Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 28, 1994 TAG: 9408260018
SECTION: COLLEGE FOOTBALL PAGE: FB7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
1993 record: 6-5 overall, 4-4 Yankee Conference (third in Mid-Atlantic Division).
Coach: Rip Scherer, fourth year (19-16 overall and at JMU).
Returning starters (18): QB Mike Cawley, TB Rhadshaun Miles, FB Steve Agee, WR Juan Dorsey, TE Ed Perry, T Brent Secrist, G Mike Long, G John Kraus, C David Bailey, DT Tyrone Washington, DE Julius Williams, ILB Brian Smith, OLB Clint Dunn, OLB Alonzo Bowler, CB Dwight Robinson, CB David Quattlebaum, SS David Lee, FS John Stein.
Starters lost (6): WR David McLeod, C Brad Morris, DL Malik Moody, DL Dion Foxx, K Trey Weis, P Scott Frazier.
New faces: CB Kelly Wiltshire, P Lewis Cassada, K John Coursey, WR Macey Brooks, WR Jay Jones, WR John Allen.
Strengths: Talent and speed at receivers, where balance will help the Dukes' offense; depth on the offensive line is the best in Scherer's four years as coach; the secondary, led by CB Dwight Robinson, is filled with experience and versatility.
Concerns: The running game was ripped by injuries at tailback last season, and JMU must find two dependable performers there; the kicking game is easily Scherer's biggest concern, because nobody has game experience.
Projections: An 8-3 finish isn't out of the question for the Dukes, who should be a contender for one of 16 NCAA Division I-AA playoff berths. JMU will challenge Delaware for the title in the Yankee Conference's Mid-Atlantic Division, although the Dukes play their first three conference games on the road. JMU has 39 of its top 44 position players back from last season, and while Scherer's team again will put up big numbers offensively, it's an improved defense that should make the Dukes better.
\ Liberty
1993 record: 6-5 overall.
Coach: Sam Rutigliano, sixth year (31-23 overall and at LU).
Returning starters (16): QB Antwan Chiles, WR Dion Cook, T Roosevelt Nivens, T Chris Goede, G Jason Smart, G Steve Mock, C Ron Frere, K Daniel Whitehead, P Eric Colvard, DL Manson Clark, DL Damon Bomar, DL Ruben Freeman, LB David Long, LB Kelvin Cochran, DB Marcus Leggett, DB Sedrick Watkins.
Starters lost (8): RB Adrian Cherry, WR James McKnight, WR Maurice Jones, TE Dwayne Carswell, DB Calvin Thompson, DB Chris Hadley, LB Dion Krause, DL Bobby Walker.
New faces: RB J.T. Morris, OL Hunter Hunter, FS Brian McGoldrick, T Jerry Scranton, LB Herman Calloway, RB Butch Jennings.
Strengths: Morris' decision to transfer from Penn State to his hometown school should give Chiles another weapon on offense. Rutigliano says kicker Daniel Whitehead and punter Eric Colvard ``both have the opportunity to play in the NFL, and the offensive line is the strongest the Flames have had in Rutigliano's six seasons.
Concerns: A lack of experienced depth on both lines concerns . The secondary also is very young, and the passing game will need time to develop with a new corps of receivers.
Projections: The arrival of Morris, a former Heritage High School star, could be enough to give the Flames their first I-AA playoff bid. Rutigliano said he can see Morris ``very easily gaining 1,500 yards on the ground and 1,500 catching the ball.'' The schedule isn't as tough as some of those Liberty has played in recent years. Anything less than 8-3 should be considered a disappointment.
\ Richmond
1993 record: 5-6 overall; 3-5 Yankee Conference (fourth in Mid-Atlantic Division).
Coach: Jim Marshall, sixth year (16-39 overall and at UR).
Returning starters (11): RB Uly Scott, G C.J. Lindhjem, G Matt Farmer, S Maurice Glenn, S Scott Burton, CB Brian Lyle, LB Ray Geoffroy, LB Jason Gredell, LB Edmond Mintah, LB Carlos McCain, P Bobby St.Pierre.
Starters lost (13): QB Greg Lilly, FB Mike Henderson, WR Rod Boothes, WR Jason Rydalch, TE Price Williams, T Scott Wenk, T Shawn Herock, G Greg Ballowe, K Kevin Longacre, DT Matt Joyce, DT Matt Cornwell, LB Jeff Edmiston, NT Jon Pritchett.
New faces: TE Brian Holtorf, TE Rahmaan Streater, QB Jason Gabrels, QB Joe Elrod, K Mike White, SS Shawn Barber, CB Lamont Neal.
Strengths: Lyle's return from a year-long injury and star safety Maurice Glenn make the Richmond secondary almost as solid as the linebacking corps. Punter Bobby St.Pierre, the top pitcher in the Cape Cod League with nine victories this summer, is dependable, too, and running back Uly Scott has back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
Concerns: Only one of the top five receivers from last year returns; the offensive line must be rebuilt; and Marshall is borrowing from defense to do it. The quarterback competition between Gabrels and Elrod makes for an unsettled situation.
Projections: The Spiders lost their last five a year ago, and the schedule could be just as tough after they play four of their first five games on the road. If Richmond is to match last season's 5-6 finish, Marshall must find a consistent quarterback and be able to keep the first-unit offensive and defensive lines on the field. It's another building year at Richmond.
\ William & Mary
1993 record: 9-3 overall, 7-1 in Yankee Conference (first in Mid-Atlantic Division).
Coach: Jimmye Laycock, 15th year (90-67-2 overall and at W&M).
Returning starters (12): QB Shawn Knight, TB Derek Fitzgerald, TB Troy Keen, FB Greg Parker, WR Mike Tomlin, T John Stem, DE Melvin Griffin, DE Mike Bertoni, DT Brian Giamo, OLB Jason Miller, MLB Greg Applewhite, FS Darren Sharper.
Starters lost (12): T Rob Light, G Tom Walters, T Wally Vale, C Tony Tomich, TE Paul Horne, WR Corey Ludwig, DT Craig Staub, LB Eric Lambert, CB Marc Richards, CB Gerald Davis, SS Andy Ruckman, FS Erin McGuire.
New faces: G Josh Beyer, CB Joe Wilkins, CB Mark McCain, WR Terry Hammons, TE Warren Roark.
Strengths: The offensive backfield is led by record-setting Knight, but Laycock also has a pair of tailbacks and a fullback returning; the defensive front is the deepest position for the Tribe; and the linebacking corps is talented, if not deep.
Concerns: The secondary requires rebuilding, with sophomore Darren Sharper at free safety the only experienced starter; the offensive line lacks experience, but is huge; and W&M is looking for stability in its kicking game.
Projections: The Tribe has made the I-AA playoffs three of the past five years, including last season's first-round loss at McNeese State. The Indians have a superb quarterback in Knight, but matching last year's 9-2 regular-season finish will be difficult with inexperience on the offensive front. Laycock should have his 10th winning season in the past 12 years, but it might not be better than 7-4.
by CNB