THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 12, 1996 TAG: 9609120537
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 76 lines
It's not like William and Mary to have to break in a new quarterback two years in a row.
Usually, when one quarterback leaves, coach Jimmye Laycock has an ``air'' apparent, ready to step in.
But last year, after All-American Shawn Knight graduated, the Tribe had to get by with a caretaker quarterback, fifth-year senior Matt Byrne. Byrne was competent but lacked the big-play ability of so many of his predecessors.
This year, however, things seem to have returned to normal in Williamsburg. Through two games, sophomore Mike Cook has put up impressive numbers, throwing for 412 yards and five touchdowns, with no interceptions.
``He looks to me like he's going to be another in a long line of great ones,'' said VMI coach Bill Stewart, whose Keydets play William and Mary Saturday.
More impressive than Cook's statistics, Laycock says, is his ability to make smart decisions. In the Tribe's 23-16 win over Rhode Island last week, Cook called several audibles that resulted in big plays.
``Obviously, he's got a lot to learn,'' Laycock said. ``But he's developing more of a presence out there.''
Cook threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns against Rhode Island. On the first one, he checked off his primary receiver and found tight end Tim Leedy for a 4-yard touchdown. On the second, he stood in the pocket, waiting for a corner route to develop, before finding Josh Whipple from 20 yards out.
``Mike's shown a lot of poise,'' Whipple said. ``He'll stand in the pocket until the last possible second.''
And pay the price. Cook took several big hits Saturday. After one of them, Cook's pads were knocked askew, and when he returned to the huddle, tackle Josh Beyer told him: ``Get out of here. Get out of here.''
``He wouldn't leave,'' Whipple said. ``He said, `No, I'm all right.' ''
KORDELL STEWART JR.: Green Run High graduate Glenwood Ferebee has emerged as Liberty's version of Kordell ``Slash'' Stewart, the quarterback/receiver/running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Ferebee, Liberty's backup quarterback, lined up at wide receiver for two plays during the Flames' 20-10 loss to Western Carolina last week. He didn't have a pass thrown at him. Ferebee also played quarterback for a series, completing one pass for 5 yards.
A redshirt freshman, Ferebee battled junior Ben Anderson for the starting quarterback job in preseason. Coach Sam Rutigliano waited until the last minute before choosing Anderson.
Liberty, expected to be a Top 25 team, is off to an 0-2 start.
SNUBBED? At least one Norfolk State official was bothered that no Spartan earned CIAA player of the week honors.
Spartan linebacker Sunnil Motley had nine tackles, two interceptions and broke up three passes in Norfolk State's 20-14 victory over Bowie State Saturday. Fellow linebacker Robert Johnson was just as active, notching nine tackles, four sacks and an interception. He had a sack and an interception to end the Bulldogs' final two drives.
However, the CIAA does not automatically honor linebackers. The honored defensive categories are lineman and back, which went to Virginia State's Anthony Taylor and Chris Watson, respectively.
GROUND ATTACK: Spartans running back John Quinerly is on track to reach his preseason goal of 1,000 yards.
Quinerly has rushed for 116 yards in each of Norfolk State's first two games - the first time a back has had consecutive 100-yard games in coach Darnell Moore's three seasons.
Only two Spartans backs have rushed for 1,000 yards in a season - Tony Johnson in 1984 and LaRue Harrington three times in the 1970s.
ODDS AND ENDS: Booker T. Washington graduate Michael Beverly made the interception that set up William and Mary's game-winning touchdown last week. A redshirt freshman, Beverly is a backup cornerback. . . . Colgate lost to Richmond last week for its 13th straight defeat, and things only got worse. On the way home, the Colgate team bus struck and killed a pedestrian who was attempting to cross a highway in upstate New York. MEMO: Staff writer James C. Black contributed to this report. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Sophomore QB Mike Cook has passed for five TDs and 412 yards in
William and Mary's first two games. by CNB