William & Mary beats Duquesne 52-49 in FCS Playoffs

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) Steve Cluley threw three touchdown passes to DeVonte Dedmon, Kendell Anderson added two rushing scores and William & Mary beat Duquesne 52-49 on Saturday in the first round of the FCS playoffs.

Up 31-24, William & Mary's Tyler Claytor blocked a 24-yard field goal and gave way to DeAndre Houston-Carson to scoop it up and race for a 65-yard touchdown.

In the fourth, Duquesne recovered a fumble but Dillon Buechel threw an interception on its next play. Two plays later, William & Mary fumbled again and Austin Crimmins made a 35-yard field goal to cut Duquesne's deficit to 45-41. But Anderson's 8-yard touchdown run made it 52-41.

Wayne Capers Jr. made a fingertip catch in the end zone for a 42-yard score and Duquesne converted the 2-point conversion with 1:11 left to pull within 52-49. But William & Mary recovered the onside kick.

Cluley threw for 251 yards with two interceptions for William & Mary (9-3). Dedmon had three catches for 99 yards and Anderson ran for 137 yards.

Buechel passed for 423 yards with a career-high six touchdown passes and two interceptions for Duquesne (8-4).