Dominant defense, improved running game lead William & Mary’s blowout win over Elon
William & Mary coach Mike London has trotted out the football canon about improving most from the first to second game often since the season-opening loss to Richmond two weeks ago.
But the Tribe was, in fact, so much better in its 31-10 blowout of Elon in their Colonial Athletic Association game Saturday at Zable Stadium, it’s hard to single out where the Tribe (1-1) improved most.
The running game, which netted just 72 yards in the 21-14 loss at Richmond, erupted for 247 yards on 42 attempts. Malachi Imoh, seeing extended time because top-two running backs Owen Wright and Donavyn Lester did not play, led the way with 10 carries for 137 yards and three touchdowns.
“I thought today that Imoh showed, as a true freshman, that he can be special,” London said. “Hats go off to the offensive line for being aggressive and tough.”
Quarterback Hollis Mathis, good in the Richmond game, was even better. He ran for 69 yards and passed for another 175 yards (13 of 23).
W&M’s defense was good throughout. Led by a terrific effort by the front seven — which batted down four passes and had three sacks — the Tribe limited the Phoenix (1-4) to 201 yards, just 59 of them on the ground on 28 attempts.
The Tribe defense set the tone on the first two series, limiting the Phoenix to 5 yards total. And when the offense stumbled on its second series — losing the ball on a fumble when Mathis was unable to handle a high snap — the defense came up big again.
Two key stops against the run forced Phoenix kicker Skyler Davis to try a 52-yard field goal he was short on.
The Tribe immediately seized the momentum. On second down, Imoh broke free on the left side behind the blocks of center Ryan Ripley, guard Dan Evers and tackle Andrew Trainer and ran for a 65-yard touchdown to give the Tribe a 7-0 lead with 5:44 to play in the second quarter.
Quarterback hurries by defensive end Carl Fowler and end Nate Lynn halted Elon’s march from its 38 to the Tribe 8. Two false starts moved the Phoenix back another 10 yards, and Elon had to settle for Davis’ 34-yard field goal that cut the Tribe’s lead to 7-3 with 41 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
The Tribe responded with a 75-yard touchdown drive to increase its lead. Mathis and Imoh shone, connecting on a 10-yard completion on third-and-9 to ignite the drive.
Mathis runs of 12 yards on third-and-7 and 7 yards on fourth-and-2 — moments after he scrambled before connecting with Cole Blackman for 14 yards — kept the march going. Imoh followed his left-side blockers again, this time on his way to a 38-yard touchdown, as the Tribe led 14-3 with 9:07 left in the first half.
Following a second lost fumble by the Tribe, cornerback Malcolm Spencer dropped a receiver for a 7-yard loss and linebacker Tyler Crist batted down a pass. That forced a third field-goal attempt by Davis, who missed from 49 yards.
Mathis would make the Phoenix rue the missed opportunities by leading the Tribe to 10 quick points in the third quarter. He bought time with his legs in completing a 20-yard pass to Blackman on fourth-and-3, then passed 36 yards to Blackman on a post to give the Tribe a 21-3 lead.
The defense, which limited the Phoenix to 25 yards on 11 plays in the third quarter, got Mathis the ball back quickly on a three-and-out. Mathis’ 17-yard pass to tight end Lachlan Pitts and his 30-yard run on a keeper set up Ethan Chang’s 28-yard field goal to make it 24-3.
Imoh completed his big day with a touchdown from 2 yards late in the game..
