HAMPTON, Va. (AP) -- Zach Palmer-Smith rushed for 166 yards with two touchdowns and Richmond held on to defeat Hampton 24-21 on Saturday for its ninth straight win and clinch at least a share of the Coastal Athletic Association title.

The Spiders (9-2, 7-0) ranked No. 7 in the FCS coaches poll and alone atop the CAA, are hosts to William & Mary in a regular-season finale next Saturday. The win over the Pirates (5-6, 2-5) gave the Spiders their longest regular-season win streak since 1998 when they also won nine straight. Their last league loss came to Hampton in 2023.

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