Richmond Times-Dispatch from Richmond, Virginia • C1

Soorts Experience marks itfftt SUNDAY September 27, 2009 TlmesDtepatcFLCom front office of new Richmond team C3 Richmond Times-Dispatch Sports Editor: Steve Trosky (804)649-6456 stroskytimesdispatch.com Ward airs it out in win No. 1 RICHMOND 18, Vfel 28 PCS the Football Championship Subdivision and winners of a school-record 13 in a row, have beaten the Keydets eight straight Most of those have been one-sided, and UR gained 548 yards yesterday. But VMI didn't allow this one to get ugly. Keydets supporters bestowed upon their team at game's end a standing ovation, a tribute to an underdog that did not stop competing. "There will be reasons to see on film where we should have confidence that we could have a really fine football team, I think," said See SPIDERS, Page C8 Senior QB's 394-yard passing performance is the second-best for UR BY JOHN O'CONNOR Times-Dispatch Staff Writer Seventeen times yesterday, Eric Ward completed a pass for 10 or more yards.

That's how the University of Richmond subjugated frisky VMI 38-28 before 7,554 at UR Stadium. That's how the Spiders' senior threw for 394 yards and three TDs while completing 28 of 39. In program history, only Buster O'Brien passed for more yards in a game: 447 vs. Ohio in Richmond's 49-42 Tangerine Bowl victory in 1968. "Ward, he is such a composed quarterback.

If he has time, he will find an open man," said UR receiver Donte Boston, a sophomore from Varina High who caught seven passes for 125 yards, including a 53-yard TD reception. The Spiders (40), rated No. 1 in JOE MAHONEYT1MES-DBPATCH UR's Jordan Mitchell cant squeeze this pass In the end zone as VMI's Juan Thrasher defends during the Spiders' 38-28 victory. No. 11 Virginia Tech 31, No.

9 Miami 7 No.5WAMIO,DEUWABE20 PCS Tribe takes a pass Archer's accuracy key; sokes Delaware's defense Hokies humble Hurricanes and make a statement in ACC BY TIM PEARRELL Times-Dispatch Staff Writer WILLIAMSBURG They whole is impressive for William and Mary quarterback R.J. Archer. The half is almost unbelievable. Archer, a former wide receiver in his first year starting at quarterback, continued to complete first-half passes with off-the-chart accuracy last night. The senior connected on 15 of 21 passes including a school-record 91-yard TD pass to Chase Hill as fifth-ranked William and Mary jumped on Delaware and went on to a 30-20 Colonial Athletic Association victory before a sellout crowd of 12,259 at Zable Stadium.

With the Tribe (1-0, 40) off to its first 4-0 start since 1994, Archer is 50 for 62 (80.6 percent) for 673 yards and eight touchdowns in the first half. He was at a little bit of a loss to explain it. Tm not really sure why, but it's good we're getting out to a quick start," said Archer, who finished 23 of 37 for 313 yards despite a sore knee. For the season, Archer is 70 for 117 for 779 yards. He has eight TDs and two interceptions.

William and Mary coach Jimmye Laycock said Archer's quick starts are the result See TRIBE, Page C8 DEAN HOFFMEYERTHES-DBPATCH Miami's Sam Shields offered little resistance as Virginia Tech's Josh Oglesby turned a second-quarter carry Into a long gain. NEXT GAME: V1BGMIA TECH AT DUKE BY DARRYL SLATER Times-Dispatch Staff Writer Mtac ESPN360.com the llth-ranked Hokies did almost everything they wanted against No. 9 Miami, which came to Blacksburg surrounded by buzz about whether they were again as good as their past national champion teams. The Hokies harassed Miami's sophomore quarterback, Jacory Harris, from start to fin BLACKSBURG Tyrod Taylor waved his Bo Inside the gaiM arms up and down, then cupped his right hand At TimesDi8patch.com, see photo to the ear hole of his helmet, turning his head highlights from Tech's victory. bywrt slideshow toward the fans behind Virginia Tech's bench.

Their ponchos were soaked, yet they roared obediently one more time last night, their oroama in them for another reason, as they ish. They relied successfully on running the ball a must in rainy games as tailback dominated da 1 cn i Most remained at Lane Stadium for a every die uunugdoi-, viuuiy. They even blocked a punt and returned it for a fourth quarter that was little more than an ex- So even as Taylor walked off the field with touchdown, which gave them a 21-0 halftime tended curtain calL This time, they didn't 14 seconds left in a game long since decided, lead and essentially sealed the win. gnaw their nails until the end, like they did Jey wanted to relish the moment soggy Now, Tech (1-0 ACC, 3-1) has an important during last week's stunning win against Ne- feet and alL braska. No, this time, their Hokies surprised In a critical ACC Coastal Division contest, See HOKIES, Page C7 glory days? Were they ready to contend for a national championship? Yesterday, courtesy of the entire Hokies team, the Hurricanes went "splat." They had a belly flop of a day.

From the Hokies' perspective, it was a beautiful day in their neighborhood. 1 The Marching Virginians didn't get to strut their stuff, but the Hokies' football team certainly did. The constant downpour that left puddles on the field Rainstorm and Hokies poured it on BLACKSBURG The only thing that went wrong for Virginia Tech yesterday occurred at halftime. The Marching Virginians, 330 strong, weren't allowed to march and play their musk on the Lane Stadium field. Instead, they performed from their end zone seats out of deference to a field that was all but underwater.

And speaking of submerged, how about those Miami Hurricanes? They came here as a team on the prowl. Young. Quick. Fast. Potent.

Hungry. They came here 2-0 and as a prime topic in the national sports conversation. Were the Hurricanes back to their PAUL WOODY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Kenny Perry Sports Inside Kenny Perry starts with four birdies and ends with a two-shot lead over Tiger Woods in the Tour Championship. Pagi a Though Redskins coach Jim Zorn says he trusts quarterback Jason Campbell, execution is the primary concern of both. Pip a Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski get into a dust-up after Clint Bowyer's Nationwide Series win at Dover.

Pasi CM by the end of the game? For the Hokies, it was "Without rain, there'd be no rainbow" kind of day. The Hokies came about as close to a playing a complete game as they have in years. Defense set the tone. Offense finished drives. Special teams DEAN HOFFMEYERTHES-DBPATCH Virginia Tech's Dorian Porch separates Miami QB See WOODY, Page C7 Jacory Harris from the ball early In the Hokies' win..