William & Mary Stuns Villanova with Last-Minute Comeback in College Football Opener
College football returned with an exciting start as William & Mary executed a remarkable comeback victory against Villanova during Week 0 of the FCS season. The Tribe overcame a 10-point deficit in the final moments of the game, securing a win on the road.
Trailing late in the fourth quarter, William & Mary began their resurgence with a field goal with just under a minute remaining. In a bold move, they successfully recovered an onside kick following a bounce off a Wildcat player, allowing them to regain possession near the 40-yard line.
On a crucial third-and-eight play, starting quarterback Winston Watkins launched a deep pass to receiver Kai Austin, who caught the ball for a touchdown. This score, coupled with the extra point, tied the game with only 22 seconds left on the clock.
The Tribe’s defense made a pivotal play shortly after. Villanova quarterback Pat McQuaide attempted to push the game into overtime but was intercepted by Cade Ellis, marking Ellis’ second interception of that night and McQuaide’s third overall.
With the ball back in their hands, William & Mary had the opportunity to seal the game with a 45-yard field goal. They executed the kick perfectly, completing one of the most thrilling comebacks in college football history.
This victory marks a promising start for William & Mary, now competing in the Patriot League after nearly a decade in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) conference.
Villanova entered the matchup ranked No. 8 in the NCAA FCS preseason poll and No. 7 in the coaches’ poll, anticipated to have an easy victory at home. Instead, they found themselves shocked by the Tribe’s rapid-fire comeback.
The Tribe’s success can be largely attributed to their kicker, Max Lipinski, a transfer from James Madison, who had limited experience in games but successfully made all five of his field goals, including the decisive 45-yarder. Sam Braidwood also played a key role by executing the successful onside kick.
For Villanova, the loss dampens their home opener as they prepare for a challenging three-game road trip ahead, including a matchup against Louisville on September 11. Meanwhile, William & Mary is set to face its own challenge when they take on Duke on September 26.
College football is back with a bang: In an FCS Week 0 treat, William & Mary pulled off a massive double-digit comeback against Villanova on the road in less than a minute of play.
After finding themselves down 10 points late in the fourth quarter, the Tribe began their rally with a field goal scored with just under a minute in the game. Desperately needing a touchdown, William & Mary hit an onside kick that they were able to recover inside the 40 after it bounced off a Wildcat.
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On third-and-eight, W&M starting quarterback Winston Watkins lofted the ball deep to receiver Kai Austin, who cradled it for a touchdown. With an extra point, that was enough for William & Mary to stunningly tie the game with 22 seconds left.
But the Tribe wasn’t done: Villanova starting QB Pat McQuaide tried to throw long under pressure, and instead got picked off by Cade Ellis. (The interception was Ellis’ second on McQuaide that night, and McQuaide’s third in all.)
That set up a chance for the Tribe to kick a 45-yard field goal to win the game — which they promptly did, completing one of the wildest comebacks in college football history.
It was quite a start to the season for William & Mary, who is in its first year in the Patriot League after nearly a decade in the Coastal Athletic (CAA) conference.
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Villanova had headed into the game ranked No. 8 in the NCAA FCS preseason poll, and No. 7 in the coaches’ poll, holding home field advantage over a team that should have been an easy opening win. Instead, they found themselves stunned by the Tribe in impressively fast fashion.
Quite a bit of credit deserves to go to the Tribe’s starting kicker Max Lipinski, a transfer from James Madison with limited in-game experience. Lipinski went a perfect five-for-five on field goals, including the 45-yarder to win the game. Sophomore kicker Sam Braidwood, though, was the player who got the successful onside kick.
The loss to William & Mary sours Villanova’s home opener, especially as the Wildcats are about to embark on a three-game road trip to continue the season — including an FBS matchup against Louisville on Sept. 11. The Tribe, meanwhile, will face their own FBS challenge with a game against Duke on Sept. 26.
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