THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996 TAG: 9608270509
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: V23 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: College Forecast
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG LENGTH: 75 lines
Winning football has become as much a part of the autumn landscape here as men in powdered wigs and busloads of tourists.
Over the past decade, the Tribe of William and Mary has averaged nearly eight wins a year. Over the past four years, the Tribe has gone 33-12, the best run in school history.
Expectations have risen to the point where last year's 7-4 finish was considered a disappointment. The Tribe had 19 starters returning, and expected to make the Division I-AA playoffs, and contend for a national title. Instead, three close losses (the fourth loss was to Division I-A Virginia) kept William and Mary home for the second straight year.
Can a less-experienced Tribe return to the I-AA playoffs? Here are the key questions.
Who will carry the offensive load?
For the first time in several years, the Tribe does not have a returning star at running back. Troy Keen and Derek Fitzgerald, who combined for 2,008 yards last year and 6,700 yards the past four years, have graduated.
Junior Alvin Porch, who has 46 career carries, is the most experienced running back. A host of young backs will compete for playing time.
The good news is that most of the offensive line returns, led by All-American tackle Josh Beyer.
``If we open up a 6-foot hole, even I could run through it,'' Beyer said.
Will it be business-as-usual for the Tribe's passing game?
It's too soon to tell. The Tribe's normally potent air attack stalled at times last year under the unsteady hand of quarterback Matt Byrne. A pair of redshirt sophomores, Mike Cook and Steve Fill, are competing for the job this year.
Both are big and strong - and inexperienced.
``It's just a matter of who can be consistent, and who can pull off a big play now and then,'' coach Jimmye Laycock said.
Among the receivers, the only proven big-play threat is Josh Whipple, who averaged 25.3 yards on 17 receptions last year.
``We may be counting on the defense to come up with some big plays,'' Laycock said.
Is the defense for real?
Seems so. For years, the Tribe would score six touchdowns and give up five. The 1990 team, the most successful in school history, scored 343 points, and gave up 320.
Those days appear to be over, however. Last year's defense allowed just 184 points in 11 games, and that includes the 40 it gave up to Virginia. Six starters return.
``Our defense never got any respect,'' safety Darren Sharper said. ``But we've built it up year by year.''
Sharper is a two-time All-American who intercepted 14 passes the past two years. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he is considered an NFL prospect.
``To get to the next level, I've got to dominate at this level,'' Sharper said. ``I've gotten bigger, stronger and faster by staying up here and working out over the summer.
``Now I can consider myself one of the big guys.''
Who are the Tribe's other big guys?
Beyer, who was a svelte 225 pounds as a freshman, is now road-grader size, at 6-5, 305.
``I stopped getting taller, and I started filling out,'' Beyer said.
Whipple carries 215 pounds on a 6-2 frame. He can bench press 400 pounds, making him one of the strongest receivers in the nation.
``I just do the (weight-lifting) routines I'm given,'' he said. ``Whatever happens, happens.''
How is the schedule?
Softer than last year's. Virginia has been replaced by Central Florida, which is in its first year in I-A. James Madison and Delaware will be the toughest conference foes. ILLUSTRATION: B\W photo
Graphic
William and Mary by CNB