Richmond Skirts by Villanova 35-27 :: Phil Atkinson had two touchdowns in the loss

Nov. 3, 2007

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -Tim Hightower rushed for 187 yards and a touchdown Saturday to lead Richmond over Villanova 35-27.

Eric Ward threw for one touchdown and ran for two more to guide the Spiders (7-2, 5-1 Colonial Athletic Association) to their fourth straight win.

Villanova (5-4, 3-3) traded leads with Richmond, taking a 21-20 advantage at 3:30 of the third quarter when Chris Whitney connected with Phil Atkinson for a 12-yard touchdown, one of two for Atkinson in the game.

Justin Rogers returned the ensuing kickoff 55 yards to the Villanova 38, ultimately setting up a 20-yard touchdown pass from Ward to Kevin Grayson. The two combined for a two-point conversion to put the Spiders up 28-21.

The Wildcats closed to 28-24 behind 35-yard Joe Marcoux field goal.

Ward widened Richmond's lead with a nine-yard run at 5:53 in the fourth, and Marcoux finished the scoring with a 28-year field goal.

Ward finished with 178 yards on 17 of 24 passing and 28 yards on the ground. Hightower had 36 carries.