Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 28, 1994 TAG: 9408260035
SECTION: COLLEGE FOOTBALL PAGE: FB8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ANDREA KUHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Since he can't, Fallon will settle for redemption on the field this season.
``We're pretty excited, mainly because we were so disappointed with 2-8,'' Fallon said. ``... You hope the winter goes by so darn fast so you can get out there and start erasing those numbers.''
Fallon will field the most experienced team in the ODAC this season with 18 starters returning, including all 11 on defense. The Generals are poised to contend for their first league title since 1985.
W&L was picked to finish fourth in the ODAC this year behind Randolph-Macon, Hampden-Sydney and perennial top dog Emory & Henry. But the title race is expected to be closer than it has been in years, Fallon said.
``You don't see that one team jumping out this year,'' Fallon said, adding that the championship certainly isn't out of the Generals' reach. ``We would have to have everyone operating on top cyclinder and get some breaks here and there. It could fall. You never know.''
Among W&L's returnees is defensive tackle Robert Hull, a preseason All-American candidate from Lexington. Hull was named second-team All-American last season after leading W&L in several defensive categories, including tackles (111), sacks (10) and fumble recoveries (5).
Junior Jason Chartrand, a second-team all-ODAC selection last season, is also back at the tackle position.
Brooks Fischer, who started the final eight games last season, returns at quarterback. Fischer threw for 959 yards and 10 touchdowns as a freshman last season but doesn`t have the starting spot wrapped up. Fallon said he could be challenged by junior Matt Reedy, the backup last year, and sophomore Tommy Rueger.
``I'm not totally comfortable [with Fischer],'' Fallon said. ``He didn't set us afire last year, but he did do some nice things. A lot of our offensive success will depend on who is at quarterback.''
Fallon's biggest concern is in the backfield where Tom Mason and Wilson Moore have graduated. The duo scored 17 of W&L's 26 touchdowns last year.
Leading replacement candidates include J.D. Josephson and Aaron Williamson, a pair of sophomores from Florida. In addition, Matthew Mogk, who started the last two games of the 1992 season, is back after sitting out last season.
Also back after a year's hiatus is offensive lineman Tom Garber and wide receiver William Propst, who was the ODAC receiving champion in 1991 and 1992. Probst broke his leg last fall in a skateboarding accident shortly after leaving the team for personal reasons.
by CNB