U.Va. escapes William and Mary 35-29

CHARLOTTESVILLE – Two rapid-fire, long-distance touchdowns early in the third quarter lifted Virginia to a harrowing 35-29 victory over William and Mary on Saturday.

The margin was the smallest in the Cavaliers’ seven wins versus Championship Subdivision opponents under coach Mike London. The previous six were by at least 21 points.

Virginia appeared to be in control with a 35-20 third-quarter lead. The Cavaliers had not punted and had forced four consecutive Tribe three-and-outs.

But as the clock moved inside three minutes, and with both teams out of timeouts, W&M moved inside Virginia’s 40 trailing only 35-29. Micah Kiser’s 8-yard sack of Steve Cluley derailed the drive.

Earlier in the quarter, W&M (1-1) marched 18 plays to Virginia’s 1 before receiver Christian Reeves’ throwback pass to Cluley fell incomplete. Virginia failed to move, and DeAndre Houston-Carson blocked Nicholas Conte’s first punt of the game out of the end zone for a safety, trimming W&M’s deficit to 35-22 with 8:57 remaining.

After the Cavaliers’ free kick, the Tribe again moved to a fourth-and-goal, and Cluley found DeVonte Dedmon for a 4-yard touchdown that made Scott Stadium very nervous.

Leading 21-20 at halftime, the Cavaliers (1-2) struck quickly as Matt Johns threw a routine middle screen to Taquan Mizzell that Mizzell’s speed and the Tribe’s out-of-position defense turned into an 80-yard touchdown.

After a W&M three-and-out, Maurice Canady returned the subsequent punt 74 yards for a score, Virginia’s first punt return for touchdown since Alvin Pearman against Temple in 2004.

The Cavaliers’ third-quarter scores came within 2:29.

Johns and Cluley each threw three touchdown passes, and Virginia outgained W&M 373-371. Tribe tailback Mikal Abdul-Saboor rushed for 100 yards.

Virginia rallied from a 10-point, second-quarter deficit to lead at intermission.

Johns’ 26-yard touchdown pass to Canaan Severin and Ian Frye’s subsequent extra point with 1:46 remaining in the second quarter gave the Cavaliers their first lead. On the previous play, Johns connected with David Eldridge for 43 yards, his first career reception.

Facing a fourth-and-3 from Virginia’s 37, W&M coach Jimmye Laycock disdained the punt on the first play of the second quarter. Sage move.

Cluley rolled right, and the entire defense followed him. Just as safety Kelvin Rainey buried him, Cluley lofted a pass to a wide open Andrew Caskin on the backside. He lumbered to the end zone to break a 7-all tie.

Linebacker Josh Dulaney’s interception gave the Tribe possession at Virginia’s 30, and after failing to gain a first down, W&M settled for Nick Dorka Jr.’s 43-yard field goal.

Trailing 17-7, the Cavaliers countered immediately. Mizzell sprinted 36 yards to the Tribe’s 39, and on the next play, freshman Jordan Ellis scored a touchdown on his first collegiate career.

Dorka’s 21-yard field goal extended the margin to 20-14 before Johns’ counters.

Virginia and William and Mary scored touchdowns on their opening possessions and entered the second quarter tied 7-all.

Dedmon missed the Tribe’s opener with an illness and wasted no time announcing his presence, catching a 41-yard touchdown pass from Cluley on the game’s opening series. Dedmon caught the ball while tumbling into the end zone and despite pass interference by Cavaliers cornerback Tim Harris.

The Cavaliers answered with a 16-play, 84-yard march that by time, 9:13, was the second-longest in program history. Johns completed all seven of his passes and found fullback Connor Wingo-Reeves on third-and-goal from the 3 for the score.

Virginia has a short week ahead preparing for Friday night’s visit from Boise State. The Broncos routed Idaho State 52-0 on Friday, despite losing starting quarterback Ryan Finley to a right ankle injury in the first quarter. Reserves Thomas Stuart and Brett Rypien, the latter a true freshman and the nephew of former NFL quarterback Mark Rypien, played well in relief.

Meanwhile, William and Mary plays its home and Colonial Athletic Association opener Saturday against Stony Brook. The Tribe won at Stony Brook last season 27-21 in overtime, tying the game in the final minute of regulation on Cluley’s 52-yard touchdown pass to Sean Ballard, and winning on Abdul-Saboor’s 13-yard run.