ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, September 28, 1996 TAG: 9609300111
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: LEXINGTON
SOURCE: DANIEL UTHMAN STAFF WRITER
The possibility exists today that VMI starting quarterback Al Lester may heave his first pass to VMI backup quarterback Greg Ellen, and not during sideline warm-ups.
Such is the predicament for the Keydets in this wild and thus far winless football season.
VMI has just three wide receivers left on its roster. Before this week, it had four. The lone holdovers are sophomore Brandon Bissell, freshman Eddie Pearson, a walk-on from the baseball team, and Brandon Matheny, another freshman. None have caught a pass in a collegiate game.
So Keydets coach Bill Stewart had to get a little creative. That's why Lester and Ellen likely will line up at receiver when they're not under center today when Furman visits VMI at 1 p.m. (WRIS 1410 AM Roanoke, WREL 96.7 FM Lexington).
``We might double-pass 'em and do all sorts of things,'' Stewart said Thursday.
The Keydets (0-3) aren't doing such things because of their record. Stewart insists there's no panic on post. Way too early for that. VMI has to get creative because it lost its two starting receivers in a span of three days.
Freshman Matt Walton tore the medial collateral ligament in his right knee during last Saturday's 38-0 loss at East Tennessee State and is out for the season. Marcus Griffin, the only wide receiver returning from 1995 with any catches, tore his coaches' hearts out Monday. He left school that morning, without talking to Stewart. The football staff learned later he left citing academic concerns.
``I certainly didn't like the manner in which he left his teammates,'' Stewart said.
In addition, VMI's passing game lost some of its protection this week. Starting freshman guard David Campbell won't return to the field until Monday after sustaining a concussion at East Tennessee State. Compounding matters, fifth-year senior right tackle Eddie Werntz left the team on Tuesday after an internal disagreement.
Freshman Andy Fox will fill Werntz's spot and will be backed up by sophomore Ben Schultz. Freshman Jason Fletcher has recovered from a knee injury and will fill Campbell's spot. Fletcher's backup is Charlie Bennett, another freshman.
``I don't understand a lot of the things that have been happening,'' said junior center Jack Smith, who has become the line's anchor in more ways than one. ``I didn't expect this at the beginning of the season. I'm wondering how the rest of the season is going to be.''
Asked about the personnel losses, Stewart said, ``I don't think it's a problem.''
Stewart pointed out that the Keydets lost three freshman last season and lost the same number this year. Two (including one wide receiver) left during the summer. Another, 1996 Timesland Athlete of the Year Michael Berry from William Byrd High School, departed Sept.13, the day before VMI's game at William and Mary.
``I don't think there's anything going on internally,'' Stewart said. ``We don't have a waiver wire and I don't want a waiver wire. I want to coach good kids who want to be at VMI.''
VMI historically has a significant attrition rate among its non-athlete student body. Stewart said when he arrived at VMI that the program had to avoid personnel losses, for personnel losses greatly reduce the odds of victory. And a victory is something the Keydets desperately want and need.
They began the season with more promise than ever in the 1990s. Media predicted a sixth-place finish in the Southern Conference, not bad for a program in a major rebuilding effort. Instead, as Smith said, 1996 has been ``very disappointing.''
Junior linebacker Kelly Cook, VMI's leading tackler in 1995, said he and his teammates have been too tentative every game, and that opponents are killing them with first downs on ``third down and 20 plays.''
Stewart said the coaches and players have been dwelling on the last play when they should be concentrating on the present. ``It seems like we're always a play behind,'' he said.
The Keydets are now playing catchup with a team depleted in numbers. And losses in the locker room are more costly than losses on the field.
``We're better than this, we're 10 times better than this,'' Smith said. ``Winning has become a must. I really can't put it into words. We want it so bad, it hurts.''
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ALAN KIM STAFF VMI starting quarterback Al Lester willby CNBline up at wide receiver when he isn't under center during today's
game against Furman. The Keydets are looking for their first win.