Turnovers Prove Costly in UVa Loss to William & Mary

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — B.W. Webb had three interceptions and William & Mary shut down Virginia’s new spread offense in a 26-14 win on Saturday.

The Tribe forced seven turnovers and Webb returned his last interception for a 50-yard touchdown with 2:39 left in the fourth quarter. The Cavaliers used all three of their quarterbacks, trying to get something going, but none were effective.

The best quarterback on the field, it seemed, was R.J. Archer. The redshirt senior who grew up near Charlottesville and was a regular in the stands at Scott Stadium threw for 184 yards and made only one mistake — a fourth-quarter interception that Virginia did not capitalize on.

The loss was Virginia’s first to a Football Championship Subdivision school since 1986, when it lost 41-37 to the Tribe. William & Mary last beat an I-A school in 1998 (Temple).

Archer completed 23 of 45 passes despite twice overthrowing his receivers who were well behind the secondary and came up just short. He also rushed for 46 yards on nine carries.

The Tribe, which got four field goals (in six attempts) from Brian Pate, finished with a 309-269 total offense advantage after a start that made it seem like a rout was in order.

The Cavaliers and Hall made it look easy early. Hall completed a 3-yard pass on Virginia’s first play from scrimmage, and ran 34 yards untouched for a TD on the third.

Only 2:45 was off the clock, and the crowd at Scott Stadium was delirious.

But the Tribe tied it on Archer’s 5-yard pass to Rob Varno, and Virginia’s only other highlight was a brilliant drive on which Sewell completed all five of his passes for 45 yards and carried four time for 35 yards, the last 26 on three straight attempts.

That made it 14-7, and it was all Tribe thereafter.

The Tribe attempted five field goals in the second quarter alone. Pate had one blocked, had another hit an upright and a third sail wide left, but he made a 40-yarder with 3:21 left in the half and a 26-yarder on the final play of the half to make it 14-13.

His 20-yarder after Hall’s muff gave William & Mary the lead with 5:35 left in the third quarter, and he made a 24-yarder with 3:50 remaining after Verica’s fumble on a run.