What Is 1968 Richmond Spiders football team

Overview

The 1968 Richmond Spiders football team represented the University of Richmond during the 1968 NCAA University Division football season. Competing as a member of the Southern Conference, the team was led by head coach Milt Drewer in his second year at the helm.

Playing their home games at City Stadium in Richmond, Virginia, the Spiders struggled to find consistency, finishing the season with a 4–6 overall record and a 3–4 mark in conference play. Despite several competitive performances, the team failed to qualify for postseason play.

• Season Record: The 1968 Richmond Spiders finished with a 4–6 overall record, reflecting a slight improvement from their 1967 campaign.
• Conference Standing: In the Southern Conference, they posted a 3–4 record, placing them in the lower half of the league standings.
• Head Coach: Milt Drewer served as head coach, continuing his rebuilding effort in his second season with a limited roster and resources.
• Home Venue: The team played all home games at City Stadium, a historic venue in downtown Richmond with a capacity of approximately 20,000.
• Scoring Output: Richmond scored 138 total points during the season while surrendering 196, indicating defensive struggles throughout the year.

Season Performance

The 1968 season featured a challenging schedule that tested the Spiders against several strong regional programs. Games were marked by close contests, with multiple losses coming by narrow margins, highlighting the team’s competitiveness despite the losing record.

• Season Opener: The Spiders opened the season with a loss to William & Mary, a key in-state rival, setting a tough tone early in the year.
• Key Victory: A 21–14 win over Davidson was a highlight, showcasing improved offensive execution and defensive resilience.
• Midseason Struggles: The team lost three consecutive games in October, including a 34–7 defeat to Western Carolina.
• Offensive Leaders: Quarterback Bill Cervenak led the passing game, while running back Tom Wilson paced the ground attack with consistent yardage.
• Defensive Challenges: The Spiders allowed an average of 19.6 points per game, struggling particularly against Southern Conference opponents.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares the 1968 Richmond Spiders to their 1967 and 1969 seasons to illustrate performance trends:

The 1968 season marked a modest improvement over 1967 but failed to sustain progress seen in earlier years under previous coach Ed Merrick. While offensive production remained relatively stable, defensive lapses hindered deeper conference success. The team’s trajectory under Drewer showed incremental change but lacked breakout performances. The 1970 season would later demonstrate stronger results, suggesting that 1968 was part of a transitional phase for the program.

Why It Matters

The 1968 Richmond Spiders season is a snapshot of a program in transition, reflecting broader challenges in mid-tier college football during the late 1960s. Though not a championship contender, the team contributed to the development of future talent and coaching strategies.

• Program Development: The season helped shape long-term roster and recruiting strategies under Milt Drewer’s leadership.
• Historical Context: It occurred during a period of NCAA reclassification, setting the stage for future conference realignment.
• Player Growth: Several underclassmen gained valuable experience, later becoming key contributors in improved seasons.
• Local Impact: Games at City Stadium maintained community engagement despite on-field struggles.
• Coaching Legacy: Drewer’s tenure, though modest, laid groundwork for future improvements in the early 1970s.
• Sports History: The season is preserved in Richmond’s athletic archives as part of the team’s evolving football identity.

While the 1968 season did not yield major accolades, it remains a documented chapter in the University of Richmond’s football history, illustrating perseverance and the incremental nature of athletic rebuilding.