Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 14, 1993 TAG: 9310140104
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-10 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
That the band strikes up a stirring tune.
That cheerleaders sprinkle his path back to the dressing quarters with rose petals.
That his brow is anointed with Gatorade.
Blacksburg's Nick Burroughs, the author of just such a four-interception feat in a 13-7 victory over Radford last week, says hold the trumpet, trombone and bass drum, not to mention the glacial baptism.
"To tell you the truth, I didn't think it was that big a deal," he said. "I want to do something that nobody else could do. Anybody could have made those interceptions. Some of those passes looked like they were supposed to be for me."
Nobody bothered to mention to Burroughs that plenty of guys can't catch balls that are thrown to them.
Or that nobody from Blacksburg has had such a killer night in the secondary since J.D. Dymock did back in the mid-'70s. Even then, memory fails as to whether he picked four or had to settle for a lesser miracle. For crying out loud, that was almost 20 years ago anyway.
Burroughs' views notwithstanding, his effort against Radford was one of the chief contributing factors in one of the most nightmarish evenings ever experienced by the Bobcats aerial circus.
Radford quarterback Casey Underwood, who came into the game completing 58.8 percent of his deliveries and was ranked second in Timesland in passing, was held to one completion in 10 attempts for 3 yards and three interceptions. Larnelle Lewis, the Radford tailback, was intercepted in his only attempt. The entire quartet of thefts was pocketed by Burroughs.
"We put a lot of pressure on Casey but really, it was primarily Nick [who deserved the credit]," Blacksburg coach David Crist said.
Burroughs was playing his first game of the season at cornerback after starting at linebacker. Burroughs had been a linebacker since late in his sophomore year, when he was switched from the secondary.
"I like playing cornerback, but I miss the hitting you get into at linebacker," said Burroughs, who, at 175 pounds, was on the light side for linebacker. "Really, my ability is best used at cornerback. Against the bigger teams we played, occasionally I felt like I was being overpowered at linebacker."
Burroughs' contributions against Radford did not cease with the interceptions. Alternating with Tony Wheeler at tailback, Burroughs also caught three passes for 40 yards and punted four times for a 28.2-yard average. The punting did not please him.
"I've been too inconsistent this year," he said.
For a fellow who is asked to do as much as he is, something has to go wrong somewhere. But versatility is a Burroughs trademark. During track season, he runs the masochistic trio of the 400 meters, 800, and a leg on the 400 relay.
"Football is much more fun to play than track but track is more rewarding," Burroughs said. "To me, track is one of the hardest sports of all, especially when you're in the events I am."
Burroughs just must be one of those folks who does not enjoy those things that come easily.
Other performances of note:
Andre Eaves of Pulaski County completed five of six passes for 101 yards and two TD's and scored on a 36-yard run and Eric Webb scored two TD's in a 51-14 rout of Franklin County.
Christiansburg's Mischa Alexander completed 13 of 28 passes for 231 yards and two TD's and Andra Beasley had 80 all-purpose yards and scored three TD's in a 48-41 loss to Carroll County.
Auburn's defense held Grayson County to 80 total yards in a 21-3 victory.
Blacksburg's Greg Shockley completed 14 of 22 passes for 131 yards and Shane Beamer caught six balls for 52 yards in the victory over Radford.
Narrows' Whitey Blankenship scored three TD's and ran for 240 yards in a 33-0 romp over Shawsville.
by CNB