University of Richmond Athletics
All Phases Impress as Spiders Plunder Charleston Southern, 38-0
09/14/2024 | Football
Richmond, Va. – The University of Richmond football team dominated Charleston Southern from start to finish Saturday during Family Weekend Presented by Sheehy Lexus of Richmond, entering the win column for the first time this season with a 38-0 shutout victory over the Buccaneers.
The win comes as Richmond's first shutout win since doing so against Davidson during the First Round of the 2022 FCS Playoffs when the Spiders won, 41-0.
The Spiders picked up 370 total yards to Charleston Southern's 131 and held the Buccaneers to just 39 yards on the ground in the contest thanks in part to a stifling Richmond defense led by Jeremiah Grant.
"We were 0-2 coming into this game," said Grant. "I knew I needed to be a game-changer defensively and that gave me a lot of energy."
Grant, a redshirt senior defensive end, came up big with five tackles including back-to-back sacks and three tackles for loss as well as a pass breakup. On the other side of the defensive line as Grant, Camden Byrd earned his first career start for the Spiders, filling in for an injured Donovan Hoilette at defensive end and picked up six tackles, tying for the team lead with linebacker Carter Glassmyer. Glassmyer also added a forced fumble and recovery late in the game.
Richmond, who led the nation in defensive touchdowns a year ago, got its first of the season when Jabril Hayes intercepted a pass from Buccaneers quarterback Zolten Osborne at the Richmond 24-yard line and took it 76 yards in the opposite direction for his second career pick-6. D'Angelo Stocker also recorded an interception during the win.
Osborne entered the game after CSU's starter went down with an injury during the team's third offense drive. Osborne finished 10-19 for 81 yards.
The Spiders found the end zone in each quarter as Richmond's scoring spree began when quarterback Kyle Wickersham punched in a one-yard touchdown run to cap a 10-play, 71-yard drive where he picked up 22 yards on seven carries at 1:54 in the first.
The Spiders also recorded their first passing touchdown of the season when Wickersham connected with Nick DeGennaro on a 39-yard completion at 8:54 in the third. Wickersham was 10-12 on the day, throwing for 128 yards. Ashten Snelsire finished the game at quarterback for Richmond, going 3-for-3 passing for 29 yards and picking up 10 yards rushing.
On the ground, Wagner transfer Zach Palmer-Smith earned his first start as a Spider and was Richmond's leading rusher with 80 yards on 21 attempts and two touchdowns. Palmer-Smith's first score of the day came on a six-yard run at 10:55 in the second frame before scoring on a one-yard goal-line push at 1:54 in the third.
Aaron Trusler punted four times, averaging a season-high 47.3 yards a kick thanks in part to a 74-yarder that flipped the field and pinned CSU on its own 2-yard line. The 74-yard punt came just two yards short of his career best. Brandon Peskin was perfect on point after attempts and freshman Sean O'Haire from Ireland made his Spider debut, splitting the uprights on a 31-yard field goal late in the game. Richmond was a perfect 4-4 on red zone scoring opportunities during the contest.
"It looked like people were flying around, we were physical today and people were celebrating big plays," said Head Coach Russ Huesman. "I really like the way we played on all three phases today."
Up next, Richmond travels to Delaware State next Saturday, Sept. 21 to complete its non-conference schedule. Game time is set for 6:00 p.m. in Dover, Del.
The win comes as Richmond's first shutout win since doing so against Davidson during the First Round of the 2022 FCS Playoffs when the Spiders won, 41-0.
The Spiders picked up 370 total yards to Charleston Southern's 131 and held the Buccaneers to just 39 yards on the ground in the contest thanks in part to a stifling Richmond defense led by Jeremiah Grant.
"We were 0-2 coming into this game," said Grant. "I knew I needed to be a game-changer defensively and that gave me a lot of energy."
Grant, a redshirt senior defensive end, came up big with five tackles including back-to-back sacks and three tackles for loss as well as a pass breakup. On the other side of the defensive line as Grant, Camden Byrd earned his first career start for the Spiders, filling in for an injured Donovan Hoilette at defensive end and picked up six tackles, tying for the team lead with linebacker Carter Glassmyer. Glassmyer also added a forced fumble and recovery late in the game.
Richmond, who led the nation in defensive touchdowns a year ago, got its first of the season when Jabril Hayes intercepted a pass from Buccaneers quarterback Zolten Osborne at the Richmond 24-yard line and took it 76 yards in the opposite direction for his second career pick-6. D'Angelo Stocker also recorded an interception during the win.
Osborne entered the game after CSU's starter went down with an injury during the team's third offense drive. Osborne finished 10-19 for 81 yards.
The Spiders found the end zone in each quarter as Richmond's scoring spree began when quarterback Kyle Wickersham punched in a one-yard touchdown run to cap a 10-play, 71-yard drive where he picked up 22 yards on seven carries at 1:54 in the first.
The Spiders also recorded their first passing touchdown of the season when Wickersham connected with Nick DeGennaro on a 39-yard completion at 8:54 in the third. Wickersham was 10-12 on the day, throwing for 128 yards. Ashten Snelsire finished the game at quarterback for Richmond, going 3-for-3 passing for 29 yards and picking up 10 yards rushing.
On the ground, Wagner transfer Zach Palmer-Smith earned his first start as a Spider and was Richmond's leading rusher with 80 yards on 21 attempts and two touchdowns. Palmer-Smith's first score of the day came on a six-yard run at 10:55 in the second frame before scoring on a one-yard goal-line push at 1:54 in the third.
Aaron Trusler punted four times, averaging a season-high 47.3 yards a kick thanks in part to a 74-yarder that flipped the field and pinned CSU on its own 2-yard line. The 74-yard punt came just two yards short of his career best. Brandon Peskin was perfect on point after attempts and freshman Sean O'Haire from Ireland made his Spider debut, splitting the uprights on a 31-yard field goal late in the game. Richmond was a perfect 4-4 on red zone scoring opportunities during the contest.
"It looked like people were flying around, we were physical today and people were celebrating big plays," said Head Coach Russ Huesman. "I really like the way we played on all three phases today."
Up next, Richmond travels to Delaware State next Saturday, Sept. 21 to complete its non-conference schedule. Game time is set for 6:00 p.m. in Dover, Del.
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