ELON, N.C. – The William & Mary football team earned a thrilling 31-29 victory at Elon in an epic five-overtime contest at Rhodes Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
 
Running back Owen Wright provided the game-winning score on successful 2-point conversion, and W&M (3-6, 1-4) sealed the victory on the ensuing possession when Elon (4-5, 3-3) failed to convert its opportunity on a pass defended by cornerback Ryan Poole. The big plays completed the longest game in school history, as the Tribe had never played more than two overtime sessions.
 
After neither team scored during the first two overtimes, both squads found the end zone during the third extra stanza but were unable to convert the 2-point conversions.
 
Following a scoreless fourth overtime, the teams were each given 2-point opportunities during the fifth extra session – a new overtime rule put into effect this season.
 
After Elon knotted the score at 23-23 following a pair of fourth quarter field goals, W&M marched to the Phoenix's 32-yard line on its final possession in regulation but Kris Hooper's 49-yard field goal attempt missed wide right with 0:09 remaining.
 
The hard-fought matchup was tightly contested throughout, as neither team led by more than six points.
 
 
Tribe Standouts
In addition to scoring the game-winner, Wright rushed for 63 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown, while running back Donavyn Lester found the end zone twice and rushed for 73 yards on 13 carries.
 
Quarterback Hollis Mathis and wideout Bronson Yoder also contributed to the ground attack with 71 and 54 rushing yards, respectively. Mathis also threw for 176 yards, highlighted by a 32-yard touchdown strike to tight end Anthony Mague.  
 
Linebacker Gavin Johnson posted a career-high 3.0 sacks with nine tackles, while linebacker Nate Atkins recorded a team-high 11 tackles.
 
Defensive tackle Bill Murray (1.5 sacks) and linebacker Tyler Crist (sack /2.5 TFL) also came up big defensively, while cornerback Corey Parker added a career-high four PBU and blocked a punt for the second-consecutive week.
 
Inside the Numbers
W&M outgained Elon, 452-369, and dominated the ground game, 276-120.
 
The Tribe punted just once but missed six of its seven field goal attempts.
 
Both teams had one turnover apiece, but the Tribe equaled a season high with 6.0 sacks and posted 9.0 TFL for the second consecutive contest.
                   
The Opposition
Quarterback Davis Cheek completed 28 of 42 passes for 247 yards with two touchdowns.
 
Tight end Matt Foster (5-48) and wideout Kortez Weeks (5-41) both recorded touchdown catches.
 
Defensive back Greg Liggs tallied a game-high 12 tackles, while defensive end Marcus Willoughby added a pair of sacks.
 
Notes
In addition to playing the most overtime sessions in school history, it marked W&Ms first overtime game since winning at Stony Brook in 2014 … W&M improves to 8-4 all-time in overtime games …  Mague's 32-yard touchdown catch midway through the second quarter was the first score of his career.
 
Up Next
The Tribe will return to action when it hosts Rhode Island at Zable Stadium next Saturday at 1 p.m. Tickets for the contest are available by clicking here or by calling the Tribe Ticket Office.