2009 William & Mary Tribe football team
Encyclopedia
The 2009 William & Mary Tribe football team represented the College of William & Mary in National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) college football
during the 2009 season
. William & Mary competed as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association
(CAA) under head football coach Jimmye Laycock
and played their home games at Zable Stadium
. The 2009 campaign came on the heels of a 7–4 record in 2008.
The 2009 Tribe football team finished #4 in The Sports Network
's final poll, which was the second highest final ranking William & Mary had ever earned (they finished #3 in 2004).
(UVa) in Charlottesville
. UVa, an FBS team, was expected to win handily. However, the Tribe forced a UVa school record-tying seven turnovers and won the game 26–14. It was William & Mary's first win over Virginia since 1986 and their first over an FBS school since 1998 (a 45–38 win over Temple
). Tribe redshirt
freshman cornerback
B.W. Webb intercepted three passes, including a 50-yard pick six
late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory. Webb was named the College Football National Defensive Player of the Week by the press. This selection marked the first time since the award's inception in 2001 that any player from an FCS school earned the distinction. Webb's game-sealing third interception was also chosen as SportsCenter
's #5 play of the day on its daily Top 10 Plays segment.
The October 3rd match-up pitted the #5 Tribe against the #2 Villanova Wildcats. Both teams headed into the contest with 4–0 (1–0 CAA) records. The 3:30 p.m. game was broadcasted live on the Versus
network, making it the first-ever nationally televised CAA football game. Villanova won the game 28–17.
After defeating the #8 New Hampshire Wildcats on November 14th, the Tribe tied their program's best record through 10 games since the 1947 season. The victory improved William & Mary's record to 5–0 at home on the season, marking the first time since 2004
that they had posted an undefeated regular season mark at Zable Stadium
.
Capital Cup showdown
The I-64 Trophy, given to the winner of the annual rivalry game with Richmond (dubbed the I-64 Bowl), was replaced in 2009 with the Capital Cup, which honors the entire 118-game history of the rivalry (through 2008) between the schools and the status of the two cities as the last two capitals of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Both the trophy and game's names were changed to be called the Capital Cup. The 2009 edition turned out to be the most anticipated match-up in the long series' history. Both teams headed into the regular season finale with 9–1 (6–1 CAA) records, and each of the teams' single losses came to Villanova. The #5 Tribe had matched their best record through 10 games since the 1947 season, while the #4 Spiders were also looking for their first 10-win regular season in school history. The game contained not only playoff seeding ramifications, but a minimum share of the conference title was also on the line (the winner of the UR–W&M game would be the CAA's outright winner if #2 Villanova were to be upset by #25 Delaware
).
The game was a defensive struggle as most possessions resulted in three-and-outs or, at most, one or two first downs. Tied at 10 apiece with less than 20 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter, William & Mary attempted one last play in Richmond territory to move close enough for a game-winning field goal. However, Tribe quarterback R. J. Archer
threw an interception with 14 seconds left, giving the Spiders one last possession. After two pass completions covering close to 30 yards, Spiders kicker Andrew Howard converted a 48-yard field goal as time expired to give Richmond the win and a share of the conference title (Villanova would go on to win their game later that afternoon). Howard had only been 1-for-3 in field goal attempts prior to his game-winning kick.
In the second round, William & Mary traveled to Carbondale, Illinois
to take on the #1 ranked Southern Illinois Salukis
. The Salukis boasted an offense that averaged more than 400 yards per game and over 34 points per game. After trailing 3–0 at the end of the first quarter, William & Mary's defense (#1 in the nation for rushing, #3 overall) stymied Southern Illinois for the remainder of the game and the Tribe stunned the host 24–3. The victory marked head coach Jimmye Laycock
's 200th career victory (all at W&M), and also made him just the 13th FCS head coach to ever earn that many wins. It also helped the Tribe tie a single season school record of 11 wins which had been set back in 2004, the first and last time that they had reached the national semifinals.
On December 11th at 8:00 p.m., #6 William & Mary versus #2 Villanova met once again at Villanova Stadium
for a national semifinal face-off. The game was broadcast live on ESPN2
, and either winner of this match-up was going to make their first-ever national championship appearance in football. The Wildcats (12–1–0) came back from a 10–0 halftime deficit to defeat the Tribe for the second time in that season, 14–13. Villanova would then move on to defeat the Montana Grizzlies
, 23–21, in the national championship.
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
during the 2009 season
2009 NCAA Division I FCS football season
The 2009 NCAA Division I FCS football season, part of the college football season, began in August 2009 and concluded with the national championship game on December 18, 2009 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, won by Villanova 23–21 over Montana.-Rule changes for 2009:The NCAA football rules committee...
