WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (Sept. 16, 2017)—The William & Mary football team concluded its non-conference slate with a 30-9 victory against Bucknell in its home opener at Zable Stadium on Saturday evening.
 
Although the Tribe (2-1) led by just a point at halftime, 10-9, it posted three unanswered touchdowns during the third quarter en route to pulling away for the lopsided victory.
 
W&M was dominant defensively during the final 30 minutes, as it held the Bison (1-2) scoreless and allowed just 42 total yards. Additionally, one of the Tribe's three second half touchdowns came on a defensive play when sophomore safety Corey Parker scooped up a fumble caused by sophomore linebacker Nate Atkins and returned it 19 yards for a touchdown.
 
In addition to allowing just 226 total yards, including just 23 on the ground, the Tribe's defense posted 6.0 sacks and 9.0 TFL.
 
Tribe Standouts
Freshman running back Nate Evans rushed for a game-high 89 yards on 18 carries with a touchdown, while redshirt freshman running back Noah Giles also found the end zone on the ground and finished with 31 yards on eight carries. Both touchdowns were the first of their careers.
 
Junior quarterback Tommy McKee provided W&M's other offensive score with a 4-yard touchdown pass to redshirt freshman fullback Tyler Crist late in the third quarter and completed 12 of 17 passes for 105 yards. The Virginia Beach, Va., native was especially effective during the second half when he completed 7 of 8 passes for 65 yards and the touchdown.
 
Atkins and junior linebacker Josh Dulaney both posted seven tackles apiece with sacks, while Atkins forced fumble midway through the third quarter led to Parker's defensive score. Also recording sacks were senior defensive tackle Isaiah Stephens, senior defensive tackle Bill Murray, senior defensive end Matt Ahola and freshman defensive tackle Will Kiely. Murray also added a blocked extra-point, the second of his career.
 
Sophomore Jalen Christian came up big on special teams and recorded a 48-yard punt return and a 33-yard kickoff return.  
 
Inside the Numbers
In addition to outscoring Bucknell in the second half, 20-0, W&M outgained the Bison in the second half, 160-42, and finished the contest with a 281-226 advantage in total yards. The Tribe was especially dominant on the ground, 176-23.
 
W&M held BU to just 5 of 16 on third downs and stopped the Bison on both its fourth down conversion attempts.
 
The Opposition
Bucknell quarterback Matt Muh completed 15 of 20 passes for 155 yards with a touchdown, while Jack Horan posted a game-high seven catches for 69 yards. Joey DeFloria led the ground attack and rushed for 62 yards on 18 carries.
 
Notes
W&M concludes its non-conference slate with a 2-1 mark after bouncing back from a season-opening setback at Virginia with consecutive wins … With the impressive effort against Bucknell, W&M's defense is allowing just 14.3 points per game and 298.7 total yards per game this season … Additionally, the Tribe is holding the opposition to just 72.0 rushing yards per game this fall … The Tribe's 14 sacks through three games eclipses its total from all of last season (10), while its 28 TFL is closing in on last season's final tally (39) … Parker's 19-yard fumble return for a touchdown midway through the third quarter marks the 10th season in the last 11 years in which W&M has recorded a defensive or special teams touchdown … Crist has recorded a touchdown catch in two consecutive games … Sophomore Graydon Campbell played on both the offensive and defensive line versus Bucknell and totaled three tackles and a TFL defensively … The Tribe's offensive line did not allow a sack and has surrendered just 3.0 sacks this season … W&M improves to 5-0 all-time against Bucknell … W&M head coach Jimmye Laycock remains tied with Columbia's Al Bagnoli as the nation's winningest active Division I head coach with 245 victories … Laycock improves to 28-10 in home openers and has won 10 of the last 11 … W&M has won 32 of its last 33 games against non-conference FCS opponents during the regular season … W&M has won 10 of its last 12 home games … W&M has won 13 of its last 14 games when leading at halftime.
 
Up Next
After a bye next weekend, the Tribe will return to action when it opens conference play against Stony Brook at Zable Stadium on Sept. 30.