W&M @ Delaware Preview
Posted by TTHS on November 9th, 2006
Overview
William and Mary is playing some of it’s best ball of the season, after sticking with JMU, a norrow loss to Villanova, and a huge upset win besting the Towson Tigers. The Blue Hens of Delaware, however, are not, coming off back-to-back losses against Towson and JMU.
When W&M has the ball
W&M OL vs. UD DL
The Tribe has a young o-line, led by senior all-american Cody Morris. They, too, have really come on and helped dominate the trenches against Towson. The Tribe ran all over Towson and gave up zero sacks, mainly due to the OL. This was the team’s biggest weakness coming into the year, but it is turning out to be a solid unit. The UDel defensive line has 2 seniors, a junior, and a sophomore. They only got 1 sack vs. JMU, and only have 12 on the year(8 are coming 2 games). End Jeremy Kametz has one of those, the other end Bubba Jesperen has 2, and the 2 tackles combine for 1.5. This will be another important match-up.
W&M running game vs. UD LB’s
W&M senior running back Elijah Brooks has also been very strong in his past couple games. In the last 4 weeks he has gone for 101, 99, 142, and 165. Also, back-up DeBrian Holmes has been more effective and putting former RB Delmus Coley at FB could help the running game also. The Tribe averages 134 yards per game on the ground. At linebacker UD has 2 sophomores and senior. The senior, Keiandre Hepburn, leads the team in tackles with 85 and also in tackles for loss with 6. The middle linebacker, Erik Johnson, is second on the team in tackles with 54, has 5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, and an INT. He looks to be a player. The 3rd and final linebacker is sophomore Brian Brown. Brown has 21 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, and a sack on the year and has started 7 of the 9 games. UD gives up an average of over 200 yards per game on the ground, so don’t be shocked if Elijah Brooks and co. run all over the Blue Hens.
W&M passing game vs. UD DB’s
The Tribe passing game has greatly increased since Jake Phillips was replaced in the starting lineup Mike Potts. Last week Potts had the second best passing game in W&M history, going for 409 yards, 2 TD’s and an INT that was a tipped pass. Part of that is consistent junior WR Joe Nicholas. Nicholas leads the team in receiving yards and went for 104 and 2 TD’s last week. Behind him is freshman QB convert RJ Archer, who seems to do something spectacular every week. Last week the big-play threat caught 6 passes for 122 yards. DJ McAulay is another strong receiver, who made a big-time 45 yard TD catch last week diving out of bounds. Elliot Mack has come back after being nearly invisible during the middle of the season, and is becoming a threat on reverses. The 2 running backs, Brooks and Holmes, are also solid and the 2 TE’s, Trinkle and Atchison, have really come on in the past few weeks. UD is young at CB, with a freshman in Ken Hale and a sophomore Fred Andrew. Andrew has an interception on the year is in the top 5 tacklers on the team. Hale has only started one game this season. The safties are consist of seniors Kyle Campbell and Garrett Schultz. Schultz is third on the team in tackles and has 2 picks. Campbell is forth on the team in tackles and also has 2 interceptions. UD gives up over 200 yards on average through the air.
When UD has the ball
UD OL vs. W&M DL
Delaware’s line hasn’t been up to par this year. They have given up 22 sacks, 10 more than their DL has gotten, and only averages a little over 100 yards per rushing per game. Last week they only rushed for 20 yards and were sacked 4 times. The Tribe’s DL played one of it’s best games last week, headed up by redshirt freshman Adrian Tracy. The Tribe sacked Towson 5 times, 3 by Tracy, and were in the backfield pretty much all day. Tracy leads the team in sacks(6), tackles for loss(15), and is second in tackles(59). He and Josh Wright provide a good young-old combo on the edges. This match-up will be key to the outcome of the game saturday.
UD running game vs. W&M LB’s
UD’s running game hinges on which RB starts: freshman Jared Bradley, or junior all-everything Omar Cuff. Bradley started last week vs. JMU and was ineffective. Cuff has missed his last 2 games and is questionable for this weeks game. He hasn’t had a good game since the 4th week of the year. UD averages just over 100 yards per game on the ground. The Tribe looks to start 2 seniors, Travis McLaurin and Chris Ndubueze, and a sophomore, Michael Pigram, this weekend. McLaurin is #6 on the team in tackles, has an INT on the year, and is a Delaware native. Ndubueze has become the top tackler with 65, has 3 sacks in the last 4 games, and 5 TFL on the year. He is really becoming a defensive leader and is fun to watch. Pigram has gotten some huge hits on the year and will make a nasty combo for the years to come with Josh Rutter. He is third on the team in tackles with 58 and has 3.5 TFL. Whether Bradley or Cuff starts, and if they are on their game, decides this match-up.
UD passing game vs. W&M DB’s
This is UD’s best spot. Pittsburgh transfer Joe Flacco has thrown for over 290 yards in each of his last 3 games, a TD in each of his last 6, and 14 total TD’s on the year. He is a big guy, and has a strong arm. Flacco gets sacked a lot, but that is probably due to his offensive line. UD starts 3 young receivers, the first being Aaron Love. Love is a sophomore that has gained over 100 yards in each of his last 3 games, and is the teams leading receiver. Second is sophomore Kervin Michaud, who is third on the team in receiving. He has caught multiple passes in every game but one this year. UD’s third and final wide receiver is tall freshman Ryan Finnegan, who has only started 2 games but looks to have a bright future. TE Ben Patick is a huge target. The senior is 6-4, 270. Patrick has caught more than 5 passes in each of his last 7 games and is second on the team in receiving. The Hens average almost 240 ypg through the air. W&M’s defensive backfield consists on 2 sophomores and 2 seniors. The seniors are Alan Wheeling, who did not play last weekend due to an injury. Wheeling got a huge INT and 33 yard return vs. Liberty. The other senior is Richard Riley, who also has an interception, and 3 tackles for a loss. Derek Cox and Kevin Allen are the future of the secondary, and have both been solid contributors. Even though the Tribe secondary has talent, expect the Hens to chew them up and spit them out.
ST
Delaware kicker Zach Hobby has made 8 of 11 field goals on the year with a long of 45. The punter, Stuart Kenworthy, averages 37.2 yards per punt. Aaron Love averages 13.8 yard per return on punts, and Rashaad Woodard averages 27.3 yards per kickoff return. Derek Cox is W&M’s punt returner and has been solid at best on the year, yet to break one. David Caldwell has taken over the kick-return duties well, gaining over 50 ypg in each he has played. W&M’s Blair Pritchard kicks and punts, and he has made 7-10 field goals with a long of 34. His punting has been very good, and he averages 36.2 per punt and has pinned the ball inside the 20 7 times.
Final Prediction
Let me start by saying this will not be the knd of game where the team to have the ball last wins. W&M’s offense isn’t that good, and their defense isn’t that bad. The game will be high-scoring, and I think Cuff’s status will be huge. Either way, I am picking the Tribe to keep it’s momentum in a narrow win.
W&M-42
UD-35
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