THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 22, 1994 TAG: 9410220435
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CHARLIE DENN, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
You need to look no further than the defense to uncover the reason for James Madison's 5-1 start.
Last season the Dukes ran up some big numbers offensively, averaging nearly 400 yards and 34 points a game. Yet the team struggled to a 6-5 record.
That was because the defense allowed 354 yards a game and seldom came up with big plays.
But in 1994, the Dukes have been more consistent. The defense has reduced the average yards per game allowed both rushing and passing and has been a big key in enabling JMU to win close games. The Dukes have three victories by eight points or less.
That bodes well for the Dukes heading into today's 3 p.m. date at home against William and Mary (5-2). JMU shares the Yankee Conference Mid-Atlantic Division lead with W&M at 3-1, so the game will probably decide who wins the division title and has a big edge where the postseason is concerned.
``We're learning to play as a unit,'' said senior linebacker Billy Johnson, a product of Denbigh High School in Newport News. ``Our intensity has grown each week and we're more confident.''
The Dukes used to run a multiple-30 defense but switched to a more conventional 4-3 set last year. The change in schemes no longer requires players to read and adjust to what the offense is doing.
``We stress speed and agility now,'' said Johnson, who at 215 pounds is typical of the fleet new look on defense. ``The 4-3 allows us to just react and attack and that's a pretty big asset for us.
JMU has allowed an average of just 307 yards over its last three games, all victories. The Dukes held Boston University, averaging 35 points a game, to its lowest point total of the season in a 24-21 win three weeks ago. ``The defense has played very consistently,'' JMU coach Rip Scherer said.
The W&M game should tell the tale as to how far JMU's defense has come. Last year the Dukes led the Tribe, 20-17, at halftime but two big drives in the third period were the difference in a 31-26 W&M victory.
``They were able to sustain drives on us in the second half,'' Johnson said.
Yet that was with Shawn Knight at quarterback for the Tribe. Knight's status for today is questionable as he recovers from a sprained ankle injury.
If he can play effectively, it adds a lot to the W&M offense. Backup Matt Byrne has been inconsistent in two starts as Knight's replacement.
``With a quarterback like Shawn, with his mobility, you might have some weaknesses that don't otherwise show up,'' W&M coach Jimmye Laycock said.
Johnson and his defensive mates are preparing as if Knight will start. ``Knight's a great quarterback,'' Johnson said. ``He can do so many things well. We hope he's at his best for this game.''
In other games in the state involving Division I-AA teams, Richmond is at Boston University, VMI hosts Furman and Liberty takes on Catawba.
The Spiders run up against one of the Yankee Conference's best offensive teams in BU. Richmond has an undersized defensive front seven and has been unable to stop the run all year, a factor BU will try to exploit.
Furman has beaten VMI 12 straight times and the Paladins apparently have the offense to move the ball well. Furman scored 44 points in losing to The Citadel last week and narrowly missed upsetting William and Mary (28-26) in September.
Liberty looks to win its second consecutive game when it hosts Catawba. If the score is close, the Flames can call on kicker Daniel Whitehead, who has become the leading scorer in school history. Whitehead has hit seven of nine field goal tries this fall. by CNB