University of Richmond Athletics
Football Hosts Five Home Games In 2003
03/31/2003 | Football
March 31, 2003
Bryson Spinner
Real Video | Windows Media
Stacy Tutt
Real Video | Windows Media
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Five home games, including a renewal of the South's oldest college football rivalry, highlight the 2003 Richmond football schedule, released today.
Ninth-year head coach Jim Reid and the Spiders begin the 2003 campaign with the Atlantic 10 opener at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13 when the Spiders travel to Delaware. Richmond defeated the Blue Hens, 15-13 last season, by blocking the potential game-winning field goal with 17 seconds remaining.
One of the year's two non-conference contests follows, when Richmond travels to Greeneville, S.C. for a 7 p.m. game at Furman. The Paladins escaped UR Stadium with a 17-7 win last fall.
The 2003 home opener, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27 against Rhode Island, highlight's Richmond's Family Weekend. The Spiders have shut out the Rams in each of the last two seasons and have won eight consecutive contests.
Richmond returns to the road for a 3 p.m. contest at Maine (Oct. 4), and a 3 p.m. game at James Madison. The Spiders have won the past two games against the Dukes, while holding a 9-8 series advantage against the Black Bears.
A three-game homestand completes October, beginning against New Hampshire at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18. Richmond then renews its rivalry with VMI by inviting the Keydets to Homecoming on Oct. 25. Richmond and VMI have met 80 times in history, most recently on Sept. 4, 1999 when the Spiders earned a 42-6 win at UR Stadium. Villanova, the only A-10 team the Spiders did not play last season, invade UR Stadium at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8. The Wildcats advanced to the I-AA national semifinals last season. Richmond does not play Hofstra this fall.
Consecutive trips to Massachusetts complete the regular-season road schedule. The Spiders travel to Amherst to face UMass, a place where Richmond earned a 35-7 win in the 2002 season finale. The Spiders return to the Massachusetts for a contest against Northeastern on Nov. 15.
The fourth oldest rivalry in college football, the oldest in the South, convenes for its 113th meeting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22. The Spiders closed the 2002 season by handing William and Mary a 35-13 loss at Zable Stadium. W&M leads the overall series 57-50-5.
