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Richmond Offense Overpowers Football In Season Opener

MSU Athletics

Senior quarterback Michael Strauss threw for 259 yards and three touchdowns Saturday night (August 30) to help Richmond defeat Morehead State, 55-10, at Robins Stadium in the 2014 season opener for both teams.

Strauss, a candidate for the Walter Payton Award (top player in the Football Championship Subdivision), connected on touchdown tosses of 41, 16 and 12 yards. The Spiders generated 643 yards of total offense, while the Eagles totaled just 304.

"Give Richmond a lot of credit," Head Coach Rob Tenyer said, "they are a quality football team, and there's a reason why they are nationally ranked. I thought our defense was on the field too much tonight. We didn't execute in key situations on offense, and you can't give a team like Richmond that many chances."

Richmond, a member of the Colonial Athletic Association for football, notched 31 first downs and converted 11-of-17 third-down opportunities. Morehead State, from the Pioneer Football League, was 6-of-19 on third down and just 1-of-4 on fourth down.

The Spiders built a 14-3 first-quarter lead when Strauss found senior wide receiver Stephen Barnette and senior tight end Sean Fitzpatrick on scoring throws. His third touchdown strike went to junior running back Jacobi Green in the third quarter to push UR's lead to 32-3.

Richmond tacked on another touchdown pass in the third quarter and pair of rushing scores in the final period.

Morehead State found the end zone with 12:01 left in the game when sophomore quarterback Austin Gahafer hit freshman running back Lawrence Jones for 20 yards and a score.

Senior quarterback Michael Rocco finished 9-of-13 for 117 yards and one touchdown for the hosts. Gahafer tallied 174 yards on 23 completions.

Freshman wideout Christian Robinson led MSU with 63 yards on six catches. Sophomore wide receiver Brian Brown collected 110 yards on five catches for the Spiders..

Morehead State junior cornerback Eric Pugh, Jr., led the defense with nine stops and a fumble recovery, while senior safety Mike Jackson tallied his sixth career interception. The Eagles did not turn the ball over and forced a pair of Spider mistakes. The MSU offensive line also did not allow a sack.

"I am still proud of our team," Tenyer said. "Tonight's contest was a learning experience. I think Richmond was stronger than we thought they were coming in, and that caused us problems. Our team morale stayed high throughout the game, and I was happy about that."

Morehead State entertains Pikeville (Ky.) next Saturday (Sept. 6) at 6 p.m. for its home opener. It will be a Black Out as fans are encouraged to wear black.

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