The AGS Game of the Week could not be contained by four quarters of play. The Spiders and Great Danes needed three overtime periods to settle this important CAA battle. The teams traded scores all day with neither team leading by more than seven points all day. The game was brought to an end by an errant pass from Albany QB Neven Sussman on 4th and 2 in the third overtime.
Both teams entered the game looking for their second conference win of the season. Albany was undefeated coming into the game and was 1-0 in CAA play. This game was a chance for the Great Danes to show that they were truly contenders for the CAA crown in 2016. For Richmond, this was an important game for them because they had already suffered a CAA loss to Stony Brook in their third game of the season.
Albany started the scoring for the day on a 19 yard run by Sussman to put them up 7-0. Richmond would counter with a field goal and would not score their first touchdown of the game until just before halftime when running back Deontez Thompson scored on a 1 yard run with 16 seconds left on the clock. The teams traded blows back and forth and Albany would force the tie for overtime with a 51 yard pass from Sussman to Jordan Crockett with 1:17 left in regulation.
Both teams had turnovers issues on Saturday. Sussman and Richmond quarterback Kyle Lauletta each threw 2 interceptions and Lauletta also lost a fumble in the 2nd quarter.
The Great Danes struggled on offense in this match-up. Even with three overtime sessions the Spiders held them to their lowest rushing total of the season at a meager 83 yards. Sussman went 11 for 33 through the air for 207 yards, a career high for the sophmore. He ended the day with 1 passing touchdown, 1 rushing touchdown and 2 interceptions. Albany running back Ibitokun-Hanks was held to 34 yards on 16 attempts and 1 touchdown with a long run of 9 yards. Zee Roberson would lead the Danes in receiving with 5 catches for 98 yards.
For the Spiders a lot of the credit has to go to the defense. Making Sussman beat them with his arm was clearly a good strategy at 33% completion percentage and 2 interceptions. Offensively for Richmond Deontez Thompson was the highlight of the day with 20 rushes for 112 yards and 3 touchdowns. All 4 touchdowns for the Spiders came from their running game.
Moving Forward:
Richmond faces another tough battle this coming week when they return to Robins Stadium for Homecoming against Villanova. The Spiders hold their playoff and CAA championship destiny in their hands.
Albany can bounce back next weekend when they hit the road to take on the Maine Black Bears. Maine got off to a rough start but has rebounded and they are now on a two game win streak. The Great Danes can still secure the CAA auto-bid with losses by Richmond and James Madison (in which case it would go to conference tiebreaker procedures).
