UR streak ends with late drama

The last minute included a one-handed touchdown reception, a wide-left field goal try, and the conclusion of a 17-game winning streak.

Villanova's Brandyn Harvey made the one-handed grab for a 29-yard touchdown with 59 seconds left -- on fourth and 11, no less. The University of Richmond's Andrew Howard missed a 35-yard field goal attempt at :05.

The Spiders' winning string ended with a 21-20 Colonial Athletic Association loss before a homecoming crowd of 11,667 at UR Stadium.

Kicking-game malfunctions cost Richmond, top-ranked in the FCS. UR botched a pair of PAT tries because of high snaps, and Howard's dramatic FG attempt had plenty of distance but was wide left.

Maybe it was just a matter of time before a Spiders loss was linked to special-teams mistakes. On four occasions previously this season, poor snaps in the punting game cost UR safeties or field position. Richmond (6-1, 8-1) has used three snappers in punt formations. PAT snaps weren't issues, until yesterday.

"We've just got to take care of some things," Richmond coach Mike London said.

His Spiders finally encountered an opponent good enough to make them pay for the errors.

Fourth-ranked Villanova (5-1, 8-1) has won six of the last eight in this series. The Spiders, defending FCS champions, hadn't fallen since last October, when James Madison's Scotty McGee returned a punt for a score in the final seconds in 38-31 Dukes' win.

Villanova coach Andy Talley suggested after the game that Richmond losing after 17 straight wins might turn out to be blessing for the Spiders, a head-clearer, a pressure-reliever.

"We could use it in two ways," said UR quarterback Eric Ward. "In the past, we've been able to handle losses like this in a positive way, come back out and do well the rest of the season."

Richmond took a 20-14 lead, its first of the game, with 2:22 left. That nine-play, 62-yard drive included a fourth-and-1 conversion around midfield with 4 minutes left. Villanova responded with quarterback Chris Whitney passing while trying to avoid UR's blitzers. On fourth and 11 from Richmond's 29, he threw high for the 6-4 Harvey. Whitney said he thought at first that he overthrew his target.

But Harvey snagged it with his left hand and ran into the end zone. "I should have caught it with two hands, probably," Harvey said. "But, I mean, one worked, so everything's all right."

The Wildcats' PAT gave them a 21-20 lead. UR took over at its 24 with :55 left.

"If I could, I wanted to get a pass and get us in the end zone," Ward said. "But what I really wanted was to just get us downfield and put us in a position to get a kick up at the end."

Ward passed to Kevin Grayson, then Donte Boston (twice), then to running back Garrett Wilkins as the Spiders reached Villanova's 17. UR called a timeout. Howard trotted onto the field. The snap to Ward, the holder, was a tad high, but not nearly as problematic as those on the PAT tries from Jared Decker, UR's starting left tackle.

Howard, a senior from Hermitage High, struck the ball solidly, but inaccurately.

"Well, I think the best thing I did this morning was take my heart medication," Talley said. "Ooooh, baby. It needed to kick in there toward the end of the game."

As if there weren't enough to keep the Spiders awake last night, questionable officiating appeared to help Villanova score the game's first TD. Whitney, on second and goal from the 12 in the opening quarter, threw to the back of the end zone for Dorian Wells. He made the catch, but TV replays indicated Wells never had possession with at least one foot inbounds, which is required.

"I have no comment about that," London said. He protested the play immediately after the call, alerted by his assistants in the press box that Wells' reception didn't look as if it should have counted.

. . .

Note: The Spiders play at Georgetown Saturday. . . . UR receiver Kevin Grayson was named homecoming king.

Villanova ------------------------- 7 7 0 7--21
Richmond ------------------------- 0 6 0 14--20
First Quarter

Vill--Wells 12 pass from Whitney (Yako kick), 3:33.
Second Quarter

Rich--Ward 1 run (pass failed), 5:58.

Vill--Szczur 23 pass from Whitney (Yako kick), 1:46.
Fourth Quarter

Rich--Gray 7 pass from Ward (Mitchell pass from Ward), 12:53.

Rich--Gaskins 1 run (kick failed), 2:22.

Vill--Harvey 29 pass from Whitney (Yako kick), :59.

A--11,667.
 Vill

Rich
First downs-------------------------19

21
Return yards-------------------------16

71
Punts-Avg.-------------------------5-36.4

3-37.3
Rushes-yards-------------------------33-79

32-86
Passing yards-------------------------282

297
Comp-Att-Int-------------------------22-35-1

23-38-3
Fumbles-lost-------------------------1-0

0-0
Penalties-yards-------------------------5-52

4-30
Time of possession-------------------------30:39

29:21
RUSHING

Villanova (33-79) , Babbaro 5-31, Ball 9-21, Szczur 5-8, Whitney 10-8, Wells 1-6, Reynolds 2-6, Team 1-(minus 1). Richmond (32-86) , Forte 14-57, Gaskins 6-22, Wilkins 2-9, Keating 1-0, Ward 9-(minus 2).
PASSING

Villanova (22-35-1--282) , Whitney 21-34-1-277, Szczur 1-1-0-5. Richmond (23-38-3--297) , Ward 23-35-2-297, Team 0-2-0-0, Grayson 0-1-1-0.
RECEIVING

Villanova , Harvey 6-79, Szczur 6-59, Wells 4-58, Babbaro 2-44, White 2-22, Ball 1-10, Farmer 1-10. Richmond , Gray 6-92, Grayson 4-67, D.Boston 3-50, Mitchell 3-27, Keating 3-20, Finney 1-19, Forte 1-11, Bischoff 1-6, Wilkins 1-5.
TACKLES

Villanova: Pitts 9, Ventrone 7, Osunde 7, Maldonado 7, Thomas 6, Kukucka 6, Kirkland 5, Loper 4, Dempsey 4, M. Johnson 3, Matusz 3, Akins 2, Babbaro 2, A. Johnson, Weaver, Thompson, Wade, Canci. Rich mond: McBride 10, McConaghy 10, Weldon 9, Parker 8, Ireland 7, Abramowitz 7, Horton 4, Turner 4, Graham 3, Hatcher 3, Pehanick 2, Williams 2, Miles 2, Gray, Kamin, Prokell, Rogers, Mayfield, Shoop, Cooley.
SACKS

Villanova: Maldonado, Thomas, Dempsey. Richmond: Parker 1½, Graham, Abramowitz ½.
INTERCEPTIONS

Villanova: Pitts, Loper, Wade. Richmond: Weldon.