Live Blog: Richmond at VMI

4th Quarter, 0:00- This game comes to a close. Richmond- 47, VMI- 6.

4th Quarter, 7:50- Drive stalls as what looked like a touchdown in the back corner of the end zone is ruled out of bounds, and Hinshaw comes in and makes his fourth field goal of the game, this one from 22 yards out, pushing the lead further, 47-6.

4th Quarter, 9:18- Strauss finds Roller across the middle to pick up a first down on a 4th and 2, getting the ball to the VMI 14.

4th Quarter, 12:31- Great catch by freshman receiver Reggie Diggs on a deep out route out across midfield. Diggs is expected to be a big part of Richmond's future plans at the receiver position.

4th Quarter, 13:50- As expected, backup quarterback Michael Strauss is in the game for the Spiders.

3rd Quarter, 0:00- Third quarter comes to a close, and what a quarter for the Spiders it was, as they score four unanswered touchdowns to turn a close game into a complete blowout. Richmond up big, 44-6, and it looks like Rocco will let some backups see some playing time here in this final 15 minutes.

View from the press box here. Beautiful backdrop.

3rd Quarter, 0:58- Now this game is getting out of hand. Taylor with his second interception of the game, this time taking it back 35 yards down the opposing sideline for the touchdown. Richmond putting this game out of reach, 44-6

3rd Quarter, 2:11- More penalty flags thrown on the VMI kickoff return, this time a clipping penalty on the Keydets will nullify a solid return and give VMI the ball on its own 18.

3rd Quarter, 2:21- VMI's defense showing it's gassed, as Smith takes the handoff on the first play of the drive and finds a hole to the outside, going 50 yards down the sideline for his first touchdown of the season, extending the Spiders lead to 37-6.

3rd Quarter, 2:32- Edwards really doing everything today, making a fair catch on the VMI punt to save the Spiders valuable field position. Richmond's drive will begin right at midfield.

3rd Quarter, 4:35- A couple penalties cancel each other out on the VMI kickoff return, and they'll begin on their own 17.

3rd Quarter, 4:45- Wow. Laub just looked like a fullback on that run, going 14 yards for his first rushing touchdown of the season, jumping over a couple VMI defenders to get into the end zone. That score pushes the Spiders lead to 30-6.

3rd Quarter, 5:55- Spiders making their way toward that not-so-elusive red zone again, with a 2nd and 9 just outside the VMI 20. Quick note: Edwards is at 11 catches for 122 yards, first Richmond receiver with over 100 receiving yards this season.

3rd Quarter, 8:10- Surprise, surprise..Edwards with two straight first down catches has the ball out to near midfield for the Spiders. He looks unstoppable right now.

3rd Quarter, 8:31- Spider defense picks up the intensity and forces the punt, which bounces into the end zone for the touchback, giving Laub and the offense the ball back at the UR 25.

3rd Quarter, 9:17- Great diving catch by VMI receiver James Rogers near the sideline gives the Keydets a first down near midfield.

3rd Quarter, 9:34- After two plays go nowhere, Laub finds Finney in the middle of the end zone open for the 4-yard touchdown, the Richmond offense's first of the day. Hinshaw's extra point is good, and Richmond finally has some breathing room, 23-6.

3rd Quarter, 10:22- On 3rd and 2, Laub breaks a tackle on a designed QB sneak and picks up a first down and then some, giving the Spiders a first and goal from the 6. Let's see if they can capitalize this time around.

3rd Quarter, 12:01- Rocco tries to be tricky, sending Edwards on an end around wide receiver pass, but the pass comes out of his hand badly and just sort of floats out of bounds.

3rd Quarter, 12:10- Even with a cast on his hand, Taylor is able to hold on to a Kordenbrock pass for the interception, giving the Richmond offense its first opportunity of the half at the VMI 41.

3rd Quarter, 15:00- Second half is underway here in Lexington, as Kamin kicks it through the end zone for a touchback. VMI will start at its own 25.

