Herres (from VMI) and Nick DeGennaro (from Maryland), and both are likely to be Udinski’s top targets this season.

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