Rashad Raymond had 68 rushing yards on 6.8 yards per carry vs UNH. [Photo by Bob Keroack]
By: Jack Greven
Despite several comeback wins this season, the William & Mary Tribe couldn’t muster one more on Saturday in Durham, falling 34–24 to the New Hampshire Wildcats. With the loss, W&M drops to 4–4 overall and 3–2 in CAA play. The Tribe’s inability to stop New Hampshire’s explosive offense—both through the air and on the ground—ultimately caused their comeback bid to fall short.
Key First Half Moments
The Tribe opened the game strong, as quarterback Tyler Hughes capped the opening drive with a rushing touchdown for an early 7–0 lead. However, UNH responded quickly. Quarterback Matt Vezza connected with Caleb Burke for a 63-yard score, and Myles Thomason broke loose for a 39-yard TD, putting the Wildcats up 14–7. Hughes added another rushing touchdown late in the second quarter to tie the game at 14, but UNH answered with a late field goal to take a 17–14 lead into halftime.
Key Second Half Moments
The third quarter saw Hughes find the end zone with his legs for the third time, but New Hampshire’s passing attack repeatedly struck paydirt. Vezza tossed two third-quarter touchdown passes, including another long one to Burke, pushing UNH ahead 31–21 heading into the final period. William & Mary trimmed the deficit to 31–24 with a Keegan Shackford field goal early in the fourth, but UNH answered with one of their own, and the Tribe offense was stifled down the stretch—sealing a 34–24 Wildcat win.
Key Takeaways
Tribe Defense Struggles
The Tribe defense had trouble containing UNH’s playmakers, as Vezza threw for a career-high 280 yards and Burke tallied a personal-best 153 receiving yards. Thomason also posted a career day with 130 rushing yards on 21 carries. The inability to string together stops, especially in key moments, allowed the Wildcats to pull away late. This was a step back for a unit that has shown flashes this year, and finding consistency—especially on the road—will be priority number one moving forward.
Run Game Gets Going
On the bright side, William & Mary averaged 5.5 yards per carry, well above their season average of 3.79, which is a promising sign for the offense. The running game continues to show potential thanks to the versatility created by Hughes’ rushing ability, and Saturday’s performance offered a glimpse of that upside.
When the ground game is clicking, it opens up deep shots to Deven Thompson, who’s averaging 32.8 yards per reception over the last two games. Staying ahead of schedule on early downs will continue to be key for the Tribe’s offensive success.
Tyler Hughes rushed for three touchdowns and 74 yards in Saturday’s loss. [Photo by Bob Keroack]
Road Struggles Continue
The Tribe is now 0–4 on the road, a trend they’ll need to overcome in their remaining trips to Campbell and Hampton. William & Mary has struggled to play complete football away from Zable Stadium. This year, the Tribe average 31 points per game at home, compared to just 21 on the road. Defensively, the difference is just as stark—allowing 22 points per game at home versus 35 on the road.
Standout Performers
- Tyler Hughes was the offensive engine once again, accounting for all three of W&M’s touchdowns on the ground and finishing with 74 rushing yards on 14 carries. He was also efficient through the air, going 19-of-24 for 204 yards.
- Deven Thompson continued to shine as a deep threat, hauling in two catches for 83 yards. He now averages 22 yards per catch on the season—the sixth-best mark in the country.
- Rashad Raymond added 68 yards on 10 carries, while Tariq Sims chipped in 43 rushing yards on nine carries and a team-high six receptions for 37 yards.
- On defense, Luke Banbury led the way with 10 tackles.
CAA Outlook
William & Mary remains in the thick of the CAA playoff race, sitting at 3–2 in conference play with plenty still to compete for. The Tribe has shown resilience and grit throughout the season, fighting through adversity to stay in the hunt. However, they’ll need to clean up the defensive lapses that allow opponents to generate explosive plays. With three regular-season games remaining, everything is still on the table for this determined squad.
What’s Next
Next week, William & Mary returns home to Zable Stadium to host UAlbany (1–7)—where the Tribe remains unbeaten this season.
Go Tribe!
Photos Courtesy of Tribe Athletics
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