This week’s Pandemic Season highlights the 2014 campaign. It marks the beginning of the second half of this special 2020 non season. The Spiders enter the second half still undefeated at 5-0, 3-0 CAA. Most FCS pundits now have UR in the FCS Playoff picture.
The highlighted game from the 2014 season is the annual renewal of “The South’s Most Played Rivalry,” Richmond’s season ending game in Williamsburg versus historical rival William and Mary.
The Spiders came into this game at 7-4, 4-3 CAA. They were ranked #21 an FCS poll. They had ripped off five consecutive victories at one point of the season, including a win over #3 ranked Villanova, but had lost two crucial CAA games coming into this one. An FCS at-large Playoff spot was probably on the line in this one for the winner.
The Tribe came in ranked #19 in FCS and with an identical 7-4, 4-3 CAA record. They were hungry for an FCS Playoff spot also.
The game was played on Cary Field at 7:30PM November 22. My recollection is it was a very cold night, but at least we didn’t have to stare into that blinding Cary sun.
Satchmo sums up the game in his Prologue with an emphasis on the Spiders returning to strong play after the two disappointing losses to Maine and JMU. He picked UR to win 24-23.
If you followed Richmond during this season you know this was a tremendous game, joining several other giant Spiders wins on the Reservation since the new millennium.
I hope these games will bring back some pleasant and fun memories of Richmond football. Keep your Spiders mojo pointed towards 2021 for a spring and fall season.
Go Spiders!
