HAMPTON, Va. – The William & Mary football team concluded its road slate with an exciting 31-10 victory at Hampton on Saturday afternoon.
Although W&M (6-4, 4-3) trailed 10-7 entering the fourth quarter, the Tribe scored 24 points in the final 12:56, including three touchdowns in the closing 6:53, to secure the impressive conference road victory.
The triumph ensured the program a winning record for the third consecutive season.
After a 40-yard field goal by Caden Bonoffski tied the game at 10-10 with 12:56 remaining, quarterback Tyler Hughes provided the go-ahead score when he connected on a 76-yard touchdown strike to wideout JT Mayo with 6:53 to play. The score came just one play after linebacker Quinn Osborne intercepted a screen pass in the red zone to deny the Pirates (5-5, 3-4) a scoring opportunity.
W&M added to its lead on HU’s next play from scrimmage when linebacker Kevin Jarrell intercepted a pass that bounced off a Pirate wide receiver’s leg and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown.
Shortly after another interception, this time by safety David Roulley off a ball tipped by Jaedon Joyner near midfield, W&M tacked on its final touchdown with a 6-yard run by Hughes.
In addition to limiting HU to just 10 points, W&M’s defense forced five turnovers (four interceptions, one fumble).
Tribe Standouts
Hughes, who made his first career start, accounted for all three of W&M’s offensive touchdowns, as he threw for 163 yards and two touchdowns in addition to his 6-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Mayo’s 76-yard touchdown catch led the receiving corps, while tight end Trey McDonald also scored on a 10-yard pass from Hughes in the first quarter.
Running back Mattijs Lasore rushed for a team-best 42 yards on six carries (7.0 yards per carry).
In addition to his 40-yard pick-six, Jarrell totaled a team-high 10 tackles with two forced fumbles.
Defensive end Nate Lynn also came up big with nine tackles and a fumble recovery, while linebacker John Pius posted six tackles and 2.0 TFL.
Roulley, Osborne and cornerback Ryan Poole all recorded interceptions.
Inside the Numbers
HU outgained W&M, 346-309, and owned a 19-13 advantage in first downs.
The Pirates also controlled the time of possession by more than 10 minutes (35:21-24:39).
W&M scored touchdowns on both its trips into the red zone.
The Opposition
Quarterback Chris Zellous completed 14-of-24 passes for 159 yards with a touchdown, while he also rushed for a team-high 77 yards on 17 carries.
Romon Copeland was the Pirates’ leading receiver with seven catches for 111 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Qwashin Townsel totaled a team-high seven tackles with a half sack and a forced fumble, while Tre Stafford added five stops and a TFL.
Notes
W&M improves to 9-0 all-time against Hampton … The Tribe also improves to 5-0 all-time at Hampton … W&M is averaging 33.5 points per game in the series … John Pius moved into fifth on W&M’s single-season list for TFL (15) … Hughes’ 76-yard touchdown pass to Mayo is the Tribe’s longest scoring strike this season … Roulley’s interception was the first of his career.
Up Next
W&M will conclude its regular-season slate when it hosts Richmond at Zable Stadium for the Capital Cup Game Presented by C&F Bank next Saturday at 1 p.m.
