TOWSON, Md. - Overcoming a surprising 14-13 deficit to the upset-minded Tigers early in the third quarter, number one-ranked Richmond (8-0, 6-0) scored 22 points in a period of 2:33 as the Spiders avoided an upset bid by the Tigers (2-6, 1-4) and handed them a 42-14 Colonial Athletic Association loss at Johnny Unitas® on Saturday afternoon.

With the win, the defending national champion Spiders extended their school record winning streak to 17 games in a row. Richmond has now won 11 consecutive road contests.

After falling behind in the opening minutes of the third quarter, the Spiders marched 62 yards in six plays to take a lead on a 10-yard touchdown run by senior Justin Forte, making it a 19-14 advantage. The Spiders extended the lead to 21-14 when senior quarterback Eric Ward completed a controversial two-point conversion pass to Jordan Mitchell.

On the two-point conversion, Ward appeared to have been sacked by the Tigers' Josh McCants. From his knees, he threw a desperation pass into the end zone where Mitchell caught it for a two-point conversion. The Tigers complained that the play should have been whistled dead because Ward was passing from his knees. The scoreboard replay confirmed that viewpoint.

Trailing by 21-14, the Tigers were backed up deep in their own territory when Jeremy Gardner fumbled the kickoff out of bounds at the 13-yard line.

On fourth down at the 18-yard line, the Tigers tried a fake punt which was mishandled by Tommy Chroniger, the up-back. Junior Jonathan Mayfield recovered the fumble at the Towson three-yard line. On the next play, freshman fullback Kendall Gaskins gave the Spiders a 28-14 advantage when he scored on a three-yard touchdown run.

With 6:15 left in the third quarter, sophomore cornerback Tremayne Graham intercepted a pass and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown to give Richmond a 35-14 lead. It was the fifth time this season that a Towson opponent intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown.

In just 153 seconds, the Tigers went from owning a 14-13 lead to trailing by 35-14.

"Over the years, I've seen momentum swing both ways," said Richmond Coach Mike London. "We put ourselves in a position to make some plays and those touchdowns gave us a lead."

While many of the 4,396 fans in attendance may have been surprised when Towson took a third quarter lead, Coach London said his team wasn't concerned.

"When we fell behind, there was no panic on the sidelines," said Coach London, the Spiders' second-year coach. "This is a very mature team and we knew that if we remained calm and made some plays, we would be fine. All we had to do was execute."

After taking the 35-14 lead, the Spiders took control of the game. On their final possession of the third quarter, the Spiders marched 80 yards in 11 plays. When Gaskins caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Ward, Richmond owned a 42-14 advantage with 11:37 left in the game.

In the fourth quarter, the Spiders controlled the clock and had a 69-yard drive come to an end at the Towson four-yard line when reserve quarterback John Laub fumbled and senior defensive end Brady Smith recovered.

The Spiders controlled the clock for 11:26 of the fourth quarter.

While the final scoreboard showed a 42-14 win by Richmond, the outcome was in doubt for most of the game.

"I am extremely proud of our players and coaches," said Towson Coach Rob Ambrose. "For two-and-a-half quarters, we were doing what everyone thought was impossible. We were beating the number one team in the nation, a team that had won 16 games in a row. We were beating the defending national champions, a team that has 19 seniors that play."

He added, "Before the game, I told our team that 'nobody outside this locker room expects you to win this game. That makes you a very dangerous team. There's a whole lot of energy that comes from this situation.'"

On their first possession of the game, Ward led the Spiders on a drive which took them deep into Towson territory. Richmond converted a fourth down opportunity when Ward completed an eight-yard pass to Mitchell at the Towson 26-yard line. After Ward threw an 18-yard pass to Donte Boston at the ten-yard line, the Spiders had a first-and-goal. Facing third-and-goal at the Towson five-yard line, Ward dropped back to pass, was sacked by Romale Tucker and fumbled. Linebacker Danzel White recovered at the Towson 13-yard line.

The Tigers responded by staging a long drive of their own. Behind the running of Tremayne Dameron,  they marched to the Richmond 23-yard line and faced a fourth-and-one. Dameron ran up the middle trying for the first down but the Spiders' defense stopped him inches short of the first down.

