University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Georgetown
No. 4 Richmond Routs Georgetown, 49-10
11/14/2009 | Football
Nov. 14, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. - No. 4 Richmond bounced back Saturday with a convincing 49-10 win over Georgetown in Washington, D.C. The Spiders built an early lead, rested many of its regulars in the second half and improved to 9-1. Sophomore Tremayne Graham returned a kickoff 94 yards for a TD to highlight Richmond's NCAA-leading 12th-consecutive road win.
Seven different Spiders scored in the game as Richmond out-gained Georgetown 457-179 in total offense, including a decisive 250-59 advantage in rushing yards.
Richmond's win, together with William & Mary's victory over New Hampshire Saturday sets the stage for a titanic first-place showdown between the long-time rivals next Saturday at UR Stadium. The Capital Cup hangs in the balance, along with at least a share of the CAA Football title between the teams that are each 9-1 overall and 6-1 in league play.
Senior QB Eric Ward was seven-of-12 passing with two TDs in his abbreviated outing, while sophomore John Laub saw his first significant action as a Spider and a was nine-for-15 for 122 yards. He completed his first six passes in the game - his first career completions - and also rushed four times for 31 yards and a TD.
Seven different Spiders scored as Richmond improved to 4-0 under head coach Mike London following a loss.
Richmond sprinted out to a quick 21-0 lead on its first three possessions of the game and cashed in short-field opportunities after three Hoyas turnovers.
Junior DL Casey Cooley, making his first career start, stripped the ball from Charlie Houghton on the first play from scrimmage and Eric McBride pounced on the loose ball at the GU 25. Ben Keating capped the drive with a TD run.
A Michael Ireland interception gave the Spiders short field on the next drive and six plays and 42 yards later, Tyler Kirchoff scored from a yard out.
Derek Hatcher recovered a fumble on the Hoyas next possession and the Spiders scored on the first play - a 15-yard strike from Ward to Donte Boston.
The game went to halftime with Richmond up 28-10 after back-to-back scores from the Hoyas preceded a 32-yard pass from Ward to Max Prokell - his second career TD catch - with 1:24 left in half.
Graham's dazzling 94-yard return for TD opened the second half and allowed the Spiders enough breathing room to rest many of its starters for the balance of the game. The kick return -- Richmond's first going for a TD since Justin Rogers' 84-yarder versus New Hampshire in 2007 - stands as the fifth-longest in school history.
Laub's nine-yard scamper midway through the third made it 42-10 and Garrett Wilkins capped the scoring with his 12-yard run with 5:37 left in the game.
Justin Forte was one of 11 Spiders to rush the ball and the senior finished with 10 carries for 76 yards. Kirchoff added 57 yards and 10 carries. Richmond ran the 49 times and none of those carries went for negative yards. Boston reeled in four catches for a game-high 74 yards.
Next Saturday's game, which is also the final regular-season Richmond Football game at 81-year old UR Stadium, is set for 12 p.m. ET live on Comcast Network. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-877-SPIDER-1.
