Playing in its second-consecutive road game, the William & Mary football team fell to No. 12/14 Virginia Tech, 62-17, in front of a sold-out crowd at Lane Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
VT (2-0) jumped out to a 24-0 lead before W&M (1-1) got on the scoreboard early in the second quarter with a 4-yard touchdown run by tailback Nate Evans. The touchdown was set up on the preceding play when quarterback Shon Mitchell connected with tight end Nick Muse on a 71-yard completion down the Tribe sideline.
After the Hokies extended the margin to 45-7 midway through the third quarter, Mitchell completed a short pass to wideout DeVonte Dedmon who outraced a host of VT defenders 59 yards for W&M’s second touchdown.
The Tribe’s final score came on 35-yard field goal by Kris Hooper midway through the fourth quarter.
Tribe Standouts
Dedmon led W&M offensively for the second consecutive week, as he posted six catches for 96 yards with the 59-yard touchdown.
Muse also came up big with four catches for 92 yards, while Mitchell completed 14 of 24 passes for 208 yards with a touchdown.
Cornerback Raeshawn Smith and linebacker Alex Purviance both totaled a career-high nine tackles, while Purviance added a TFL.
Safety Corey Parker and linebacker Nate Atkins both forced fumbles and finished with seven and six tackles, respectively. Safety Isaiah Laster recovered the loose ball caused by Atkins and tallied seven stops.
Inside the Numbers
VT outgained W&M, 586-266, and registered 20 more first downs (32-12).
The Hokies were effective on third down (9 of 11), while the Tribe converted on just 5 of 14.
Despite the lopsided offensive stats, the Hokies owned a narrow 30:46-29:14 edge in time of possession.
Six different VT players accounted for the Hokies seven touchdowns.
The two teams combined to commit just six penalties for 42 yards.
The Opposition
VT quarterback Josh Jackson completed 12 of 16 passes for 217 yards with a touchdown, while wideout Damon Hazelton totaled four catches for 107 yards with a 39-yard touchdown catch. Jackson also rushed for a score.
Steven Peoples rushed for 55 yards on six carries with two touchdowns, while Herndon Hooker’s lone carry was a 69-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Terius Wheatley (7-58), Deshawn McClease (10-35) and Ryan Willis (1-7) also found the end zone on the ground for the Hokies.
Notes
Dedmon is averaging 110.5 receiving yards per game through the opening two contests this season and has scored a touchdown in both matchups … The Williamsburg, Va., native is averaging 24.6 yards per catch … Muse’s 71-yard catch is the longest of his career … VT’s 62 points were the most scored against W&M since Villanova scored 63 in 2007.
Up Next
The Tribe will return to action when it hosts No. 15 Elon for its conference opener at Zable Stadium next Saturday at 6 p.m.
