University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
James Madison
Spiders Hang On To Defeat Dukes, 20-17
10/13/2001 | Football
Oct 13, 2001
LB Mark Thompson's interception return for touchdown gives UR 7-0 lead 15 seconds into the game
DB Chad Blackstock's interception in first quarter
QB Cordell Roane's first collegiate completition - 23 yds to Ryan Tolhurst on 3rd & 17
RB J.R. Purnell's 10-yard TD run gives UR 20-3 lead in 3rd quarter
Roane's 23 yard run puts him over 100 yards rushing in the game
DL Jonathan Wilfong sacks JMU QB Matt LeZotte
HARRISONBURG, Va. (AP) - An interception return by Mark Thompson in the first minute of the game Saturday helped Richmond to its first victory of the season with a 20-17 win over James Madison.
Richmond (1-4, 1-2 Atlantic 10) took the lead 15 seconds into the game when Thompson snagged a Matt LeZotte pass for a 12-yard return. Doug Kirchner followed in the second quarter with a pair of field goals for 31 and 29 yards, to bring the score at the half to 13-3.
James Madison (1-5, 0-5) came back with a pair of touchdowns, with a 26-yard LeZotte pass to Robert Carsonin in the third, and a fumble recovery for 33 yards by Derrick Lloyd with eight minutes left in the game.
Richmond's J.R. Purnell scored early in the third on a 10-yard run. Spider defense held the Dukes to 22 rushing yards. Junior Cordell Roane got his first career start at quarterback on Saturday, accounting for 159 of the Spiders' 340 total yards.
The Spiders win comes after four losses to start out the season, including narrow losses against I-A opponents Virginia, 17-16, and Vanderbilt, 28-22.
