Ward rolls as Spiders turn back Keydets

UR's Jordan Mitchell can't squeeze this pass in the end zone as VMI's Juan Thrasher defends during the Spiders' 38-28 victory.

Seventeen times yesterday, Eric Ward completed a pass for 10 or more yards.

That's how the University of Richmond subjugated frisky VMI 38-28 before 7,554 at UR Stadium. That's how the Spiders' senior threw for 394 yards and three TDs while completing 28 of 39. In program history, only Buster O'Brien passed for more yards in a game: 447 vs. Ohio in Richmond's 49-42 Tangerine Bowl victory in 1968.

"Ward, he is [such] a composed quarterback. If he has time, he will find an open man," said UR receiver Donte Boston, a sophomore from Varina High who caught seven passes for 125 yards, including a 53-yard TD reception.

The Spiders (4-0), rated No. 1 in the Football Championship Subdivision and winners of a school-record 13 in a row, have beaten the Keydets eight straight. Most of those have been one-sided, and UR gained 548 yards yesterday. But VMI didn't allow this one to get ugly.

Keydets supporters bestowed upon their team at game's end a standing ovation, a tribute to an underdog that did not stop competing. "There will be reasons to see on film where we should have confidence that we could have a really fine football team, I think," said VMI coach Sparky Woods.

Against this option-offense-running crew, the Spiders led 21-7 early in the second quarter and 31-14 midway through the third. But VMI (1-2) repeatedly rebounded, mostly with methodical drives, though quarterback Kyle Hughes (133 rushing yards) carried through the left side for a 66-yard TD in the fourth quarter.

"A lot of different people are going different ways, fullbacks getting the ball, quarterbacks pulling it out, running outside, inside," said UR defensive tackle Martin Parker (12 tackles) of VMI's option game.

"Sometimes you take a wrong step or you make a mishap and you just miss a guy. . . . All in all, as a defense we came and we did what we had to do."

The outcome never really seemed in doubt, but Richmond did its part to cloud the issue with three turnovers and a missed field goal attempt from 33 yards.

Most Saturdays, Ward throws a handful of short completions, a couple of mid-range ones and tries a bomb or two. Against the Keydets, who allowed James Madison 341 passing yards and four receiving touchdowns last week in a 44-16 loss, he went deep more often and with more success than ever before in his career as a four-year starter.

"They did run a few coverages where we thought we may have a few shots," said Ward, who threw TD passes of 17, 53 and 13 yards. VMI was credited with one sack, but Ward was scrambling out of bounds to stop the clock on the play just before halftime.

Among his 28 completions were hookups for 29, 53, and 44 yards. Two Spiders -- Boston, who is a sophomore, and sophomore Tre Gray (six for 112 yards) -- surpassed the 100-yard receiving mark, the first time that's happened in four years.

UR also experienced its most productive rushing day of the season, getting 152 yards from senior Justin Forte.

Last Saturday, the Keydets earned the praise of JMU coach Mickey Matthews, who was impressed by VMI's progress in Woods' second year. Yesterday, they got it from UR coach Mike London, whose team is the defending FCS champion and started 15 fifth-year seniors and seven fourth-year juniors.

"VMI, they are a great effort team. They don't quit. They play four quarters," London said. "And if they're hanging around, you're going to get their best. We saw that today."

Next: UR has Saturday off, then plays at James Madison the following week. The Dukes were the last team to beat Richmond, 38-31 last Oct. 11 at UR Stadium. VMI opens Big South Conference competition Saturday with a 1:30 p.m. game vs. visiting Gardner-Webb.

Contact John O'Connor at (804) 649-6233 or .

VMI ------------------------- 7 7 6 8--28
Richmond ------------------------- 7 14 10 7--38
First Quarter

VMI--Maypray 44 pass from Hughes (J.Sexton kick), 9:28.

Rich--Forte 9 run (Howard kick), 4:57.
Second Quarter

Rich--Gray 17 pass from Ward (Howard kick), 13:38.

Rich--D.Boston 53 pass from Ward (Howard kick), 12:02.

VMI--M.Scott 9 pass from Hughes (J.Sexton kick), 4:29.
Third Quarter

Rich--Kirchoff 5 run (Howard kick), 13:12.

Rich--FG Howard 34, 8:53.

VMI--Hughes 1 run (kick blocked), 1:37.
Fourth Quarter

Rich--Grayson 13 pass from Ward (Howard kick), 9:38.

VMI--Hughes 66 run (Hughes run), 8:46.

A--7,554.
 VMI

Rich
First downs-------------------------10

29
Return yards------------------------- 0

49
Punts-Avg.-------------------------8-34.0

2-40.0
Rushes-yards-------------------------40-184

31-154
Passing yards-------------------------141

394
Comp-Att-Int-------------------------9-14-0

28-39-1
Fumbles-lost-------------------------1-0

2-2
Penalties-yards-------------------------8-50

5-45
Time of possession-------------------------27:20

32:40
RUSHING

VMI (40-184) , Hughes 22-133, Maypray 5-20, Abegesah 3-16, C.Jones 5-8, Z.Collins 1-3, Talley 1-3, Rainey-Wiles 1-1, Itoka 2-0. Richmond (31-154) , Forte 21-152, Kirchoff 2-7, Gaskins 1-4, Ward 4-4, Keating 1-3, Team 1-(minus 2), Gray 1-(minus 14).
PASSING

VMI (9-14-0--141) , Hughes 9-14-0-141. Richmond (28-39-1--394) , Ward 28-39-1-394.
RECEIVING

VMI , M.Scott 4-26, Barnson 2-62, Maypray 1-44, Hickman 1-6, Abegesah 1-3. Richmond , Grayson 9-83, D.Boston 7-125, Gray 6-112, Mitchell 3-41, Bischoff 2-18, Finney 1-15.
TACKLES

VMI: Allen 11, Walker 10, Gross 9, Watkins 9, Thrasher 8, Wine 6, Johnson 4, Church 4, Hairston 3, Lewis 3, Ware 3, McKinney 3, Bowers 2, Calvin 2, Nikmard 2, Alexander 2, Sneed 2, Youngblood, Jones, Sorenson, Swindell. Richmond: Parker 12, McBride 11, Miles 7, Ireland 6, Weldon 6, Graham 5, McConaghy 5, Hamilton 4, Battle 4, Kirchoff 3, Turner 2, Shoop, Mayo, Pehanick, Horton, Abramowitz, Williams, Ashe, Prokell, Sullivan.
SACK

VMI: Watkins.
INTERCEPTION

VMI: Johnson.
FUMBLE RECOVERIES

VMI: Church, Sneed.