Late Spark Not Enough For Spiders Saturday Night

Saturday, September 7

Richmond, Va.

3:30 p.m.

University of Richmond

0-2 , 0-0

Wofford

2-0 , 0-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Wofford

Richmond

09/07/2024 | Football

Box Score

Richmond, Va. – Quarterback Camden Coleman punched in a three-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter to provide the University of Richmond football team's offense with a much-needed spark, but it wouldn't be enough as the Spiders dropped their home opener against Wofford Saturday, 26-19.

Richmond outgained the Terriers, 318-304, but four interceptions and two quarterback sacks would prove costly for the Spiders.

Richmond put points on the board first when Wayne Galloway sacked Terriers quarterback Amari Odom in the end zone and recorded a safety on Wofford's first play from scrimmage. The safety came as Richmond's first in a game since Sept. 24, 2022.

Brandon Peskin kicked a field goal from 21 yards out to make the score 5-0 early in the second, then Wofford responded with a 36-yarder just under seven minutes later at 5:46 in the second.

Richmond's following drive was capped by redshirt freshman running back Aziz Foster-Powell's first collegiate touchdown. The score was set up by a seven-play, 58-yard drive and two plays before the Spiders touchdown, quarterback Kyle Wickersham picked up an additional 18 yards after making initial contact with the Wofford defender to put the Spiders in scoring position. Wickersham, who started the game for Richmond, ended the day 11-of-25 for 97 yards and three interceptions. He was also sacked once and picked up 100 yards on 15 carries to be Richmond's leading rusher.

With time expiring in the half, Wofford, who looked like they were going to kick, faked on the play and picked up a first down when kicker Bridger Jones connected with a Wofford receiver for 14 yards. Two plays later Odom connected on a cross-bodied pass while toeing the sideline for Wofford's first touchdown of the game to take a narrow 12-10 lead into the half.

Richmond was intercepted at its 35-yard line on its first possession of the second half to set up for another Wofford score— this time a 12-yard strike for the Terriers. From there, Wofford would go for two, but fail as it extended its lead to 16-12.

Like the third quarter, Richmond's first possession of the fourth ended in an interception, and Wofford would then score on the ensuing drive to go up 26-12.

Coleman entered the game with 6:03 left to play and found the end zone on a three-yard rush during his first action of the season.

Wofford went three-and-out on its next possession to give Richmond a chance to tie the game late, but the Terriers would come up with their fourth interception of the night when Coleman was picked off at their 24-yard line to secure the team's fourth win in a row going back to 2023 the final two games of 2023.

The Spiders defense was lead by Jabril Hayes with a career-high nine tackles, while Galloway came up with six including a sack. Jeremiah Grant also added a sack.

With the loss, Richmond opens the season at 0-2.

The Spiders found themselves in a similar situation a year ago when they lost their home and season opener to Morgan State before falling on the road at Michigan State a week later. Richmond is now 0-2 to begin the year in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1989 and 1990.

Richmond looks to regroup ahead of next weekend when the team hosts Charleston Southern during Family Weekend presented by Sheehy Lexus of Richmond. Game time is set for 2 p.m. at Robins Stadium.