University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
North Carolina State
Spiders Stopped By NC State In Season Opener
09/04/2004 | Football
Sept. 4, 2004
RALEIGH, N.C. - The Richmond Spiders opened the 2004 college football season on the losing end of a 42-0 decision to NC State before 55,600 fans at sold-out Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh Saturday evening.
Despite the lopsided margin, Richmond showed outstanding resolve, allowing just seven points in the second half to the I-A opponent. Junior linebacker Brian Burnette led the effort with a career-high 11 tackles, six solo.
After the Spiders held on the first possession against the ACC power, the Wolfpack drove 55 yards on 12 plays to dent the scoreboard with a two-yard touchdown from Darrell Blackman.
The Wolfpack made it 14-0 when Tramain Hall and Jay Davis connected on a 17-yard touchdown pass with 2:44 to play in the first stanza.
The Spider defense held NC State to two short-range field goals before a blocked punt was recovered in the endzone by Marcus Hudson for another score, this with 3:24 showing on the second-quarter clock.
NC State used a quick-strike offense to go into the locker room with a 35-0 lead when they moved the ball 57 yards on six plays in just 1:25, culminating in an eight-yard Brian Clark touchdown reception from Davis with 24 seconds to play before halftime.
The Spiders best chance to score came immediately in the second half. The Wolfpack's Reggie Davis fumbled the kick off and it was recovered by redshirt freshman Stephen Howell at the home team's 31-yard-line. The drive stalled and Joseph Fore missed a 43-yard field goal, keeping the margin at 35.
Davis later atoned for his miscue when he scampered two yards across the goal line to set the final score.
Junior Stacy Tutt provided most of the offense for the Spiders, completing 10 passes for 63 yards and running seven times for a team-high 30.
The Wolfpack out-gained Richmond 403-167.
Game Notes
• Playing in his first collegiate game, redshirt freshman Stephen Howell made nine tackles and recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half.
• Stacy Tutt led the team in rushing for the third time in the past four games (all starts at QB).
• True freshman Tim Hightower led the Spiders with 11 carries.
• Spiders' worst loss in a season opener since 1965, 56-0 at West Virginia.
• First time shutout in a season opener since 1979, 31-0 at Virginia.
• The Spiders had a blocked punt returned for a touchdown for the first time since Sept. 30, 2000 - a 30-27 win at Arkansas State.
