The Richmond Spiders left Walter J. Zable Stadium at Cary Field on Saturday with a lot more than just another victory.

Richmond’s 27-26 win against longtime rival William & Mary also earned the Spiders redemption against the Tribe, the coveted Capital Cup trophy and the advantage in their all-time series.

Most importantly, though, the win secured a share of the 2023 Coastal Athletic Association Football title for Richmond, along with the chance for the Spiders to continue their season in the 2023 FCS Playoffs.

Richmond, UAlbany and Villanova all finished the regular season at 7-1 in conference play, meaning they’ll share the CAA title this year. However, based on the multi-tiered tiebreaking situation, Villanova is awarded the CAA’s automatic bid for the 24-team playoff bracket.

Entering Saturday’s action, which concluded the regular season, there was a four-way tie atop the CAA standings. To remain at the top, Richmond defeated William & Mary, UAlbany topped Monmouth (41-0) and Villanova beat Delaware (35-7). Delaware was the fourth team in the mix.

For the playoffs, 10 teams automatically qualify through conference play, and 14 teams earn at-large bids, selected by the FCS Playoff Committee. Those teams, as well as the layout of this year’s bracket, will be announced on ESPNU on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Eastern.  

How Did Richmond Win The Capital Cup?

Richmond and William & Mary were evenly match in Saturday’s stats, just as they somehow managed to be even in their 133 previous meetings – 64-64-5 – but the Spiders were able to squeak out a one-point victory to potentially keep their season alive.

The contest came down to the final play, on which William & Mary could’ve won the game. 

After a last-second touchdown to cut the deficit to 27-26, the Tribe attempted a game-winning two-point conversion. Junior quarterback Darius Wilson scrambled while looking for an open receiver, but he was unable to complete the play.

The Tribe outscored the Spiders in the final quarter 16-7, hoping to fight back for their second consecutive win in the series, while winning on Senior Day and playing spoiler to Richmond’s title hopes.

With the win, Richmond improves to 8-3 overall this season. The CAA co-championship is the fifth for the Spiders, who shared it in 2007 (UMass), 2009 (Villanova), 2012 (New Hampshire, Towson, Villanova) and 2015 (James Madison, William & Mary).

The scenario in Williamsburg on Saturday was the opposite of what transpired in 2022, when William & Mary won the Capital Cup on the road to secure a share of the conference title, which it shared with New Hampshire.

William & Mary finished the 2023 campaign at 6-5 overall and 4-4 in conference play. It is the third consecutive winning season for the Tribe, who were 11-2 last year, including a win and a loss in the playoffs.

• Subscribe To Watch Richmond Take On William & Mary In Week 12 Of 2023
• CAA Rivalry Week Promises To Shape 2023 FCS Playoffs
• Villanova Vs. Delaware Prediction & More CAA Football Picks For Week 12
• How To Watch The 2023 FCS Playoff Selection Show

The rivalry between Richmond and William & Mary began in 1898 and has been dubbed the “Oldest Rivalry in the South.”

The game previously was called the I-64 Bowl (1984-2008), but it was changed in 2009 with the introduction of a new trophy – the Capital Cup. The name honors the historic rivalry and the fact that both cities have served as capitals of the Commonwealth/State of Virginia. 

There have only been four years the game did not occur – 1900, 1902, 1943 and 2020.

The three rivalries in Division I football with longer histories are Lafayette/Lehigh (158 meetings), Princeton/Yale (145) and Harvard/Yale (140).

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Kyle Wickersham led the way for Richmond on Saturday, completing 14-of-21 passes for 152 yards, while rushing for another 72 yards and a touchdown (his fourth of the season) on 17 attempts. He opened the game with a 17-yard run to set the tone.

The Spiders’ first score of the day came on a trick play, where Wickersham handed off the ball to senior running back Savon Smith, who hit redshirt junior tight end Brooks Heagarty with a 5-yard touchdown pass. 

Richmond’s final score also was unorthodox, as Jasiah Williams got the ball on a reverse and threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Connor Deveney. 

The Spiders had 175 yards passing and 196 yards on the ground. Along with Wickersham’s 72 rushing yards, Smith added 68 of his own on 12 carries. 

Richmond had 371 yards of total offense, 22 first downs and was 1-for-1 on fourth-down attempts.

In the loss, William & Mary piled on 440 yards of total offense (270 passing, 170 rushing), 16 first downs and one fourth-down conversion.

Wilson completed 12-of-20 passes for the Tribe for 247 yards and a touchdown, while junior running back Malachi Imoh, who was nursing an ankle injury, led the ground effort with 91 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. 

