By: Jackson Shuman
William & Mary rolled to a 34–7 victory over Charleston Southern, giving head coach Mike London his 100th career win. After the Buccaneers briefly tied the game at 7–7 in the second quarter, the Tribe regained control with a touchdown just before halftime and never looked back—adding three more scores in the second half while the defense completely shut Charleston Southern down.
The milestone added extra significance for London, a veteran coach who previously led programs at Richmond and Virginia before coming to Williamsburg in 2019. He now joins the triple-digit wins club, and after the game, he called the achievement a blessing, reflecting on what it has meant to spend his career leading programs across Virginia.
Saturday’s win was also a much-needed reset for the Tribe after their 55–16 defeat at Virginia the previous weekend. Having been overwhelmed in all phases in Charlottesville, William & Mary restored its defensive identity and found new confidence in sophomore quarterback Tyler Hughes. Below are the key takeaways from Saturday’s win:
Key Takeaways
Pass Defense Came Through Again
The Tribe’s pass defense stifled CSU quarterback Zolten Osborne, holding him to just 60 passing yards on 9-of-16 attempts. He failed to connect on any explosive plays, and Charleston Southern went 0-for-3 on third-and-long situations. Once again, the Tribe secondary proved to be the defense’s biggest strength, keeping the Buccaneers completely in check.
Tyler Hughes Shows More Growth
Sophomore QB Tyler Hughes had a career night, throwing for 296 yards and four touchdowns on 22-of-30 passing with no interceptions. He opened the scoring with a 7-yard strike to Alfred Honesty, then connected with Jackson Blee for two second-half scores—a 9-yard toss and a 63-yard catch-and-run.
Hughes looked confident and poised, showing patience under pressure and sharp timing with his receivers. His ball placement, decision-making, and ability to avoid turnovers all highlighted tangible growth for the young signal-caller.
Third-Down Offense Much Improved
The offense took a major step forward on third downs, consistently extending drives and keeping the defense fresh. A 55-yard, 11-play opening drive set the tone, and Hughes’ mix of accurate passing and timely scrambles showcased his dual-threat ability.
The Tribe finished the night converting 66% of their third downs—by far their best mark of the season. After the game, London credited the improvement to “focusing on the details.”
Run Game Still a Work in Progress
While the passing game flourished, the Tribe’s ground attack continued to sputter. Rashad Raymond scored on a 2-yard run just before halftime, but William & Mary was outgained on the ground by CSU.
The Buccaneers’ Hakeem Watters ran for a career-best 119 yards on 13 carries, including a 63-yard touchdown burst. Raymond led W&M with 75 rushing yards and a touchdown, but the Tribe struggled to break off long runs or consistently control the line of scrimmage.
Player of the Game: Jackson Blee
Wide receiver Jackson Blee stole the spotlight, scoring the first two touchdowns of his career. His first came on a play-action fake in the red zone, where Hughes found him wide open in the middle of the end zone. Minutes later, Blee turned a short crossing route into a 63-yard touchdown, breaking a tackle before sprinting down the sideline.
📸 Jackson Blee celebrates one of his two touchdowns in Saturday’s win. [Photo by Bob Keroack]
Moving Forward
Now 2–2 heading into conference play, this win was crucial for the Tribe’s momentum. William & Mary proved it can still be a competitive force in the CAA. If the passing attack and defense continue to click as they did on Saturday, the Tribe will be a tough matchup for anyone.
However, the season may ultimately be defined by whether W&M can control the line of scrimmage in the run game on both sides of the ball.
Next Week
The Tribe face a major test next Saturday, hitting the road to take on a nationally ranked Villanova (1–2) squad.
Go Tribe!
Photos Courtesy of Tribe Athletics
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