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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. Mark Farley enunciated what University of Richmond football fans have longed to hear. The Northern Iowa coach, a few days before his team fell to the Spiders in the FCS semifinals, sized up UR’s operation by saying “Sometimes you’ll come across a team where one or two players make a difference. They make a big run and the team has a good year.

Can you say overpowering? Can you say overwhelming? Can you say stunning performance? The Richmond Spiders didn’t have to say any of those things because they did all of those things to the Montana Grizzlies last night.

It was fitting. With Montana trailing 24-7 and facing a fourth-and-7 late in the fourth quarter, Grizzlies quarterback Cole Bergquist stepped up in a collapsing pocket and attempted to force a first-down pass into traffic. The ball never crossed the line of scrimmage.

The University of Richmond captured its first Division I national championship Friday night by beating Montana 24-7 in the Football Championship Subdivision title game.

The Richmond Spiders closed the third quarter just as they did the second quarter, holding a 21-0 lead in the Football Championship Subdivison title game over the University of Montana.

When: 8 p.m.
  On the air: TV—ESPN2; radio—WXGI (950), WBBT (107.3) 7 p.m. air time

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. Nothing makes the phone ring or brings in the e-mail quite like winning. The University of Richmond Spiders have won big on the football field this year, and the phones are ringing all over campus.

Richmond needs its defensive players to operate as highly mobile agents vs. Montana tonight in the FCS title game. If they don’t, the Grizzlies’ offensive line is big enough to smother them.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. Nothing makes the phone ring or brings in the e-mail quite like winning. The University of Richmond Spiders have won big on the football field this year, and the phones are ringing all over campus. “A lot of people are calling, old friends who suddenly have become Spider fans,“ said Richmond president Dr. Edward L. Ayers. “It’s such an extraordinary story for a school of our size and selectivity to play at this level. It’s a remarkable accomplishment by our coaches and student athletes.“

University of Richmond football fans are flocking to Chattanooga, Tenn., for tomorrow night’s FCS title game. The high-style award goes to a group that includes a couple of former Spiders. Rafe Wilkinson and Troy Gray, ex-linebackers, are among those renting an eight-seat jet. They are flying into Chattanooga tomorrow afternoon for the 8 p.m. game involving UR and Montana and are scheduled to be back in Richmond by 2 a.m. Saturday. A representative from aviation charter and management business Martinair Inc. yesterday approximated the rental cost for a small aircraft for such a trip at $8,000.

Donte’ Boston? The Varina High School graduate unexpectedly surfaced as a hot and productive target Saturday during University of Richmond’s dramatic scoring drive in the FCS semifinals at Northern Iowa. Boston stepped in for injured L.C. Bird graduate Kevin Grayson, an All-Colonial Athletic Association pick. Is either guy available for tomorrow night’s FCS title game involving UR (12-3) and Montana (14-1)?

In this Friday’s FCS championship game against Montana, the Spiders hope quarterback Eric Ward will carry the team to title.

University of Richmond football coaches spend their days analyzing Montana video. Perhaps they should just call Lawrence Sidbury. Last school year, UR’s senior defensive end developed a computer system that predicts plays based on past play-calling.

RICHMOND VS. MONTANA What: FCS national championship game
Friday: 8 p.m., at Chattanooga, Tenn.
On the air: TV - ESPN2;
radio - WXGI (950), WLFV (93.1), 7:30
TICKET INFORMATION Available: at Robins Center ticket office Price: $30 each Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. today; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. tomorrow Notable: No tickets will be sold at the Robins Center after 6 p.m. tomorrow Game site: Finley Stadium (cap. 20,668), Chattanooga, Tenn. Drive time: 8 hours, 49 minutes via I-81 (source: mapquest.com) Distance from Richmond to Chattanooga: 546.44 miles via I-81 (mapquest.com) Hotels: Prices range between $38.91-$199 per night (hotels.com) Flights: Roundtrip from Richmond to Chattanooga starting from $405.50 (expedia.com)