THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996 TAG: 9608290619
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 58 lines
William and Mary, which hasn't beaten a Division I-A team since 1991, may never have a better chance of breaking that streak than tonight in Orlando against Central Florida in a game that kicks off the college football season for area teams.
The Golden Knights are in their first year of I-A competition. They were 6-5 in their final season in Division I-AA, and have been downplayed in the preseason by a pair of major publications. The Sporting News has Central Florida ranked 107th out of 111 I-A teams. Sports Illustrated has the Golden Knights at No. 110.
The Tribe's lone I-A opponent the past two years has been Virginia. The Cavaliers won those games by a combined score of 77-19.
Compared to Virginia, Central Florida doesn't look menacing. But that's not to say the Golden Knights won't present problems.
The Tribe finished 7-4 last year against a schedule rated the third-toughest in Division I-AA by the NCAA. But most of last year's offensive stars are gone. William and Mary will be relying on a sound defense, a big and experienced offensive line, and an unproven quarterback in sophomore Mike Cook.
Cook beat out fellow sophomore Steve Fill for the starting job in preseason, but the competition was close. Still, he's big (6-foot-2, 195), mobile and has a strong arm.
``Mike's a great athlete,'' said Tribe receiver Josh Whipple. ``We're very confident with him back there.''
The teams have met once before. Central Florida ended the most successful season in William and Mary history when it beat the Tribe, 52-38, in the second round of the 1990 I-AA playoffs.
William and Mary
vs. Central Florida Where: Florida Citrus Bowl (70,349) in Orlando.
When: 7:07 p.m.
Records: William and Mary 0-0; Central Florida 0-0.
TV: Home Team Sports, tape-delayed, at 11 p.m.
Radio: WXGM 99.1-FM.
Outlook: The only time these teams met, in 1990, they combined for 90 points. That's not likely to happen again. The Tribe's defense is expected to be its strength, at least early in the season. Central Florida relies on sophomore quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who threw for 2,000 yards last season. The Tribe will need some production from sophomore quarterback Mike Cook, who is making his first career start.
Liberty vs.
East Tennessee State
Where: Memorial Stadium (12,000) in Johnson City, Tenn.
When: 7 p.m.
Records: Liberty 0-0, East Tennessee 0-0.
Outlook: East Tennessee was 4-7 last year, but won four of its last six, and has 16 starters returning. Liberty is coming off an 8-3 season, but is still looking for a quarterback. Ben Anderson will start but Glenwood Ferebee, a redshirt freshman from Green Run High in Virginia Beach, could also play. Liberty's offense figures to revolve around tailback Lawrence Worthington, a preseason All-American. by CNB