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.

D.C. Defenders Capture UFL Championship with Statement Win Over Panthers

St. Louis, MO – The D.C. Defenders defeated the Michigan Panthers 58–34 on Saturday to claim the 2025 UFL Championship. This game served as a rematch of their Week 6 meeting, where the Panthers handed the Defenders a tough 38–14 loss. This time, D.C. flipped the script in a big way. With an explosive offensive performance that produced 580 total yards, four rushing touchdowns, and four through the air, the Defenders left no doubt. Their defense also made an impact by forcing two key turnovers that led to 14 points.

Jordan Ta’amu Delivers a Championship Performance

Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu was locked in from the opening snap. He completed 21 of 28 passes for 390 yards and threw four touchdowns, earning MVP honors for his performance in the title game. Ta’amu also added a rushing touchdown, capping off a nearly flawless day under center.

Dominant Day on the Ground

The Defenders didn’t just shine through the air, they controlled the game on the ground as well. D.C. racked up 190 rushing yards and scored four touchdowns on the ground.

Abram Smith led the way with 63 yards, Chris Rowland added 53 yards and a score, Deon Jackson contributed 46 yards and two touchdowns & Jordan Ta’amu chipped in a 1-yard touchdown run of his own

Panthers Strike Early

Michigan came out hot, scoring on its first two possessions. Running back Nate McCrary broke free for a 35-yard touchdown run to open the game, though the one-point conversion failed. D.C. quickly responded with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Ta’amu to Jaydon Mickens to tie it up. On the Panthers’ next drive, quarterback Bryce Perkins found Siaosi Mariner for another touchdown, putting Michigan up 13–6 by the end of the first quarter.

Defenders Erupt for 31 Points in the Second Quarter

The second quarter was all D.C. Matt McCrane started the scoring with a 22-yard field goal to narrow the deficit. Moments later, Ta’amu hit Cornell Powell on a 19-yard touchdown pass to give the Defenders their first lead at 15–13. They never looked back. Ta’amu added a 1-yard rushing touchdown, Deon Jackson powered in for a 5-yard score, and Ta’amu capped the half with a 73-yard bomb to Ty Scott, giving D.C. a 37–19 lead at halftime.

Finishing Strong as Champions

The Defenders played with confidence, control, and creativity in all four quarters. Their ability to bounce back from a regular-season loss to the Panthers and dominate in the biggest game of the year speaks volumes. With this victory, the D.C. Defenders are officially the 2025 UFL Champions.