LEXINGTON, VA-For the first time since November of 2008, No. 17 Hampden-Sydney (8-1, 4-1) fell in a regular season game as the Tigers lost 38-27 to ODAC-foe Washington and Lee (7-2. 6-0). The Generals have now punched their ticket to the NCAA Playoffs by going through the conference schedule undefeated and winning the ODAC Championship.
Though the Tigers took a 14-7 first quarter lead, the Generals scored 17 unanswered points in the second quarter to take a 24-14 lead that they would not relinquish.
Hampden-Sydney looked solid early, scoring on the first drive of the game. After seven plays for 60 yards, junior quarterback Travis Lane (Richmond, VA/Mills Godwin) took the ball across the end zone on a four yard scamper.
The ODAC's leading offense took just four minutes to respond with a Harrison Hudson two-yard touchdown run.
The Tigers came right back, however, to reclaim the lead. Just three minutes after Washington and Lee's equalizer, Lane threw for his first of three touchdown passes of the day, completing a three yard pass to John Michael Sparagna (Mechanicsville, VA/Atlee).
Hampden-Sydney's defense made the first stop of the game, early in the second quarter, but a Lane interception immediately began the next General drive. The Generals soon capitalized, tying the game again with a Brett Murray one-yard touchdown.
Another Tiger turnover set up the General's next score - a Hudson one yard one - where the Generals took their first lead of the game at 21-14.
Washington and Lee was able to hit the scoreboard one more time before intermission with a 36-yard field goal to take the 24-14 halftime lead.
The third quarter was a defensive battle, with six scoreless possessions. Washington and Lee extended the seventh possession into the fourth quarter, and Murray capped off the drive with his second score of the game from two yards out.
Hampden-Sydney responded, however, just three minutes later with a scoring drive of its own. The Tigers took 13 plays to drive 65 yards ending with a four yard touchdown reception from Kyle Vance (Onley, VA/Broadwater Academy). With the score, the Tiger deficit was cut to 31-21.
The Tiger defense forced a General punt, but the Washington and Lee defense held strong, forcing a turnover on downs. The Generals took that momentum to score three plays later on a Hudson touchdown reception from 18 yards out.
Hampden-Sydney came back one more time, as Andrew Bruckner (Chesterfield, VA/L.C. Bird) caught an 18 yard touchdown reception, but with just seven seconds left on the clock it was not enough as the Tigers fell 38-27.
On the day, Lane was 29-for-52 with three touchdowns, 295 yards and four interceptions. Bruckner hauled in a game-high 126 yards and a touchdown on nine receptions. Vance caught 11 passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. Lane also led the team in rushing with 55 yards and a score.
The Generals tallied 315 yards rushing while Hudson led the way with 100 yards and two scores. Murray was not far behind with 95 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Charlie Westfal was 5-for-8 with 59 yards and a score.
Defensively, senior Trevor Ikwild (Philomont, VA/Loudoun Valley) tallied a game-high 14 tackles. Steven Fogleman (Mechanicsville, VA/Hanover) had 11 stops while Thomas McDonald (Chesterfiled, VA/L.C. Bird) tallied eight.
Hampden-Sydney will return to action Saturday November 13, as it hosts arch-rival Randolph-Macon College (7-2, 3-2). Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm.
