THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 7, 1995 TAG: 9509070571
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
As a backup to workhorse tailback Uly Scott the past two years, Richmond's Minoso Rodgers could look forward to three or four carries per game. But with Scott graduated, times have changed for Rodgers, a graduate of Lakeland High in Suffolk.
``Ever since I've been the No. 1 tailback, coach has told me I'm going to get 30 carries per game,'' Rodgers said.
Coach Jim Reid wasn't kidding, as last Saturday's season opener against VMI proves. Rodgers, a junior, carried 34 times. More importantly, he averaged nearly 6 yards per carry, piling up 193 yards and scoring three touchdowns in Richmond's 51-28 victory.
``I was very surprised,'' Rodgers said. ``Because the line was so young, I didn't think it would mold so quickly.''
Rodgers' own development has been more steady. He arrived at Richmond in 1993 after consecutive 1,000-yard seasons at Lakeland. He played in six games as a true freshman, getting 18 carries for 126 yards. Last year he played in all 11 games, picking up 50 carries and catching a dozen passes.
``When Uly got tired, I came in,'' Rodgers said. ``I learned a lot from him. He was not a flashy runner, but he was very mature. He knew how to read blocks well, and be patient behind his blocks.''
Rodgers is a patient runner himself. He's got quick feet, and although he's only 5-foot-9, at 185 pounds he's no mini Minoso.
``I was 170 pounds in high school,'' Rodgers said. ``I've gotten a lot stronger.''
Rodgers will need that strength if Reid runs him as often as planned.
``Coach's goals are 30 carries and 150 yards,'' he said. ``My goal is to stay healthy.''
TRIBE'S RIPKEN: Speaking of staying healthy, no one at William and Mary did it better than center Charlie White.
White, a senior, played 731 of a possible 738 offensive snaps last year, coming out only in the final moments of a 45-7 rout of VMI.
Maybe White almost never comes out because he waited so long for a chance to play. Although he was a two-time all-state pick at Lynchburg's E.C. Glass High, White, who is barely 6 feet tall and weighed only 235 pounds, received no scholarship offers.
He decided to walk on at William and Mary. He spent a year on the scout team, then served as the backup long snapper. He got in nine games in 1993 before becoming a fixture last season.
``I didn't doubt my ability,'' he said. ``I know I'm not the kind of guy, at my size and with my athletic ability, to come in and take someone's position. But under the right conditions, with the right guys beside me and within our offense, I felt that I was perfectly capable of helping us move the football.''
White, now up to 255 pounds, has proved more than capable.
``He's one of our unsung heroes,'' fullback Troy Keen said.
A NEW MATT: If last Saturday's win over Morehouse is an indication, Hampton may not miss former quarterback Matt Montgomery as much as expected this season.
Montgomery's replacement, redshirt freshman Matt Williams, tied a school record with six touchdown passes in his first college start, a 42-14 victory. Four of those TD passes went to wide receiver Michael Jenkins, a junior from Portsmouth.
``I was impressed with him on the field, but as I watched the film Sunday I was even more impressed,'' Hampton coach Joe Taylor said. ``There were times his supporting cast let him down. He was under pressure all day.''
Williams should get even more of a test Friday night at RFK Stadium against Howard, the first Division I-AA team the Pirates face since moving to 1-AA themselves. Hampton edged Howard last year, 21-20. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Minoso Rodgers, Richmond's new workhorse, carried 34 times for 193
yards vs. VMI.
by CNB