Two pick-sixes push William and Mary to road win

The William and Mary football team earned its second consecutive lopsided victory with a 34-6 triumph at Lafayette on Saturday evening.

The Tribe (2-1) forced four turnovers and returned a pair of interceptions for touchdowns en route to earning the impressive road win. Additionally, W&M’s defense held the Leopards (0-2) without a touchdown and allowed just 66 rushing yards.

Linebackers Airek Green and Marcus Harvey both keyed the defensive effort with pick-sixes, while Green also recorded a sack and a forced fumble.

Sophomore running back Mikal Abdul-Saboor rushed for a game-high 103 yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns, while junior wide receiver Sean Ballard posted six catches for 105 yards. Abdul-Saboor’s effort marked the second straight game in which he has eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark.

W&M jumped out to an early 6-0 lead with a 1-yard touchdown run by Abdul-Saboor with 7:07remaining in the first quarter. The eight-play, 99-yard scoring drive lasted just 3:46 and was keyed by a career-long 55-yard run by senior quarterback Michael Graham on the opening play near the Tribe’s own goal line.  W&M’s extra point attempt was unsuccessful.

The College increased its lead to 13-0 moments later when Harvey returned an interception 29 yards for a touchdown. Lafayette’s quarterback Zach Zweizig was forced into the errant pitch while being wrestled to the ground in the backfield by junior defensive end Mike Reilly.

W&M added to its advantage early in the second quarter with another pick-six when Green intercepted a pass by Zweizig intended for fullback Pat Creahan and returned it 25 yards down the Leopards’ sideline for a touchdown.

A 2-yard touchdown run by redshirt freshman Kendell Anderson with 10:09 remaining the opening half made the score 27-0. The touchdown was set up on the preceding play when Graham connected with Ballard on a 52-yard strike.

Lafayette got on the scoreboard with 0:04 remaining in the second quarter when placekicker Ryan Gralish’s 38-yard field goal attempt from the right hash sailed through the uprights.

In addition to forcing three turnovers in the first half, W&M outgained LC, 223-185, in the opening 30 minutes of action. Graham was responsible for much of the yardage, as he threw for 115 yards and rushed for 69 yards.

After neither team was able to put points on the scoreboard for much of the third quarter, Gralish kicked a 28-yard field goal with 1:33 showing to narrow the margin to 27-6.

W&M responded with a nine-play, 88-yard drive that culminated with a 13-yard touchdown run by Abdul-Saboor for the game’s final score.

The Tribe will return to action when it hosts Rhode Island in its conference opener next Saturday at 7 p.m.