University of Richmond Athletics
Football Officially Joins Patriot League, Announces 2025 Schedule
02/01/2025 | Football
Richmond, Va. – February 1 marks the beginning of a new chapter in the storied history of University of Richmond football as the program officially joins the Patriot League.
With the transition official, Head Football Coach Russ Huesman unveiled the team's 2025 schedule, highlighted by five home games at Robins Stadium and games against all seven other league members: Bucknell, Colgate, Fordham, Georgetown, Holy Cross, Lafayette and Lehigh. The slate features games against in-state and regional foes, an exciting contest with FBS-member North Carolina, and the 136th edition of the "Oldest Rivalry in the South" – the Capital Cup Presented by C&F Bank – against longtime rival William & Mary to close out the regular season.
Richmond opens the season against a familiar foe when it travels to new conference opponent Lehigh Aug. 30. The Spiders and Mountain Hawks most recently met in the 2024 FCS Playoffs at Robins Stadium, a 20-16 Lehigh win. Richmond starts the season with a three-game road swing, with additional away matchups against Wofford on Sept. 6 and North Carolina on Sept. 13. Richmond opened its 2024 home campaign against the Terriers. UR will be facing the now Bill Belichick-led Tar Heels for the first time since 1978 when it travels to Chapel Hill.
The Spiders' home opener is scheduled for Sept. 20, when they host in-state rival VMI. One of Richmond's most-played opponents with 90 all-time meetings, the Spiders will face the Keydets for the first time since 2015. The following week, Howard visits Robins Stadium on Sept. 27 for Family Weekend. Richmond is 2-0 all-time against the Bison, outscoring them 106-35 in the two previous meetings. Huesman's first win at Robins Stadium as Richmond's head coach came against Howard on Sept. 16, 2017, when the Spiders came out on top, 68-21.
Next, the Spiders hit the road for two Patriot League games, traveling to Bucknell on Oct. 4 and Colgate on Oct. 11. Richmond boasts a 7-1 combined all-time record against these teams, including a 2-0 mark against the Bison (most recently meeting in 2006). The trip to Colgate will be Richmond's first since 2017, as the Spiders have won five of the teams' six meetings, including a 2017 victory over the then-ranked No. 25 Raiders, which marked Huesman's first win as Richmond's head coach.
Holy Cross visits Robins Stadium on Oct. 18 for Homecoming. The Spiders and Crusaders have met just once before, last playing in Worcester, Mass., in 1964.
The team will rest Oct. 25 during its bye week, followed by another home contest at Robins Stadium against Fordham where the Spiders and Rams will look to break ahead in a series that currently stands at 1-1-1.
Richmond returns to the road on Nov. 8 for a matchup against Georgetown, marking its first meeting with the Hoyas since 2009, before the team's final home game of the regular season on Nov. 15 when the Spiders welcome Lafayette to Richmond for the first time since 2005.
The regular season concludes on Nov. 22 with the 136th edition of "Oldest Rivalry in the South" – the Capital Cup Presented by C&F Bank – when Richmond travels to Williamsburg to face William & Mary. The Spiders have won the last two meetings, including a 27-0 victory in 2024 to cap an undefeated 8-0 conference season and take a two-game lead in the rivalry that now sits at 66-64-5. The Spiders have won 15 of the last 19 meetings since 2005.
Game times will be announced at a later date. Fans should stay tuned for updates on 2025 single-game and season ticket deposits/renewals on social media by following @Spiders_FB on X and @SpiderFootball on Instagram.