University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Maine
No. 1 Richmond Rolls Past Maine, 38-21, Behind Big Second Half
10/17/2009 | Football
Oct. 17, 2009
ORONO, Maine - No. 1 Richmond scored four consecutive touchdowns in the second half and ran past Maine, 38-21, Saturday at Alfond Stadium in Orono, Maine. Senior Derek Hatcher's 90-yard punt return for touchdown highlighted the Spiders' 15th-consecutive win and 10th-consecutive victory on the road.
Behind the running of senior Justin Forte and sophomore Garrett Wilkins, the Spiders (6-0, 4-0) outgained the Black Bears 252 to minus-two on the ground. Forte racked up 91 yards on 16 carries, while Wilkins had 78 on just five runs - including a 57-yarder for touchdown that put the Spiders up 31-14 in the fourth.
Sophomore WR Eric Ward was 12-for-21 passing for 108 yards and a TD pass.
Richmond found itself down at halftime for the second-consecutive week, but Ward muscled the Spiders downfield on the second-half's opening drive and the reigning National Champions never looked back.
Ward's three-yard TD strike to Donte Boston gave Richmond a 17-14 lead - the 55th career TD pass for Ward to break the school's record - and Hatcher followed with his dazzling 90-yard punt return on the next series to stun Maine's (3-4, 2-2) homecoming crowd.
Wilkins gave the Spiders insurance, when he broke a handful of tackles at the line and sprinted 57-yard down the Maine sideline, putting the visitors on top 31-14 with 12 minutes left.
Ward's 20th career rushing score, which increased the margin to 38-14, was the Spiders fourth-consecutive touchdown after halftime.
The Spiders owned a 360-325 edge in total offense, including the decisive rushing advantage. Maine became the seventh Richmond opponent since last season to gain less than 40 total yards on the ground. Richmond rolled up 199 yards rushing in the second half and Ward was seven-of-10 passing for 70 yards after halftime.
Senior LB Collin McConaghy collected a game-high 13 tackles, forced a fumble and broke up a pass, while junior LB Patrick Weldon and senior NT Martin Parker each had 10. Parker was in on two sacks and four tackles for loss. Junior NG Parker Miles and senior SS Michael Ireland each had the interceptions.
After freshman Kendall Gaskins capped the Spiders first drive with a one-yard score, Maine QB Warren Smith answered with a one-yard keeper.
An Andrew Howard 20-yard field goal put Richmond back up midway through the second quarter, but Ty Jones made a leaping 21-yard TD grab in the end zone in the half's final seconds to give Maine the 14-10 lead at the break.
Smith finished the day 35-of-58 passing for 327 yards and two TDs. He was sacked three times and picked off twice. Jones caught both of Smith's TD throws and reeled in 78 yards on nine catches.
