University of Richmond Athletics
Ward Awarded As CAA Football Offensive Player Of The Week
Nov. 12, 2007
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Throwing for 199 yards and a career-high four touchdown passes, Richmond quarterback Eric Ward was named the CAA Football Offensive Player of the Week. In a hostile environment, the sophomore was flawless in leading the eighth-ranked Spiders to a dramatic, 62-56 win in five overtimes and the CAA South Division title at No. 6 Delaware Saturday.
The win sets the stage for the Spiders (8-2, 6-1) to earn the CAA Football overall championship - their fourth in school history and second under head coach Dave Clawson - next Saturday at home versus William & Mary at 1 p.m.
The defending Offensive Rookie of the Year in the conference, Ward was 19-for-26 passing and connected with three different receivers for Richmond's four TD passes - two in the overtime period. He was sacked just once and played his second-consecutive game (fourth in the last five) without an interception.
"Eric Ward made every throw he had to make in overtime," said Clawson. "He played one of his better, most efficient games for us."
Ward flipped a three-yard pass to Kevin Grayson to put the Spiders on the board first in overtime No.1, then found Jordan Mitchell on a 25-yard strike one play into the fourth OT. The Atlanta native's two-point conversion pass to Grayson was good, forcing the deciding fifth OT.
The sophomore QB was also Richmond's second-leading rusher, carrying the ball 12 times for a career-high 81 yards as the Spiders outgained the Hens 260-210 on the ground. By either passing or running, Ward accounted for 14 of the Spiders' 22 first downs in the game.
"Their quarterback played at a different level than we've seen him," Delaware coach K.C. Keeler said of Ward following the game. "He had a career day."
Ward's award gives Richmond a league-leading nine CAA Football weekly honors in 2007.