Richmond Advances To First-Ever NCAA Semifinals With 21-10 Win At Wofford

Dec. 1, 2007

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Tim Hightower ran for the game's final two touchdowns as Richmond defeated Wofford, 21-10, Saturday to advance to the semifinals of the 2007 NCAA Football Championship. Michael Ireland had an interception and recovered a fumble, leading the Spiders to their first-ever 11-win season and first-ever berth in the national semifinals.

The win advances Richmond (11-2) to the "Final Four" and a date with two-time defending national champion Appalachian State Friday Dec. 7 in Boone, N.C. Kickoff for the game, which will air live on ESPN2, has been set for 8 p.m. ET.

Hightower finished the game with 88 yards and a pair of TDs while Eric Ward was 20-for-30 passing for 181 yards and one touchdown. He also ran seven times for 25 yards. Kevin Grayson reeled in eight catches for 92 yards.

With the Spiders trailing 10-7 late in the third quarter, Ward engineered a 13-play drive to put the Spiders back on top, 14-10, with 11:15 remaining in the game. Hightower finished it off with a 1-yard plunge, his 32nd TD of the season, but it was Ward's arm that kept the drive rolling.

The sophomore hooked up with Grayson on a pair of 13 yard receptions - both on third-and-long - and found Jordan Mitchell for a 16-yard pickup on third-and-10. The 67-yard drive ate 6:39 off the clock and saw a 17-yard jaunt by Hightower on the play prior to the TD.

Less than three minutes later, Wofford was forced to punt on the ensuing drive. But the high snap got by punter Chris Tommie and Ireland pounced on the loose ball at the one. A play later, Hightower was back in the end zone and the Spiders were finally in the drivers' seat.

Richmond owned a 38-second advantage in time of possession and out-gained Wofford 309-307 in total yards. But the big story was the Spiders holding the nation's second-leading rushing offense to just 195 yards on the ground. The Terriers were averaging 319.3 coming in. In addition, the Spiders forced two fumbles, recovered the muffed snap on the punt and intercepted a pass.

After a scoreless first quarter, Wofford (9-4) drew first blood with a 22-yard field goal from Patrick Mugan. The Spiders answered right back on the next drive with Ward finding Joe Stewart in the back corner of the end zone for the half's only touchdown.

The Spiders took the 7-3 advantage into halftime, improving to 26-2 under head coach Dave Clawson when leading at the half. Richmond missed two first-half field goals.

Wofford's lone touchdown put the home team on top 10-7 with 3:34 left in the third quarter. Michael Hobbs carried in from a yard out, capping a 12-play, 71-yard drive.

Kevious Johnson rushed 16 times for 89 yards and Dane Romero gained 73 on eight carries. Josh Collier was nine-of-15 passing for 112 yards.

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