AMHERST - Last Saturday's 23-17 upset of then-No. 4 New Hampshire proved that the University of Massachusetts football team is capable of beating a good opponent, a feat the Minutemen had yet to accomplish this season before that game.

But UMass still has yet to win a road game this season, and has not beaten a good team on the road since Sept. 6, 2008.

With two straight road games on deck and three of their last five games coming away from McGuirk Stadium, the Minutemen's ability to find success in hostile stadiums could determine whether of not they make the postseason.

Even good road teams struggle at Richmond Stadium, where the Minutemen will try to upset the No. 1 ranked Spiders at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. UMass actually has won its last two games at Richmond Stadium in 2002 and 2005.

But since the start of the 2008 season, the Minutemen are 3-6 on the road and the losses have come by an average of 23 points.

The last road game for UMass was a 43-27 loss Oct. 10 at Delaware, a performance the Minutemen believe was not indicative of their road potential.

"We had three straight home games, then a bye week and we came out dead out there," said senior defensive lineman Brandon Collier. "I feel like if we played Delaware again, it would be a different type of game.

"I feel like we could be a good road team," Collier added. "We have a lot of seniors on this team. Some of the younger guys feed off what we do. We need to come out and practice hard every day and get ready for the road trip."

Senior wide receiver Jeremy Horne said starting strong is the key.

"We have to focus more. Against Delaware we came off a bye week and came out flat. We dug ourselves a hole," Horne said. "In the first half we have to come out ready. Against Richmond if we get in a hole, we're done."

The game features the Colonial Athletic Association's North and South Division firs-place teams. The Minutemen are tied for the top spot in the North at 2-1, while the Spiders' 4-0 start has them atop the South.

Richmond has won nine straight games against North Division teams including last year's 30-15 win over UMass in Amherst.

The game could mark the return of the four Minutemen who were suspended after they were arrested on a drug charge earlier this month. Safety Shane Viveiros, defensive end Bob McLaughlin, linebacker Mike Mele and defensive back James Carven made the trip to Richmond on Friday.

The four were suspended for the game against Delaware and coach Kevin Morris did not allow them to be in uniform for last Saturday's game against New Hampshire.

Time & location: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Richmond Stadium

Records: UMass 4-2 (2-1 CAA); Richmond 6-0 (4-0 CAA)

Last week: UMass upset New Hampshire, 23-17; Richmond beat Maine, 38-21

All-time series: UMass leads 13-10

Last year: Richmond beat UMass 30-15

TV: None

Radio: WRNX-FM (100.9), WMUA-FM (91.1)

Internet broadcast: Links can be found at umassathletics.com

When UMass has the ball: If the Minutemen are going to try to get senior tailback Tony Nelson going again, Richmond won't be an easy team to do it against. The Spiders have allowed just 71.2 yards per game on the ground, second fewest in the CAA. If Nelson is healthy, he and Jonathan Hernandez will likely both see carries in the game. But the best approach for UMass might be in the air. The Minutemen lead the CAA with 251 passing yards per game while Richmond is 10th in passing yards allowed at 221 per game. Some of that results from teams being forced to pass against the Spiders because Richmond has led late in most of its games.

Senior linebacker Collin McConaghy leads the Spiders with 49 tackles

When Richmond has the ball: With injuries knocking Nelson off the top of the CAA's rushing leaders, Spider senior tailback Justin Forte now leads the conference in rushing yards at 85.3 per game. He is averaging 112.3 yards over the last three games.

Senior quarterback Eric Ward's 10 touchdown passes are tied for second in the conference and he is averaging 203.7 yards per game. He has been intercepted three times.

Ward is 36-10 in his career as the Spiders' starter. He is Richmond's career leader in touchdown passes (55) and completions (680).

He's been hard to sack this year as opponents have taken him down a league-low six times.

Tre Gray has been his favorite receiver this season with 27 catches for 323 yards.

Notable: UMass is 7-4 in its last 11 games against top-five teams.

The game is a homecoming for Minuteman cornerback Ke'Mon Bailey, who is from Richmond.

Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Follow UMass coverage on Twitter at twitter.com/GazetteUMass. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at http://www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage.