THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 14, 1995 TAG: 9509140467
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Leave it to that bastion of old-fashioned values, Virginia Military Institute, to turn back the clock on the football field as well.
The Keydets, depleted by injuries in the secondary, have two players who are playing both ways this year: seniors Timmy Williams and Marlon Anderson.
Williams has started both games at flanker and cornerback, while Anderson has started at receiver and rotated in at corner.
``We're playing old-time football,'' VMI coach Bill Stewart said.
But not by choice. Williams and Anderson, both receivers, have been pressed into service on defense because of injuries to corners Darrius Jackson and Andre Johnson.
``They're the best we've got, and my God, they're laying their hearts on the line,'' Stewart said.
Williams, a fifth-year senior rarely comes off the field - he also returns punts.
Recruited out of Bath County High as a running back, Williams spent two years as a cornerback before being switched to wide receiver last season by Stewart, who was in his first year as coach.
``I think he realized I was an offensive player. He wanted to do what he could to get my hands on the ball,'' Williams said.
Williams led the Keydets in receptions, with 23, and in receiving yardage, with 476.
When the starters went down, however, ``the coaches remembered that I had a little defensive back experience,'' Williams said.
In two games, Williams has caught six passes for 59 yards. Five of them came in VMI's 50-31 win over Liberty last week, a game in which Williams also intercepted a pass and returned it 31 yards.
Anderson, from Hampton's Bethel High, caught a 41-yard touchdown pass, made three tackles, and broke up a pass.
Johnson, who has a bruised knee, is expected back Saturday against East Tennessee State. Jackson, who has a stress fracture in his left foot, is expected back in two weeks.
Until then, Williams and Anderson will continue to go both ways.
``I enjoy it because it keeps me involved in the game,'' he said. ``Playing one way you only worry about what the offense is doing. Playing both ways has kept me focused on everything that's going on out on the field.''
MORE VMI: Stewart, whose career record is now 2-11, found himself in the unfamiliar position of apologizing for the score Saturday, saying he wasn't trying to run it up on the Flames.
``I certainly didn't mean to put a bunch of points on the scoreboard,'' he said. ``It just kind of snowballed and got up there. We have not been in that situation for a while.''
QUARTERBACK UPDATES: With starter Matt Williams out with a bruised shoulder, Hampton is turning to backup Sekou Wilson on Saturday vs. Grambling at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
Wilson went 7 of 12 against Howard last Saturday after Williams was hurt early in the third quarter.
``We've got a lot of confidence in Sekou,'' Hampton coach Joe Taylor said. ``He's a senior and knows what to do.''
Meanwhile, at William and Mary, coach Jimmye Laycock said he will stick with starter Matt Byrne for Saturday's game at Northeastern.
Byrne was just 7 of 24 with two interceptions in a 24-17 loss to JMU, and was benched late in the fourth quarter in favor of redshirt freshman Mike Cook. by CNB