WILLIAMSBURG, Va – With their backs against the wall and in a must win situation for the remainder of the season, William & Mary needed a total team effort to defeat the visiting offensive juggernaut in the New Hampshire Wildcats.

And on a record setting day at Walter J. Zable Stadium, a total team effort is exactly what Tribe Coach Jimmye Laycock received.

“I am proud of the way they performed.  Coming off a disappointing loss to Delaware (21-0) last week, our guys really came through today.”

A dominating defensive effort combined with a conservative, but productive offensive game plan resulted in a William & Mary (2-2, 4-3) upset of #6 New Hampshire (3-1, 4-2), 24-10.

Entering the game, the much maligned Tribe offensive unit was one of the biggest disappointments of the 2011 CAA football season.  A pre-season favorite to repeat as CAA Champions with the return of All-American candidate RB Jonathan Grimes, the Tribe only managed to average 12 points per game after six weeks of play.

Seldom used QB Brent Caprio stepped in for the Tribe and managed the game with veteran like qualities.

Seldom used reserve quarterback, sophomore Brent Caprio – Who had a total of 20 pass attempts entering the New Hampshire game – got the nod to start for the Tribe.  With senior Michael Paulus’ inconsistent play and sophomore Michael Graham dinged, Laycock turned to his talented, but inexperienced reserve to lead his team in a must win game.

On the Tribe’s first series, all looked well as Caprio (7 for 11 for 167 yards, 2 TD and 1 Int.) turned and handed the ball to Grimes play after play.  The Tribe had worked the ball inside the Wildcats 30 and was primed to walk away with points.  But Caprio made his first and only mistake of the game.

Stepping up in the pocket as pressure converged Caprio threw the ball right into the arms of Wildcats LB Alan Buzbee.  It was one of those “here we go again” moments for the Tribe faithful.

But on this day, the Tribe’s always reliable defense would carry the team until Caprio, Grimes and company got things going.

After a scoreless first quarter, New Hampshire finally broke the tie on a Mike MacArthur 37-yard field goal late in the second quarter.  The way the Tribe offense was struggling to move the ball (118 yards of total offense on their first 5 possessions), the MacArthur field goal might be all the scoring the Wildcats would need on this day.

Then it happened!  An All-American candidate made an All-American play.  In what looked to be a simple dump-pass from Caprio to Grimes (169 yards rushing and 126 yards receiving) out of the backfield, turned into the spark that lit the fire that perhaps saved the season.

Grimes broke several tackles along the sideline working toward the first down marker.  He appeared to be stopped as he leaned forward to brace his inevitable fall after contact.  With amazing balance he pushed himself up with his left arm as Wildcat defenders started to relax with the play appearing to be over.

Grimes kept going and sprinted down the sideline for 72-yard touchdown that ignited the crowd, the team, and hope for what appeared to be a lost season.

New Hampshire, led by Walter Payton Award candidate, senior QB Kevin Decker (34 of 50 for 422 yards, 1 TD 3 Int. and 80 yards rushing) decided it was time for their dormant offense to awake with under two minutes left in the half.

Contained for nearly 28 minutes by a “bend-but-don’t-break” Tribe defense who received a record breaking performance from senior DE Marcus Hyde (4 first half sacks, 5 in total), Decker swiftly moved the Wildcats down the field with ease.

Freshman WR R.J. Harris would haul-in a Decker 15-yard fade pass in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown with eight seconds left in the half to give UNH a 10-7 halftime lead.

Decker would lead the Wildcats back down the field on an 11-play drive to start the second half.  But the drive ended on downs at the Tribe 31, and it would be Grimes time once again.

After some elusive scrambling by Caprio to move the Tribe to midfield, he turned to Grimes yet again on a short pass to the right.  Grimes, cutting across the middle against the defensive grain, ran past the Wildcats defenders across the field and down the left sideline for a 50-yard touchdown reception and a 14-10 Tribe lead.

The shell-shocked Wildcats were frustrated.  They weren’t used to playing in low scoring affairs.  This is an offense that averaged 44 points a game over their previous four contests.  Defense was something they had to play when Decker wasn’t out there lighting up scoreboards.

DE Marcus Hyde entered the game against UNH with 1.5 sacks. He left the game with 6.5 sacks on the season.

Hyde, LB Jabrel Mines (13 total tackles), CB Terrell Wells (7 tackles, 1 fumble rec.), CB B.W. Webb, DE Stephen Sinnott and company combined for 12 tackles for loss (6 sacks) in the game.  Virtually taking away the strength of Wildcats team, the Tribe’s defense eased the pressure of the young Caprio led offense.

A Keith McBride 50-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter all but secured the victory for the Tribe, and Drake Kuhn’s 45-yard field goal sealed it.

A total team effort was needed by the Tribe, and a total team effort was received.

Note:  Senior Jonathan Grimes became William & Mary’s all-time leading rusher late in the fourth quarter passing Derek Fitzgerald’s 3,744 yards.  He received a standing ovation from the 9,000 plus in attendance and hugs and pats on his back from his teammates.

View photos from this contest for both William & Mary and New Hampshire by visiting the photo link below: