Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 23, 1994 TAG: 9410250028
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: E-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DWIGHT FOXX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LEXINGTON LENGTH: Medium
The Paladins broke open a tight football game with 14 fourth-quarter points for their 15th straight victory over the winless Keydets, 28-11, at Alumni Memorial Field.
VMI (0-7, 0-5) trailed only 14-11 with 3:26 left in the third quarter after running back Thomas Haskins took a fourth-and-two quick pitch 10 yards for a score and ran in the two-point conversion. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound sophomore gained 101 of his 188 yards (29 carries) in the second half.
The 30-yard drive was set up by Timmy Williams' 54-yard punt return.
But Furman (2-5, 1-3) responded with an 11-play, 75-yard scoring drive. Paladins quarterback Braniff Bonaventure connected with split end Adrick Harrison on a post pattern for a 29-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the final quarter to make it 21-11.
But VMI fought back, driving to the Furman 11-yard line. Facing a fourth-and-one, VMI coach Bill Stewart elected to attempt a field goal. But Geoff Goff's 29-yard kick went wide left with 8:36 remaining.
Ironically, Stewart had elected to fake a 26-yard field goal attempt on a fourth-and-seven on VMI's first possession of the game. Williams was stopped short of a first down on a run, and Furman took over at its own 6.
``We went down there and thought that it was there,'' Stewart said of the fake attempt. ``The Furman guy made the play [tackle]. It's something we've worked on.
``My heart aches for Geoff Goff. There's a snap, there's a hold and there's a kick. If anyone thinks it's automatic, it's not. It's not all on Geoff Goff. There are a lot of intangibles out there.''
After Goff's miss, Furman fullback Mark Moore put the game out of reach with 2:07 left when he sprinted up the middle on a dive play for a 72-yard touchdown. VMI blitzed from the outside on the play.
The Keydets drove into Furman territory two other times in the fourth quarter, but lost the ball on downs the first time and fumbled on its final possession.
``It was a very good, physical contest between two class schools,'' Stewart said. ``We didn't make the plays down the stretch we needed to make and Furman did.''
Haskins is only 151 yards shy of 1,000 yards this season. He said he wanted to atone for fumbling three times in his team's last home game, a 49-7 loss to Marshall on Oct.8. He's averaging 121.3 yards per game.
``I just have so much confidence in my mind,'' Haskins said. ``The type of competitor that I am, I don't believe in that [three fumbles]. Right now, I really don't look at the statistics [and] record books. I'm looking for a win. When the season's over with, that's when I'll look for the records.''
The Paladins overcame Haskins' effort by having two backs rush for more than 100 yards - Leonardo McClarty (18 carries, 125 yards) and Moore (13 carries, 112 yards) - while Bonaventure threw for 176 yards and two touchdowns. Bonaventure also ran for 52 yards on 10 carries, including a 39-yard scamper in the first half.
On VMI's final possession, backup quarterback Greg Ellen completed 3 of 3 passes for 63 yards. Starting quarterback Al Lester was 11-for-17 for only 86 yards and one interception.
Stewart insists there is no quarterback controversy at VMI.
``No, I haven't heard that,'' the first-year head coach said. ``If anyone starts that, they better not see me out somewhere. I'll guarantee you, we're going to play a lot of people. We don't have any controversies here. We do a lot; we play a lot of people. There are no controversies here in Lexington.''
by CNB