University of Richmond Athletics
Stephen Howell Named CAA Defensive Player of the Week
10/29/2007 | Football
Oct. 29, 2007
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Stephen Howell came up with two of the biggest defensive plays Saturday in Richmond's 17-16 win over rival James Madison. For his efforts, he was named the CAA Football Defensive Player of Week. The senior strong safety, who made the game-saving interception and recovered a fumble, becomes the Spiders' league-leading eighth weekly honoree this season.
A Richmond native from nearby Highland Springs High School, Howell recorded a team-best nine tackles, holding a JMU offense which was averaging 428 yards a game, to just 256. Howell's fumble recovery at the Dukes' 10-yard line resulted in a Richmond touchdown on the ensuing play.
Then in the game's final minute, with Richmond leading 17-16 and JMU driving, Rodney Landers heaved a pass down the sideline intended for Antoinne Bolton, only to have Howell pick it off at the Richmond 23 to preserve the Spiders' win. (Listen to the call of Howell's interception.)
His acrobatic, game-saving interception was his first of the season (eighth career); while his fumble recovery was the first since his freshman season.
Howell and the defense contained the explosive Landers, holding him to just 79 yards on the ground and 129 in the air (8-for-22 passing). The Richmond defense has allowed just one touchdown over its past three games, and is leading the league at 19.0 points allowed per game.
The victory on the road at sold-out Bridgeforth Stadium on JMU's Homecoming and Centennial Anniversary celebrations vaulted the Spiders (6-2, 4-1) into a tie for first in the brutally-tough CAA South Division.
The gauntlet that is the final four games of Richmond's regular-season slate continues at home versus Villanova Saturday at 3:30 p.m. for the Spiders' Homecoming. The Wildcats (5-3, 3-2) are fresh off an upset of No. 15 Hofstra. Games at No. 8 Delaware (7-1, 4-1) and home versus William & Mary (4-4, 2-3) conclude the regular season.
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