Ward leads Richmond past VMI

The University of Richmond football team survived a scare from the Virginia Military Institute Keydets on Saturday at UR Stadium, defeating VMI 38-28.

Richmond senior quarterback Eric Ward threw for three touchdowns and a career-best 394 yards on 28 of 39 passing. Ward's 394 yards are good for second on the all-time Richmond single game passing yards list and are the most yards for a Spider quarterback since 1968.

"For the whole season we said we had to get Eric Ward at least 300 yards passing," sophomore wide receiver Donte Boston said. "He's such a composed quarterback. If he has time, he will find the open man."

Boston and fellow sophomore Tre Gray led the Spiders on the receiving end of Ward's big day. Boston caught seven passes for 125 yards and a touchdown, setting a personal best for receiving yards for the second-straight week. Gray caught six passes for 112 yards and a touchdown. Junior Kevin Grayson added nine catches for 81 yards and a touchdown.

"We're stacked at that position," Ward said of his wide receivers. "Each one of those guys can step up for us and have a big game when we need it."

On the defensive side of the ball, Richmond allowed VMI to stay in the game with big plays. Two of the Keydets' touchdowns came on plays of 40 yards or more.

"We didn't do a good job making sure we had every assignment on every play taken care of," Richmond head coach Mike London said. "They played well enough to win and cause us issues."

VMI opened the scoring on their first play from scrimmage in the first quarter. Quarterback Kyle Hughes found Tim Maypray for a 44-yard touchdown pass to give the Keydets an early lead.

Richmond responded on its next drive, covering 63 yards in nine plays before running back Justin Forte's nine-yard run tied the game at 7. Forte finished the game with 112 yards rushing on 15 carries, marking the first 100-yard rushing game for a Spider running back this season.

Richmond then scored on its next two possessions and appeared to be in control. Gray caught a 17-yard pass from Ward with 13:38 to go during the second quarter and Boston reeled in a 53-yarder on the first play of Richmond's next drive, giving the Spiders a 21-7 lead.

But VMI responded with a nine-play, 78-yard drive that ended with some good fortune. Hughes's third-down pass was tipped by Richmond safety Michael Ireland, but the ball deflected right to VMI's Mario Scott in the end zone for a Keydets score.

Richmond tried to increase its lead before the half, but Andrew Howard's 33-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left as time expired.

The Spiders opened the second half by scoring on their first two drives. Tyler Kirchoff scampered into the end zone from 5 yards out on the team's first drive of the second half and Howard drilled a 34-yard field goal on the team's second drive, extending the lead to 31-14.

VMI took advantage of a Derek Hatcher fumble during a punt return to bring the game closer once again.

The Keydets gained possession at the Richmond 43-yard line and 11 plays later, Hughes barely crossed the goal line on 4th and 1 to make it an 11-point game. Richmond's Nick Battle blocked Jeff Sexton's extra point attempt to keep the score 31-20.

On Richmond's ensuing drive, the Spiders covered 83 yards in 13 plays. Grayson finished it off with a spectacular diving catch near the side of the end zone and after Howard's extra point, the Spiders appeared to have the game in hand, with the score 38-20.

But VMI delivered yet another counter blow. This time, Hughes found a huge hole and ran 66 yards for a touchdown. After a successful two-point conversion, the Keydets were within 10 with 8:46 to play in the game.

VMI got the ball back one more time with a chance to cut the Spider lead again, but Richmond's defense held strong and forced a punt. When the Richmond offense took over, it managed a few first downs before running out the clock.

With the win, Richmond extended its school-record winning streak to 14 games and improved to 4-0 this season. Even though the Keydets challenged the Spiders, London said his team was still happy with its position so far this year.

"Rather than beat ourselves up [over the mistakes]," London said, "it feels pretty good to be 4-0 and enjoy a win like this."

Richmond has a bye week this week, but will return to action in two weeks when it takes on James Madison University. The Dukes are the last team that defeated Richmond, at UR Stadium last October on a last-second punt return.

The Spiders will hope to make up for last year's loss and extend their current winning streak at 12 p.m. on Oct. 10, when they face the Dukes at JMU's Bridgeforth Stadium.

Contact staff writer Reilly Moore at reilly.moore@richmond.edu