Virginia beats Richmond 34-17 in Elliott's coaching debut

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Brennan Armstrong threw for two touchdowns and ran for another and Virginia opened the Tony Elliott coaching era with a 34-17 victory against Richmond in the season-opener for both on Saturday.

Armstrong hit Lavel Davis Jr. on a 56-yard touchdown for the Cavaiers' first score and Perris Jones for 11 yards to make it 34-17 early in the fourth quarter. On a career-long 64-yard scoring run in the first half, Armstrong also passed Bryce Perkins (7,910) to become Virginia's career total offense leader.

Savon Smith scored on an 8-yard run and caught a 5-yard pass from Maryland transfer Reece Udinski for the Spiders' touchdowns. Richmond, of the Colonial Athletic Association and Championship Subdivision, fell to 3-30-2 in the series.

Armstrong finished 21 of 33 for 246 yards and ran for 105 yards on 10 carries. Jones, who ran for 104 yards, also scored on a 15-yard run, and Mike Hollins had a 3-yard scoring burst. Virginia gained 246 passing and 259 rushing.

Richmond finished with 330 yards.

Armstrong reached 8,071 career yards.

THE TAKEAWAY

Richmond: The Spiders were crisp on their opening scoring drive, with Udinski completing all six of his passes and Smith capping it with consecutive hard runs of nine and eight yards, but the bigger Cavaliers adjusted defensively.

Virginia: Elliott has repeatedly said he wants a more balanced offense after the Cavaliers did almost all their damage through the air last year, and Armstrong is clearly a big part of that, too. Many of his runs appeared by design, including the 64-yarder, the longest of his career, when he high-stepped to avoid a tackle near the line of scrimmage, then took off with an escort down the right sideline.

UP NEXT

Richmond opens it home season against Saint Francis next Saturday night.

The Cavaliers go on the road to play at Illinois next Saturday.

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