SpiderNation.com - UR beats Dukes in H'burg

October 10, 2009

Spidernation Staff

Ben Keating caught a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter as Richmond rallied to beat James Madison 21-17 on Saturday. This was the third TD scored by Keating in the game. He had a pair of 1-yard runs in the first quarter, his only carries of the game, then caught a 6-yard pass from Eric Ward with 7:20 to play in the game. After Richmond's go-ahead score the Dukes drove 57 yards to the Spiders' 6-yard-line, but redshirt freshman quarterback Justin Thorpe fumbled the ball. The Spiders' Eric McBride recovered with 58 seconds remaining to seal the win. "He doesn't know. He's young," James Madison coach Mickey Matthews said of Thorpe. "He's got to learn to take care of the ball."

Richmond (5-0, 3-0 Colonial Athletic Association), the defending Football Championship Subdivision champion, has won 14 straight, and nine on the road, since losing to James Madison 38-31 on Oct. 11, 2008.

"I sit here before you really humbled and really blessed," Richmond coach Mike London said. "It didn't look pretty, but we played football when we had to play football. This is a special team. This is a team that rallies around each other."

Ward was 16 of 26 for 165 yards and a touchdown. "If Eric is not considered one of the best quarterbacks in the country, I don't know who is," London said. "He's as good as any quarterback out there."

The Dukes (2-3, 0-2) took a 17-14 lead on a 15-yard return of a blocked punt in the second quarter by Corwin Acker. This came on the second punt of the game by backup Brett Weigand. Only the third of his career. Brett came in to take over after Starter Brian Radford suffered a nasty injury dislocating his plant ankle as someone rolled up on his plant foot. Brian was carried from the field on a stretcher to the applaus of well wishes from the fans. Later as Brian left with the medical staff, walking with the aid of crutches, he received a standing O from the Spider fans. After the blocked punt Brett settled in and made several beautiful towering punts.

THe Spiders D took the Dukes out of their comfort zone forcing them to throw more than they would like to. The Dukes made 165 yards through the air on 10-21 passing while giving up 2 interceptions. Dudzik was 3-6 for 68 yards and one TD before having to leave the gme with and injured leg, he was seen walking the sideline with the aid of crutches. Justin Thorpe was 7 for 15 passing for 87 yards and two interceptions. He also ran 14 times for 42 yards.

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