Kicker Brian Pate kicked a 37-yard field goal with 2:54 remaining in the game to lead No. 5-ranked William & Mary to a 20-17 victory over No. 8 UNH on Saturday afternoon at Zable Stadium.
On fourth-and-seven with 8:17 to go in the contest, junior quarterback R.J. Toman completed a touchdown pass to redshirt freshman wide receiver Joey Orlando, who scampered 35 yards after breaking a tackle to tie the game at 17-17.
However, The Tribe (9-1 overall, 6-1 CAA) answered quickly and drove to the UNH 20-yard line where Pate booted the game-winning 37-yard field goal.
William & Mary opened the scoring in the first quarter as Pate lined up for a 32-yard field goal attempt and booted it through the uprights to give the Tribe a 3-0 advantage in the contest with 7:37 left in the first.
UNH (8-2, 5-2 CAA) then answered with a score of their own, as Toman completed a 13-yard pass to senior All-American tight end Scott Sicko in the end zone to give the Wildcats a 7-3 lead after senior kicker Tom Manning added the PAT.
William & Mary was unable to move the ball on the next drive, as senior linebacker Terrance Klein recorded his fifth interception of the season to give UNH the ball on the Tribe 35-yard line.
UNH was forced to punt the ball away, however, pinning the home team back on their own 1-yard line.
The Wildcat defense forced a punt and took over deep in Tribe territory, setting up a 42-yard field goal by Manning to put the Wildcats up 10-3 with 19 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
The Tribe tied the game with a 5-yard run by Courtland Mariner with 11:18 to play in the second quarter. The play capped an 8-play, 86 yard drive and made the score 10-10 after the PAT.
William & Mary defensive lineman Sean Lissemore grabbed an interception at the UNH 20-yard line and returned it to the 16. The turnover was costly and resulted in a 10-yard touchdown pass by R.J. Archer to wide receiver Chase Hill to give the home team a 17-10 advantage with 6:33 to go in the third quarter.
Pate had an opportunity to increase the lead with a 47-yard field goal with 0:46 seconds left in the third quarter, but it went wide right and the Wildcats took over on their own 30-yard line.
On fourth-and-seven with 8:17 to go in the game, Toman completed his touchdown pass to Orlando, followed by Pate's game-winner.
Sicko led all UNH receivers with five catches for 41 yards and a TD, while Orlando caught three passes for 64 yards and a TD.
Toman completed 18 of 37 for 199 yards and two TDs on the afternoon.
Leading the defense was senior linebacker Sean Ware who finished with 11 tackles, while Klein recorded nine tackles, eight solo, an interception and a tackle for a loss. Senior corner Ryan Hinds also recovered a fumble.
The UNH football team will return to action on Saturday when they will host UMaine. Game time is 12 p.m. at Cowell Stadium.
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