Published Tuesday, August 31, 2021 12:05 PM
Join AFP’s 100,000+ followers on Facebook
Purchase a subscription to AFP
Subscribe to AFP podcasts on iTunes and Spotify
News, press releases, letters to the editor: augustafreepress2@gmail.com
Advertising inquiries: freepress@ntelos.net
(© Maridav – stock.adobe.com)
VMI and the University of Richmond will resume their longstanding college football rivalry in 2025.
The Keydets and Spiders will play at Robins Stadium in Richmond in 2025, while the Spiders will travel to Foster Stadium during the 2028 campaign. VMI will meet Richmond again in the following 2029 season in Richmond.
The VMI-Richmond Football series is the most played series in the Keydet record books with 90 meetings, surpassing William & Mary (88 meetings), Virginia (83 meetings) and Virginia Tech (79 meetings). VMI and Richmond first played in 1893 and the Spiders lead the 45-40-5 rivalry with many games when both schools were members of the Southern Conference until the mid-1970s.
Richmond is now attending the CAA, while the 2014 Keydets returned to SoCon after 11 years in the Big South Conference. The teams last played in Richmond in 2015, with the Spiders gaining the upper hand at Robins Stadium. This was also the last time that the Keydets competed in a regular season game against a state FCS opponent.
“Resuming our football streak with VMI has been a priority for some time,” said John P. Hardt, UR vice president and track and field director. “Ever since we arrived as Richmonds AD, relaunching this series has been one of the most requested topics by our fans. The story between the two programs, combined with the proximity of our campuses, makes this a great rivalry that we’d love to renew. “
“I have a lot of respect for Coach Russ Huesman and the University of Richmond,” said VMI coach Scott Wachenheim. “I think it is in the best interests of both programs to resume our football history.”
The dates for the three-game series are set for September 20, 2025 in Richmond, September 9, 2028 in Lexington, and September 1, 2029 in Richmond.