RICHMOND, Va. – Jacksonville University football opened the 2019 season under-the-lights against Richmond at Robins Stadium.
The Dolphins (0-1) outscored the Spiders in the second half, 13-7, en route to a 38-19 loss on Thursday night.
"I thought our guys kept competing," said Head Coach
Ian Shields. "We challenged them in the locker room and they believed.
"We'll grow from this, we've got to get some guys back to full speed before another tough test at Presbyterian."
The Dolphins used touchdown drives of 75 and 50 yards in the second half, along with an opportunistic defense that forced and recovered two Richmond fumbles, to fuel the second half surge.
Calvin Turner Jr. hit
BJ Byrd for a 36-yard field flipping first down through the air, then did most of the rest of the work with his feet, eventually stretching into the end zone from a yard out to wrap the 11-play drive that took 5:45 off the clock to start the fourth quarter.
After forcing a punt, JU got the ball back and with a new quarterback, found the same result. Redshirt-freshman
Walker Wright methodically marched the offense down the field, keeping it himself off left end to punch it in from eight-yards out. It was the first rushing touchdown of his career.
In the first half, the special teams stood out, the defense battled and a trick play helped JU find the end zone.
Byrd opened the game with a 39-yard kickoff return to spearhead his big night in his Dolphin debut. He finished the night with 196 yards of total offense, returning kicks, receiving and running the football, and was named
Hodges Mazda Player of the Game for his performance.
Richmond scored on its opening series, driving 80-yards in 10 plays. They extended the lead when a good Jacksonville drive was snuffed out in Richmond territory. Turner Jr. fumbled and it was scooped up and returned for a touchdown to make it 14-0.
The Spiders found the end zone again before JU answered. On a third-and-six from its own 29-yard line, Turner Jr. found
Craige Saxton in the left flat. The quarterback-turned-wide receiver cocked the arm and lofted a perfect strike to freshman slot back
Jordan Younge-Humphrey who outraced the defense for the 71-yard score. The ensuing PAT was blocked, but JU cut the lead to 21-6.
Richmond scored one more touchdown, but were held to a field goal right before the half, to go in to the break leading 31-6.
Jacksonville has just over two weeks off to prepare for its next road game, at Presbyterian on Sept. 14. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Clinton, S.C.
