No. 16 William and Mary (7-4, 4-3 CAA) fell in its last regular season home game, as No. 10 Towson (9-2, 5-2 CAA) escaped with a 15-9 win.
After entering the half with a slim 9-7 lead, thanks to three field goals from junior place kicker John Carpenter, Towson scored a one-yard touchdown to regain the lead in the third quarter. Senior safety Jerome Couplin came up with the football on the ensuing two-point conversion, but fumbled as the Tigers recovered in the end zone to increase their advantage to 15-9.
As the clock wound down late in the fourth quarter, Towson’s place kicker Drew Evangelista pinged a 30-yard field goal attempt off the left upright, giving the College a final drive to win the game. After crossing midfield, senior quarterback Brent Caprio escaped the pocket on fourth down and found an open junior wideout Tre McBride, a completion that would have set the Tribe up on Towson’s five-yard line. McBride, however, couldn’t haul in the pass, and the Tigers melted away the remaining time on the ensuing possession.
The College travels to Richmond for its last regular season contest Saturday. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. A Twitter-based recap of the No. 16 College’s loss follows.
Underway here from Zable. Senior quarterback Brent Caprio (@b12cap) and offense take the field. #WMTribe #caafb
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
It's GOOD. Carpenter connects from 43 yards out as the College converts its first try of day. Drive took 2:43 off the clock. 3-0 Tribe lead.
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
Tigers QB Peter Athens shakes sure-sack, finds receiver down left side to move ball to Tribe 46-yard line. Hold prevents sack 2 plays later.
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
Collision may be an understatement, as September (@_the9thmonth) sniffs out screen pass. Towson back to punt. #caafb 3-0 7:02 1q.
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
Towson QB Athens finding plenty of time in the pocket – finding receivers between Tribe 'backers and secondary. Ball on Tribe 30. #caafb
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
TOUCHDOWN Towson. Make it 7-3 after the try is good. 11 play, 72 yard, 5:35 drive, ends in a West score. College back to receive kick.
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
West runs it in from 1 yard out for his #FCS-best 27th TD of the season to put #Towson up 7-3. 14:56 2Q. #CAAFB
— CAA Football (@CAAFootball) November 16, 2013
New look on offense, as Caprio (@b12cap) comes out firing. Three straight completions – ball on Towson's 35-yard line, 7-3 13:10 1q.
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
Another first, ball on 14 after McBride (@Uno_Dos_Tre3) snags pass intended for Reeves (we think). Either way, Tribe into scoring position.
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
It's GOOD. At the 10:19 mark of the second quarter, Carpenter puts his second FG through. 7-6 Towson lead after 11-play, 62-yd, 4:32 drive.
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
Another methodical, to take @FairbankDP word, drive from Towson. When its not West, its Athens arm/leg causing problems for Tribe defense.
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
Backer Airek Green whacks Victor behind the line, forces another Towson fourth down. 2-2 so far, and they'll go for it again. #caafb
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
False start pushes Tigers back, out comes the FG unit. Reaction from Towson fullback priceless. 46-yard attempt …
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
And it's GOOD. Carpenter converts from 31-yards out to make it 9-7, Tribe lead. 4:16 drive leaves Towson with :30 before the half. #caafb
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
HALFTIME: No. 16 College 9, No. 10 Towson 7. Carpenter 3-3 for the Tribe, as offense scores on three-of-four possessions. #WMTribe #caafb
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
W&M scored on 3 of 4 first-half possessions, only one 3-and-out — huge to extend drives, keep ball out of Towson offense hands.
— Dave Fairbank (@FairbankOBX) November 16, 2013
Boone's defense has held Towson to fewest points scored in half this season (previous: 13 vs. Connecticut). 9-7 WM lead #greenswarm #caafb
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
Halftime in Williamsburg – #WMTribe lead #Towson, 9-7, thanks to 3 Carpenter field goals.
— CAA Football (@CAAFootball) November 16, 2013
Numbers from first half, where No. 16 College leads No. 10 Towson 9-7. Carpenter 3-3 FG. Abdul-Saboor (@mak_Daddy7) 55-yds, 9 carries. (1/3)
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
Caprio (@b12cap) 8-14, 90 yards and no turnovers (7-yd rush). McBride (@Uno_Dos_Tre3) 4 catches, 44 yards. Reeves (@C_Reeves11) w/ 32 (2/3)
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
Couplin (@WhenInRome14) 9 tackles (3 unassisted); Reilly (@mikereilly95) 5 tackles, sack; Green 6, Rhodes (@l_rhodes50) 5. #greenswarm (3/3)
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
Confirmed that Christian Reeves (@C_Reeves11), Chris Donald (@cdonald32) won't return to the game. No word on Velasquez. #WMTribe #caafb
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
Underway here at Zable in the second half, as No. 16 College and No. 10 Towson return to the field. 9-7 Tribe lead, as Tigers on the move.