Halftime- Here's my analysis: Richmond is up 16-6, and it should be more, but it could be less. Their one touchdown of course came on the opening kickoff thanks to Grant's 90-yard return, but the offense is having success..until they reach the red zone. Obviously, Gaskins is the guy that typically is able to finish off drives when the Spiders get close to the goal line, but for whatever reason, it's not working today and Rocco needs to adjust his gameplan during this break. Also, Laub is getting hit way too much. They started calling more designed quick passes toward the end of the half, and they were working pretty well, so look for the Spiders to continue that into the beginning of the second half. Edwards is catching everything right now, but I expect VMI to gameplan against him more, so look for Stephen Barnette or maybe tight end Kevin Finney to get more involved in the passing game in this game.

On defense, Richmond is playing really well aside from that one long touchdown drive where Kordenbrock just picked them apart. They aren't getting enough pressure on him, though, so maybe look for a few more designed blitzes to come. I expect VMI to get away from the run game more because it's just not working at all, so Richmond DC Bob Trott should be able to time these well.

Halftime- Those were some important stats, but here's the most important one and the reason this game is still so close: Richmond has been in the red zone four times and scored zero touchdowns in those opportunities, scoring just 9 points total on three field goals during those drives.

Halftime- Here's some of the more important stats for you first: Laub (14-20 for 138 yds), Edwards (8 catches for 85 yds), Kordenbrock (11-15 for 75 yds) and Richmond is outgaining VMI, 215-102, on offense.

2nd Quarter, 0:00- Hinshaw strikes the 37-yard field goal attempt perfectly as the half comes to a close. The teams go back into the locker rooms with the Spiders ahead, 16-6. I'll have some halftime analysis for you soon.

2nd Quarter, 0:02- Richmond fails to pick up a first down from the VMI 20, letting the clock tick down to two seconds before calling its final timeout to attempt the field goal.

2nd Quarter, 1:11- Laub typically excels in these no-huddle situations. A couple passes to Edwards already has the ball out the the VMI 27.

2nd Quarter, 1:46- A shank punt by VMI gives the Richmond offense a good shot at getting point with a solid two-minute drill from its own 39.

2nd Quarter, 3:22- Kordenbrock with an NFL-caliber throw down the middle of the field, picks up the first down to the VMI 43. He completed it to a receiver that had Taylor going step for step with him.

2nd Quarter, 3:34- This Keydets defense really picks up the intensity near its goal line, forcing another short field goal attempt after the Spiders got the ball to inside the 5-yard line. Hinshaw puts this 24-yarder through, pushing the UR lead to 13-6.

2nd Quarter, 5:49- Fullback Kendall Gaskins showing some soft hand on a one-handed catch that he turns into a first down for the Spiders out to the VMI 12.

2nd Quarter, 6:31- Richmond catches a break, as VMI has a miscue on a handoff. The ball hits the turf, and Richmond's Kerry Wynn is there to pick up the fumble at the VMI 24.

2nd Quarter, 7:27- A rare missed tackle by Richmond safety Cooper Taylor allows VMI to pick up a first down, out to the Keydets 31.

2nd Quarter, 8:32- Another pass to Edwards on third down falls a few yards short of a first down, and Richmond is again forced to go for the short field goal attempt. This one goes awry though, as Hinshaw hits it wide right. VMI takes over at its 20, per NCAA rule.

2nd Quarter, 9:55- Edwards, really making his mark on this first half, makes another catch for a first down, getting the ball out the the VMI 16.

2nd Quarter, 11:03- End around run by Smith goes for another first down, but it's called back for holding. Holding or not, there was a great block by tight end Sam Roller on that play that helped free Smith. You could hear the Richmond press box praising him from the media box.

2nd Quarter, 11:32- Edwards on an end around run goes for about 30 yards to the VMI 38. He was caught from behind, something that rarely happens to the speedy receiver.

2nd Quarter, 11:46- Grant with another nice return gives the Spider offense the ball at the UR 37 to begin their next drive. VMI has all the momentum right now. Richmond offense needs to do something to get it back.

