University of Richmond Athletics
Defense Leads #2 Spiders Past Norfolk State, 34-0
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. – A stifling defense effort highlighted a home-opening victory for the second-ranked University of Richmond football team, who defeated Norfolk State 34-0, to move to 2-0 on the year for the first time since 2011.
The shutout was the first since October 18, 2014, 37-0 win over URI at home. The Spiders held the Spartans to just 122 yards on the day, including just 46 yards in the air.
Offensively, Richmond natives Brian Brown and Tyler Wilkins combined for 147 yards receiving, each catching touchdowns for the second consecutive game. Brown’s 71 yards on the day moved him into second all-time in career receiving yards with 2,878. Junior QB Kyle Lauletta finished with 216 yards passing on 15-of-27, with two TDs.
Defensively, junior Brandon Waller set a career-high with nine tackles in the game, while sophomore Justin Rubin also set a career-high with seven. Senior Winston Craig set a new career-high for sacks in a season with four after his two in the Spiders’ victory.
The defense was the star early and often with two sacks in the first 10 minutes of the contest, including one from Craig, who tied a career-high in sacks in a season with his third of the year.
With just over a minute left in the first quarter, Preseason All-American David Jones broke open the scoring with a 68-yard punt return for a touchdown, the first by a Spider in nearly four years.
Craig and the defense continued to steal the show in the second quarter, holding the Spartans to just nine yards. Meanwhile, Lauletta found his favorite early season target, Wilkins, for the third time this year with a 21-yard pitch-and-catch with 3:21 to play in the first half.
Lauletta and the Spiders tried to put together a final minute drive, but were unable to convert as they took a 14-0 lead into halftime.
After the defense once again stifled the Spartans offensive attack to start the second half, Wilkins got loose for a 27-yard punt return to set up a 51-yard toss from Lauletta to Brown to give Richmond a 21-0 cushion with 11:54 to play in the third quarter.
Another stop by the Richmond defense allowed the Spider offense to drive 60 yards in just over four minutes to set up a career-long field goal of 37 yards by Griffin Trau to extend the lead to 24-0.
Deontez Thompson scored the first touchdown of his career in the fourth quarter, extending Richmond’s lead 31-0, with his one-yard carry. Norfolk State looked for an opportunity, but the Spider defense continued to stifle any chance as David Norris intercepted Greg Hankerson’s pass and allowed Richmond another drive before time expired. Trau capped the Richmond scoring output with a 35 yard field goal, securing a 34-0 lead.
Richmond’s defense did the rest, not letting the Spartans get any closer than the 40 yard-line all night long to secure the shutout.
The Spiders enter CAA play next week when they travel to Stony Brook to battle the Seawolves. Kickoff on Saturday, September 17 is set for 12 p.m. on American Sports Network.