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
Airek Green w/ the pick, but coughs it up on return. After it all, Towson with a first down on own 26-yd line. 9-7 Tribe, 12:06 1q. #caafb
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
Laycock, faced with a fourth-and-three, decides to go for it from Towson's 29-yard line. Stripes don't call offsides, turn over on downs.
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
W&M lined up to go for it on 4th-and-3 at Towson 29. Tiger D-lineman appeared to jump, but apparently not enough. No flag. Incompletion.
— Dave Fairbank (@FairbankOBX) November 16, 2013
Press box murmurs "there he goes." West with his first big break of the game, as Towson marching. Ball on Tribe 34-yd line, 4:20 3q. #caafb
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
Third down from the 13-yard line – Ivan Tagoe breaks up fade route to force Towson FG attempt (30 yards). #caafb #WMTribe
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
FAKE, and Towson takes it down to the three-yard line. Make it first and goal-to-go. #caafb #WMTribe
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
A play after the fake, West in for a TOUCHDOWN. 13-9 as Towson lines up for the two-point conversion. #caafb #WMTribe
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
Crazy play: Athen's rushes & fumbles, Couplin (@WhenInRome14) recovers, but fumbles in end zone – Tigers recover. Make it 15-9 Tigers lead.
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
Big onions. Ambrose calls for fake FG on 4th-and-9. Holder Connor Frazier gains 10 yds to 3. West finishes off drive. And then it got weird.
— Dave Fairbank (@FairbankOBX) November 16, 2013
End of a bizarre third quarter: No. 16 College trails No. 10 Towson 15-9. Caprio (@b12cap), offense on Tiger's 40-yard line. #caafb
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
B.W. Webb (@OhGi_3Dawg3) recognized at Zable. '13 graduate now playing for #NFL Dallas Cowboys.
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
DeAndre Houston-Carson having himself a game, breaks up long third-down pass attempt. Towson back to punt, 10:28 3q. Tigers lead 15-9.
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
Sixth time this season that Mikal Abdul-Saboor (@mak_Daddy7) is over 100-yd rush mark. Can't celebrate, as Caprio throws pick. 8:20 3q.
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
With under three remaining, it's turned into Towson's run game vs. Tribe's run defense. Long Tigers drive chewing clock. #caafb #WMTribe
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
And its NO GOOD, off the left upright. Ball on the 20-yard line for @b12cap and offense, trailing 15-9 with 2:30 to play. #WMTribe #caafb
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
After sack, Caprio (@b12cap) finds McBride (@Uno_Dos_Tre3) to move to 40-yd line. Ballard (@SeanBallard) w/catch, injured. Clock stops, 1:59
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
Ball on College's 38-yd line, trailing 15-9 with 1:59 as Ballard (@SeanBallard) walks off under own power. #WMTribe #caafb
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
Next its Caprio (@b12cap) to Bo Revell (@the_Reveller19), ball on Towson's 43-yd line. Third-and-ten coming up after 2 in-completions.
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
Incomplete, nearly picked off on third-and-ten – bad read from Caprio (@b12cap) Fourth down, 1:20, need a TD to win. #caafb #WMTribe
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
Caprio (@b12cap) escaped the pocket, finds a wide open Tre McBride (@Uno_Dos_Tre3), dropped. McBride can't believe it. Towson ball.
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
FINAL: No. 16 College falls to No. 10 Towson 15-9. Caprio (@b12cap) pass to McBride (@Uno_Dos_Tre3) dropped on fourth down. #WMTribe #caafb
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
No. 16 College falls to No. 10 Towson, 15-9. Tribe 0-3, Towson 3-0 4th-down conversions. Yards: Tribe 275 (108 rush), Towson 342 (248 rush).
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
No. 16 College falls to No. 10 Towson, 15-9. Tribe 0-3, Towson 3-0 4th-down conversions. Yards: Tribe 275 (108 rush), Towson 342 (248 rush).
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013
Caprio (@b12cap) finished 13-27, 167 yards and a pick. Abdul-Saboor (@mak_Daddy7) 105 yards, 20 carries. McBride w/ 88 yards, 6 catches.
— Flat Hat Sports (@FlatHatSports) November 16, 2013