The Collegian
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Richmond football loses two starters for season, another for a few weeks

<p>David Jones jumps for an interception to end the first half against Albany last season. Jones suffered an injury during the game that would end his season.</p>

David Jones jumps for an interception to end the first half against Albany last season. Jones suffered an injury during the game that would end his season.

Richmond football will be without star players David Jones and Xavier Goodall for the rest of the season after they both suffered injuries in last Saturday's win over Albany, coach Danny Rocco said Monday. 

Jones, a senior All-American safety who led the FCS with nine interceptions last season, fractured the same left forearm that he injured against North Dakota State in last season's FCS semifinals, said Scott Day, assistant athletic director for communications. 

Goodall, a true freshman running back, tore his ACL during the third quarter of Saturday's game, Day said. 

"I really felt badly for both of those young men," Rocco said. "Both on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of their timeline here in our program."

Through six games, Jones was fourth on the team with 29 tackles and second with two interceptions. While this injury likely ends Jones' college career, he is an NFL prospect and Rocco credited him as a "big reason we've been able to sustain some success here."

Goodall currently leads the team with 407 rushing yards, more than twice as many as redshirt freshman Deontez Thompson, who moves into the starting role after scoring three touchdowns as he led the Spiders to a win over Albany. 

"Xavier came in here with so much ambition and focus and commitment," Rocco said. "He was starting to really enjoy that opportunity and see it come to the forefront."

Goodall joins Gordon Collins as the second running back to suffer a season-ending injury.

The Spiders will also be without starting cornerback Jarriel Jordan for at least a few weeks because of a foot injury, Day said.

Richmond hosts Villanova for Homecoming Weekend at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Robins Stadium.

Contact editor-in-chief Charlie Broaddus at charlie.broaddus@richmond.edu

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