2021 FCS Season Preview: William and Mary
College Sports Journal Projection: 9th
William & Mary only played three games in the spring. But what we were able to see from Hollis Mathis showed a lot of potential for growth as we head into the fall. The Tribe have a young team, but they have a veteran experienced coach in Mike London. This looks like a team that could give some opponents fits throughout the year.
The Tribe defense has always been a calling card, but it has struggled to stop the opponents over the last few seasons. On offense, the youth has shown with turnovers and the inability to move the ball down the field. The Spring showed a step forward for the offense but they are going to need a lot more in order to be competitive in a tough CAA
Impact Players
QB Hollis Mathis showed amazing growth between 2019 and the 2021 spring season. He went from 44% completion to 60%. If he can make a jump into the mid 60s and continue his effectiveness in the run game, Mathis will be trouble for a lot of teams
DB/RS Bronson Yoder does it all. He is the top return man in the CAA. He can take it the distance on any return. Listed as a safety, Yoder also figures in the run game. A Swiss-army-knife type player this versatile will cause fits for most opponents.
RB Malachi Imoh showed that he can be a feature back before suffering an injury in the Spring. The Tribe has always had effective backs and Imoh looks like he may be the next one,.
Key Game: October 9 vs. Albany
William and Mary
| Home | Time/Results | Away | Venue | Match Day | TV/Streaming | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
William and Mary  | 0 - 43 |  Virginia | Scott Stadium | Charlottesville, VA | - | - |
Lafayette  | 3 - 24 | William and Mary | Zable Stadium | Williamsburg, VA | - | - |
| William and Mary |  Colgate | Andy Kerr Stadium | Hamilton, NY | - | - | |
| William and Mary |  Elon | Rhodes Stadium | Elon. NC | - | - | |
Albany  | William and Mary | Zable Stadium | Williamsburg, VA | - | - | |
| William and Mary |  Maine | Alfond Stadium | Orono, ME | - | - | |
Towson  | William and Mary | Zable Stadium | Williamsburg, VA | - | - | |
| William and Mary |  Villanova | Villanova Stadium | Villanova, PA | - | - | |
| William and Mary |  Delaware | Delaware Stadium | Newark, DE | - | - | |
James Madison  | William and Mary | Zable Stadium | Williamsburg, VA | - | - | |
Richmond  | William and Mary | Zable Stadium | Williamsburg, VA | - | - |
Worst Case: There is no growth on either side of the ball and the Tribe struggle again.
Best Case: A young team gets tons of experience and plays a lot of close games but falls short in most setting up a potential playoff run in 2022.
Jamie is a proud 2002 graduate of James Madison University. He’s witnessed the growth of the program from no one in the stands in 1998, to the hiring of Mickey Matthews, to the 2004 National Championship, to the 2008 team, to the struggles in the early 2010s, and finally the rebuild under Mike Houston. He also allegedly really enjoys Washington, DC-based Stanley Cup winners.
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