UNH tripped up on the road
WILLIAMSBURG, VA.-- Kicker Brian Pate kicked a 37 yard field goal with 2:54 remaining in the game to lead fifth-ranked William & Mary to a 20-17 victory over eighth-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 completed a TD pass to redshirt freshman wide receiver Joey Orlando, who then scampered 35 yards after breaking a tackle to help UNH tie the game at 17-17.
The Tribe (9-1 overall, 6-1 CAA) answered quickly and drove into UNH territory down to the UNH 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 quarter. 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 its own as Toman Completed a 13-yard pass to senior All-America tight end Scott Sicko 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 Manning kicked the PAT. The drive was seven plays for 60 yards.
William & Mary was unable to move the ball on the next drive as senior linebacker Terrance Klein 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 Tribe back on its own 1-yard 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 eight-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 46 seconds left in the third quarter, but it went wide right and the Wildcats took over on their own 30-yard line.
With 8:17 to play, 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. Orlando caught three passes for 64 yards and a TD.
Toman completed 18 of 37 for 199 yards and two TDs on the afternoon.
Linebacker Sean Ware led the defense with 11 tackles. Klein had nine tackles, eight solo, an interception, and a tackle for a loss. Senior corner Ryan Hinds also picked up a fumble.
UNH will return to action on Saturday when it will face Maine at Cowell Stadium (noon). The game can also be seen on Comcast Sportsnet New England.
