Kyle Bitsko’s Walk-Off Field Goal Lifts Richmond Spiders Past Georgetown 24 to 21

Richmond, VA - Freshman kicker Kyle Bitsko redeemed himself in a big way on Saturday afternoon. Bitsko connected on a 49-yard field goal as time expired, giving the Richmond Spiders a thrilling 24- 21 victory over the Georgetown Hoyas at Robins Stadium. With the win, Richmond improves to 3-1 on the season, remains undefeated at home at 2-0, and moves to 2-0 in Patriot League play.

Aziz Foster Powell's Three Touchdowns Give Spiders Early Momentum

Running back Aziz Foster Powell got the Spiders on the scoreboard with a 33-yard touchdown run with 2:55 remaining in the first quarter. The extra point was good, giving Richmond an early 7-0 lead. Foster-Powell continued to make an impact on the ground, finishing with 87 rushing yards on 17 carries and two rushing touchdowns.

With 12:26 remaining in the second quarter, Foster Powell found the end zone again, scoring on a 4-yard touchdown run to extend Richmond's lead to 14-0. Georgetown finally got on the board when quarterback Jack Johnson connected with Hassan Mahasin for a 71-yard touchdown reception. The Spiders answered right back. With 2:42 remaining in the second quarter, quarterback Ashten Snelsire connected with Foster Powell for a 12-yard touchdown reception, giving Foster Powell his third touchdown of the first half and putting Richmond ahead 21 to 7. Snelsire finished the game 29 of 49 for 322 yards and one touchdown as Richmond took a 21-7 lead into halftime.

Hoyas Mount Comeback to Tie the Game

Georgetown came out of halftime determined to fight back. With 9:08 remaining in the third quarter, Johnson connected with Isaiah Grimes for a 2-yard touchdown reception, cutting Richmond's lead to 21-14.

The Hoyas continued to apply pressure in the fourth quarter. With 12:50 remaining, Georgetown took over at its own 4-yard line. The Hoyas methodically moved the ball down the field, putting together a 15-play, 96-yard drive that lasted 7 minutes and 30 seconds.

Johnson, who finished the game 14 of 23 for 193 yards and three touchdowns, capped the drive by connecting with Burke Carroll for a 2-yard touchdown reception. The score tied the game at 21 with 5:20 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Missed Opportunities Turn Into Triumph

With the game tied and the clock winding down, Richmond had one final chance to win. Bitsko stepped up. The freshman kicker connected on a 49-yard field goal as time expired, sending the Spiders to a dramatic 24- 21 victory. The game-winning kick was especially impressive considering what Bitsko had gone through earlier in the afternoon. Before his game-winning kick, Bitsko was 0 for 4 on field goal attempts. He missed attempts from 31, 40, and 34 yards, while a 32-yard attempt was blocked just seconds before halftime.

But when Richmond needed him most, Bitsko delivered.

The former Douglas Freeman High School standout came through in the biggest moment of the game, giving the Spiders their third victory of the season and keeping Richmond undefeated at home.

Richmond Spiders Open Season With 35 to 14 Win Over Bucknell

Richmond, VA: The Richmond Spiders defeated the Bucknell Bison by a final score of 35 to 14 in the season opener on Saturday evening, starting the season 1- 0 in Patriot League play.

Spiders quarterback Ashten Snelsire went 17 for 28, passing for 199 yards and three touchdowns. Aziz Foster Powell led the Spiders on the ground with 108 yards on 15 attempts and two touchdowns, while Bryce Allen led the Spiders in receiving with four receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns.

Bucknell quarterback Chris Dietrich went 16 for 30, passing for 155 yards and two touchdowns.

Spiders Score on First Three Possessions, Take Commanding 28 to 0 Lead at Half

On the opening drive, the Spiders capped a six-play drive when Ashten Snelsire connected with Carson Derey on an eight-yard touchdown reception. It was Derey's first career touchdown as a Spider, giving Richmond a 7 to 0 lead with 10:21 remaining in the first quarter.

