By ANDREW FAISON/CORRESPONDENT

andrew.faison@yahoo.com

 

HARRISONBURG—James Madison University wide receiver Daniel Brown, a former Isle of Wight Academy quarterback, is out for the rest of the season.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound sophomore, one of the Dukes’ top deep threats, tore an ACL on the second offensive series of Saturday’s 42-12 loss to No. 9 West Virginia University at FedEx Field in Landover, Md.

The Dukes lost two more starters in the first half. Junior defensive tackle Jordan Stanton suffered a concussion, and sophomore strong safety Titus Till hurt his ankle.

“Those are big losses — huge losses,” said Duke Coach Mickey Matthews. “Bigger than big.”

Coincidently, Brown broke his leg during the third game of his high school sophomore year.

IWA Head Coach Dale Chapman praised Brown’s athletic ability and work ethic as keys to his success, especially when he battled to come back from that injury.

“It put him behind when he came in to start his junior year,” Chapman said.

Brown earned a full scholarship after his first full year of play and helped the Dukes to an 8-5 record last season and a Division I playoff berth.

He also caught five passes for a total of 157 yards, including his first career touchdown for the Dukes, which was also his first career catch — a 41-yard reception against the University of North Carolina.

In the first two games of Brown’s sophomore season, he caught two passes for 22 yards, with one touchdown in the Dukes’ 42-3 win over Alcorn State.