Among the assignments of the UR coaching staff this spring was to identify a back-up quarterback. Eric Ward, who led the Spiders to the 2008 FCS title, is a rising senior. Departed senior Will Healy backed him up in 2008.
    QBs John Laub and Nick Hicks, each of whom will be a redshirt freshman in the fall, competed through spring ball and each had their moments in Saturday’s spring game. Laub looked decent early. He came in after a brief appearance by Ward. Hicks looked good late, with a pair of TD passes (31 and 6 yards) to Max Prokell.
    So who is Ward’s back-up and will, presumably, be viewed as Ward’s successor in 2010?
      “We’ll make that decision before they go home [at the end of the semester] so they know where they stand,” Richmond coach Mike London said.
    He wanted to review the spring-scrimmage video and talk to his assistants before making a call. Laub is a 6-3, 205-pounder from Coplay, Pa., and Hicks is a 6-1, 195-pounder from Marietta, Ga.
    Prokell appreciates that the effort that took the Spiders to a 13-3 record and national title in 2008 may not be enough to duplicate the feat in 2009, when UR returns 18 of 24 starters (counting kickers). He said the team’s goal this spring was to “keep playing at a high level and getting better, because we have to get better. We’ve got a bulls-eye on our back.”
    Among seven returning offensive starters, four are linemen, which excites rising senior TB Justin Forte about the rushing possibilities. “We all trust each other and we all know what we’re capable of doing,” he said.
    UR Athletic Director Jim Miller said there have been “discussions” concerning the Spiders being guests at the White House as national champions. But that’s as far as it’s gone at this point. National-championship teams aren’t guaranteed Washington visits.
    The captains, as elected by their teammates are LB Collin McConaghy, OL Matt McCracken, QB Ward and DB Seth Williams. Spring awards went to OL Brian Agnis (most improved offensive player), DL Corey Jackson (most improved defensive player) and McCracken (strength-and-conditioning award, which he also won last year).
                                                      - John O’Connor

Laub, Hicks competing for back-up QB role