Spiders defeat the Seawolves 30-10 for a homecoming victory

A consistent effort from the University of Richmond Spiders led them to a 30-10 victory over the Stony Brook University Seawolves at Saturday's homecoming game.

The Seawolves scored the first points of the game with a field goal after they intercepted a pass and UR's defense forced them to settle instead of going for a touchdown.

At the end of the first quarter, the Seawolves held a 3-0 lead and had recorded an interception and a fumble. However, the Spiders' defense stayed strong until redshirt junior quarterback Joe Mancuso rushed for the first touchdown of the game in the second quarter. 

After UR scored another touchdown on a 40-yard pass to graduate transfer Keyston Fuller, Stony Brook scored its first touchdown in the last six minutes of the second quarter.

Before the half was over, Mancuso threw another touchdown to Fuller and first-year kicker Jake Larson scored the extra point, giving UR a 20-10 lead at halftime. 

Graduate transfer Charlie Fessler had a career-high 11 catches for 147 yards, including eight receptions in the first half. 

Fuller finished the game with six catches for 70 yards and two scores. 

When asked what has catalyzed UR’s wins during league games, Fessler said: “Leadership. I think it starts with Coach Huesman and then goes to the rest of the coaching staff and our seniors and captains on the team. There’s no doubt from their voices that we are a great team and can do great things.”

Midway through the third quarter, Larson’s field goal attempt was blocked, leaving the score at 20-10. However, with less than two minutes left in the third quarter, Mancuso scored his second touchdown of the game. After Larson’s successful extra-point kick, UR’s lead was extended to 27-10.

Larson kicked a 31-yard field goal and graduate transfer Brandon Feamster recorded an interception to prevent the Seawolves from scoring.

In the fourth quarter, Feamster’s interception solidified the Spiders' win. 

Feamster reflected on the team’s strategy and where the team would go after this win. 

“If we look too far ahead, we may overlook our opponent or get sloppy," he said. "It’s all about taking it one week at a time and one play at a time, day by day."

Head coach Russ Huesman praised the Spiders' hard work. 

“We played our best, offensively and defensively," Huesman said. "I would say this is probably our best effort on both sides of the ball.”

Contact lifestyle writer Kaitlin Edwardson at kaitlin.edwardson@richmond.edu.