THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 17, 1994 TAG: 9410170176
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: CHARLIE DENN
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
It was going to be a big game anyway. But after the events that took place this past weekend, Saturday's William and Mary at James Madison game shapes up as immense.
After losing to Massachusetts, 23-14, the Tribe is 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Mid-Atlantic Division of the Yankee Conference. JMU is also 3-1 in the league, 5-1 overall.
So the winner of this week's game figures to be in the driver's seat for the division championship. That will probably mean an automatic ticket to the I-AA playoffs.
Where does that leave the loser? In an uncomfortable spot, most likely.
``We have two losses. We went to the playoffs last year with two losses,'' said Tribe coach Jimmye Laycock. ``It's not the two losses, it's what we do from here on that matters.''
A third loss wouldn't necessarily end the Tribe's playoff hopes. But it would be an extremely difficult hurdle.
``We all knew the JMU game was big,'' said W&M quarterback Matt Byrne. ``But now this makes it a must-win situation for us. We're no longer in control of our own destiny.''
So who will be the quarterback against JMU? More than likely it appears Shawn Knight will start if he's healthy. He was partially hobbled when he came into the UMass game in an effort to light a fire under the W&M offense late in the game, and failed to complete a pass in four tries. One of his throws was intercepted and returned for a touchdown.
``We'll see,'' said Knight when asked if he would be able to play against JMU. ``My ankle felt sore when I went in and things are still pretty much day-to-day.''
If Knight can't go, that leaves the responsibility to Byrne. Byrne was 10-of-21 for 80 yards but was intercepted twice against UMass.
``It's frustrating and very disappointing,'' said Byrne. ``I'm finally getting a chance to play, and I can't move the team.'' by CNB