University of Virginia Library

Travelling Man Mosser At Home At W&M

By John Markon

By most of the usual indicators
it would seem that William &
Mary's 1970 football season would
have to be considered somewhat of
a disappointment. The Indians,
scheduling some big name
opposition and a pre-season favorite
in the Southern Conference, are at
present struggling with a 2-4 record

Few Injun fans are complaining,
however, because this year they
have a star. Phil Mosser, hitherto an
itinerant back from New Jersey.
Tennessee, and Ferrum, Va., has
made W&M his home base and is
now the eighth-leading ground
gainer in the nation.

With only six games gone in the
season, the junior fullback has
already established a new school
rushing standard. Two weeks ago,
in a game against The Citadel, he
rushed 31 times, mostly on plays
straight up the middle, for the
McCauley-esque total of 257 yards
On the season he has compiled 767
yards, averaging 6.7 yards per carry
and, together with teammate Todd
Bushnell, he supplies W&M with
one of the East's most potent
running games.

The reason you haven't heard of
him until this year was that he
seldom stayed in one place for any
length of time. A non-scholarship
student at Memphis State, he grew
restless when he found he wasn't
able to play on the frosh team,
reserved for free-riders only. A
student in the same boat suggested
to him that they both transfer to
Ferrum Junior College where they
could see some playing time.

Mosser was amenable and it was,
as he says, "only by luck" that he
came back cast. One of his
teammates was Russ Bauda,
presently a starter in the Wahoo
defensive backfield. In 1968
Ferrum was undefeated and
national JC champs and they followed
that up with a 6-2 effort
in 1969. It was after that season
that Mosser used up his two years
at Ferrum and had to look around
for another place to play.

He was up at Virginia for one
day but the unusual timing of his
transfer nixed any chances of his
coming here. He eventually enrolled
at W&M and is now majoring in
psychology there.

Looking at tomorrow's game,
Mosser was able to express

optimism for the Indian cause.
Labeling the Injuns a "real fine"
team waiting only for a chance to
"put it all together" he seemed
quietly confident that the game will
be closer than many expect.