College Football | Richmond defeats Montana to win FCS title

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Richmond's Eric Ward caught a touchdown pass and threw for another score, Josh Vaughan rushed for 162 yards and a touchdown and the Spiders dominated Montana 24-7 Friday night for the school's first Football Championship Subdivision national championship.

Richmond (13-3) won eight in a row behind the calm coaching of Mike London.

First-year coach London said, "I guess the only ones who believed we could do this thing were the people inside the Richmond program."

Montana (14-2) trailed 21-0 at halftime. The Grizzlies are coached by former Washington assistant Bobby Hauck, who is 37-5 in the last three years.

"We picked a really bad day not to show up," Montana safety Colt Anderson said.

Grizzlies quarterback Cole Bergquist completed 19 of 36 passes for 267 yards and an interception. Montana's Marc Mariani caught seven passes for 172 yards.

Montana didn't reach the end zone until 11:56 remained, when Chase Reynolds scored on a 4-yard run.

"They did a really nice job, doing to us what we've been doing to people we've played lately," Hauck said of the Spiders. "They gave a great effort. They got out to a good start and held on. They played great defense and didn't let us back in the game."

Richmond's Ward struck first when he pitched the ball to fullback John Crone a few minutes into the game. The quarterback took off toward the end zone and Crone hit him from 23 yards out — his first touchdown pass and Ward's first touchdown reception.

"I began giggling when it was called, because I never thought we would run it," Crone said. "It happened in slow motion and when I saw him open, I knew I had to hit him or I would never hear the end of it."

Notes

• No. 17 Brigham Young (10-2), making its fourth consecutive trip to the event, and Arizona (7-5) square off in the Las Vegas Bowl, the last of four bowl games today.

• USC guard Jeff Byers had his request for a sixth year of eligibility approved by the NCAA, allowing him to return next season.

• Hawaii has resolved its financial dispute with ex-coach June Jones over the early termination of his contract.

Under the agreement, the June Jones Foundation has donated $100,010 to a scholarship fund. In addition, an undisclosed donor has contributed $100,000 to the school.

• The arraignment of Leon Patton, 20, a former Kansas State running back, on a child-abuse charge has been set for Jan. 26. He is free on bond.