Admirals Were Even Last Year. This Year They Want More.

There is a version of the Richmond Admirals' 2024 season that fits in one line. They scored 248 points, allowed 245, went 6-5 and finished second in the East. It was a team that played evenly, and the numbers show it.

Coach Nadia Pearce hopes to see that change. "Even is not a goal," she said. "It is just where we were."

A well-spread attack

Richmond's offense had no single dominant player, but it had several who contributed. Quarterback Cole Kerr threw for 2,439 yards and 17 touchdowns. Running back Grant Lockhart ran for 710 yards and eight touchdowns. Wide receiver Nate Dawson led the receivers with 667 yards and seven touchdowns.

Look at those scoring numbers together and a pattern emerges. The Admirals did not rely on one hero. A touchdown could come through the air, on the ground, or from a different receiver on a given Sunday. That kind of balance makes an offense harder to defend, though it also can mean nobody commands extra attention.

"We trust the group," Pearce said. "If one guy has a quiet day, someone else steps in."

Defense and pass rush

Defensive lineman Xavier Kerr led Richmond with six sacks. He was the clear leader on a unit that kept games close but did not always control them. Allowing 245 points put the Admirals near the middle of the league in scoring defense, which matches their record.

Kerr said the group wants to make more plays at the point of attack. "We were solid," he said. "Solid is fine, but it does not win a conference."

The East picture

Richmond placed second behind Louisville, so the gap to the top was significant. At the same time, the Admirals were ahead of most of the conference and show no signs of falling off.

The path forward comes down to a few specific items:

• Converting more of those drives into touchdowns instead of field goals
• Adding a few more sacks and turnovers to a defense that held its own but rarely dominated
• Staying healthy across the offensive skill positions, since the balanced approach depends on all of them being available

None of this requires a roster overhaul. Most of the key players from last year are back, and the staff believes continuity is an advantage.

"We know each other," Pearce said. "That matters when games get tight."

Richmond fans have reason to feel steady rather than thrilled. The team is competitive, balanced and well-coached, and a few lucky bounces could separate a good year from a very good one.