THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 6, 1996 TAG: 9610060174
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG LENGTH: 60 lines
For William and Mary's defense, it was the equivalent of a mid-term exam.
The Tribe's defense entered Saturday's game with New Hampshire rated No. 1 in the Yankee Conference. But the defenders weren't sure they were ready for what New Hampshire - owner of the conference's top-rated offense - was bringing to town.
``We were quietly nervous they'd be able to get some points, and get some yards,'' Tribe middle linebacker Mike McGowan said.
New Hampshire got precious few of either as No. 17 William and Mary rolled over the 20th-ranked Wildcats 31-7 in front of 7,256 at Zable Stadium.
The Tribe (4-1, 2-0 Yankee) held New Hampshire (3-1, 2-1) to 194 yards of total offense. The Wildcats had been averaging 469.
William and Mary sacked New Hampshire quarterback Chris Bresnahan seven times and intercepted three of his passes. The Tribe held Jerry Azumah, the conference's leading rusher, to 73 yards on 17 carries. William and Mary has given up just one touchdown in the last eight quarters.
``We're playing as well as I've ever seen us play,'' defensive end Luke Cullinane said.
Cullinane had three sacks and three tackles for losses. He and fellow end Mike Bertoni hurried Bresnahan into bad throws several other times.
``We weren't blitzing that much,'' McGowan said. ``It was the ends just whipping up on those guys.''
The tackles were doing the same. Peter Coyne and Brian Giamo, both returning after missing three games with injuries, combined for eight tackles and two sacks. All-American safety Darren Sharper had 12 tackles and two interceptions. McGowan also had 12 tackles, a sack and an interception.
New Hampshire's only score came on a second-quarter drive that was kept alive on a roughing-the-kicker penalty. It took New Hampshire eight minutes and 15 plays to score.
The Tribe, by contrast, scored quickly. Quarterback Mike Cook found Billy Commons on a 46-yard pass on the Tribe's first play from scrimmage. Alvin Porch scored from 10 yards out on the next play and the Tribe led 7-0.
Cook scored the Tribe's next two touchdowns on bootleg plays. Porch set up the second score by catching a screen pass and running 66 yards to the New Hampshire 3.
``It wasn't like they were taking the ball and dominating our defense,'' New Hampshire coach Bill Bowes said. ``Every time it was a big play.''
Porch, who had been bothered by a shoulder injury, benefited from the Tribe's bye week last week. He carried the ball 28 times for 117 yards, and caught three passes for 93 more. He had 59 yards rushing in the fourth quarter.
``I don't mind the work,'' Porch said. ``Whatever they put on my plate, I'll eat.''
Cook threw for 306 yards, the third time this season he's thrown for 300 or more. He spread 15 completions among eight receivers.
The Tribe was least predicatable on third down, converting 9 of 15 third-down attempts, including 4 of 4 on a third-quarter drive that made it 28-7. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
HUY NGUYEN/The Virginian-Pilot
William and Mary receiver Josh Whipple can't make this first-quarter
grab, but the Tribe rolled over New Hampshire 31-7. by CNB