Daniel Jones Seals Win over No. 18 Maine with Late Interception

Saturday, October 12

Orono, ME

Noon

University of Richmond

Maine

Photo by: Peter Buehner

Daniel Jones Seals Win over No. 18 Maine with Late Interception

10/12/2019 | Football

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ORONO, Me. – With the game on the line in the final minute of play, the University of Richmond football team got a big play from its senior safety Daniel Jones (Williamsburg, Va.) who jumped a pass over the middle for the interception to seal a 24-17 win for the Spiders over the No. 18 Maine Black Bears. The interception was the game's lone turnover and came at a pivotal moment as the Spiders won the turnover battle for the second-straight game.

Richmond improves to 3-3 on the season and 2-1 in the Colonial Athletic Association, winning back-to-back league games for the first time since the 2017 season. Maine, the 2018 CAA Champions, fall to 2-4 and 0-3 in CAA play. The victory marked the Spiders first over a ranked team since November 4, 2017 when Richmond shutout then 20^th-ranked Villanova 22-0 on the road.

The Spider defense posted another strong outing Saturday afternoon. Junior linebacker Tyler Dressler (Covington, Va.) was all over the field, recording a career-high 20 tackles, and one for loss. Dressler's 20 tackles are a career-high and the most for a Spider since Darius McMillan recorded 20 tackles against William & Mary in 2011. The 20 tackles are also the most for any player in the CAA this season.

Graduate transfer cornerback Brandon Feamster (Exton, Pa.) added a career-high 12 tackles, four solo and 1.5 sacks. The sacks marked the first of his Richmond career. Senior defensive end Maurice Jackson (Levittown, Pa.) made some big plays down the stretch, recording seven tackles, two sacks, two and a half tackles for loss and got into the passing lane on Maine's final attempt, helping aid the Jones interception.

On the offensive side, redshirt junior quarterback Joe Mancuso (Damascus, Md.) started his third game of the season at quarterback and his first since Boston College (September 7). Mancuso led the way by scoring all three of the Spiders' touchdowns, two on the ground and one through the air. He finished 14-for-24 passing for 226 yards and a touchdown and led the attack on the ground, toting the ball 12 times for 28 yards and hitting pay dirt twice.

Six different receivers caught passes Saturday afternoon. Graduate transfer Keyston Fuller (Griffin, Ga.) had a knack for the big play, catching three passes for 127 yards and a touchdown. Fuller's 66-yard touchdown catch in the second half was a pivotal play for the Spiders as it answered a big play from Maine. Graduate transfer Charlie Fessler (Erie, Pa.) grabbed four catches for 47 yards while redshirt freshman Isaac Brown (Winchester, Va.) added three catches for 21 yards.

The Black Bears jumped out to an early led, taking the opening drive 75 yards for the touchdown as Chris Ferguson hit Jaquan Blair for a 21-yard score on third down. The Spiders countered with a 14-play, 71-yard touchdown drive of their as Mancuso scored his first rushing touchdown of the day from four yards out. Maine pulled back in font as Kenny Doak hit a 25-yard field goal with 4:08 remaining in the first half. Doak would go on to miss to other field goals in the first half.

The Spiders got back in front with six minutes remaining in the third quarter. After Mancuso hit freshman tight end Ryan Coll (Gainesville, Va.) on a 15-yard pass play got the Spiders down to the one, Mancuso took it himself with a one-yard plunge to give the Spiders the 14-10 lead. The reception was the first of Coll's career and was a big play on the drive.

Richmond pinned the Black Bears deep following a career-long 68-yard punt from freshman Jake Larson (Baltimore, Md.), but the Black Bears hit on an 87-yard pass play to go back in front 17-14. The Spiders countered on their next play from scrimmage, as Mancuso hit Fuller on a 66-yard touchdown to go back up 21-17. Richmond added a 26-yard field goal from Larson with 6:53 remaining in the game for the seven-point cushion.

Maine threatened twice in the closing minutes looking for the tying score but the Spiders' defense stepped up both possessions. Jackson recorded his second sack of the day to force a fourth and long which led to the Black Bears turning the ball over on downs with 2:10 left in the game.

The Spiders failed to pick up a first down and were forced to punt, giving Maine one final chance. Blair returned the punt 30 yards, setting the Bears up at the Spider 19-yard line. After picking up a first down on the ground, Dressler was able to take down quarterback Joe Fagnano for a four-yard loss and stuff Joe Fitzpatrick for no gain setting up the final play. The Spiders got pressure on Fitzpatrick and he forced it towards the end zone but Jones was there to secure the interception and seal the victory.

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