Smith’s Career-High Game Leads Football Over Saint Francis

Saturday, September 10

Richmond, Va.

5:30 PM

University of Richmond

1-1 , 0-0

Saint Francis

0-2 , 0-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Saint Francis (PA)

Richmond

Photo by: Mike Tripp

Smith’s Career-High Game Leads Football Over Saint Francis

09/10/2022 | Football

Box Score Post-Game Press Conference Game Highlights Photo Gallery

RICHMOND, Va. – University of Richmond redshirt junior running back Savon Smith (Winchester, Va.) posted a career-high 128 yards rushing leading the Spiders to a 31-21 victory over Saint Francis Saturday night in the home opener at Saint Francis. The victory marked the 17^th-straight home opening win for the Spiders, a streak that ranks fifth-best currently in NCAA FCS Football.

Smith posted a career-high 21 carries and reached the 100-yard mark for the first time in his career. He becomes the first Spider since Joe Mancuso last season (116 yards) and the first Spider running back since Xavier Goodall in 2017. He helped the Spiders rush for 224 yards as a team with senior running back Aaron Dykes (Knoxville, Tenn.) adding 69 yards on 13 carries .

Graduate quarterback Reece Udinski (North Wales, Pa.) finished the game 29-of-38 through the air for 248 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Jakob Herres (Easton, Pa.) added six catches for 65 yards while Dykes and Smith each scored touchdowns through the air. Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Jasiah Williams (Petersburg, Va.) added six receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown.

Redshirt senior safety Aaron Banks (Stephens City, Va.) led the Spiders' defense, recording two interceptions in the closing minutes of the game to seal the victory. Banks returned the first of his two interceptions 35-yards for the game-clinching touchdown and added his third pick in the first two games on the Red Flash's final offensive play of the night. Redshirt junior linebacker Tristan Wheeler (Bethlehem, Pa.) led the team with 12 tackles, raising his total to 31 tackles in two games.

Saint Francis scored the game's first six points, converting two first quarter field goals. The Spiders responded with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that took over four minutes off the clock. The drive started with an 18-yard connected between Udinski and Herres while it was capped by a 5-yard touchdown pass with Smith for the 7-6 advantage.

Richmond (1-1) put together another long touchdown drive, this one a 13-play, 93-yard drive taking a 14-6 lead. Udinski connected on seven passes during the drive, including a 25-yard strike with transfer Nick DeGennaro (Old Bridge, N.J.) igniting the drive. He connected with Dykes on a 16-yard scoring strike after scrambling for more time and finding him in the open for his second scoring throw of the first half.

Williams gave the Spiders a 24-13 lead early in the fourth quarter, pulling in a five-yard pass from Udinsk,i capping off their Spiders' third long drive of the night. This one went 91 yards on 15 plays, taking almost six minutes off the clock.

The game was still in doubt late in the fourth quarter after the Spiders turned the ball over on downs deep in the Saint Francis territory with 2:01 remaining and Richmond clinging to a 24-21 lead. The Spiders' defense came up big on the possession with Banks intercepting Justin Silwoski on the second play of the drive and returning it 35-yards for the score. Banks capped the night with his second interception with 38 seconds remaining in the game, becoming the first Spider since Daniel Jones to have two interceptions in game in 2017.

The Spiders hit the road for their final non-conference game of the year, travelling to the Keystone State for a meeting against Lehigh. Game time in Bethlehem, Pa., is set for Noon and will be broadcast on ESPN Plus and radio coverage will be on ESPN Richmond.

--UR—