University of Richmond Athletics
Football Game Suspended Due to Heavy Rain; Play Resumes Sunday at Noon
10/26/2002 | Football
Richmond led 6-0 at the half when the game was called. The contest will resume with the start of the second half. Air time on WRNL-AM 910 will be at 11:45 a.m.EST.
The audio broadcast, live and archived will also be available on the internet through Richmond Spiders.com by clicking here.
The Richmond-Rhode Island football game was suspended at halftime Saturday because the field at Meade Stadium was flooded.
Under Atlantic 10 Conference rules, the game can resume, since less than three quarters were completed. Richmond was leading 6-0. If the game cannot be finished by noon Sunday, however, the outcome will be considered final and Richmond will get the victory.
"We'll do anything in our power to get the field ready for tomorrow. It all depends on the weather," Rhode Island athletic director Ron Petro said.
Flooding began on the Rhode Island sideline during the first half, and a downpour at halftime put the entire field under water. By 2 p.m., about 30 minutes after the suspension was announced, no grass was visible.
"I've been coaching 22 years, and I've had a lot of games in the rain. One time we even played in a hurricane. But I've never seen anything like this happen before," Rhode Island coach Tim Stowers said.
Richmond coach Jim Reid said he didn't understand why officials were considering stopping the game until his team exited the field through the south end zone.
"The water was up to my knees. I'm not a tall guy, but that's still pretty deep," Reid said.
D'Arcy Wills found Boyd Ouden for a 22-yard touchdown pass with 1:59 left in the second quarter to give Richmond the game's only points.
