Delaware, Richmond Rally For First-Round Victories in NCAA FCS Playoffs
Rob Washburn
NCAA FCS Playoff Bracket
Richmond and Delaware overcame double-digit first-half deficits to post victories in the first round of the NCAA FCS playoffs on Saturday afternoon.
Richmond 49, North Carolina Central 27
Box Score
Kyle Wickersham threw three touchdown passes and Savon Smith ran for two TD’s and scored a third on a 65-yard punt return as Richmond (9-3) rallied past North Carolina Central, 49-27, to reach the second round of the FCS playoffs for the second year in a row. It was the seventh straight victory for the Spiders.
Wickersham finished 16-of-23 passing for 291 yards and 3 TD’s and added 50 yards on the ground. Smith accumulated 157 all-purpose yards, rushing for a team-high 73 yards and two scores along with the big punt return. Jerry Garcia, Jr. made five receptions for 107 yards and a TD and Nick DeGennaro caught four passes for 82 yards and 2 TD’s. Wayne Galloway tallied a team-high 11 tackles and Marlem Louis recorded three sacks for a Spiders’ defense that turned in a strong second half, limiting the Eagles to seven points.
Richmond took a quick 7-0 lead on a 35-yard DeGennaro TD grab just 1:10 into the game, but NCCU responded with 20 consecutive points to take a 20-7 advantage midway through the second quarter. The Spiders pulled within six at the half after a 10-yard TD catch by DeGennaro and then went on top for good in the third quarter on Smith’s 14-yard scoring run and his 65-yard punt return. A 71-yard TD catch by Garcia pushed the UR lead to 35-20 with 13:38 to play, but the Eagles battled back with a 75-yard drive to close within 35-27. However, the Spiders put the game away as Garcia found the end zone from 6 yards out on an end around and Smith scored from 24 yards out with 3:30 to go.
Richmond will travel to CAA member UAlbany in second-round action on Dec. 2 at Noon.
Delaware 36, Lafayette 34
Box Score
Alex Schmoke hit a game-winning 23-yard field goal with 1:37 to play as Delaware (9-3) rallied from a 21-point second quarter deficit to beat Patriot League champion Lafayette, 36-34, and advance to the second round of the FCS playoffs for the second consecutive season.
True freshman quarterback Nick Minicucci overcame three second-quarter interceptions to complete 16-of-25 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns to spur the comeback. Joshua Youngblood made six catches for 79 yards and a TD and tight end Braden Brose contributed a pair of scoring receptions in the fourth quarter. The Blue Hens also rushed for 203 yards, with Jo’Nathan Silver picking up 76 yards on seven carries.
Delaware led 7-6 midway through the first quarter on a Marcus Yarns’ 1-yard TD run, but the Blue Hens committed turnovers on four straight possessions, allowing Lafayette to go ahead 28-7 early in the second quarter. A 36-yard TD catch by Youngblood brought UD within 28-13 at the half and a 6-yard scoring run by Quincy Watson trimmed the deficit to 28-19 after three quarters. Minicucci connected with Brose on TD catches of 7 and 18 yards to go on top, 33-28 with 12:18 remaining, but Lafayette regained the lead, 34-33, with 7:25 on the clock. On the ensuing possession, the Blue Hens put together a 13-play drive, capped by Schmoke’s first field goal of the season. Delaware sealed the win when Jackson Taylor forced a fumble that was recovered by Christian Pierce.
Delaware will travel to Big Sky champion Montana on Dec. 2 at 9 p.m.