GREENVILLE, S.C. – The William & Mary football team was edged at Furman, 23-21, in its season opener on Saturday afternoon at Paladin Stadium.

W&M led 21-14 late in the third quarter, but the Paladins closed the game with three field goals from Ian Williams (50, 42, 32) to secure the season-opening victory.

Following Williams' final field goal from 32 yards out with 2:43 remaining, the Tribe took possession at its own 25-yard line but was unable to pick up a first down.

W&M outgained FU, 352-237, and owned advantages on the ground, 144-58, and through the air, 208-179.

Making just his second career start, quarterback Tyler Hughes completed 19-of-31 passes for 208 yards with a touchdown and rushed for 57 yards on 15 carries with a score.

Running back Rashad Raymond also found the end zone with a 3-yard touchdown early in the second quarter to knot the contest at 7-7 and finished the contest with 55 yards on 12 carries.

Tight end Sean McElwain posted three receptions for 42 yards, highlighted by a 9-yard touchdown catch with 5:26 remaining in the third quarter that gave W&M a 21-14 advantage. Wideouts Deven Thompson (3-63) and Isaiah Lemmond (4-45) also helped lead a group of eight players who recorded at least one catch.

Linebacker Luke Banbury totaled a career-high 14 tackles with a fumble recovery and PBU, while linebacker Harrison Johnson added a career-best 13 stops.

Defensive linemen Ty Gordon and Justin Krueger both recorded strip sacks, while linebacker Jaden Boring tallied five tackles, a sack and a PBU.

Furman jumped out to a 7-0 lead with a 43-yard pick-six by Taylen Blaylock on the game's opening possession.

After Raymond's 3-yard touchdown evened the score early in the second quarter, the Paladins regained the lead on its ensuing possession when Trey Hedden connected with Evan James on a 4-yard touchdown pass.

FU looked as if it might add to the margin during the closing moments of the opening half when it drove inside the red zone, but Krueger strip sacked Hedden and Banbury came up with the loose ball. W&M quickly moved to the Paladins' 10-yard line but a 28-yard field goal attempt as time expired was wide.

After forcing a Furman punt on the initial drive of the second half, W&M tied the score at 14-14 with a 1-yard touchdown run by Hughes. The four-play, 80-yard drive was highlighted with a 46-yard completion from Hughes to Thompson.

The Tribe's defense forced a three-and-out on the following drive before taking the lead with Hughes' touchdown pass to McElwain. However, Furman held the Tribe scoreless the rest of the way and earned the non-conference win with three field goals down the stretch.

W&M will return to action when it hosts Maine at Zable Stadium next Saturday at 6 p.m.

Season tickets, mini plans and single-game tickets for all W&M's home games are available at TribeAthletics.com. Learn more about the enhanced fan experience at Zable Stadium for the 2025 season, including security improvements, pre-game areas, shuttle service, the new Kids Zone, fan experience upgrades, and more at TribeAthletics.com.