THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 1, 1994 TAG: 9410010408
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 115 lines
Let's see, you're playing the nation's sixth-ranked Division I-AA team on the road. They've won 16 regular-season games in a row and are the defending conference champions. They have the conference's top passer and use that crazy run-and-shoot offense.
And this is a game you have to win?
That's the situation facing James Madison today when the Dukes travel to Yankee Conference power Boston University at 1 p.m.
``This is a big game for us,'' said Madison coach Rip Scherer, whose Dukes are 2-1 overall and 0-1 in the conference.
``If we're 2-2, our backs are against the wall after four games.''
Elsewhere among Virginia I-AA schools, winless Virginia Military Institute travels to Southern Conference power Georgia Southern at 7 p.m., surprising Richmond is at Villanova at 1 p.m. and unbeaten William and Mary is at Virginia at 1 p.m.
Injury-riddled Liberty University has an open date.
Madison faces a tough task in trying to slow down the Boston University offense. Quarterback Robert Dougherty passed for 2,875 yards and 18 touchdowns last season, and in just three games this season has completed 69 of 106 passes for 920 yards and seven touchdowns.
Boston University's success last year came as a surprise coming from a program that had been near the bottom in the Yankee Conference.
``They went through the year with something to prove,'' Scherer said. ``This year they're the team everybody is shooting at, and nobody's been able to dislodge them from their perch.''
Great things were expected from Madison this season, which returned 19 of 22 starters from a team that finished strong last season. But without a victory today, the Dukes are out of the conference title chase, and will struggle to qualify for postseason play.
``We have a good football team,'' Scherer said. ``I really believe that. We had a lapse against New Hampshire for a half (the Dukes lost, 27-24), but otherwise we've played well.
``We're in a very difficult stretch. Five of our first seven games are against ranked teams. I doubt anybody else in the country can say that. I don't know whether that's good or bad. If we win a bunch of them, it's good.
``If we don't . . . ''
Richmond (1-1 Yankee, 3-1 overall) is bidding to take sole control of second place in the conference's Mid Atlantic Division, and perhaps vault into the national rankings. Villanova (0-2, 2-2) has lost two in a row since beating Liberty, 16-13.
VMI is in the toughest stretch of the season. After tonight's trip to Statesboro, Ga., they host Southern Conference leader Marshall. ILLUSTRATION: State/Area Glance
JAMES MADISON vs. BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Where: Nickerson Field (17,369), Boston
When: 1 p.m.
Records: Madison is 2-1 overall, 0-1 in the Yankee Conference;
Boston University is 3-0, 2-0.
Radio: None.
Outlook: A must-win if the Dukes are to challenge William and
Mary for the Mid Atlantic Division title. The Dukes need a solid
performance from quarterback Mike Cawley, and an inspired effort
from the defense to slow down the high-scoring Terriers.
RICHMOND vs. VILLANOVA
Where: Villanova Stadium (12,000), Villanova, Pa.
When: 1 p.m.
Records: Richmond is 3-1 overall, 1-1 in the Yankee Conference;
Villanova is 2-2, 0-2.
Radio: None.
Outlook: A victory breathes new life into Richmond's postseason
hopes. The Spiders play five of their last six games at home.
However, Spider coach Jim Marshall is 1-4 against the Wildcats.
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE vs. GEORGIA SOUTHERN
Where: Allen E. Paulson Stadium (18,000), Statesboro, Ga.
When: 7 p.m.
Records: VMI is 0-3 overall, 0-1 in the Southern Conference;
Georgia Southern is 1-3, 1-1.
Radio: None.
Outlook: Georgia Southern's record is deceptively poor. Two of
the three losses came at Miami and Marshall, and the Eagles have
begun to heal from a spate of injuries that hobbled them in their
first three games. VMI has met the Eagles only once, losing, 57-0,
last season in Lexington
JOHNSON C. SMITH vs. HAMPTON
Where: Armstrong Field (11,000).
When: 1:30 p.m.
Records: Johnson C. Smith is 0-3; Hampton is 3-1.
TV: None.
Radio: WHOV 88.1.
Tickets: General admission $12, children 6-17 $3, students $2
Outlook: The Pirates have the CIAA's top-ranked offense; the
Golden Bulls have the league's worst defense. They're also last in
the CIAA in offense. Perhaps they'll rally around interim head coach
Randy Bethel, who takes over this week after the school suspended
Ray Lee while it looks into possible NCAA eligibility violations.
ELIZABETH CITY STATE vs. NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL
Where: O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium (11,500).
When: 1:30 p.m.
Records: Elizabeth City State is 1-3; North Carolina Central is
1-3.
Radio: WRVS 89.9 (campus radio).
Tickets: $10 adults, $6 children.
Outlook: The Vikings unveiled some new offensive wrinkles last
week and ran up a season-high 372 yards on Norfolk State. That
attack will be tested against a N.C. Central defense that has
allowed a league-low 1.5 yards per carry.
by CNB