University of Richmond Athletics
This Is Gameweek: Spiders Invite JMU To Homecoming
Oct. 20, 2004
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UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The fall's largest crowd is expected to descend on UR Stadium for Saturday's 3 p.m. Atlantic 10 football contest between the Spiders and their in-state rival James Madison. The game highlights Homecoming and Family Weekend at the University as well as the annual football reunion, this year celebrating the 1984 team that advanced to the second round of the I-AA playoffs.
Saturday marks the fifth time James Madison has been invited to Homecoming. The Dukes have spoiled the festivities on three-of-four previous occasions. The last time JMU visited, the Spiders handed them a 26-0 shutout, much to the delight of the Homecoming fans.
James Madison captured a 34-14 victory on its home turf last year, snapping a three-game win streak for Richmond in the series. The Spiders have won 12 of 21 prior meetings.
The #13 Dukes (5-1, 4-0 A-10), tied with Delaware atop the A-10's South Division standings, are the Spiders (2-4, 1-2 A-10) third consecutive ranked opponent.
INSIDE THE HUDDLE
RICHMOND SPIDERS
Game Notes
Roster
Statistics
JAMES MADISON DUKES
Game Notes
Roster
Statistics
STORYLINES
* James Madison is Richmond's Homecoming date for the fifth time. The Dukes have beaten the Spiders three of the first four meetings. JMU is tied with Hampden-Sydney for the fifth most common HC opponent. VMI (12 times) is the most common.
* The last time JMU and Richmond played in the Homecoming contest was Oct. 19, 2002 when the Spiders blanked the Dukes, 26-0.
* Richmond is 37-30-6 all-time on Homecoming weekend. The Spiders have won their past four by a combined scored of 106-31.
* The last time the Spiders won five consecutive Homecoming contests was when they captured 10 straight from 1966-75.
* The last time Richmond lost on Homecoming was Nov. 6, 1999 -- a 33-6 loss against UMass.
* The Spiders haven't lost to James Madison at UR Stadium since Oct. 19, 1996 -- a 31-27 defeat. That was also the Spiders' Homecoming.
* True freshman Tim Hightower posted career numbers in Richmond's 49-10 loss at Villanova. The Alexandria, Va. native established new marks in rushing attempts (18) and rushing yards (73).
* Junior corner back Joe Mallory has made one interception in each of the past three games. He leads the team with those three picks.
* The Spiders are third in the Atlantic 10 in rushing offense with 169.5 yards per game. They trail second-place James Madison (204.2) by almost 35 yards per game. JMU is also second in the Atlantic 10 -- ninth in the country -- against the run, allowing just 95.3 rushing yards per game.
* Junior David Freeman slipped to fourth in the Atlantic 10, averaging 94.0 rushing yards per game. He ran for only 26 yards on eight carries against Villanova.
GAME NOTES
An Enjoyable Day ... Richmond has won its past four Homecoming games, including a 35-25 victory against VMI on Oct. 25 last fall ... The Spiders have won six of their past seven, the most successful stretch in program history except for a 10-game win streak from 1966-75.
Homecoming Quick Facts:
All-Time Record: 37-30-6
First HC game: Nov. 16, 1929 - Hampden-Sydney 13, UR 8
Streak: Won last four
Most points scored: 45 (three times)
Fewest points scored: 0 (12 times, not since 1965)
Most points allowed: 46 (10/20/56, VT 46, UR 14)
Fewest points allowed: 0 (16 times, most recent `01 and `02)
Inviting The Dukes ... James Madison is Richmond's Homecoming opponent for the fifth time ... The last time the Spiders and Dukes met on Homecoming was Oct. 19, 2002 -- a 26-0 victory ... All-time HC contests against the Dukes:
Date Result
11/12/88 L, 13-25
10/29/94 L, 16-29
10/19/96 L, 27-31
10/19/02 W, 26-0
Stats Are Overrated ... In each of the past four games, when the Spiders are 1-3, Richmond has posted better numbers than its opponent in the following categories: first downs (22.5-15.3), rushing yards (188.0-108.8), plays (77.0-59.8) and time of possession (33:21-26:39).
Enter the Freshman ... A majority of the ball-carrying duties at Villanova fell into the hands of true freshman Tim Hightower ... Hightower established new career marks with 18 attempts and 73 rushing yards.
Streaks and Notes ... Junior Joe Mallory has made one interception in three consecutive games ... James Madison is Richmond's third consecutive ranked opponent and fourth this season ... Richmond's opponent has succeeded on at least one fourth-down conversion in each game this fall ... The Spiders have recorded more rushing yards than its opponent in the past five games ... Villanova was the first Spider opponent to score on its opening possession of the first and second half ... The Wildcats' 49 points was the most they have ever scored against the Spiders.