2nd Quarter, 11:52- VMI's good looking drive is finished off with a one-yard touchdown run by tailback Jabari Turner. Extra point attempt hits off the post and goes wide, cutting the Spiders lead to 10-6.

2nd Quarter, 12:55- Kordenbrock is starting to pick apart this secondary, reading the coverage well and finding the open guy. A quick out route picks up some easy yards and gives the Keydets a 1st and goal from the 6.

2nd Quarter, 14:23- Questionable call my the refs, who call a pass interference penalty on Richmond. The pass looked uncatchable, but that gives VMI a first down at the Richmond 20.

1st Quarter, 0:00- The Keydets pick up another first down just before the clock runs out on the first quarter. They'll have a 1st and 10 at the Richmond 36 to start the second quarter. Spiders still lead, 10-0.

1st Quarter, 1:02- There's VMI's first first down, on a running back draw play that gets the ball just past midfield.

1st Quarter, 1:50- Richmond goes three-and-out as well, and Laub is taking some unnecessary shots. The line is giving him a decent amount of time, but he's not getting rid of it quickly enough. After a Spider punt, VMI takes over at its own 38

1st Quarter, 2:36- The run is going nowhere for the Keydets. Richmond's defensive line is just manhandling VMI's offensive line. Another three-and-out and punt gives Richmond offense the ball back on its own 23.

1st Quarter, 4:39- The next VMI drive will start at their own 26 following a short kickoff return.

1st Quarter, 4:48- VMI defense stands tall at the goal line of three runs. Richmond is forced to take the chip-shot field goal, which kicker Remington Hinshaw hits perfectly, extending the Spider lead to 10-0.

1st Quarter, 6:17- There's the Wildcat formation we saw go for a big run last week. This time, Smith takes the snap and runs, but is stopped after a short gain.

1st Quarter, 7:26- On 3rd and 3, the ball goes on an end around to tailback Jovan Smith, who is stopped just short of a first down. Richmond goes for it, and Laub picks it up easily on a QB draw. First and goal from the 4.

1st Quarter, 9:43- Great pass under pressure by Laub on 3rd and 10, hitting Edwards in stride for the first down. UR first down at the VMI 19.

1st Quarter, 10:23- Richmond receiver Ben Edwards makes a deep catch to move the offense past midfield. Looks like that injury isn't bothering him at all.

1st Quarter, 12:12- Richmond defense catches a break on 3rd and 10. VMI quarterback Eric Kordenbrock broke contain and found a receiver wide open in the end zone, but the pass was a little too far toward the sideline and the receiver couldn't hold on. VMI punts and Spider offense comes onto the field for the first time on its own 7.

1st Quarter, 13:05- Defense responds, forcing a three-and-out, with UR's Aaron Roane nearly getting an interception on third down. Then, craziness ensues on the VMI punt, with the punter fumbling the ball around behind the line of scrimmage before getting off a short punt that hits a Richmond player, recovered by a VMI player on the sideline at the Richmond 39.

1st Quarter, 14:49- Richmond kickoff goes through the back of the end zone, giving the Keydets the ball at their own 25 to start their opening drive.

1st Quarter, 14:49- Looks like the Spiders might've taken my shot at their special teams personally.

1st Quarter, 14:49- Well that didn't take long. Touchdown, Spiders, on the kickoff return. Return man Justin Grant made a man miss around the 25 and just out ran the rest of the coverage for the 90-yard score. 7-0, Richmond.

As is now tradition, here's the press box food for today. Not Bad, VMI.

Pregame-Really cool seeing all the students dressed up in their uniforms. A bunch of them are lined up in a sort of tunnel right now to bring the Keydets onto the field I'm guessing. Interesting to note that the coin toss hasn't happened yet even though we're just a couple minutes away from the scheduled kickoff time.

Pregame- Hey Richmond football followers, sorry I'm a little bit later than usual getting started today, got a bit lost on the way to Lexington, but we're a little under 15 minutes away from kickoff here. It's a beautiful day outside, and I'm liking the feel of this stadium. It sort of has a big high school football stadium feel to it. If you haven't already, be sure to check out my GAME PREVIEW for this one.