University of Richmond Athletics
Strong Offense Highlights Spider Football Spring Game
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond football team closed out the spring portion of its 2014 season with its annual Spring Game at Robins Stadium Saturday afternoon. The Spider offense claimed a 51-29 victory over the Richmond defense.
The Spider defense kept the offense on its toes in the first, coming up with the first interception of the day in the first quarter. LB Sean Ryan stopped the fast-paced offense with an interception to get things going for the white squad.
Richmond’s offense responded with a fancy lateral pass from WR Stephen Barnette that found TE Hunter Westfall in the end zone for a 42-yard touchdown as the two teams ended the first quarter tied at 14.
After the squads traded points, the offense collected six more with its second touchdown of the day. WR Will McCombs snagged a 12-yard pass from QB Kyle Lauletta to give the offense the 32-22 lead at the half.
The third was highlighted by the defense’s second interception of the contest. DL Andrew Tallman came up with the snag to give the white squad three points as the offense led 45-27 to start the final quarter.
RB Jeremiah Hamlin came out in the fourth with the longest rush of the day to set the offense up for a last second field goal. The young Spider recorded a 31-yard rush that set up K Peter Yoder with a 36-yard field goal to cap off the 51-29 victory for the red squad.
QB Michael Rocco led the Spider offense with 10-of-16 passes for 127 yards, while QB Michael Strauss was almost even, going 10-of-15 for 115 yards and a touchdown. QB David Broadus and Lauletta also saw action as the team recorded 403 total yards passing with three throwing TDs.
WR Stephen Barnette led receiving corps with 10 catches for 136 yards, while McCombs had a stellar day with eight snags for 99 yards and a touchdown. Richmond ended the day with 12 Spiders coming up with at least one catch.
Hamlin led the way for running backs with 73 yards off 13 carries as the Spiders collected a total of 135 yards rushing.
Despite the loss, the Spider defense had a solid day, totaling five Spiders with six or more tackles, six pass breakups and two interceptions. DB Justin Grant led the squad with eight tackles, while DB Ayo Ogunniyi, DB Trevor Jones and LB Omar Howard each followed with seven tackles for their own.
During halftime, Richmond head coach Danny Rocco handed out the Spring Awards. OL Thomas Evans received the Weight Room Champion, while RB T.J. Moon was named the Most Improved Offensive Player and DL Terrence Fullum was honored as the Most Improved Defensive Player.
Also at halftime, Rocco named three captains for the 2014 season. OL Austin Gund was named captain for the third-straight season, while LB Aaron Roane and DB Reggie Barnette were also selected.
The Richmond Spiders football team will open the 2014 season at home, hosting Morehead State at Robins Stadium Saturday, August 30. For all the latest information on Spider Football, be sure to go to RichmondSpiders.com or follow the team on Twitter - @Spider_Football.