University of Richmond Athletics
Spiders Drop Season Opener to Minutemen
Sept. 1, 2005
Final Stats | Quotes | Notes
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Tim Day threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half Thursday night and Massachusetts intercepted four passes as the Minutemen opened the season with a 19-6 victory against Richmond in the Atlantic 10.
Day finished 13-for-27 for 158 yards, including scoring throws of 12 yards to J.J. Moore and 51 yards to Brandon London as the Minutemen took a 16-0 halftime lead.
London's touchdown came one play after an interception by Shannon James. It was the 17th interception of James' career, tops among players in Divisions I-A and I-AA.
Redshirt freshman Will Healy came in for the Spiders at quarterback in the second half and hit on 11 of 18 passes for 111 yards. He also led the Spiders on their lone scoring drive, but had two fourth-quarter drives end when he threw interceptions.
Brandon Smith stopped one drive with his second interception at the Minutemen 41 with 6:26 remaining. Brandon Freeman picked off Healy at the UMass 48 with 1:27 left.
The Spiders' score came on a 1-yard run by versatile Stacy Tutt, who started at wide receiver but also played quarterback, running back and returned four kickoffs.
Freshman Levi Brown started at quarterback for the Spiders, and struggled. he completed just 5 of 17 passes for 33 yards and was intercepted twice.
Steve Baylark gained 120 yards on 29 carries for Massachusetts.
Armando Cuko hit field goals of 24 and 31 yards.