University of Richmond Athletics
Saturday, November 20
Williamsburg, VA
3:30 PM
University of Richmond
20
at
17
William & Mary
Photo by: Mike Tripp
Football Keeps Capital Cup In Richmond, Takes Overall Lead In Series
11/20/2021 | Football
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – For the first time since 1988, the University of Richmond football team has the overall lead in "The South's Oldest Rivalry" - The Capital Cup presented by C&F Bank - as the Spiders defeated rival William & Mary 20-17 Saturday at Zable Stadium in Williamsburg. The Spiders take over the all-time series lead in the 132nd meeting and now hold a 64-63-5 all-time record against the Tribe.
The victory runs the Spiders' winning streak to four-straight games and gives them a winning record on the season at 6-5 in conference and 4-4 in Colonial Athletic Association play. The Spiders' four-game winning streak is second-longest active streak in the CAA, behind only James Madison's six-straight wins.
Senior linebacker Tyler Dressler (Covington, Va.) was named the Most Valuable Player of The Capital Cup for his efforts leading the Spider defense. Dressler posted 11 tackles in the victory as the Spiders held William & Mary to only 17 points and forced a pair of turnovers. He finished the year second on the team with 92 total tackles.
Redshirt sophomore linebacker Tristan Wheeler (Bethlehem, Pa.) added a game-high 14 tackles in the victory. Wheeler finishes the season leading the team with 114 tackles, marking his second-straight full season with over 100 tackles and leading the CAA in the regular season in tackles.
Offensively, redshirt junior running back Aaron Dykes (Knoxville, Tenn.) helped the Spiders rush for 144 yards in the win. Dykes led the way with a team-high 80 yards rushing on 13 carries, including a rushing touchdown – his 11th total touchdown on the year. Redshirt sophomore Savon Smith (Winchester, Va.) added 45 yards on eight carries in the first half before suffering an injury.
Graduate quarterback Joe Mancuso (Blairsville, Ga.) finished the game 13-of-26 for 188 yards and a pivotal fourth quarter touchdown that proved to be the game-winning score. Redshirt freshman Jasiah Williams (Petersburg, Va.) scored the game-winning touchdown, hauling in a 47-yard score with 10:07 remaining in the game.
William & Mary (6-5, 4-4 CAA) scored the game's first points, converting a 24-yard field goal in the second quarter for its only points in the opening half. The Spiders responded in resounding fashion, drive 97 yards on eight plays, capped by a six-yard touchdown run from Dykes for the 7-3 lead. The Spiders did most of their damage on the drive on the ground, but Mancuso connected with Leroy Henley (Pompano Beach, Fla.) on a 50-yard gain setting the Spiders up in the red zone.
Richmond forced a quick 3-and-out, getting the ball back with 1:20 remaining. A 19-yard pass to Smith got things going and three more runs by him gained 16 yards, setting the Spiders up in the red zone. Redshirt sophomore Jake Larson (Baltimore, Md.) converted on a 43-yard field goal giving the Spiders a 10-3 lead at the break.
The Spiders extended their lead to 13-3 early in the third quarter when Larson hit from 26-yards. The drive saw Dykes account for 31 total yards, including 23 on the ground. The Tribe would pull back within three at 13-10 as they scored their first touchdown with a 25-yard run by Bronson Yoder.
Richmond again extended its lead to two scores, this time with a big play offensively. The Spiders were moving the ball down the field on the ground before Mancuso found Williams alone behind the defense for the 47-yard scoring strike and a 20-10 advantage.
William & Mary made things interesting by scoring a touchdown with 2:33 remaining but the drive took up 7:34 on the clock leaving little remaining. The Tribe was able to successful execute an onside kick and got the ball back at their 46-yard line.
The Spider defense stepped up big when it was needed as they stopped Tribe quarterback Darius Wilson on a 3-and-1 for no gain on a tackle by Caleb Brooks (Clifton, Va.). On fourth down, Wilson was sacked for a loss and a turnover on downs by Aidan Murray (Ogdensburg, N.J.) in the middle, sealing the Spider victory.
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The victory runs the Spiders' winning streak to four-straight games and gives them a winning record on the season at 6-5 in conference and 4-4 in Colonial Athletic Association play. The Spiders' four-game winning streak is second-longest active streak in the CAA, behind only James Madison's six-straight wins.
Senior linebacker Tyler Dressler (Covington, Va.) was named the Most Valuable Player of The Capital Cup for his efforts leading the Spider defense. Dressler posted 11 tackles in the victory as the Spiders held William & Mary to only 17 points and forced a pair of turnovers. He finished the year second on the team with 92 total tackles.
Redshirt sophomore linebacker Tristan Wheeler (Bethlehem, Pa.) added a game-high 14 tackles in the victory. Wheeler finishes the season leading the team with 114 tackles, marking his second-straight full season with over 100 tackles and leading the CAA in the regular season in tackles.
Offensively, redshirt junior running back Aaron Dykes (Knoxville, Tenn.) helped the Spiders rush for 144 yards in the win. Dykes led the way with a team-high 80 yards rushing on 13 carries, including a rushing touchdown – his 11th total touchdown on the year. Redshirt sophomore Savon Smith (Winchester, Va.) added 45 yards on eight carries in the first half before suffering an injury.
Graduate quarterback Joe Mancuso (Blairsville, Ga.) finished the game 13-of-26 for 188 yards and a pivotal fourth quarter touchdown that proved to be the game-winning score. Redshirt freshman Jasiah Williams (Petersburg, Va.) scored the game-winning touchdown, hauling in a 47-yard score with 10:07 remaining in the game.
William & Mary (6-5, 4-4 CAA) scored the game's first points, converting a 24-yard field goal in the second quarter for its only points in the opening half. The Spiders responded in resounding fashion, drive 97 yards on eight plays, capped by a six-yard touchdown run from Dykes for the 7-3 lead. The Spiders did most of their damage on the drive on the ground, but Mancuso connected with Leroy Henley (Pompano Beach, Fla.) on a 50-yard gain setting the Spiders up in the red zone.
Richmond forced a quick 3-and-out, getting the ball back with 1:20 remaining. A 19-yard pass to Smith got things going and three more runs by him gained 16 yards, setting the Spiders up in the red zone. Redshirt sophomore Jake Larson (Baltimore, Md.) converted on a 43-yard field goal giving the Spiders a 10-3 lead at the break.
The Spiders extended their lead to 13-3 early in the third quarter when Larson hit from 26-yards. The drive saw Dykes account for 31 total yards, including 23 on the ground. The Tribe would pull back within three at 13-10 as they scored their first touchdown with a 25-yard run by Bronson Yoder.
Richmond again extended its lead to two scores, this time with a big play offensively. The Spiders were moving the ball down the field on the ground before Mancuso found Williams alone behind the defense for the 47-yard scoring strike and a 20-10 advantage.
William & Mary made things interesting by scoring a touchdown with 2:33 remaining but the drive took up 7:34 on the clock leaving little remaining. The Tribe was able to successful execute an onside kick and got the ball back at their 46-yard line.
The Spider defense stepped up big when it was needed as they stopped Tribe quarterback Darius Wilson on a 3-and-1 for no gain on a tackle by Caleb Brooks (Clifton, Va.). On fourth down, Wilson was sacked for a loss and a turnover on downs by Aidan Murray (Ogdensburg, N.J.) in the middle, sealing the Spider victory.
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