A defensive clinic on homecoming saw the University of Richmond football team cruise past Towson University 35-24 on Nov. 2 to remain atop the Coastal Athletic Association.
The fireworks began early for the nearly-six-thousand spectators in attendance, as the Spiders jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead on a 13-yard reception from sophomore wide receiver Landon Ellis.
It took just 11 in-game seconds for UR to get the ball back. A sack from redshirt senior defensive lineman Jeremiah Grant caused a fumble just one play into Towson’s opening drive, which was recovered by redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Camden Byrd. The Spider offense worked down to the 1-yard-line off a 22-yard reception from Ellis, but back-to-back penalties forced a 21-yard field goal on 4th-and-4.
Towson found traction on its next drive to cut into the Tigers’ deficit, marching downfield on conservative run plays that were nonetheless effective in picking up short yardage. Breaking into the red zone on a 13-yard reception – their longest play of the drive – the Tigers’ 1-yard rush to open the second quarter made it a one-score contest.
The Spiders managed 10 points in their two drives before halftime in response, outpacing a Tigers field goal to take a 19-10 advantage into the break. The touchdown effort was buoyed by senior wide receiver Jerry Garcia jr., whose 48-yard reception set up the pass to Ellis a few plays later. First-year kicker Sean O’Haire’s second of five field goals was aided by another fumble recovery, this time from redshirt senior defensive back Jabril Hayes.
Receiving out of halftime, Towson continued to play catch-up with a drive to draw within two points, sustained by a pair of gutsy conversions on fourth-and-long. The game would remain a one-score affair despite a 25-yard scramble from Coleman on the Spiders’ ensuing possession, with O’Haire knocking through a 47-yard try in lieu of a touchdown.
UR’s defensive unit continued to show its prowice down the stretch. Redshirt senior linebacker Wayne Galloway stuffed a rush on 4th-and-1 to force a turnover on downs, while Hayes cashed a 90-yard interception return after a Spiders’ three-and-out.
“[I knew] as soon as I caught it… I turned around and seen a convoy of blockers, like a perfect alley for me right to the sideline,” Hayes said in a postgame press conference. “I went down the middle of the field, got to the sideline, and once I got to the sideline, I knew I was scoring.”
The teams traded three-and-outs to open the fourth quarter as the Tigers responded to two Spider sacks with one of their own on Coleman. With the ball back, Towson covered 90 yards with a pair of passes over the middle, drawing within five points of the Spiders, 29-24.
O’Haire would put the game out of reach with two more field goals from 37 and 18 yards, put in range by rushes from junior running back Zach Palmer-Smith, who finished with 92 net yards on 28 carries. In between UR possessions, the defense sacked Towson’s quarterback three times for 20 yards, leading to another easy turnover on downs. Entering the day, the Tigers had not surrendered seven sacks since a 2021 matchup against the Spiders.
“We’re going to enjoy this one… [but] if we don’t take care of business next week, all of this goes out the window,” UR Head Coach Russ Huesman said in a postgame press conference. “We’ve got to make sure we continue to work hard in practice and prepare and get the W next week.”
The Spiders improved to 7-2 overall with the win, picking up their seventh consecutive victory after starting the season with an 0-2 mark. At 5-0 within the CAA, UR also remained tied for first with the University of Rhode Island, who had eked out a nailbiter against Monmouth University. Towson dropped to 2-3 within the CAA with the loss, with a 4-5 overall record.
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UR will look to maintain its conference-best record on the road against Campbell University at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 9.
Contact sports writer Scott Valentine at scott.valentine@richmond.edu.
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