. William & Mary competed as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association
Colonial Athletic Association
The Colonial Athletic Association is a NCAA Division I college athletic conference whose full-time members are located in East Coast states from Massachusetts to Georgia. Most of its members are public universities, with five in Virginia alone, and the conference is headquartered in Richmond,...
(CAA) under head football coach Jimmye Laycock
Jimmye Laycock
Jimmye Laycock has served as head football coach at the College of William & Mary since 1980. Laycock graduated from William & Mary in 1970 and played quarterback under legendary coaches Marv Levy and Lou Holtz...
and played their home games at Zable Stadium
Zable Stadium
Walter J. Zable Stadium at Cary Field, named for Walter J. Zable, former member of the College of William & Mary Board of Visitors, is located in Williamsburg, Virginia and is the home of the William and Mary Tribe football team. It is located centrally in the William & Mary campus, adjoining the...
. The 2009 campaign came on the heels of a 7–4 record in 2008.
The 2009 Tribe football team finished #4 in The Sports Network
The Sports Network (wire service)
Based in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, The Sports Network is a wire service providing sports information in real time. Their Web site claims that they are "the largest privately owned international sports information service in North America and possibly the world"...
's final poll, which was the second highest final ranking William & Mary had ever earned (they finished #3 in 2004).
Schedule
Regular season
On September 5th, William & Mary opened their season against their academic rivals, the Virginia Cavaliers2009 Virginia Cavaliers football team
The 2009 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia in the 2009 season as a member of the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Cavaliers were led by ninth-year head coach Al Groh...
(UVa) in Charlottesville
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
. UVa, an FBS team, was expected to win handily. However, the Tribe forced a UVa school record-tying seven turnovers and won the game 26–14. It was William & Mary's first win over Virginia since 1986 and their first over an FBS school since 1998 (a 45–38 win over Temple
Temple Owls football
The Temple Owls football team participates in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference...
). Tribe redshirt
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
freshman cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
B.W. Webb intercepted three passes, including a 50-yard pick six
Interception (football)
An interception, intercept or pick is a move in many forms of football, including Canadian and American football, as well as rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football and Gaelic football, which involves a pass, either by foot or hand, being caught by an opposition player, who usually...
late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory. Webb was named the College Football National Defensive Player of the Week by the press. This selection marked the first time since the award's inception in 2001 that any player from an FCS school earned the distinction. Webb's game-sealing third interception was also chosen as SportsCenter
SportsCenter
SportsCenter is a daily sports news television show, and the flagship program of American cable network ESPN since the network launched on September 7, 1979. Originally broadcast only daily, SportsCenter is now shown up to twelve times a day, replaying the day's scores and highlights from major...
's #5 play of the day on its daily Top 10 Plays segment.
The October 3rd match-up pitted the #5 Tribe against the #2 Villanova Wildcats. Both teams headed into the contest with 4–0 (1–0 CAA) records. The 3:30 p.m. game was broadcasted live on the Versus
Versus (TV channel)
Versus is a sports-oriented cable television channel in the United States. It was previously known as Outdoor Life Network and was launched on July 1, 1995, focusing on fishing, hunting, and other outdoor sports...
network, making it the first-ever nationally televised CAA football game. Villanova won the game 28–17.
After defeating the #8 New Hampshire Wildcats on November 14th, the Tribe tied their program's best record through 10 games since the 1947 season. The victory improved William & Mary's record to 5–0 at home on the season, marking the first time since 2004
2004 William & Mary Tribe football team
The 2004 William & Mary Tribe football team represented the College of William & Mary in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-AA college football during the 2004 season...
that they had posted an undefeated regular season mark at Zable Stadium
Zable Stadium
Walter J. Zable Stadium at Cary Field, named for Walter J. Zable, former member of the College of William & Mary Board of Visitors, is located in Williamsburg, Virginia and is the home of the William and Mary Tribe football team. It is located centrally in the William & Mary campus, adjoining the...
.
Capital Cup showdown
The I-64 Trophy, given to the winner of the annual rivalry game with Richmond (dubbed the I-64 Bowl), was replaced in 2009 with the Capital Cup, which honors the entire 118-game history of the rivalry (through 2008) between the schools and the status of the two cities as the last two capitals of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Both the trophy and game's names were changed to be called the Capital Cup. The 2009 edition turned out to be the most anticipated match-up in the long series' history. Both teams headed into the regular season finale with 9–1 (6–1 CAA) records, and each of the teams' single losses came to Villanova. The #5 Tribe had matched their best record through 10 games since the 1947 season, while the #4 Spiders were also looking for their first 10-win regular season in school history. The game contained not only playoff seeding ramifications, but a minimum share of the conference title was also on the line (the winner of the UR–W&M game would be the CAA's outright winner if #2 Villanova were to be upset by #25 Delaware
2009 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team
The 2009 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team represented the University of Delaware in the 2009–2010 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Championship Subdivision college football season. They played their home games at Delaware Stadium in Newark, Delaware...
