Smith's 7-yard run in second OT beats Delaware

Updated: December 4, 2004, 8:18 PM ET

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Associated Press

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. -- Jon Smith scored on a 7-yard run in the second overtime as William & Mary rallied from a 21-point deficit Saturday to beat Delaware 44-38 and advance to the Division I-AA semifinals for the first time in school history.

William & Mary (11-3), which trailed 31-10 at halftime, forced overtime on Lang Campbell's 15-yard touchdown pass to Joe Nicholas to make it 31-31 with 1:56 left in regulation. The touchdown capped a 12-play, 68-yard drive.

Delaware (9-4), the defending national champion, got the first possession in overtime and scored on a 7-yard pass from Sonny Riccio to Justin Long. The Tribe responded with a second Campbell-to-Nicholas touchdown pass, this one covering 2 yards.

Smith scored on the fifth play of the second overtime. Greg Kuehn missed the point-after, creating an opportunity for Delaware, but the Blue Hens stalled at the 9-yard line.

Omar Cuff, who had 170 yards on 27 carries, scored two touchdowns to help Delaware to the big halftime lead.

After a scoreless third quarter, Stephen Cason returned an interception 62 yards for a touchdown to pull the Tribe within 31-17 with 14:50 left. Smith scored on a 2-yard run with 9:56 remaining before Lang and Nicholas hooked up to send the game into overtime.

Campbell was 30-of-53 for 342 yards and three touchdowns. Dominique Thompson caught nine passes for 185 yards, and Nicholas had 11 receptions for 94 yards.

Riccio was 24-of-41 for 262 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to David Boler, who caught 10 passes for 153 yards.