Josh Vaughan will continue to run behind the line, but not as second in line.

Vaughan, a senior from Hermitage High, is expected to emerge as the University of Richmond's featured back. The 6-0, 232-pounder for the past few seasons has been UR's alternate option behind Tim Hightower, now with the Arizona Cardinals.

"Tim did a lot for this program and he also did a lot for me as a running back, as far as pushing me to excel at the highest level possible," Vaughan said.

But as new Spiders coach Mike London reminded Vaughan before the start of spring football: "Tim's not here anymore. This is a new era."

The new-era back looks a lot like the old-era back. Vaughan is so thick above the waist that it appears he could handle himself on the offensive line. Hightower was similarly built (6-1, 225 pounds) on the way to 1,924 rushing yards last season.

Hightower made major improvement from his junior season to last season. Vaughan attempted to do the same with two daily workouts blended with a yoga program to increase flexibility. Vaughan already established he can carry the load. He rushed for 723 yards last season (6.6 ypc) and has 1,495 for his career.

Hightower was bothered by a bruised knee in UR's regular-season finale vs. William and Mary. Vaughan gained a career-high 132 yards on 28 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns.

Vaughan, with outstanding acceleration in his first few steps, said during August camp that one of his goals was to bring the same element of toughness that Hightower demonstrated last season.

Richmond should be able to keep defenses off-balance with the power of Vaughan combined with the quickness of junior Justin Forte, a 5-9, 185-pounder who ran 19 times in 2007. Those two will operate behind John Crone, a 5-11, 249-pounder who has been primarily a blocking fullback, and veteran offensive linemen.

"I like what I see on offense. I think our offensive line is going to be pretty good," said London.

Hightower, who averaged nearly 25 carries and 138 rushing yards as a senior, is gone. But defensive coordinators who face the Spiders this year may think they're seeing an instant replay if Vaughan gets in a groove.

The skinny

Coach: Mike London (first year)

2007 records: 7-1 (first in the CAA South), 11-3

Offense: New coordinator Mike Faragalli inherits eight starters. UR averaged 34.9 points last season with offensive-minded Dave Clawson as head coach. Faragalli's offenses at other schools have been balanced and productive in the red zone. There isn't an offensive area where the Spiders are weak. They have experience, though not many all-league types, at just about every position. Junior Eric Ward is in his third season as QB. He and sophomore Kevin Grayson could be a notable pass-catch combo.

Defense: Eight starters back translates into a strong front seven. Senior ends Sherman Logan and Lawrence Sidbury provide outstanding pass-rushing capability. The key losses were safeties. London's background is defense and coordinator Russ Huesman consistently puts out a quality product. Junior LB Collin McConaghy bloomed as a play-maker last season and sophomore LB Eric McBride isn't far behind. Junior CB Seth Williams is among the league's top DBs.

Specialists: Sophomore Justin Rogers ranked third nationally last season in kickoff-return average (30.4 ypr) and junior Derek Hatcher was 15th in punt returns (12.0 ypr). PK Andrew Howard is reliable on short attempts but iffy when kicking from 35 or more yards. P Brian Radford averaged 38.7 yards per attempt, and London believes Radford can be among the CAA's top punters.

Quotable: "Coach Clawson's offense was obviously different with certain aspects. You're not going to have two offenses that are exactly the same. But we're still going to be able to move the ball, and do the things that you guys have come to grow and love from the University of Richmond." -- Spiders OT Tim Silver

Outlook : Promising, with one overarching question: How will London do in his first head-coaching job? Clawson left the cupboard nearly full, stocked with young talent. What's worth remembering is the competitive balance in the CAA. UR won league games last season 45-38, 17-16, 35-27 and 62-56 (OT). Winning tight ones is a part of the success formula in any conference, but that really applies in this league. Can UR do that again? And can the offense maintain or improve without Clawson designing plays and calling them? Being as good as last season will be tough, especially with CAA road games at Villanova and Massachusetts.

Bottom line: 5-3 (third in the CAA South), 8-4

Radio: WXGI (950) will broadcast all games (an on-the-air time of 30 minutes before kickoff); 93.1 FM will broadcast only games that start at 3:30 or later.