What Is 1964 Richmond Spiders football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1964 Richmond Spiders football team represented the University of Richmond in the 1964 NCAA University Division season, finishing with a 6–4 record under head coach Ed Merrick. They played their home games at City Stadium in Richmond, Virginia.

Key Facts

Team finished with a 6–4 overall record
Played in the Southern Conference
Head coach Ed Merrick in his 12th season
Home games held at City Stadium
Scored 162 total points, averaging 16.2 per game

Overview

The 1964 Richmond Spiders football team represented the University of Richmond during the 1964 NCAA University Division football season. Competing as a member of the Southern Conference, the team was led by head coach Ed Merrick, who was in his 12th year at the helm.

The Spiders played their home games at City Stadium in Richmond, Virginia, a venue that hosted the team for decades. Despite a competitive season, they did not qualify for the postseason, finishing with a winning record but falling short of a conference title.

Record: The team finished the season with a 6–4 overall record, marking one of the more successful years under Ed Merrick’s tenure, who had been building the program since 1953.
Conference: Competing in the Southern Conference, the Spiders faced regional rivals such as William & Mary, VMI, and The Citadel, all known for their physical, run-oriented styles.
Scoring: The offense scored 162 total points across 10 games, averaging 16.2 points per game, a modest output by modern standards but competitive in the 1964 landscape.
Defense: The defense allowed 148 total points, averaging 14.8 points per game, showing a relatively balanced performance compared to other teams in the conference.
Home Field: City Stadium, located in downtown Richmond, had a capacity of approximately 20,000 and was known for its intimate, loud atmosphere during key matchups.

Season Performance

The 1964 campaign featured a mix of wins against regional opponents and tough losses to stronger conference teams. The Spiders showed resilience, winning three of their final four games to finish strong.

Early Season: The Spiders opened with a loss to William & Mary, a long-standing rival, in a hard-fought 14–13 defeat that set a competitive tone for the season.
Midseason Surge: They won four of six games from October to early November, including a 20–6 victory over Davidson, showcasing improved defensive execution.
Key Player: Quarterback Tom Wright led the offense, throwing for 782 yards and five touchdowns, making him one of the team’s statistical leaders.
Rivalry Game: The annual matchup against VMI ended in a 14–7 loss, a setback that ultimately hurt their conference standing and postseason hopes.
Season Finale: They closed the year with a 21–14 win over George Washington, a program that discontinued football two years later, marking a positive end to the campaign.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1964 Richmond Spiders compared closely with peers in the Southern Conference in terms of record, scoring, and overall competitiveness. The table below highlights key metrics.

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Points For	Points Against
Richmond	6–4	4–3	162	148
William & Mary	6–4	5–2	168	136
VMI	5–5	3–4	138	142
The Citadel	5–5	4–3	146	134
Davidson	3–7	2–5	118	167

Richmond’s performance placed them in the middle of the Southern Conference pack. While they matched William & Mary in overall wins, their weaker conference record kept them from contention. The data shows the Spiders were slightly below average in scoring defense but held their own offensively.

Why It Matters

The 1964 season is a snapshot of Richmond football during a transitional era in college sports, just before major NCAA realignments and scholarship expansions reshaped the landscape.

Historical Context: This season occurred before the NCAA split into divisions in 1973, meaning Richmond competed at the highest level available at the time.
Program Development: The 6–4 record reflected gradual improvement under Ed Merrick, who compiled a 49–65–6 record over 13 seasons.
Rivalry Intensity: Games against William & Mary and VMI were central to fan engagement and regional pride, fueling strong local attendance.
Recruiting Era: The team relied heavily on in-state talent, with limited national recruiting reach compared to modern standards.
Legacy: Though not a championship season, it contributed to the foundation that later led to Richmond’s 2008 FCS National Championship.
Media Coverage: Local newspapers like the Richmond Times-Dispatch provided detailed coverage, as national TV broadcasts were rare for mid-major programs.

The 1964 Richmond Spiders may not be remembered for trophies, but they represent the grit and tradition of college football at the University of Richmond during a formative period.