FCS-CFB Game Preview: Howard Bison (3-1) vs. Richmond Spiders (2-2)

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Venue & Game Details

Kickoff Time: 6:00 PM ET

Venue: E. Claiborne Robins Stadium, Richmond, Virginia

Capacity: ~8,700

Broadcast: ESPN+

Weather Forecast (Richmond, VA)

Kickoff Temperature: ~74°F (23°C)

Conditions: Partly cloudy, humid

Wind: 6–9 mph from the southwest

Precipitation: ~15% chance of light showers

Impact: Comfortable early fall conditions; no major disruptions expected.

Injury Report

Howard Bison:

QB Tyriq Starks – healthy, 420 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT; also 79 rushing yards and 1 TD.

RB Travis Kerney – healthy, 98 rushing yards.

WR Zaden Jackson – healthy, 81 yards receiving.

No major injuries reported.

Richmond Spiders:

QB Kyle Wickersham – healthy, 313 passing yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs; also 83 rushing yards and 2 TDs.

RB Aziz Foster-Powell – healthy, 107 rushing yards.

WR Ja’Vion Griffin – healthy, 66 yards receiving.

No major injuries reported.

Key Player Matchups

Tyriq Starks (Howard QB) vs. Richmond Secondary

Starks has been efficient with 4 TDs to 1 INT.

Richmond’s defense has allowed 41 points to UNC but held Wofford to 10.

Kyle Wickersham (Richmond QB) vs. Howard Front Seven

Wickersham is a dual-threat QB with 2 rushing TDs.

Howard’s defense gave up 55 to Temple but rebounded with a 38–10 win over Morehouse.

Howard WR Corps vs. Richmond Corners

Zaden Jackson and Andre Cooper II are emerging targets.

Richmond’s secondary has been inconsistent, giving up 21+ in 3 of 4 games.

Line of Scrimmage Battle

Howard averages 140 rushing ypg.

Richmond allows 135 rushing ypg, making this a pivotal matchup.

Recent Team Form

Howard Bison (3–1)

W 38–10 vs. Morehouse (Week 2)

W 10–9 vs. Florida A&M (Week 1)

L 55–7 @ Temple (Week 3, FBS)

W 34–7 vs. Hampton (Week 4)

Strengths: Balanced offense, opportunistic defense.

Weaknesses: Struggles against FBS-level speed.

Richmond Spiders (2–2)

W 38–14 vs. VMI (Week 4)

L 41–6 @ North Carolina (Week 3, FBS)

W 14–10 @ Wofford (Week 2)

L 21–14 @ Lehigh (Week 1)

Strengths: Dual-threat QB play, solid run defense.

Weaknesses: Passing game inconsistency, turnovers.

Conference vs. Conference

Howard: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).

Richmond: Coastal Athletic Association (CAA).

This is a non-conference FCS matchup with HBCU vs. CAA bragging rights.

Series History

All-time series: Richmond leads 2–0.

Last meeting: Richmond defeated Howard 68–21 in 2018.

Trend: This is the first meeting in seven years.

Betting Trends

Howard Bison:

2–1 ATS in 2025.

4–2 ATS in last 6 non-conference games.

2 of 3 games have gone Over.

Richmond Spiders:

2–2 ATS in 2025.

5–1 ATS in last 6 home games.

3 of 4 games have gone Under.

Historical Betting Results

2018: Richmond -14 covered in 68–21 win (Over cashed).

1995: Richmond -10 covered in 34–7 win (Under cashed).

Game Odds

Howard Bison                    49

Richmond Spiders           – 7.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025

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