2008 Football Playoffs
2008 National Football Champions
Bob Quaintance/The Collegian
From left, seniors Josh Vaughan, John Crone and Sherman Logan celebrate the championship win, with coach Mike London hoisting the trophy skyward.
Football: The Championship Game | Web Update
Spiders capture first NCAA championship in school history

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Spiders started their 2008 season 4-3, but ended Friday night No. 1 in the nation, seizing a 24-7 win against the University of Montana and the school’s first NCAA championship in school history.

Championship Stories
Dec 20, 2008, 9:07 am ET
Paige Wigginton
Richmond fans celebrate Spider victory in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Spiders won a national championship in front of hundreds of Richmond fans who traveled from miles around to cheer on their team.

Dec 21, 2008, 5:06 pm ET
John Crone
For Crone’s only career pass, Ward became the TD receiver

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — During a trick play, senior fullback John Crone threw the first and only pass of his collegiate career to quarterback Eric Ward for a touchdown.

Dec 16, 2008, 9:00 pm ET
University of Montana
To be champs, Spiders must oust a championship team

The Spiders are playing on Friday for their first national football title, but they’ll have to topple the University of Montana, a team that’s no stranger to winning championships.

Dec 20, 2008, 8:33 am ET
Washington, D.C., Alumni
Spiders in the Big Apple: Celebrating from afar

NEW YORK — Inside a pub with 30 Richmond alumni, screaming with the crowds in Chattanooga, Tenn., I’ve never felt prouder to be Spider born and Spider bred.

Dec 21, 2008, 6:04 pm ET
Barrett Neale
A sports editor’s confessions

BALTIMORE — It has been 31 days since my last column. During that time, I’ve traveled across 10 states and slept in six different beds to watch the football team’s last five games and its run to a national championship win.

Jan 22, 2009, 4:00 pm ET
Championship Day
Celebrations in city, on campus continue for football team

In one of his final acts as Richmond mayor, L. Douglas Wilder proclaimed Jan. 12, 2009, “University of Richmond NCAA Championship Day.”

Dec 24, 2008, 4:39 am ET
Russ Huesman
Defensive coordinator leaving Spiders to coach Chattanooga

Richmond defensive coordinator Russ Huesman is leaving the University of Richmond to be head coach at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, his alma mater.

Jan 2, 2009, 2:45 am ET
Will Healy
Healy headed to Chattanooga with former D-coordinator

Former senior football captain Will Healy will be named Friday as either the tight end or running backs coach at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, he told The Collegian.

Dec 14, 2008, 1:59 am ET
Joe Stewart
Spiders rally late past UNI to reach first FCS title game

In a dramatic come-from-behind victory, the Spiders defeated the University of Northern Iowa Saturday 21-20 to advance to the national championship in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Dec 6, 2008, 11:34 pm ET
Eric Ward
Spiders upset No. 2 Appalachian State in playoffs

BOONE, N.C. — The Spiders upset Appalachian State University Saturday 33-13 at the Rock, meaning they will travel to play No. 3 University of Northern Iowa on Saturday.

Nov 29, 2008, 11:19 am ET
Trey Gray
Spiders prevail over Eastern Kentucky in first round
The Spiders defeated Eastern Kentucky University 38-10 on Saturday, setting up a rematch against Appalachian State University, a team that trounced the Spiders last year.
“I guess the only ones who believed we could do this were people inside the Richmond program.”

— Mike London, Richmond head coach

“I just want y’all to know we just won the national championship.”

— John Crone, senior fullback, entering the post-game press conference

“… You look at the Delawares, the Madisons, the Montanas — it takes something special. London’s brought that.”

— Joe Kroger, 1980 Richmond graduate, speaking after the game

Championship Preview
Dec 19, 2008, 10:40 am
FCS Championship Preview
The Celebration
Championship Celebration
Dec 24, 2008, 3:07 am ET
The Game
Tackle
Dec 22, 2008, 5:27 pm ET
The Fans
London Love
Dec 23, 2008, 1:25 am ET
Pregame
Tre Grey
Dec 22, 2008, 2:33 am ET
Preparation
Chattanooga Scoreboard
Dec 19, 2008, 1:27 pm ET