Virginia Military Institute and the University of Richmond will resume their longtime state college football rivalry in 2025 as both schools announced a three-game series Aug. 31.
The Keydets and Spiders will play at Robins Stadium in Richmond in 2025, with the Spiders traveling to Foster Stadium during the 2028 campaign. VMI will again face Richmond the following season in 2029 in Richmond.
The VMI versus Richmond football series is the most-played series on the Keydet record books with 90 meetings, surpassing William and Mary (88 meetings), Virginia (83 meetings), and Virginia Tech (79 meetings). VMI and Richmond first played in 1893, and the Spiders lead the rivalry 45-40-5 with many games played when both schools were members of the Southern Conference until the mid-1970s. Richmond now competes in the Colonial Athletic Association, and the Keydets returned to the SoCon in 2014 after an 11-year stint in the Big South Conference. The teams last played in 2015 in Richmond, with the Spiders prevailing at Robins Stadium. That also marked the most recent time the Keydets have faced a state FCS opponent in a regular season game.
“I am pleased to get this series resumed between two respected and traditional state rivals,” said Lenny Brown, acting director of athletics. “The VMI-Richmond football rivalry has produced many memorable games in Commonwealth football history, and it will be exciting to get these teams back on the gridiron three times this decade.”
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Russ Huesman and the University of Richmond,” said Scott Wachenheim, head football coach. “I believe it’s in the best interests of both programs to resume our football history.”
The dates for the three-game series are set for Sept. 20, 2025, in Richmond; Sept. 9, 2028, in Lexington; and Sept. 1, 2029, in Richmond.
Editor’s Note: This article was first published at vmikeydets.com.
