Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 6, 1995 TAG: 9508070129
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: E-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JAMES C. BLACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Carolina Stars were picked on early and often as Roanoke rolled to a 36-7 victory in a National Minor League Football exhibition contest before an estimated 4,200 spectators at Victory Stadium.
The Rush scored 22 unanswered points in the second half to break open a tight game.
The Rush opens the regular season against the Central Pennsylvania Piranhas at Victory Stadium next Saturday at 7 p.m.
Roanoke threatened for scores late in the first quarter and early in the second, but both drives ended with missed field-goal attempts by newly acquired kicker Dustin Fonder. The first drive consumed about seven minutes and the second drive included first-and-goal from the 7-yard line. However, the Rush made good on its third opportunity.
On third-and-11 from the 21, former Virginia Tech quarterback Fred Lassiter hit another former Hokie, Bo Campbell, for a 16-yard reception. Campbell then broke two tackles for the game's first score with 5:01 left in the second quarter.
Before the game, Campbell reminisced on how many touchdowns he was denied at Virginia Tech because he was tackled inside the 5-yard line.
"I am determined not to get tackled in the red zone by one guy," said Campbell, who finished with 80 yards and two touchdowns on four receptions.
The only blemish on an otherwise solid effort for Roanoke was a 50-yard touchdown by Carolina with 3:48 left in the first half to tie the score at 7. John Soucek caught the pass on a halfback option from Scott Hinson.
"It was a good play and the guy just got behind us," said Rush head coach Denie Marie. However, the play worked only once in a half-dozen tries for the Stars.
The Rush countered with a 29-yard touchdown pass from Lassiter to Anthony Drakeford with 28 seconds left in the half to take a 14-7 lead. Lassiter completed six of nine passes for 115 yards and three touchdowns.
Most of Roanoke's first-half drives were sparked by running back Ranall White, who gained 98 yards in the first half and finished with 118 yards on 13 carries.
For the game, Roanoke ran for 241 yards on 40 carries.
"I didn't know if we were going to run this much, but we did," said Marie. "We are going to take whatever we can get."
Defense controlled the third quarter before the Rush put away the game in the fourth.
Tailback Jamie Warren of Ferrum scored with 11:51 remaining on a 3-yard run for a 21-7 lead. Less than a minute later on the Rush's next possession, Lassiter and Campbell connected for their second touchdown, a 35-yarder with 10:55 left for a 28-7 lead.
For good measure, Anthony Merchant blocked a Carolina punt, recovered it and returned the ball to the 1-yard line with 1:19 left. On the next play, backup quarterback David Weddle kept the ball and scored to provide the final tally. In between the last two touchdowns, linebacker Jonathan Greer tackled Carolina reserve quarterback Tripp Watson in the end zone with 4:40 left for a safety.
Carolina had 235 yards of total offense.
"Defensively, we played a great game," said Marie.
Of the many things Roanoke had going for it, the team showed discipline. Roanoke was penalized three times for 12 yards while Carolina was hit for 70 yards on 10 penalties.
Robbie Colley, a former Virginia Tech punter who tried out with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers, averaged 44 yards on four kicks.
by CNB