Brian Pate’s 37-yard field goal lifts William & Mary past New Hampshire 20-17

William & Mary beats New Hampshire 20-17

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Brian Pate kicked a 37-yard field goal with 2:54 left to lift William & Mary to a 20-17 win over New Hampshire on Saturday.

William & Mary needs to beat Richmond and have Villanova lose to Delaware next Saturday to claim the Colonial Athletic Association regular season title.

Jonathan Grimes rushed for 136 yards on 23 carries for the Tribe (9-1, 6-1 CAA), who improved to 9-1 for the first time since 1947. R.J. Archer threw for 122 yards and an interception, including a 10-yard touchdown pass to Chase Hill to give William & Mary a 17-10 lead in the third quarter.

The Wildcats (8-2, 5-2) tied the game at 17-17 on R.J. Toman’s 35-yard pass to Joey Orlando with 8:17 left in the fourth quarter. But the Tribe used an 11-play, 52-yard drive that was capped by Pate’s game winner.

Toman went 18-for-37 for 199 yards and two interceptions.