WILLIAMSBURG, VA - With the 2005 season opener less than a week out, William and Mary Head Coach Jimmye Laycock decided sophomore Mike Potts (Middletown, DE) will get the nod as the starting quarterback at Marshall University on Thursday evening.

Potts, who has played in three contests for the College, comes into the game having completed seven career passes in 17 attempts for 84 yards and one score. His competition for the starting duties this fall with redshirt freshman Jake Phillips (Warm Springs, VA) was one of the closest of preseason and each are likely to see duty in the coming weeks.

"Both Mike and Jake have worked extremely hard," said Laycock. "I feel both have the ability to lead this team, but for right now the extra snaps Mike took last season [as a member of the travel team] have put him just a bit ahead."