Imoh also threw the fourth-quarter 2-yard touchdown pass that gave William & Mary the chance to win the game with a two-point conversion. It was the second touchdown pass of Imoh’s career and the first touchdown catch of the season for junior tight end Colton Turner.

Defensively, senior linebacker Kevin Jarrell led William & Mary with 14 total tackles, and sophomore defensive back Trae Tomlinson set the pace for Richmond with eight. Richmond had three sacks in the game, while the Tribe had one. 

Highlights: Richmond Vs. William & Mary - Capital Cup | 2023 CAA Football

Watch the highlights from the 2023 Capital Cup, where Richmond defeated William & Mary 27-26 to end the CAA Football regular season.

Final Stats: Richmond Vs. William & Mary | 2023

Richmond Defeats William & Mary 27-26, Spiders Share CAA Football Title

The comeback nearly happened for William & Mary, but the Tribe's two-point conversion failed.

Richmond takes the game and Capital Cup trophy, along with a share of the 2023 CAA Football title. 

From looking at the other CAA games unfolding, it looks like Richmond will share the title with UAlbany and Villanova. All three finish the year 7-1 in conference play.

William And Mary Scores, Has Chance To Defeat Richmond

The second opportunity (after the pass interference) sees Malachi Imoh get a chance to throw the ball, and he connects with Colton Turner for a 2-yard touchdown.

It's second touchdown pass of Imoh's career and first touchdown catch of the season for Turner.

William & Mary tries for the two-point conversion and the win on Senior Day. There's a holding call on the play, along with an incomplete pass.

Game over. Richmond wins 27-26.

William And Mary Threatening Against Richmond

William & Mary has a first-and-goal opportunity with less than 20 seconds left to play.

Two incomplete passes are followed by a pass interference call on what would've been a game-ending incomplete pass. 

The Tribe gets a redemption shot. It's third-and-2.

HUGE First Down For William & Mary Gives Tribe Life

Darius Wilson completes a 31-yard pass to Hollis Mathis, getting the Tribe into Richmond territory.

After review, the catch is confirmed, putting the ball on the Richmond 34-yard line.

William And Mary Set For Final Drive

William & Mary has 1:21 to go 73 yards to have any chance of winning this game against Richmond. 

The Spiders lead 27-20.

Tribe Kick Field Goal, Richmond Lead Now 27-20

Caden Bonoffski kicked a 29-yard field goal to cut the Richmond lead to 27-20 with 3:37 left to play in the game.

Watch Richmond Find The End Zone Against William And Mary

Watch the touchdown that may have locked up a share of the 2023 CAA Football title for Richmond.

HYPE US UP! 🕷️#OneRichmond | @SeredniTireAuto pic.twitter.com/3oTL1Tvm2s

— Richmond Spider Football (@Spiders_FB) November 18, 2023

Richmond Answers, Extends Lead Against Tribe Football

Five plays and 75 yards later, Richmond finds the end zone again, this time on a reverse that saw Jasiah Williams throw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Connor Deveney. 

Andrew Lopez added the extra point to put Richmond up 27-17 with less than 10 minutes left to play.

Watch William And Mary's Latest Score Against Richmond

friends: we fist pumped
us 17, richmond 20 | 10:35 4Q

📻 https://t.co/TxLjINvxJC
📊 https://t.co/QQtv1wDoQW #GoTribe | #CAAFB pic.twitter.com/QKHpUyrCIm

— William & Mary Tribe Football (@WMTribeFootball) November 18, 2023

William & Mary DOES Score Against Richmond Football

Unrattled by the penalty on the previous play, William & Mary quarterback Darius Wilson throws a 16-yard touchdown strike to JT Mayo. The score is 20-16.

Caden Bonoffski add the extra point to make it 20-17.

The drive for the Tribe was six plays for 71 yards.

There's about 11 minutes left in the game.

William And Mary Loses Touchdown, Suffers Penalty

For a second, it looked like the deficit was going to be cut to 20-16 when junior running back Mattijs Lasore of Belgium made a run for the end zone.

Officials reviewed the play and determined he actually went out at the 1-yard line. However, he also was assessed a 15-yard penalty for excessive celebration when he thought he scored.

The ball goes back to the Richmond 16-yard line.

William & Mary Football Still Looking To Play Spoiler

Tribe quarterback Darius Wilson completes a 51-yard pass to JT Mayo to get William & Mary inside the Richmond 10-yard line.

William And Mary Punts Again, Third Quarter Ends

William & Mary was unable to answer the Richmond score. The 134th meeting between the two schools goes to the fourth quarter with the Spiders leading 20-10.

