Shenandoah University football: Luck or not, Roberts contributing on 'D'
Linebacker just looking to make plays for SU
By Tim Tassa
(Daily Staff Writer)
WINCHESTER — It wasn't his birthday, and Christmas is still months away, but starting linebacker Rip Roberts was the recipient of two gifts Saturday — in the form of "gimme" interceptions from quarterback Keith Ricca —that fell into the starting linebackers hands.
Just don't assume the Catholic University quarterback expects any thank you letters.
"I just wanted to give our offense the opportunity to get back out there and do work for us," Roberts said Wednesday of his team's 7-6 opening-game loss. "We just want to create as many turnovers as we can."
Starting for the first time for the Shenandoah Hornets after appearing in 10 games last season, Roberts said he couldn't remember the last time he'd intercepted multiple passes in a single outing.
But after spending time as a role player, Roberts finally had an opportunity to contribute in a starting role against the Cardinals and made the most of the chances he had.
"The thing I know about Rip is that he's an outstanding person character-wise, he's one of the finest guys you're ever going to meet in your life," Shenandoah head coach Paul Barnes said.
"He takes that over to the football field in the sense that he's a very intense human being he gets after it, he's positive, he's a motivator and he has a will to win. We need more Rip Roberts' on this football team."
Prior to Saturday's game, Roberts' lone career interception came against Ferrum College last season, but the senior made the feat look surprisingly easy against the Cardinals, even if he didn't have to do much more than be in the right place at the right time.
"He just did what he was supposed to do," said safety Twaun Rhodes, who intercepted a deep pass in the second half tipped by Brodis Brown.
"You just play your spot and you get Christmas gifts."
"You've got be in the right spot. You've got to react," Roberts added, admitting that there's more pressure to make a play on the easy ones, which almost seem to unfold in slow motion.
Roberts' first interception came on the opening drive of the game as Ricca threw on third-and-8 from his own 44-yard line, and then again with 10:48 remaining in the second quarter, as Ricca's pass was tipped, landing in the hands of Roberts.
"The first one I was just dropping and I saw it and I was like, 'I think I can get to it,' so I ran over there and I got it," Roberts said. "The second one, Wes Fry made a great play and he actually tipped the ball and it went straight in the air like a jump ball."
But Roberts also knows that future opportunities to force turnovers will likely be harder to come by.
As the Hornet coaching staff emphasized the need for the defense to force turnovers, Roberts' interceptions were two of four takeaways by SU on Saturday. And for the team to be successful against in Saturday's home opener against Bridgewater, similar efforts — whether against the pass or in forcing fumbles — will be a necessity.
After reviewing film of the loss to Catholic, where the Hornets limited the Cardinals to just seven points, Roberts, who added five tackles on the day, saw areas of which he needs to improve, most notably making quicker reads and adjusting to the alignment of the offense.
"I had some good plays," Roberts said. "Everything looks good when you first see it, but when you watch it on film it looks totally different. So I saw some things I need to improve on."
Roberts, a Fredericksburg native who would like to pursue a career in broadcasting, has played sparingly throughout his four years in the football program, but is relishing his new role as a starter. As a junior, Roberts recorded 12 tackles and 11 assists, but will likely trump those numbers this season.
"He accepts the role that he was given throughout his college career, and when the time came he took advantage of it and now look at what he did," Barnes said. "He has to continue to improve, yes, but you need a Rip Roberts in there and he's very good."
Roberts and the Shenandoah defense will be paired with a Bridgewater team that is coming off a 45-19 win over McDaniel and is likely to provide a more difficult challenge than the Catholic Cardinals.
The Eagles boast running back Philip Carter, who rushed for 158 yards in the team's opener, and an experienced offensive line, featuring five seniors. The Hornets fell to the Eagles last season 30-0.
"We can't lose if its 11 on 1. They have a great offensive line and it's going to be a battle," Roberts said. "It's going to be a great test for us, but if we pursue to the football, do what we're coached to do and just kind of take away some of things they like to do, that's the only thing you can do against a running back like that."
