UVA.-WISE NOTEBOOK: Ricker Has Big Day For Cavs

BY TIM HAYES
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

WISE, Va. – After the biggest performance of his collegiate career, University of Virginia’s College at Wise wide receiver Brad Ricker remained reserved and analyzed the game in his typical laid-back style. 

“Oh, yeah,” Ricker said. “It was a pretty good game.”

Ricker finished with a team-high 128 receiving yards on three catches in UVa.-Wise’s 61-41 Mid-South Conference victory over Campbellsville (Ky.) on Saturday afternoon at Carl Smith Stadium.

Ricker’s biggest play came early in the second quarter as he blew by a Campbellsville defensive back, raced down the right sideline and made a nice catch of a pass from quarterback Randy Hippeard. The play netted 56 yards and set up a UVa.-Wise touchdown.

Ricker, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound junior, has caught eight passes for 223 yards and one touchdown this season as a key part of the Highland Cavaliers’ high-octane offense.

“I just like being able to contribute,” Ricker said.

Ricker was a three-sport standout at John Battle High School and caught the eye of UVa.-Wise’s coaches. While the Battle teams he played on in high school experienced little success, Ricker has been a part of some big wins at Wise. 

He emerged as a third-down receiver and reliable target for Hippeard last season, when he caught nine passes for 123 yards and one TD. 

“He’s developed,” UVa.-Wise coach Bruce Wasem said. “He’s a better athlete than we thought he would be. We knew he was a good athlete at John Battle, but it’s hard to evaluate that when the team is struggling … He’s one of those guys that knows what he’s supposed to do and he’s going to do it. He doesn’t screw up patterns and he works hard to get better every time.”

Milestone men
When UVa.-Wise wide receiver Matt Barbour had a 71-yard gain on the Highland Cavaliers’ first offensive play of the game, he moved into the school’s record book.
Barbour became just the third player in school history to reach the 2,000-yard receiving mark for a career. Anthony Richards (1993-96) and Dieontea Stewart (2002-04) previously accomplished the feat.

“It didn’t hit me until today that I was close to 2,000-yards or what it means,” Barbour said. “I’m just glad to be a part of this offense. I have to give a lot of thanks to the other guys on this team, that I was able to accomplish that.”

Barbour wasn’t alone. Early in the third quarter, Aric Evans surpassed the 2,000-yard career mark on a 9-yard reception.

Marvelous Marvin White
UVa.-Wise junior defensive back Marvin White turned in a big performance on Saturday. The Richmond native bagged two interceptions, broke up two pass attempts and was in on three tackles.

“Once again, I have to give thanks to my defensive line,” White said. “They got pressure on [the quarterback] and I was able to be there at the right time.”

Good offense, no defense
Campbellsville running back Greg Fountain, who led the NAIA in rushing a year ago, rushed for 151 yards on 25 carries and scored one touchdown. Meanwhile, Campbellsville QB Ross Deaton also had a big day, throwing five touchdown passes.
However, the Tigers’ defense couldn’t contain UVa.-Wise.

Running in place
UVa.-Wise’s running game failed to get much going as the Cavs netted just 94 yards on the ground. Hakeem Abdul-Saboor led the rushing attack with 48 yards and two touchdowns.
“I feel like we took one step forward last week [in a 35-28 win over Georgetown] and two steps back this week,” Wasem said in regards to the running game.

On deck
UVa.-Wise travels to Cumberland (Tenn.) University next Saturday. Cumberland’s starting quarterback is former Sullivan East High School star Matt Eads.
Cumberland (3-2) rolled to a 38-3 victory over Faulkner on Saturday.

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