NO. 8 FOOTBALL LOSES AT NO. 5 WILLIAM & MARY, 20-17

WILLIAMSBURG, VA.— Kicker Brian Pate kicked a 37 yard field goal with 2:54 remaining in the game to lead No. 5-ranked William & Mary to a 20-17 victory over No. 8-ranked New Hampshire on Saturday afternoon at Zable Stadium.

On fourth and 7 with 8:17 to go in the contest, junior quarterback R.J. Toman (Mission Viejo, Calif.) completed a TD pass to redshirt freshman wide receiver Joey Orlando (Bethlehem, Pa.) who then scampered 35 yards after breaking a tackle to tie the game at 17-17.

However,The Tribe (9-1 overall, 6-1 CAA) answered quickly and drove into UNH territory down to the 20 yard line where Pate booted the game-winning 37 yard field goal to earn the win.

William & Mary opened the scoring in the first quarter as Pate lined up for a 32 yard field goal attempt and booted it through the uprights to give The Tribe a 3-0 advantage in the contest with 7:37 to in the opening stanza. The drive covered 12 plays and 54 yards and it took 6:05 off the clock.

However, UNH (8-2, 5-2 CAA) answered with a score of their own as Toman Completed a 13 yard pass to senior All-America tight end Scott Sicko (Stillwater, N.Y.) in the end zone to give the Wildcats a 7-3 lead with 3:02 to play in the first quarter after senior kicker Tom M anning (Rome, N.Y.) kicked the PAT. The drive was seven plays for 60 yards.

William and Mary was unable to move the ball on the next drive as senior linebacker Terrence Klein (Westwood, N.J.) recorded his fifth interception of the season to give UNH the football on the William & Mary 35 yard line, However, UNH was forced to punt the ball away pinning the home team back on their own 1 yd line. The Wildcat defense forced a punt and UNH took over deep in Tribe territory setting up a 42 yard field goal by Manning to put the Wildcats up 10-3 with 19 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

The Tribe tied the game with a 5 yard run by Courtland Mariner with 11:18 to play in the second quarter. The play capped an 8-play, 86 yard drive and made the score 10-10 after the PAT.

William & Mary defensive lineman Sean Lissemore grabbed an interception at the UNH 20 yard line and returned it to the UNH 16 yard line. The turnover was costly and resulted in a 10 yard touchdown pass by R.J. Archer to wide receiver Chase Hill to give the home team a 17-10 advantage with 6:33 to go in the third quarter.

Pate had an opportunity to increase the lead and attempted a 47 yard field goal with 0:46 seconds left in the third quarter, but it went wide right and the Wildcats took over on their own 30 yard line.

On fourth and 7 with 8:17 to go in the game, Toman completed his TD pass to Orlando, followed by Pate’s game-winner.

Sicko led all UNH receivers with five catches for 41 yards and a TD, while Orlando caught three passes for 64 yards and a TD.

Toman completed 18 of 37 for 199 yards and two TDs on the afternoon.

Leading the defense, was senior linebacker Sean Ware (Bristol, Conn.) with11 tackles, while Klein had 9 tackles, eight solo, an interception, and a tackle for a loss. Senior corner Ryan Hinds (Toronto, Ont.) also picked up a fumble.

The UNH football team will return to action on Sat., Nov. 21 vs. Maine. Game time is 12 p.m. at Cowell Stadium and tickets are still available at www.unhwildcats.com. The game will also be aired live on Comcast Sportsnet New England.