Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 23, 1995 TAG: 9504250046
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: SPORTS EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
``I can see it coming now,'' Druckenmiller said, smiling and shielding his eyes from the bright camera lights. ``So this is what it's going to be like now.''
And this is just the Maroon-White game. Wait until the likes of Boston College and Miami come to Lane Stadium in the fall.
With three-year starter Maurice DeShazo gone, Druckenmiller is now ``the man'' at Tech. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound junior showed he is ready Saturday night, helping lead the Maroon to a 47-14 rout before a crowd of 9,182 at Lane Stadium.
In a steady if unspectacular performance, Druckenmiller completed 16 of 28 passes for 148 yards and one touchdown. He ran for 14 net yards on eight carries and even caught a pass, a 36-yard trick-play toss from flanker Bryan Still. Druckenmiller was hauled down at the 2-yard line on the play, robbing Still of a rare touchdown pass.
``Jim was a little too slow to score,'' Still said. ``I was hoping, though.''
Druckenmiller didn't have a great night throwing the ball, but he didn't have to. His no-vacancy backfield of tailbacks Ken Oxendine (108 yards, two touchdowns) and Dwayne Thomas (99 yards), plus fullbacks Marcus Parker (46 yards) and Brian Edmonds (17 yards, two touchdowns) took care of most of the offensive work for the Maroon squad.
``They're a great foursome to have behind you,'' Druckenmiller said. ``It should really open things up for me throwing the ball with those guys running. I have as much confidence in them as I do my receivers.''
``We have the potential for big numbers in Coach [Ricky] Bustle's offense. We scored 47 tonight, but we should have had put a lot more on the board.''
The game punctuated a strong spring for Druckenmiller, who spent the past two seasons caddying for DeShazo.
``Jim is just learning the game,'' said Frank Beamer, Tech's coach. ``He really is a talent. I've told him, `Jim, just keep moving the chains. That's all you've got to do.' I feel real confident with him in there.''
The Maroon's first-team offense had its way against the White's defense, which included four first-team secondary members. The Maroon outgained the White 468 yards to 118.
Druckenmiller gave himself a ``B-minus'' for spring practice.
``I'm not consistent enough, yet,'' he said. ``I feel like I'm making too many mistakes. Spring is over now. It was a good learning experience. I'm excited. I'm anxious for next fall.''
TECH TIDBITS: The Maroon team averaged 9.1 yards per rush and 7.5 yards per play. Oxendine averaged 12 yards per carry and Thomas 11. Parker, a former Salem High School star, broke a 37-yarder for a late score. ... Thomas was named the offensive player of the game, while senior end Hank Coleman took defensive honors. ... Redshirt freshman Al Clark, who figured to battle Druckenmiller for the starting quarterback job, didn't play because of a leg injury. Cody Whipple, who had been impressive in a couple of spring scrimmages, directed the White offense. ... Junior defensive end Cornell Brown, nursing a bruised shoulder, was given permission by Beamer to go to New York on Saturday. Brown wanted to be with his older brother, Reuben, who was picked in the first round of the NFL draft by Buffalo.
by CNB