Spiders Impress Across All Three Phases In 38-24 Win Over Elon

Saturday, November 11

Richmond, Va.

2 p.m.

University of Richmond

7-3 , 6-1

Elon

5-5 , 5-2

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Elon	7	0	7	10	24
Richmond	7	21	0	10	38

Ja'Vion Griffin makes a one-handed catch during Richmond's game against Elon on Nov. 11, 2023

Spiders Impress Across All Three Phases In 38-24 Win Over Elon

11/11/2023 | Football

Box Score

Richmond, Va. – The University of Richmond football program put together a complete team effort en route to its fifth win in a row Saturday, defeating Elon, 38-24, at Robins Stadium. With the win, the Spiders move to 7-3 (6-1 Coastal Athletic Association) and will play for a share of the conference title next week at William & Mary during "The South's Oldest Rivalry," the Capital Cup Presented By C&F Bank.

All phases excelled as the Spiders out-gained the Phoenix (5-5, 5-2 CAA), 420-371, led by quarterback Kyle Wickersham's career-high 130 rushing yards and a touchdown. Wickersham is the first Richmond quarterback to rush for over 100 yards since Nov. 13, 2021 when Joe Mancuso picked up 116 against Delaware, and his 130 rushing yards are the most by a Richmond quarterback since Nov. 28, 2009 when Eric Ward ran for 136 against Elon. Wickersham also finished the day 20-of-27 for 169 yards and two passing touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, Tristan Wheeler led with 12 tackles, a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry as the Spiders defense forced the Phoenix into two turnover on downs and held them to just 90 yards on the ground. With his 11th tackle of the game, Wheeler has recorded 100 or more tackles in four-straight full season of football (2019, 2021 fall, 2022, 2023).

The Spiders scored on their opening drive after a 35-yard completion to Landon Ellis set up for a one-yard rushing touchdown by Wickersham a play later to put the Spiders up 7-0 early in the opening quarter. During the same drive, Wickersham connected on a four-yard completion to Jasiah Williams, who was playing in his first game this season after suffering an ACL tear during spring practice. Williams' return to play comes just 26 weeks after undergoing surgery to repair the torn ligament.

Elon scored its first touchdown of the game at the 3:58 mark of the first quarter after a seven-play, 55 yard drive resulted in a 37-yard touchdown pass from Elon's Matthew Downing to Jamarien Dalton.

Richmond responded to the Elon score with one of its own on the following possession when Wickersham scrambled to find an open Connor Deveney who caught the pass from nine yards out and leaped at the pylon in the end zone for his first touchdown of the season.

Deveney's touchdown was set up by the Spiders third successful fake punt of the year that resulted in a first down. This time, Aaron Trusler evaded defenders and ran 21 yards to keep the ball in Richmond's hands and allow Deveney to score seven plays later to make it a 14-7 contest. Trusler punted four times during the game, averaging 45.2 yards a kick.

The following Richmond possession ended with Savon Smith's first of three touchdowns on the day, this one coming as a one-yard touchdown run. The score was set up by a miraculous one-handed 30-yard reception by Ja'Vion Griffin.

An Elon turnover on downs gave Richmond the ball back with 5:12 left in the half and the Spiders worked the clock down to just 16 seconds as Wickersham connected on a 12-yard pass to Smith where he was able to waltz into the end zone untouched to put the Spiders up 28-7 at the half.

Elon came out of the half and scored a touchdown at the 8:17 mark of the third after Jalen Hampton ran in a touchdown from 42 yards out.

Andrew Lopez connected on a 25-yard field goal at the 8:48 mark of the fourth quarter to put the Spiders 31-14, then Elon kicked a field goal of it's own to make it 31-17 with 6:34 left in the game.

On the following drive, Wickersham rushed up the middle of the field 52 yards to put the Spiders in scoring position, then Smith scored his third and final touchdown of the day after he found his way into the end zone from two yards out. The drive was set up by another Elon turnover on downs, this one brought up by an Aaron Banks pass breakup.

Down three scores with time expiring,, the Phoenix tacked on an additional touchdown with just 1:36 left in the contest, and Richmond recovered an unsuccessful onside kick attempt to head into victory formation and earn its seventh win over the last eight games.

Richmond heads to Williamsburg next Saturday, Nov. 18 to face rival William & Mary in "The South's Oldest Rivalry," the Capital Cup Presented By C&F Bank. The Spiders will look to improve its playoff chances and earn their eighth win of the season and a share of the CAA title in the game set for 1:00 p.m. at Zable Stadium.