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UVA Football: Virginia Storms Past Richmond 34-13

The Cavaliers weathered a rain delay to earn their first victory of the season.

Aidan Baller

Colandrea recorded 297 yards and two touchdowns to power the Virginia Cavaliers to victory.
Colandrea recorded 297 yards and two touchdowns to power the Virginia Cavaliers to victory. / Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
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On Saturday night, Virginia football earned its first win of the season, defeating the Richmond Spiders 34-13 at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, VA. Virginia was powered by quarterback Anthony Colandrea, who threw for 297 yards and two touchdowns in between a rain delay that lasted over two hours that went into effect with 4:28 to play in the second quarter.

The Cavaliers came out of the gates on fire. After forcing a three and out, Colandrea went right to work with a 35-yard rush on the first play from scrimmage. Two plays later, Colandrea found Kent State transfer Trell Harris for a 35-yard touchdown to put the Hoos' up early.

On Richmond's second offensive drive, Corey Thomas Jr. forced a fumble that was recovered by Kam Robinson. With the ball back in Colandrea's hands, he put the Cavaliers in scoring position to set up a field goal before the sophomore quarterback found Jack Griese on a wheel route for a 57-yard touchdown on the ensuing Virginia possession to make it 17-0.

The Cavaliers added a field goal before Richmond responded with a long methodical drive that ended with a Kyle Wickersham rushing touchdown. After the touchdown, the game was paused for a weather delay that started at 7:01 PM and concluded at 9:17 PM.

The last time Virginia had a weather delay was against JMU, where the Cavaliers led 35-24 entering the delay and lost 36-35 with the Dukes scoring 12 unanswered points to end the game. This time around, the Cavaliers opened up with an impressive touchdown drive that included a 43-yard rush and a three-yard touchdown run from Kobe Pace, who finished the game with 93 yards and one touchdown.

After that, Virginia drove down the field one more time with Malachi Fields making a diving catch to help put the Cavaliers in field goal range before Will Bettridge missed the field goal, sending Virginia into the half with a 27-7 lead.

In the third quarter, the offense continued to click with Colandrea using his legs to pick up two first downs and a seven yard rushing touchdown to make it 34-7. Shortly after that, Tony Muskett entered the game for the Hoos' as the Cavaliers took their foot on the gas. At quarterback, Muskett mostly handed the ball off but did throw an interception on his second throw.

With a large lead, Virginia looked to its bench as Richmond scored one more field goal to make it 34-13 as the Cavaliers earned their first win of the season.

With an opening game win, Virginia turns its attention to Wake Forest next Saturday at 7pm in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

More Virginia Football News

VIDEO: Colandrea, Clary, Pace, Butler React to Virginia's Win Over Richmond

Five Takeaways from Virginia Football's Win Over Richmond

Virginia vs. Richmond Enters Weather Delay in the Second Quarter

Virginia vs. Richmond Live Updates | NCAA Football

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Aidan Baller

AIDAN BALLER

Aidan has been writing for Virginia Cavaliers On SI since January of 2023 and covers UVA football, basketball, men's soccer, and men's lacrosse. He is from New York and is currently in his fourth year at the University of Virginia, enrolled in the M.S. in Accounting program.