Tribe stuns error-prone Cavaliers

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Let a team like William and Mary hang around long enough, and they just might start thinking they belong.

Which they do.

The Tribe defeated the Hoos for the first time since 1986, a 26-14 victory orchestrated by a Charlottesville native, quarterback R.J. Archer.

He had an assist from U.Va., which stumbled and bumbled over itself in all three phases of the game.

On a night where the Cavs were supposed to unveil a three-headed quarterback monster, the best signal-caller on the field was wearing a gold helmet. Not only that, the Tribe had the better punter and defensive line.

In light of yesterday's events across the region, it can now be asked without any irony or intended humor whether the ACC really is that much better than its FCS counterpart.

The Tribe started taking over the game in the second quarter, finishing the half with seven more minutes of possession than the Cavs.

Kicker Brian Pate attempted five field goals in the quarter but only converted on two, giving U.Va. a slim halftime margin.

The Cavs struggled to find a groove on offense, no matter which quarterback they used -- all of them turned the ball over at least once.

Vic Hall went first, getting off to a strong start with a rushing touchdown, then exchanging short drives with Archer and the Tribe, which evened the score on Archer's 5-yard pass to Rob Varno.

Next up was Jameel Sewell, who had more pocket presence but also threw two interceptions allowing the Tribe its field goal binge.

Finally in the fourth quarter, a desperate Cavs squad turned to Marc Verica. He was no better, including a forced fumble in the pocket on pressure from Jake Trantin that gave the Tribe position for another field goal, this one turning the score to 19-14.

That also elicited scattered booing from the U.Va. crowd, which already was uneasy about coach Al Groh heading into this season.

He now must produce against TCU and Southern Miss, or he might not see the end of his ninth season at the helm.

Meanwhile the Tribe can celebrate one of the biggest wins in coach Jimmye Laycock's tenure. And let there be no doubt, on a big stage in front of more than 50,000 people, they belonged.