University of Richmond Athletics
Richmond's Ward Named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week
11/19/2006 | Football
Nov. 19, 2006
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Redshirt freshman Eric Ward was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week, league officials announced Sunday evening. The Spider quarterback garnered his second Rookie of the Week honor this season after helping the Spiders to a season-ending win at rival William & Mary Saturday, 31-14.
Ward, an Atlanta, Ga., native, logged 174 yards through the air and garnered nine yards on five carries for the Spiders. The SW Dekalb High School alum was 21-for-31 in passing and tossed two touchdown passes, one for eight yards and the other for three yards. His 21 completions mark a career-best, while the 174 yards through the air mark his second-best total this season. His two touchdown passes tie a career-high set against Rhode Island, Oct. 14.
Ward, Richmond's starter at quarterback in 10 of its 11 games, finished the season with 1,424 yards passing and 11 touchdowns. He also garnered 130 yards rushing on 57 carries and scored two touchdowns on the ground in 2006. Ward led the team with an average of 155.4 yards of total offense a game, while averaging 142.4 yards passing per contest.
The Spiders (6-5, 3-5) wrapped up their 2006 season Saturday with a 31-14 win at William & Mary to cap its second-straight winning season. Richmond's win at Williamsburg, combined with last season's victory over the Tribe, mark the first consecutive wins since 1972-73 for the Spiders in the all-time series against William & Mary. Saturday's victory also helped Richmond to a combined 15 wins in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1997-98.
