Defense Stands Tall In Football’s 21-10 Loss At Virginia Tech

Saturday, September 25

Blacksburg, VA

Noon

University of Richmond

2-2 , 0-1

Virginia Tech

3-1 , 1-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Richmond

Virginia Tech

Photo by: Stephen Blue

Defense Stands Tall In Football’s 21-10 Loss At Virginia Tech

09/25/2021 | Football

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BLACKSBURG, Va. – The University of Richmond football team stood toe-to-toe with Atlantic Coast Conference foe Virginia Tech Saturday, battling to a 21-10 loss at Lane Stadium.

The Spider defense was stout Saturday, limiting the Hokies to only 14 points on offense and holding them to 318 yards of total offense. Linebacker Tyler Dressler (Covington, Va.) had a homecoming of sorts as the Covington native grew up only 60 miles from the stadium. Dressler led the way with a game-high 12 tackles, including two for loss and a quarterback sack in the fourth quarter.

Redshirt freshman Aamir Hall (Baltimore, Md.) added eight tackles and recorded a career-high three pass breakups in coverage. Safety Aaron Banks (Stephens City, Va.) chipped in seven tackles and had a first half interception that set up the Spiders' lone touchdown on the day.

Offensively, the Spiders rushed for 160 yards on the Hokies, the second most Virginia Tech has allowed this season (180 vs. West Virginia). This all despite quarterback Joe Mancuso (Blairsville, Ga.) being hurt on the Spiders' second offensive play of the game, a 29-yard rush. Mancuso was forced to miss the remainder of the game with an injury to his right index finger.

Graduate quarterback Beau English (Stevenson, Md.) came on in relief and conducted the offense. English rushed for 22 yards on the game and passed for 77 as he was 15-of-23 through the air. Redshirt junior running back Aaron Dykes (Knoxville, Tenn.) led the rushing attack with 58 yards on 12 carries while redshirt sophomore Savon Smith (Winchester, Va.) added 53 yards on 11 carries.

Virginia Tech (3-1) took the opening drive and the momentum form the crown of 53,174, driving down the field 65 yards on six plays. Braxton Burmeister connected on a 10-yard scoring strike with Tre Turner for the early 7-0 lead for the Hokies. The Spiders held the Hokies to only 23 yards rushing in the opening quarter.

Richmond (2-2) pinned the Hokies deep in their territory early in the second quarter as Aaron Trusler (Melbourne, Australia) dropped a 42-yard kick down at the six-yard line. On the second play of the drive, Banks stepped in front of a Knox Kadum pass for his first career interception and the second-straight week he has forced a turnover. Smith wasted little time, cashing in on the first play and running it in for a 16-yard touchdown, tying the game at 7-7.

Virginia Tech got a big play on special teams before halftime. Tayvion Robinson returned a Trusler punt 60 yards for his second punt return touchdown of the year, giving the Hokies a 14-7 lead.

The Spiders came out of halftime and took the first drive for points, going 54 yards on 11 plays. Smith sparked the drive with a 9-yard catch from English. Dykes added back-to-back 16-yard runs to get the Spiders into the Hokies territory. Redshirt sophomore kicker Jake Larson (Baltimore, Md.) pulled the Spiders within 14-10 as he drilled a 38-yard field goal.

The Hokies answered right back on the ensuing drive. Burmeister connected on a 42-yard pass with Turner down to the Spiders 11-yard line despite great coverage from Hall. Virginia Tech needed four plays to punch it in as Conor Blumrick scored from one-yard out for the 21-10 advantage.

The Spiders return home for two-straight at Robins Stadium, beginning next Saturday when Elon comes to town in a CAA battle. Both Richmond and the Phoenix are 0-1 in league play this year. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

--UR—