William and Mary score 13 points in 55 seconds to beat Villanova

William & Mary erased a 10-point deficit in the final 55 seconds Friday night, scoring 13 unanswered points to stun No. 7 Villanova 35-32 in the season and Patriot League opener for both teams.

The Tribe’s comeback began when junior kicker Max Lipinski converted a field goal to make it 32-25. The 45-yard kick put an end to the game-winning sequence, which started when William & Mary recovered the ensuing onside kick at the Wildcats 39-yard line.

With only 22 seconds left, junior quarterback Winston Watkins connected with sophomore receiver Kai Austin for a 37-yard touchdown. The extra point tied the game at 32-32 and completed a 13-point burst.

William and Mary was down double digits to No. 7 Villanova with under a minute left to play.

Then this happened pic.twitter.com/8BPsrbzrLj

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 29, 2026

Villanova had another opportunity after the kickoff, but sixth-year quarterback Pat McQuaide threw his third interception of the night with less than 10 seconds remaining. Freshman defensive back Cade Ellis intercepted the pass and returned it 24 yards to the Wildcats’ 28-yard line, putting the Tribe within range for the winning kick.

Lipinski then converted his fifth field goal of the game, hitting from 45 yards as time expired to complete the 35-32 comeback.

McQuaide finished 17-for-30 for 270 yards and one touchdown, but his three interceptions proved costly. His availability had also been uncertain before kickoff because of an eligibility dispute. A preliminary injunction issued just hours before the game allowed him to play after the Patriot League had previously ruled him ineligible.

Watkins completed the night with 254 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed for 72 yards on 21 carries and scored another touchdown.

Villanova had entered the matchup after winning nine consecutive season openers, a streak dating to Mark Ferrante’s arrival as head coach. The Wildcats were also an FCS semifinalist the previous season and entered the game ranked among the nation’s top teams.

Both programs were making their Patriot League debuts after moving from the Coastal Athletic Association, but William & Mary left the opener with a 35-32 win after its 13-point explosion in the final minute.

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