Football: #13 William & Mary wins at Hampton

The No. 13 William & Mary football team earned a 24-14 victory at Hampton on Saturday evening.

Although the contest was tied at halftime, 7-7, the Tribe (1-1) scored on its first three possessions of the second half and held HU (0-2) scoreless until late in the fourth quarter en route to securing the road victory.

Senior quarterback Steve Cluley completed 19-of-33 passes for 294 yards with two touchdowns, while junior wideout DeVonte Dedmon posted seven catches for a career-high 168 yards with a touchdown. Dedmon’s yardage total ranks tied for the 16th-best performance in school history.

Redshirt freshman running back Albert Funderburke led the rushing attack with five carries for 70 yards, which was highlighted by 40-yard touchdown in the third quarter. All of his carries came in the second half.

Redshirt freshman safety Corey Parker and true freshman safetyIsaiah Laster posted two of the game’s biggest plays defensively, intercepting Hampton quarterback Jaylian Williamson inside W&M’s 5-yard line twice to halt a pair of Hampton scoring opportunities.

Hampton got on the scoreboard first with a 1-yard touchdown run by Eric Carter on a fourth-and-goal less than three minutes into the contest. The short four-play drive covered just seven yards and was set up when Joseph Turner blocked W&M’s punt on the game’s opening drive.

However, W&M quickly answered with a seven-play, 73-yard drive that lasted just 2:23 and culminated with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Cluley to Dedmon along the Tribe’s sideline.

Both teams had opportunities to put more points on the board in the opening half but were unable to do so. W&M was stopped short on a fourth-and-2 from at the Pirates’ 3-yard line midway through the second quarter, while a 48-yard field goal try by junior Nick Dorka missed wide to the left shortly thereafter. HU’s chance came on a 31-yard field goal attempt by Anthony Prevost in the waning seconds of the half, but redshirt freshman Bill Murray deflected the kick.

Each of the Tribe’s first three possessions of the second half resulted in points, including a pair of touchdowns midway through the third quarter. A 20-yard touchdown pass from Cluley to sophomore wide receiver Jack Armstrong with 7:50 showing got things started, and Funderburke broke multiple tackles during his electric 40-yard touchdown scamper with 5:34 left in the third quarter.

Dorka added a 25-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to extend the margin to 24-7, as a 69-yard strike from Cluley to Dedmon helped set up the score.

Although Williamson connected with Rashawn Proctor on a 7-yard touchdown with 3:12 remaining, W&M recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock.

Hampton was led offensively by running back Yahkee Johnson, who totaled 115 rushing yards on 12 carries, while Proctor finished the contest with eight catches for 61 yards with a score.

W&M outgained HU, 454-334, and held the Pirates to just 4-of-13 on third down situations.

With the victory, W&M improves to 7-0 all-time against Hampton and has now won 29 of its last 30 games versus non-conference FCS foes during the regular season.

The Tribe will return to action when it hosts Norfolk State for its home opener at the renovated Zable Stadium next Saturday at 6 p.m.