Wahoo Wire

Redshirt first year Kevin Parks breaks a tackle on his way to the endzone. Photo Courtesy of Ellington Arnold, Wahoo Wire

51,956 showed up at Scott Stadium Saturday night to watch their beloved ‘Hoos crush the William and Mary Tribe 40 to 3.

Sophomore quarterback Michael Rocco got the nod to start the season opener and didn’t disappoint. After completing his first 11 passes he ended the day 21 of 29 with 174 yards.

The coaching staff started the game very conservatively rushing the ball 8 of 12 plays on the opening drive which led to a 32 yard field goal by senior kicker Robert Randolph. Randolph went on to complete three more with his longest boot a 48 yarder.

Monster rushing performances by freshman Kevin Parks, junior Perry Jones, and freshman Clifton Richardson took a lot of pressure off quarterback Rocco in his first career start. Parks rushed 16 times for 114 yards and three touchdowns. Jones and Richardson had a combined 19 rushes for 113 yards and a Richardson touchdown.

After the first drive that led to a field goal the Cavalier defense held it down as the offense got acclimated and Rocco settled into the game. The Cavs defense was able to stop the Tribe three times before the ‘Hoos got their first touchdown in the second quarter on a 19 yard Kevin Parks run that capped off an 8 play 60 yard drive.

The ‘Hoos defense continued to play phenomenally as the offense was able to blow the game open halfway through the third quarter, with another Kevin Parks touchdown run to go up 20 – 0. After the score the game was all ‘Hoos as the offense continued to put up points and the defense held off the Tribe. The Cavalier defense made the Tribe offense look abysmal as they held them to 169 yards of total offense. William and Mary finally got a field goal in the fourth quarter to make the score 40 – 3.

Freshman David Watford also got some looks at quarterback in various series throughout the game. The coaching staff was able to get the more agile Watford out on the edge running mostly roll-out passes, play action, and running plays. He ended the day 3 for 5 with 46 yards passing.

The Cavaliers need to work hard in practice and keep improving as they will be tested these coming weeks in a challenging two game road trip, first to Indiana and then to North Carolina for their ACC opener.