Richmond Earns First Patriot League Home Win Over Fordham, 17–14

(Richmond, VA) The Richmond Spiders defeated the Fordham Rams on Saturday, 17–14, to capture their first-ever Patriot League home win. The Spiders led wire to wire and were ahead by as many as ten points. Richmond totaled 323 yards of offense, including 193 passing and 130 rushing, while Fordham managed just 161 total yards with 91 through the air and 70 on the ground. Gunnar Smith, who entered the game leading the Patriot League in passing yards and yards per game, went 19 for 36 with 91 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Kyle Wickersham led the way for Richmond, finishing 23 for 35 with 193 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. After the game, I spoke with Kyle about his performance in the win.

Spiders Start Strong, but the Rams Counter

Richmond opened the scoring as Wickersham connected with Ja’Vion Griffin on a five-yard touchdown pass to cap off a nine-play, 75-yard drive that put the Spiders ahead 7–0. After a fumbled punt return gave Fordham the ball at the Richmond four-yard line, Gunnar Smith found Jack Freeburg for a four-yard score to tie the game at seven. The Spiders regained the lead when Jayden Alsheskie drilled a 36-yard field goal with 14:13 remaining in the second quarter, giving Richmond a 10–7 advantage.

Two Blocked Field Goals Keep Fordham Close

The Spiders looked to extend their lead late in the second quarter, but Alsheskie’s field goal attempt was blocked and recovered by Fordham’s Colby Spencer, who handed the ball off to Nate Lindsey-Gill to end the half. In the third quarter, another Alsheskie attempt was blocked by Terrence Jones II and recovered by Aiden Mack, keeping Fordham within striking distance as Richmond maintained a 10–7 lead.

Lee Bruner IV Saves the Day

With the Rams threatening, Gunnar Smith’s pass was intercepted by Richmond defensive back Lee Bruner IV, who returned it 25 yards to the Spiders’ 47-yard line. Richmond capitalized on the turnover as Wickersham punched in a four-yard rushing touchdown to give the Spiders their largest lead of the game, 17–7, with 3:47 remaining in the third quarter. Fordham answered in the fourth when Jack Kaiser scored on a four-yard run to cut the deficit to 17–14 with just over eight minutes to play. In the final minute, Bruner sealed the victory with his second interception of the game, returning it two yards with 55 seconds remaining as the Spiders held on for the 17–14 win. After the game, I spoke with Camden Byrd, who shared his thoughts on the team’s strong defensive effort.

At the Podium

Following the win, Head Coach Russ Huesman praised his team’s toughness and ability to respond in key moments.

What’s Next

The Spiders, now 5–4 overall and 2–3 in Patriot League play, will hit the road next week to take on Georgetown on Saturday, November 8, 2025. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Richmond Spiders Defeat Howard Bison Behind Fourth Quarter Surge

( Richmond, VA) The Richmond Spiders defeated the Howard Bison 13-12 on Saturday afternoon in a thrilling comeback. Despite being outgained in nearly every statistical category, with Howard posting 297 total yards compared to Richmond’s 152, the Spiders found a way to pull off the victory. Richmond lost starting quarterback Kyle Wickersham to injury in the first quarter, forcing backup Ashten Snelsire into action. After trailing 12-0 at halftime, the Spiders capitalized on two key turnovers to secure the narrow win.

Bison Start Off Strong

The first quarter ended scoreless, but Howard quickly broke through in the second. Anthony Reagan Jr. ran for a 52-yard touchdown just 44 seconds into the quarter, giving the Bison a 6-0 lead. Later in the quarter, Howard added to its advantage with a safety at the 3:14 mark. With 23 seconds left before halftime, Matt Conord converted a 36-yard field goal, sending the Bison into the locker room ahead 12-0. Richmond struggled offensively, managing just 49 total yards in the first half.

Spiders Mount a Comeback

Momentum shifted in the fourth quarter. Howard quarterback Tyriq Starks threw an interception to C.J. Fraser, who returned it 55 yards deep into Bison territory. On the ensuing play, Isaiah Dawson broke free for a 42-yard touchdown run, trimming the deficit to 12-7 with 11:50 remaining.

Just a minute later, Starks was intercepted again, this time by Matei Fitz at the Bison 8-yard line. Snelsire wasted no time, connecting with Aziz Foster-Powell for a 7-yard touchdown. Richmond took its first lead of the game at 13-12 with 10:17 to play, though the two-point conversion attempt failed.

Howard still had opportunities. The Bison drove to Richmond’s 21-yard line, but Conord missed a 38-yard field goal attempt with just over three minutes remaining. After regaining possession with 18 seconds left, Howard failed to convert, sealing the Spiders’ 13-12 victory.

What’s Next

The Spiders (3-2, 0-1 Patriot League) return to the road to face Bucknell on Saturday, October 4. Kickoff is set for noon.

Austin Dillon Captures Sweet Redemption at Richmond

Credit: RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - AUGUST 16: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Bass Pro/Winchester Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway on August 16, 2025 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

(Richmond, VA) Austin Dillon captured his sixth NASCAR Cup Series victory on Saturday and his first win of the season in the Cook Out 400. Dillon delivered a clutch performance, leading 107 laps, including the final 49, to secure the checkered flag. With the win, he clinched a berth in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. The victory was especially meaningful, as Dillon also won last year’s Cook Out 400 but was penalized afterward, which cost him a Playoff spot despite the triumph.

The Rise and Fall of 23XI Racing

Tyler Reddick set the tone early by winning Stage 1 after leading the first 70 laps. His 23XI Racing teammate, Bubba Wallace, dominated much of the race, leading a race-high 123 laps and winning Stage 2. However, Wallace’s momentum was derailed by a costly pit road mistake that dropped him to a 28th-place finish. Reddick’s night unraveled as well, as he fell back to 34th after contact, marking a tough setback for the Toyota duo.

Team Penske Finishes Strong

Team Penske showcased its strength with three of its drivers finishing inside the top five. Ryan Blaney earned his first-ever top-five finish at Richmond Raceway with a third-place run, while Joey Logano charged from the back of the field to finish fourth. Austin Cindric rounded out the group with a solid fifth-place performance, highlighting a strong collective effort from the organization.

William Byron Clinches Regular-Season Title

Despite being caught in a 10-car crash, William Byron fought back to finish 12th and clinched the NASCAR Cup Series Regular-Season Championship. The milestone caps off a consistent campaign in which Byron has led the standings for much of the year, giving him valuable Playoff bonus points heading into the postseason.

What’s Next: Regular-Season Finale at Daytona

The Cup Series now shifts to Daytona International Speedway for a high-stakes regular-season finale, with 14 of the 16 Playoff spots already secured. Tyler Reddick and Alex Bowman, who finished as the runner-up at Richmond, currently hold the final two spots, while Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece remain on the outside looking in. With Daytona’s reputation for unpredictability, the battle for the last Playoff berths is expected to be dramatic under the lights.