CHAMPIONS!: Spiders Grind Out Capital Cup Victory, Earn Share of CAA Title

Saturday, November 18

Williamsburg, Va.

1 p.m.

University of Richmond

8-3 , 7-1

William & Mary

6-5 , 4-4

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Richmond

William & Mary

Most of team with hands in air sitting on ground with Capital Cup trophy smiling and laughing

CHAMPIONS!: Spiders Grind Out Capital Cup Victory, Earn Share of CAA Title

11/18/2023 | Football

Box Score AUDIO: Highlights & On Field Post Game Interviews From Spider Sports Network Photo Gallery

Williamsburg, Va. – The University of Richmond football team grinded out a 27-26 victory over William & Mary Saturday to regain possession of the Capital Cup Presented By C&F Bank and earn a share of the 2023 Coastal Athletic Association title.

With the win, Richmond takes over the all-time series lead, 65-64-5, in "The South's Oldest Rivalry" and earns its 13^th conference title and fifth as co-champions in the CAA. UAlbany and Villanova are co-champions along with Richmond.

The Spiders hoist the CAA trophy for the first time since 2015 and the win marked the 100^th in the head coaching career of Russ Huesman.

In a game that came down to the final play, Richmond's offense spent the game moving the ball downfield through a strong run game and opportunistic pass plays that helped the Spiders command time of possession by over five minutes and pick up 22 first downs to William & Mary's 16.

With the Spiders up by 10 points in the fourth quarter, William & Mary scored twice in the final 3:37 of the game.

The Tribe kicked a 29-yard field goal to make the score 27-20 with 3:37 left in the game, then the Spiders were forced to punt on the following drive, giving W&M the ball back with 1:21 remaining.

The following 73-yard drive ended with a William & Mary two-yard touchdown pass on an untimed down after the Spiders were charged for pass interference on the previous play that brought up 0:00 on the game clock. The Tribe went for a chance to win the game with a two-point conversion, but it was unsuccessful and the Spiders earned their sixth win in a row to finish the regular season 8-3, 7-1 in conference.

On their second possession of game, Savon Smith ripped off 22 and 24 yard rushes to put the Spiders in scoring position. The scoring drive ended in Smith connecting on the second touchdown pass of his career, this one going to Brooks Heagarty on the five-yard score with 8:14 left in the opening quarter to tie the game at seven apiece.

W&M dropped a pass in end zone and was forced to settle for a field goal in the opening seconds of second quarter to make it 10-7 Tribe, then Richmond responded with 13 unanswered points.

The Spiders moved the chains on a crucial third down play as Kyle Wickersham connected on a 12-yard pass to Ja'Vion Griffin to keep a drive alive. Richmond then took the 14-10 lead four plays later when Wickersham barreled his way through defenders for his fourth rushing touchdown of the season. Wickersham ended the day 14-of-21 for 152 yards and picked up 72 yards on 17 carries to be named the Capital Cup's Most Valuable Performer.

Andrew Lopez tacked on a 37-yard field goal with 59 seconds left in the first half to make it 17-10 UR in a drive that began with a 41-yard reception by Milan Howard.

The third quarter saw both teams trade punts and Lopez connect on his second field goal of the day, this one coming from 33 yards out to put the Spiders up by 10.

The Tribe scored a touchdown at the 10:35 mark of the fourth quarter, then Richmond scored its final touchdown of the game when Nick DeGennaro caught a 47-yard pass from Wickersham and Jasiah Williams hit Connor Deveney on an 18-yard touchdown pass to make it 27-17 Spiders.

Trae Tomlinson led the Spiders with eight tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup, while Matei Fitz came up with a season and career-high two sacks.

Aaron Trusler punted five times in the contest, averaging 44.2 yards a punt including a career-long 76-yarder that tied for sixth all-time in program history.

Richmond looks for back-to-back trips to the FCS playoffs and will host a viewing of the FCS selection show on Sunday, Nov. 19 at the Jepson Alumni Center. The program begins at 12:30 p.m. and fans may arrive beginning at noon.

The team, coaches and support staff will be in attendance to share the excitement and anticipation with fans as they find out Richmond's FCS playoffs fate. Light refreshments will be provided and all Spiders fans are welcome to attend.