Johns, Lambert play well as Virginia beats Richmond 45-13 to end 10-game skid

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Matt Johns led two touchdowns drives and Eli Harold returned a fumble 22 yards for a touchdown Saturday as Virginia ended a 10-game losing streak with a 45-13 victory against Richmond.

Johns, whose effectiveness last week in relief of starter Greyson Lambert reopened the Cavaliers' quarterback competition, threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Canaan Severin and hit Darius Jennings for 45 yards to set up another score as Virginia (1-1) won for the first time since beating VMI last September.

Michael Strauss, who began his career at Virginia but transferred after one season, was 24 for 36 for 266 yards for the Spiders (1-1), but threw two interceptions and fumbled twice while being sacked, leading to two Cavaliers touchdowns.

On the second fumble, caused by Max Valles, Harold scooped it up and scored, making it 31-6.

The Spiders had seven turnovers, including a fumble by T.J. Moon near the Cavaliers goal line just before halftime with Richmond poised to pull within 14-10. Instead, linebacker Henry Coley stripped him and Brandon Phelps recovered.