Richmond is 15 minutes away from capturing a share of its fifth CAA Football title (2007, 2009, 2012, 2015).

Richmond Football Ends Third-Quarter Silence In Capital Cup

After almost 13 minutes of play in the third quarter at William & Mary, Richmond notched the first points of the second half.

Andrew Lopez kicked a 33-yard field goal to put the Spiders up 20-10 with 2:11 left in the third quarter.

Second Half Underway Between Richmond Football And W&M

William & Mary receives the ball to start the second half against Richmond. The Tribe will start things off on their own 29-yard line.

First-Half Stats: Richmond Football Vs. William & Mary

First Half Ends In 2023 Edition Of Richmond-William & Mary Football Rivalry

After one half of play, Richmond leads William & Mary 17-10.

Richmond Football Kicks Field Goal, Leads 17-10

The progress slowed for the Spiders, but they're able to add to their lead with a 37-yard field goal from Andrew Lopez. 

Richmond leads 17-10 with about a minute left in the first half against William & Mary.

Richmond Driving Again Against William And Mary Tribe

William & Mary was not able to answer the Richmond score, and the Tribe was forced to punt. 

A 71-yard punt from Will Whitehurst gave the Spiders the ball at the own 20, but Kyle Wickersham immediately connects with redshirt sophomore wide receiver Ja'Vion Griffin for 41 yards to get into Tribe territory. 

Richmond Football Back On Top Against William & Mary

Richmond is able to capitalize on a big roughing-the-passer penalty by William & Mary.

Kyle Wickersham drops back to pass but gets chased out of the pocket. He scrambles to the left and is able to score the 10-yard touchdown, his fourth rushing touchdown this season. 

Andrew Lopez added the extra point, and Richmond leads 14-10.

It was a 10-play, 75-yard drive for the Spiders.

William And Mary Football Adds Field Goal To Start Second Quarter Against Richmond

The Tribe allowed the clock to run out, ending the first quarter. That gave William & Mary a more favorable wind situation for the field goal attempt.

Caden Bonoffski kicks it through from 34 yards to put the Tribe ahead 10-7.

Bonoffski is 14-of-16 on the season.

William And Mary Threatening Again Against Richmond Football

William & Mary's latest drive started at its own 12 after a Richmond punt.

Malachi Imoh able to break free down the right sideline for 63 yards, getting the Tribe to the Richmond 21-yard line.

Richmond Answers With Trick Play, Score Tied 7-7

Spiders quarterback Kyle Wickersham hands it off to redshirt senior running back Savon Smith, who completes a short pass up the middle to redshirt junior tight end Brooks Heagarty for a 5-yard touchdown.

The drive included a 22-yard rush from Smith into Tribe territory and a 24-yard run down to the William & Mary 10-yard line.

Andrew Lopez adds the extra point for the Spiders to tie the game at 7-7.

William And Mary Football Opens The Scoring Against Richmond

Junior running back Malachi Imoh runs it in from 6-yards out, posting the first points of the Capital Cup.

Senior kicker Caden Bonoffski adds the extra point for the Tribe. William & Mary leads 7-0.

William And Mary Attacks Through The Air To Start

After nearly losing the ball on the first punt of the game, William & Mary safely picks it up and gets down to business.

Junior quarterback Darius Wilson, back from an injury, slings one to Hollis Mathis yards to get the Tribe moving down the field with a 48-yard play.

Two plays later, Hollis tosses one, connecting with Sean McElwain for 21 yards, getting the Tribe to the Richmond 6-yard line.

Richmond Football Wasting No Time

On the first play from scrimmage, redshirt sophomore quarterback Kyle Wickersham (6-foot-3, 225 pounds) runs for 17 yards. He had a career-high 130 yards rushing last week against Elon.

William And Mary Wins Coins Toss At Home Against Rival Richmond

William & Mary won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. Richmond gets the ball to start the action at Zable Stadium in Williamsburg, Virginia.

When Is The Richmond Vs. William And Mary Football Game?

Richmond will take on William & Mary at Walter J. Zable Stadium at Cary Field in Williamsburg, Virginia, on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m. Eastern.

How To Watch The Richmond Spiders Football Vs. William & Mary Football Game

Football action is streaming live on FloFootball and the FloSports app, including the Richmond vs. William & Mary football game during Week 12. 

Replays and postgame highlights also will be available on both platforms. 

