CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Virginia quarterback Anthony Colandrea threw for 297 yards and 2 touchdowns in a dominant 34-13 victory Saturday night over the University of Richmond in the season opener for both teams.
The Cavaliers looked like they learned their lesson from last year’s home-opening loss to James Madison. In that game, Virginia appeared to have the game in hand, but a weather delay shifted the momentum and led to a Dukes victory.
Saturday night’s game went into a weather delay late in the second quarter, with Virginia leading 20-7. When play resumed 2 hours and 17 minutes later, Virginia quickly scored a touchdown, and kept its foot on the gas through the third quarter before turning to clock-running mode.
Colandrea was given the fourth quarter off.
Richmond’s offensive line struggled to get any traction against the bigger, stronger UVA defenders. The Spiders kept the winner of their quarterback competition under wraps until game time, when sophomore Kyle Wickersham ran out to take the first snaps. He made a 5-yard scramble for the team’s lone touchdown, but managed just 110 yards passing.
Virginia will test itself against Wake Forest and Maryland in the next two weeks, and Colandrea showed growth that will be encouraging to the team’s fanbase. He did not turn the ball over, and ran out of bounds or slid instead of exposing himself to big hits.
Griese shows off speed
The Cavaliers’ longest touchdown was a 57-yard catch-and-run reception by Jack Griese, the grandson of Pro Football Hall of Famer Bob Griese. It was his longest career reception and first receiving touchdown – he had a rushing touchdown last year.
The takeaway
Virginia: After watching other ACC teams struggle to dispatch FCS foes, a no-doubter is a solid start in a make-or-break year for coach Tony Elliott. Colandrea’s success on Saturday provides hope that things could be different this time around.
Richmond: The Spiders head home with a $450,000 check and playoff aspirations in the FCS. Both survived the blowout loss intact.
Up next
Virginia: travels to Wake Forest on Saturday, Sept. 7.
Richmond: plays host to Wofford on Saturday, Sept. 7.
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