Triple Threat
In his time as a Hornet, Jake Richter has become a master of all trades for the Emporia State football team
By Jesse Newell
Friday, November 3, 2006
All Jake Richter asks for is a little time.
From a man who has been asked to play running back, strong safety, weak safety and on special teams for Emporia State, that’s not asking a whole lot.
“You give me a couple weeks to figure out what’s going on, and I’ll make the best of every situation that you put me in,” Richter said, “and hopefully, I’ll succeed in it.”
Richter has done just that so far.
He leads the ESU defense with 76 tackles and three interceptions this season, ranking second in the MIAA in both categories. He also is tied for the team lead with an ESU-record five blocked kicks on special teams.
So what exactly is left for the super junior?
“It would be good to get the ball again,” Richter said with a smile. “They always say offense gets the glory.”
Actually, he’s already done that pretty darned well, too.
After coming to campus as a true freshman from Clay Center High School, Richter was immediately assigned the task of learning the 4-2-5 defense as a safety. He spent his whole redshirt season there, preparing to make his mark the next season.
Richter would, only not as he originally thought. Just a few days before the season began, he was switched over to running back by coach Dave Wiemers.
He gained 502 yards on 111 rushes, averaging 4.5 yards per carry and starting at tailback until he suffered an injury.
The following year, he was moved back to safety and didn’t miss a beat. His 6.8 tackles per game was tops on the ESU defense.
“Honestly, I loved the offensive side of the ball until I got here,” Richter said. “I started to play defense and they both were about equal. Now, I love the safety position.”
The changes didn’t stop this season.
With Richter prepared to play the “Hornet” safety position, teammate Aaron Stubblefield went down with a year-ending injury in preseason workouts.
That left ESU in a bind — and forced Richter to adjust to yet another position, this time at free safety.
“It took me about the first two games before I was really comfortable with everything that was going on,” Richter said. “Now, I feel good about it.”
It’s shown in the junior’s performances.
Richter notched 20 tackles and an interception in Week 5 against Pittsburg State, earning MIAA defensive player of the week and also Co-National Defensive Player of the Week honors from Don Hansen’s Football Gazette.
“It felt good to me, but my body was hurting on Monday,” Richter said. “I’d never had any games like that before.”
He followed up that effort with one just as impressive last week against Washburn. The safety recorded 18 tackles and also nabbed two interceptions to lead the Hornet defense.
“He’s been great,” Wiemers said, “and that position takes a long time to learn.”
Richter has also been a standout on special teams. The junior was named the MIAA Special Teams Player of the Week against Missouri Western after blocking a punt and field goal in the first half.
Richter and teammate Brandon Stribling have blocked a combined 10 kicks this year.”
“Brandon and I have realized that we have some speed,” Richter said, “and we can use it to our advantage.”
The pair have a goal of blocking at least one more kick this season, which would make it so they averaged one block per game.
“We’ve got more than one left, I think,” Richter said.
The junior might have an increased role on special teams starting next season.
With the graduation of Ryan Hulings this year, Wiemers and his coaching staff have already discussed putting Richter in the kickoff and punt returner spot in 2007.
“We talk regularly — because of his speed — about when are we ever going to try to give him the ball again,” Wiemers said.
Next year, with a healthy Stubblefield, Richter could be asked to go back to his original spot in the Hornet secondary.
One thing’s for sure, though: Richter will perform at whatever position he’s asked to play.
All he asks for is a little time.