2022 was a memorable year for William and Mary football. In a year where everything seemed to go right, the defense was no exception. Led by CAA Defensive Player of the Year and All-American John Pius, the Tribe was second in the CAA in sacks, as well as fourth in scoring defense and total yards allowed. Pius finished with 11.5 sacks, just a half sack off the Tribe single-season record. Pius was also a finalist for the Buck Buchanan award, which honors the nation’s top defensive player.
How could things possibly get any better? Well through three games this year, they certainly are headed in that direction. The Tribe defense enters Saturday’s matchup against Maine as one of the best defenses in the nation. The Green Swarm leads the CAA in scoring defense at just 12.3 points per game. Albany has allowed the second fewest points per game, at 21.7. The Tribe is riding a 2 game, yes game, scoreless streak. The Tribe defense has not allowed a touchdown since late in the fourth quarter against Campbell (Charleston Southern scored on a kickoff return last week). The Tribe also leads the nation in third down defense, with opponents converting on just 13% of their third down tries.
Nate Lynn has been nothing short of brilliant as well. The senior from the Queen City was just named the FCS Defensive Player of the Week after his electrifying performance against Charleston Southern that included seven tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. Lynn was a third-team All-American in 2022 and looks to be headed in the same direction in 2023. Malcolm Spencer and Marcus Barnes have also been key in the secondary, with both picking up key interceptions last Saturday.
What should we expect in the Tribe’s matchup with the Maine Black Bears? More of the same. The Black Bears have had a string of very tough opponents this season including national powerhouse North Dakota State. However, Maine ranks towards the bottom of the pack in total offense, rushing offense, and passing offense. Expect the backfield to be filled with green jerseys early and often this week.
The Tribe has historically struggled on the road against Maine, but this weeks’ matchup is set for 3:30 pm inside the best stadium in the Commonwealth. Let’s make sure we pack Zable this weekend. LET’S GO TRIBE.
The William and Mary Sports Blog 
Takeaways after the (very wet and pretty windy) Maine game:
1. One thing about the current surface at Zable is, a LOT LESS MUD. I remember a game in the 80s against Lehigh played in very similar conditions and you could barely tell who was who in the 2nd and 4th quarters. I have a funny story about a play during that game (involving Harry Mehre?) that maybe I should tell you guys.
2. As this game was played in a tropical storm, no surprise that the Tribe chose to keep the ball mostly on the ground, which plays to this team’s strengths. The defense again kept the opponent out of the end zone, and honestly, in those conditions 28-3 is a curbstomping.
3. Strength of schedule is my chief concern going forward. The Tribe doesn’t play Delaware, Villanova, or UNH this year. Welcome to life in a way too large CAA. After Week 4, the remainder of the year looks like FBS U.Va. and 5 relative cupcakes before Richmond, and then it’s playoff time for a Tribe that may not have been heavily tested. That’s not necessarily a good path for advancing in the playoffs.