).
The game was a defensive struggle as most possessions resulted in three-and-outs or, at most, one or two first downs. Tied at 10 apiece with less than 20 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter, William & Mary attempted one last play in Richmond territory to move close enough for a game-winning field goal. However, Tribe quarterback R. J. Archer
R. J. Archer
Rush James "R.J." Archer II is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Georgia Force. He went undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft, but was signed by the Vikings as an undrafted free agent....
threw an interception with 14 seconds left, giving the Spiders one last possession. After two pass completions covering close to 30 yards, Spiders kicker Andrew Howard converted a 48-yard field goal as time expired to give Richmond the win and a share of the conference title (Villanova would go on to win their game later that afternoon). Howard had only been 1-for-3 in field goal attempts prior to his game-winning kick.
Playoffs
With the loss, William & Mary finished the regular season 9–2 (6–2 CAA). When the FCS playoff bracket was announced, the #6 Tribe found out that they would be hosting the #15 Weber State Wildcats on November 28th. In the first-ever meeting between the schools, William & Mary utilized a season-high four interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) to easily handle the Wildcats 38–0.In the second round, William & Mary traveled to Carbondale, Illinois
Carbondale, Illinois
Carbondale is a city in Jackson County, in the state of Illinois, within the Southern Illinois region. It is located at the junction of Illinois Route 13 and U.S. Route 51, southeast of St. Louis, Missouri, on the northern edge of the Shawnee National Forest...
to take on the #1 ranked Southern Illinois Salukis
Southern Illinois Salukis football
The Southern Illinois Salukis football team represents Southern Illinois University Carbondale in football. The Salukis are a member of the NCAA and compete at the Division I Football Championship Subdivision level...
. The Salukis boasted an offense that averaged more than 400 yards per game and over 34 points per game. After trailing 3–0 at the end of the first quarter, William & Mary's defense (#1 in the nation for rushing, #3 overall) stymied Southern Illinois for the remainder of the game and the Tribe stunned the host 24–3. The victory marked head coach Jimmye Laycock
Jimmye Laycock
Jimmye Laycock has served as head football coach at the College of William & Mary since 1980. Laycock graduated from William & Mary in 1970 and played quarterback under legendary coaches Marv Levy and Lou Holtz...
's 200th career victory (all at W&M), and also made him just the 13th FCS head coach to ever earn that many wins. It also helped the Tribe tie a single season school record of 11 wins which had been set back in 2004, the first and last time that they had reached the national semifinals.
On December 11th at 8:00 p.m., #6 William & Mary versus #2 Villanova met once again at Villanova Stadium
Villanova Stadium
Villanova Stadium is a stadium located on the campus of Villanova University in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania, USA.Villanova Stadium was originally built in 1927 and dedicated on October 8, 1927, Villanova Stadium plays host to a wide variety of events including serving as home to the Villanova...
for a national semifinal face-off. The game was broadcast live on ESPN2
ESPN2
ESPN2 is an American sports cable television network owned by ESPN. The channel debuted on October 1, 1993.Originally nicknamed "the deuce," ESPN2 was initially branded as a network for a younger generation of sports fans featuring edgier graphics as well as extreme sports like motocross,...
, and either winner of this match-up was going to make their first-ever national championship appearance in football. The Wildcats (12–1–0) came back from a 10–0 halftime deficit to defeat the Tribe for the second time in that season, 14–13. Villanova would then move on to defeat the Montana Grizzlies
Montana Grizzlies football
The Montana Grizzlies football program represents the University of Montana in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision of college football. The Grizzlies have competed in the Big Sky Conference, where it is a founding member, since 1963...
, 23–21, in the national championship.
See also
- 2009 NCAA Division I FCS football season2009 NCAA Division I FCS football seasonThe 2009 NCAA Division I FCS football season, part of the college football season, began in August 2009 and concluded with the national championship game on December 18, 2009 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, won by Villanova 23–21 over Montana.-Rule changes for 2009:The NCAA football rules committee...
- William & Mary Tribe football, 2000–2009William & Mary Tribe football, 2000–2009The William & Mary Tribe football teams represented The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States. The program was established in 1893 and serves as William & Mary's oldest athletic team...