WILLIAMSBURG — William & Mary junior kicker Max Lipinski was named the Stats Perform FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week after a record-breaking performance in the Tribe’s 35-32 upset of No. 8 Villanova. The win came in the season opener and marked the two programs’ first meeting as Patriot League opponents.
Freshman safety Cade Ellis also drew national recognition, earning FCS Freshman Player of the Week honorable mention.
Lipinski went 5 for 5 on field goal attempts, from 22, 39, 41, 40 and 45 yards. It was a school record for makes in a single game, and it matched the most by any FCS kicker since 2021. His 17 points set another program mark, for points by a kicker in a single game. He added three touchbacks on seven kickoffs.
The game turned in the final minute. William & Mary trailed by 10 points before scoring 13 in the final minute. Lipinski, a King George, Va., native, split the uprights from 40 yards with 53 seconds left. Then, as time expired, he drilled the career-long 45-yarder that won it.
Ellis, playing in his collegiate debut, picked off two passes. The second came with 5 seconds remaining, when he stepped in front of a third-down throw from Villanova quarterback Pat McQuaide and returned it 24 yards to the Wildcats’ 28-yard line. That set up Lipinski’s game-winner.
William & Mary (1-0) hosts Delaware State at Zable Stadium on Saturday for its home opener. Kickoff is 6 p.m.
