Griffin, Gray Earn Richmond's First-Ever Patriot League Weekly Honors

Richmond, Va.— Senior wide receiver and punt returner Ja'Vion Griffin, along with freshman punter Ned Gray, have been named this week's Patriot League Special Teams Player and Rookie of the Week, respectively, after helping Richmond to a 24-19 road win over Colgate Saturday. The win marked Richmond's first-ever conference victory as members of the Patriot League, and the weekly honors come as not only the first for the Spiders as new League members, but also the first in the careers of both Griffin and Gray.

Griffin's game-changing return came in the fourth quarter with Richmond trailing Colgate 19–17. Pressed into punt return duties due to injuries, Griffin fielded a punt at his own 13-yard line, spun out of a tackle, and raced 87 yards down the sideline for a touchdown—Richmond's first punt return score since Nov. 25, 2023, and the first of Griffin's career. The return proved to be the difference, giving Richmond a 24–19 lead they would hold onto for the win. Griffin becomes one of just four Patriot League players to return a punt for a touchdown this season, with all four tied in a 24-way tie for the national lead.

Freshman punter Ned Gray also made a major impact. After not being called upon at all the previous week at Bucknell, Gray delivered six punts for an average of 39.7 yards, including a career-long 51-yarder as he flipped the field and gave the Spider defense favorable field position all game.

Griffin, Gray, and the rest of the Spiders are home this Saturday when they take on Holy Cross during homecoming. Kickoff is set for 2:00 at Robins Stadium.

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