The Spiders would capitalize on their next possession as Snelsire connected with freshman Bryce Allen on a nine-yard touchdown reception to extend the Richmond lead to 14- 0 with 6:06 remaining in the first quarter, which was Allen's 1st touchdown as a Spider.

Richmond added another score on its third possession as Aziz Foster Powell scored on a one-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Spiders up 21 to 0 with 1:08 remaining in the first quarter.

Foster Powell would score again in the second quarter, rushing for a five-yard touchdown to put the Spiders up 28 to 0 with 1:06 remaining in the first half. The Spiders took a commanding 28 to 0 lead into halftime.

Bison Roar Back Following Spiders Turnover

The Bison would finally get on the scoreboard in the third quarter as Chris Dietrich connected with Michael Cadden on a 51-yard touchdown reception. The touchdown cut the Richmond lead to 28 to 7 with 2:34 remaining in the third quarter.

On the following possession, Aziz Foster Powell fumbled, and Bucknell recovered to take possession.

Following the Spiders' turnover, the Bison would cut the Richmond lead to 14 points as Dietrich connected with Sam Milligan for a 29-yard touchdown reception with 13:03 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Snelsire and Allen Connection Seals the Deal for Spiders

Following the Bison touchdown that cut the deficit to 14 points, the Spiders responded on the first play of the drive.

Ashten Snelsire connected with Bryce Allen for a 75-yard touchdown reception, extending the Richmond lead to 35- 14 with 12:53 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Spiders defense would take care of the rest as Richmond held on to defeat Bucknell 35 to 14.

Cam Byrd Discusses His 2.5 Sack Performance

Following the game, Spiders defensive standout Cam Byrd discussed his 2.5-sack performance and the team's defensive effort in the season opener.

Spiders Head North

The Spiders, now 1- 0, will head north to take on Howard, who is also 1- 0 after defeating Alabama A&M on Saturday.

Richmond will face Howard on Saturday, September 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM.

St. Joe’s Defeats UConn 72–52 to Win Back-to-Back Big East Championships at Madison Square Garden

(NEW YORK, NY) — The St. Joe’s Red Storm defeated the UConn Huskies 72–52 to win their second consecutive Big East Championship in front of a sellout crowd of 19,812 at Madison Square Garden.

The Red Storm were led by Bryce Hopkins and Big East Player of the Year Zuby Ejiofor, who scored 18 points apiece, while Tarris Reed Jr. paced the Huskies with 17 points.

Red Storm Dominates Early and Often

The Red Storm wasted no time setting the tone, opening the game on a 10–0 run sparked by an Ejiofor jumper, an Oziyah Sellers three-pointer, three made free throws, and a jumper from Dylan Darling.

Solo Ball finally put the Huskies on the board with a layup that resulted in a three-point play, cutting the deficit to 10–3 with 15:55 remaining in the first half.

St. Joe’s maintained control throughout the half. An Ejiofor fast-break dunk pushed the Red Storm lead to 32–16 with 8:20 remaining before halftime. They carried that momentum into the break, taking a 40–27 lead.

UConn struggled offensively in the first half, shooting 9-for-25 from the field (36%) and committing 11 turnovers. Meanwhile, the Red Storm shot an efficient 15-for-30 (50%) and converted those turnovers into 15 points.

Second-Half Surge Seals the Title

The Red Storm extended their lead to 18 early in the second half. The Huskies responded with a 9–0 run to cut the deficit to 47–38 before a Hopkins layup halted the momentum.

Reed continued to keep UConn within striking distance, scoring on a layup and a jumper to trim the Red Storm lead to 49–42 — the closest the Huskies would get the rest of the game.

A jumper by Malachi Smith with 8:03 remaining would be UConn’s final field goal, as the Huskies trailed 59–49.

St. Joe’s closed the game emphatically, going on a 13–0 run to shut the door on any UConn comeback and secure the 72–52 championship victory.