Today In The CAA

Check out the other scores from around the CAA today:

*Albany def. Monmouth, 41-0
*New Hampshire def. Maine, 44-25
*Elon def. Hampton, 51-14
*Villanova def. Delaware 35-7
*Towson def. Rhode Island, 31-30
*Campbell def. N.C. A&T, 28-14

*Streaming live on FloSports

William & Mary Defense Nationally Ranked

Fast Facts: William & Mary

William & Mary’s passing defense is ranked fifth in the nation, with the Tribe allowing just 151.4 passing yards per game this year.

The Tribe is eighth in scoring defense (17.7), 11th in total defense (297.1) and 16th in sacks (25).

William & Mary junior quarterback Darius Wilson missed last week’s game against Hampton due to injury. He is responsible for 197 of the Tribe’s 216 pass attempts this season, completing 119 of them for 1,321 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s also thrown four interceptions.

Richmond Defense Among The Best In The FCS

Fast Facts: Richmond

Richmond is having a solid season defensively and ranks among the best teams in the FCS in defensive touchdowns (tied for first with five), takeaways (third with 23) and interceptions (tied for fourth with 14).

Redshirt senior linebacker Tristan Wheeler is one of 16 FCS players with 100 or more total tackles this season. He has 100 for an average of 10 per game. Now, he’s second on Richmond’s all-times tackles list with 466. However, the top spot on the list belongs to Eric Johnson, who had 643 from 1989-1992.

Spiders are known for their number of legs, but Richmond’s number of arms this season (quarterbacks) has been noteworthy, as four QBs have made their first career starts this year. The team has used five quarterbacks overall. They’ve combined for 284 pass attempts – 193 of which they’ve completed. Freshman Camden Coleman leads the way in attempts (130), while redshirt sophomore Kyle Wickersham has the most completions (94).

More Than Just A Big Game For Richmond And William And Mary

Fast Fact: Richmond Vs. William & Mary Rivalry

Since Richmond and William & Mary first met as league opponents (1993), their meeting has been the difference for at least one team in claiming at least a share of the conference title 11 times. In those games, Richmond holds a 7-4 advantage.

That will be the case again in 2023, with Richmond being part of a four-way tie atop the CAA standings going into the final week of the regular season.

The Capital Cup – The Prize Of The “Oldest Rivalry in the South”

Take a look at the coveted trophy that will go home with Richmond or stay with William & Mary. Their 2023 matchup is the 134th meeting in their storied history.

It all comes down to this…. It’s Capital Cup week! 🏆#OneRichmond pic.twitter.com/hBdfOLDgrj

— Richmond Spider Football (@Spiders_FB) November 13, 2023

William & Mary Football Is Stellar At Home

William & Mary has lost only one game at home since the beginning of the 2021 season. The Tribe is 7-1 during that stretch, with the lone blemish being a 34-24 upset by Towson on Oct. 21 of this season in front of a record-breaking homecoming crowd. William & Mary was ranked No. 13 at the time.

Who’s On The Call This Week In Williamsburg?

The longtime voice of the Tribe, Jay Colley, will handle the play-by-play responsibilities for the Richmond game, and former W&M standouts Mike Leach and Shawn Knight will provide analysis.

Watch: CAA Top 10 Plays Of The Week | Week 11

Check out the Top 10 CAA Plays of the Week from Week 11.

Other CAA Football News This Week

*Courtesy of the CAA

Three CAA teams – Delaware, Villanova, and UAlbany are ranked in the top 12 of the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and among the 25 teams in the American Football Coaches Association FCS Coaches Poll. 

Delaware is No. 7 and No. 6, respectively, while Villanova is No. 10/No. 15 and UAlbany landed at No. 12 and No. 23.

Richmond received votes in both polls, and Rhode Island and William & Mary did so only in the AFCA poll.

Monmouth Football Wide Receiver Named FCS National Player Of The Week

Monmouth senior wide receiver Dymere Miller was named the FedEx Ground National Offensive Player of the Week by Stats Perform after a school-record 333 yards receiving in the Hawk's loss to New Hampshire last week.

Miller had 11 catches, including touchdowns of 63 and 75 yards. His yardage total was the highest in the FCS this season as was the second-most in CAA history. He now tops the FCS in yards receiving (1,243) and yards per game (124.3).

Among the Stats Perform national honorable mentions for the week were four CAA players, including William & Mary linebacker Kevin Jarrell (National Defensive Player of the Week honorable mention).

WATCH: Dymere Miller’s Record-Setting Performance Against New Hampshire

CAA Football Weekly Awards – Nov. 13

William & Mary and Richmond also garnered some attention within the CAA this week, with each picking up one of the CAA Football weekly awards.