Inspired by their defensive stand, the Spiders started moving the ball. On first down, Ward completed an 18-yard pass to Kevin Grayson to put the ball at their 41-yard line. Facing fourth-and-two at the Towson 27-yard line, Gaskins ran for three yards to pick up a first down at the Tigers' 24-yard line. Three plays later, Ward gave the Spiders a lead when he fired a ten-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end William Bischoff. Bischoff's first career touchdown reception completed a 77-yard, 13-play drive which put Richmond ahead with 10:42 left in the first half.

Trailing for the first time, the Tigers got great field position when Hakeem Moore returned the ensuing kickoff to the Spiders' 41-yard line. Moore appeared to be headed for the end zone until freshman place kicker Wil Kamin made a touchdown-saving tackle.

Six plays later, Chroniger rolled to his right and tossed a 19-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end John Godlasky, who was wide open in the end zone. When freshman Marc Magas converted, the score was tied at 7-7 with 8:27 left in the half.

The Spiders came right back and re-took a lead when they marched 77 yards in nine plays. Gaskins' one-yard touchdown run capped off the drive and gave Richmond a 13-7 lead with 3:17 remaining in the first half. For only the third time in 182 career conversion attempts, senior placekicker Andrew Howard missed his kick.

After a very quick first half that lasted only 65 minutes, the Spiders owned a 13-7 lead. There were no penalties in the first half.

On the Spiders' first possession of the second half, a sack by Frank Beltre put the Spiders in a long yardage situation. On fourth down, Brett Weigand came in to punt. However, the center snap was well over his head. Weigand retreated to his own 10-yard line and got off a short punt. Erron Banks picked up the ball at the Richmond 37-yard line and returned it three yards.

The Tigers got another break on fourth down when quarterback Jeremy Jayne threw an incomplete pass to Casey Cegles. However, Darryl Hamilton was called for a penalty on the play. His roughing-the-passer penalty gave Towson a first down at the Spiders' 14-yard line.

It turned out to the only penalty of the game.

Two plays later, Chroniger scrambled around right end and scored the second touchdown of his career on a 12-yard run. When Magas converted, the Tigers owned a 14-13 lead with 10:54 left in the third quarter.

However, from that point on, it was all Richmond. They took the lead for good when Forte capped off a 62-yard, six-play drive with a ten-yard TD run.

Then, the Spiders took advantage of the Tigers' miscue on the fake punt and scored a quick touchdown.

"That fake part hurt us a lot," admitted Coach Ambrose. "We have been working on it for six weeks. But our long snapper got a little excited and his direct snap was too hard. So, one little mistake cost us seven points."

Ward led the Spiders by completing 11 of 14 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns. Forte topped the Spiders' rushing attack by running for 121 yards on 22 carries with a TD. Gaskins, who had the first three-touchdown game of his career, ran for 27 yards on nine carries and two touchdowns. He also caught a 10-yard TD pass.

The Spiders piled up 420 yards of total offense, including 243 yards rushing.

"We knew this was going to be a very difficult game for us," added Coach London. "We were playing a very scrappy Towson team on the road. Rob (Ambrose) has them playing very, very hard. Fortunately, we made some plays and we can celebrate another victory. We want to savor this for a few moments before we get ready for next week."

The Spiders host fourth-ranked Villanova next week.

White led the Tiger defensive effort with a career high 16 tackles and a fumble recovery. Sophomore Danny Collins made 12 tackles and forced a fumble while Smith made nine tackles, including two tackles for lost yardage.

The Tigers, who were held to a season low 184 yards of total offense, were led by Dameron, who rushed for 53 yards on 14 carries. Making his second career start, Chroniger ran for 20 yards on 14 carries and scored a touchdown. He also completed 6 of 13 passes for 38 yards and a touchdown.

Next week, the Tigers travel to William & Mary to face the Tribe in their second straight contest against a top five FCS team. William & Mary is ranked fifth in the nation with a 7-1 record.

TIGER TALES: In support of Cancer Awareness Month, the Tiger coaching staff wore pink shirts on the sidelines ... Once again, the Tigers were shorthanded on the offensive line ... Sophomore Henry Glackin, a starter at left tackle, is out for the season with a shoulder injury while junior center Steve Jordan missed his second game in a row due to a concussion ... Quarterback Pete Athens, the Tigers' starter in the first six games, is out for the season with a knee injury.

Godlasky's 19-yard touchdown reception was the ninth TD catch of his career ... In his career, he has caught 33 passes for 347 yards and nine touchdowns.