University of Richmond Athletics
2001 Football Season Review
11/26/2001 | Football
After five years of lifting together, sweating together and competing together, it was time to clutch in a final hug on the gridiron of college football. For 18 fifth-year seniors on a grass field in Amherst, Massachusetts, this was the memory they will carry with them of their final collegiate season.
So much was expected of this 2001 team when a host of experienced veterans returned from one of the best squads in program history. In 2000, the Spiders won school-record 10 games and advanced to the second round of the I-AA playoffs. Expectations abound as the Spiders hoped to improve on last year's success.
It didn't happen as scripted. However, despite a 2-8 record heading into the season-finale, Hollywood could not have written a better ending for this senior class that has meant so much to one of the elite programs in I-AA football.
These seniors led the Spiders to a convincing win against UMass, a school where current Richmond head coach Jim Reid patrolled the sideline for 19 years.
Quarterback Sean Gustus ran for a career-high 168 yards, including a 63-yard touchdown run. He also threw for a score in leading the Richmond offense to 438 total yards. Tailback J.R. Purnell ran for two scores while fullback Scott Fulton scored the game's first touchdown.
Seniors anchored the offensive line that pushed and opened the field for a season-high 386 rushing yards. Center David Pustylnik, guard Ken Farrar and tight end Mike Millard were outstanding in the trenches.
Led by its seniors, the defense held the Minutemen to 178 total yards, just nine rushing. Lineman Andrew Bogle led the team with five tackles, three for loss, and recovered a fumble. Defensive end Jonathan Wilfong made four tackles, two for loss, forced a fumble and recovered another. He also made one of the Spiders' six sacks on the day.
Defensive lineman Josh Spraker made four tackles, including a seven-yard sack. Safety Chad Blackstock snagged two interceptions, one at the goal line. Walter Blue, Fred Hanes, Ronald Samuel and Jason Hill also starred in the dominating performance.
The win didn't seal a playoff bid or a winning season, but this victory paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of a special group of men that sacrificed numerous hours to the pursuit of perfection.
The season started on a promising note as the Spiders almost pulled off a monumental upset in Charlottesville. Trailing 17-0 in the third quarter, Richmond mounted a comeback that would eventually fall one-point short, 17-16. Richmond was driving late in the game for the winning field goal but wide receiver Ryan Tolhurst was stripped at the Virginia19-yard-line and the Cavaliers sealed the win. Tolhurst finished the game with six receptions for 117 yards.
The resilient Spiders next faced an early bye week before a scheduled game at UMass. However, the tragedy of September 11 postponed the game until the end of the season. Richmond went 21 days between games, the longest span since 1981.
Showing no signs of rust, the Spiders scored on their first two possessions and led 16-14 at the break in Nashville, Tenn. against SEC-member Vanderbilt. The Commodores opened their passing attack in the second half and held on for a 28-22 win. Even worse than the team's loss, senior quarterback D'Arcy Wills, senior defensive lineman Randy Witham and senior defensive back David Giles were all lost for the remainder of the season.
At 0-2, Richmond steadied for its first home game and its Atlantic 10 opener. The Spiders led 30-15 with 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter but the Villanova Wildcats rallied for a one-point victory. Villanova's Casey Hannon kicked a 30-yard field goal with one second remaining to cap the comeback, 31-30. The Spiders produced 449 yards of total offense.
Next, head coach Jim Reid led the Spiders to his alma mater, the University of Maine. On a cold and ugly night, the Black Bears shutdown the Richmond offense and prevailed 14-3. This game marked the only time all season that UR's opponent out rushed the Spiders, 180-132. In defeat, Sean Gustus injured his shoulder and would miss the next five games. The reigns were handed to junior Cordell Roane who hadn't played quarterback since high school.
In his first collegiate start, Roane was stellar in leading the Spiders to their first win of the season, 20-17 at James Madison. The junior ran for 128 yards on a team-high 33 carries. As a team, the Spiders ran 80 times, the second most single-game attempts in program history. Junior linebacker Mark Thompson intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown on the second play of the game.
Feeling rejuvenated with their first win, Richmond then traveled to Northeastern for an afternoon game. In a defensive struggle, Huskies quarterback Shawn Brady raced 77 yards on his first collegiate carry to account for the only points of the contest. The Spider defense allowed just 230 total yards and five first downs.
Pressure mounted as the 1-5 Spiders returned home for back-to-back games against teams ranked in the top-5.
Richmond passed its first test, blanking the previously undefeated Rhode Island Rams, 28-0, on Homecoming at UR Stadium. Roane ran for 111 yards and threw for two touchdowns. Their perfect performance marked the first time since the 1948 season that Richmond followed being shutout by posting a shutout.
Despite a record setting game by Roane, Richmond lost to the high-powered Hofstra Pride squad, 35-21. Roane ran for 246 yards, second all-time in a single game, and amassed 402 yards of total offense, tied for second on UR's all-time single game list. The Spiders trailed early but fought back to tie the game, 21-21, at halftime.
In Richmond's next game, the Spider defense held the Delaware offense to 172 total yards, 42 in the second half. However, Richmond could only manage two field goals and fell 10-6 in Newark. Delaware head coach Tubby Raymond became the ninth collegiate coach to earn 300 victories.
The fourth oldest rivalry in college football set the stage for Richmond's final home game, Senior Day against William & Mary. After spotting the Tribe a 23-0 lead after three quarters, the Richmond offense scored 20 unanswered points but never captured a lead. Returning from injury, Sean Gustus ran for a score and threw a 50-yard touchdown to Boyd Ouden.
The Spiders were forced to summon their pride and travel on Thanksgiving for the season finale against Massachusetts. As it turned out, the Spiders and their fans had a lot to be thankful for when the visitors stole the show.
The Richmond defense, consistent all season, was one of the best in I-AA football. The total defense ranked 11th nationally (279.8 yards/game) while the scoring defense (17.2 points/game) ranked 13th in the nation. Richmond's rush defense yielded just 87.1 yards per game, seventh best in all of I-AA football.
The Spiders' rush offense was also ranked in the top-10 nationally. Richmond ran for 249.8 yards per game, eighth best. Junior Kenny Dantzler finished 50th in kick returns, averaging 22.7 yards per return.
The Spiders finished the season at 3-8 overall, 3-6 in the Atlantic 10. Although the final record wasn't what the coaches and players envisioned, the Richmond football program can lift their heads high, knowing they worked as hard as they could.
This year's accomplished senior class won two Atlantic 10 Championships and qualified for the I-AA playoffs twice. They have solidified a foundation of prolific success for the future of Richmond Football.