Jarrell (mentioned above) was the CAA Football Defensive Player of the Week. The senior linebacker had a team-high 10 tackles, forced two fumbles, and returned an interception 40 yards for a score, helping the Tribe past Hampton, 31-10.

Richmond’s senior punter Aaron Trusler was named CAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week for averaging 45.2 yards across four punts and pulling off a successful fake punt in the Spiders’ 38-24 win against Elon. 

Trusler’s fake punt helped Richmond pick up a first down en route to the tie-breaking touchdown that allowed the Spiders to pull away. 

The other award winners for Week 11 were Rhode Island running back Ja’Den McKenzie (Co-Offensive Player of the Week), Monmouth’s Miller (Co-Offensive Player of the Week), and UAlbany running back Griffin Woodell (Rookie of the Week).

Read more about this week’s award winners here.

CAA Football Awards For Richmond And William & Mary This Season

Richmond
Camden Coleman – Offense, Oct. 9
Tristan Wheeler – Defense, Oct. 30

William & Mary
Caden Bonoffski – Special Teams, Sept. 11
Nate Lynn – Defense, Sept. 18
Sean McElwain – Rookie, Oct. 30

Highlights: William & Mary Vs. Hampton | Nov. 11, 2023

Watch the highlights from William & Mary’s 31-10 over Hampton during Week 11 of the 2023 season.

Highlights: Elon Vs. Richmond | Nov. 11, 2023

Watch the highlights from Richmond’s 38-24 win over Elon during Week 11 of the 2023 season.

CAA Football: Three Things To Watch On Nov. 18

The 2023 CAA Football title will be decided on Saturday, but the day also will feature some great rivalry games. Here’s a look at what to keep an eye on in the CAA during Week 12 of the 2023 season.

Richmond Football Schedule 2023

• Sept. 2: Morgan State 17, Richmond 10 (L)
• Sept. 9: Michigan State 45, Richmond 14 (L)
• Sept. 16: Richmond 38, Delaware State 6 (W)
• Sept. 23: Richmond 20, Stony Brook 19 (W)
• Sept. 30: Hampton 31, Richmond 14 (L)
• Oct. 7: Richmond 42, Maine 31 (W)
• Oct. 14: Richmond 24, Rhode Island 17 (W)
• Oct. 21: Richmond 33, North Carolina A&T 10 (W)
• Oct. 28: Richmond 44, Campbell 13 (W)
• Nov. 11: Richmond 38, Elon 24 (W)
• Nov.18: at William & Mary, 1 p.m., Eastern FloSports

William & Mary Football Schedule 2023

• Aug. 31: William & Mary 34, Campbell 24 (W)
• Sept. 9: William & Mary 23, Wofford 6 (W)
• Sept. 16: William & Mary 15, Charleston Southern 7 (W)
• Sept. 23: William & Mary 28, Maine 3 (W)
• Sept. 30: Elon 14, William & Mary 6 (L)
• Oct. 7: Virginia 27, William & Mary 13 (L)
• Oct. 21: Towson 34, William & Mary 24 (L)
• Oct. 28: William & Mary 31, Monmouth 28 (W)
• Nov. 4: UAlbany 24, William & Mary 8 (L)
• Nov. 11: William & Mary 31, Hampton 10 (W)
• Nov. 18: Richmond, 1 p.m. Eastern, FloSports

The Week 12 CAA Football Schedule

Here’s what the CAA action looks like this week. All times are Eastern.

• Saturday, Nov. 18
  *Monmouth at UAlbany, 1 p.m.
  *Maine at New Hampshire, 1 p.m.
  *Hampton at Elon, 1 p.m.
  *Villanova at Delaware, 1 p.m.
  *Rhode Island at Towson, 1 p.m.
  *Campbell at North Carolina A&T, 1 p.m.
  *Richmond at William & Mary, 1 p.m.

*Streaming live on FloSports

2023 CAA Football Standings

Stats Perform FCS Top 25 As Of Nov. 12, 2023

Here is the Week 11/12 Stats Perform FCS Top 25

Others Receiving Votes (schools listed on two or more ballots): Central Arkansas 119; Tarleton State 80; Richmond 77; Nicholls 25; Holy Cross 21; Gardner-Webb 8; UC Davis 5; Drake 2.

How To Watch FCS Football 

FloFootball and the FloSports app is home to CAA college football and more. FloFootball will also be home to game replays and highlights 

For more action, including all the CAA conference games, check out the FloFootball schedule page.

Archived Footage On FloFootball

Video footage from all events will be archived and stored in a video library for FloFootball subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscription.

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