Defensive struggles are decided by big plays, and this game had some of those. But tough games are also decided by bone headed coaching, and this time around Southern Methodist wore the dunce crown. The 'Stangs drove to the Richmond 33, and facing a 4th and 7: punted. Later they punted from the Richmond 37. And where bad coaching ended, turnovers began: TOD at the UR 35, a lost fumble at the UR 8, an interception at the UR 2. SMU drove all game long but simply failed to put the points on the board.

It was no cakewalk for Richmond either, but the Spider offense got it going when it had to, and Richmond prevailed in the end.