Richmond's defensive, special teams units seize the day helping Spiders thump NC A&T

Published Oct. 21, 2023 4:27 p.m. ET

Associated Press

GREENSOBRO, N.C. (AP) — Kyle Wickersham threw a touchdown pass and from there Richmond's defense and special teams took over the scoring duties in the Spiders' 33-10 win over North Carolina A&T on Saturday.

Wickersham threw a 2-yard score to Quanye Veney to conclude an 11-play, 65-yard opening drive. Before the end of the first quarter, Andrew Lopez kicked a 21-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead.

Early in the second, Jabril Hayes had a 48-yard, pick-6 of Kevin White to make it 17-0. The Aggies put up some fight when on the ensuing kickoff, Taymon Cooke returned it 91 yards to reduce the deficit.

Just before halftime, Quintarius Jefferies gathered a blocked punt and ran it in from 15 yards out to put Richmond (5-3, 4-1 Coastal Athletic Association) ahead 23-7 after Lopez missed the point-after attempt.

Later, Lopez kicked a 35-yard field goal in the third, and in the fourth, Aaron Banks intercepted White and returned it 32 yards for the game's final score.

North Carolina A&T (1-6, 0-4) managed just 145 total yards.

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