Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, September 3, 1995 TAG: 9509060054
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DANIEL UTHMAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Although no one from either team cared to admit it, summer drills have been a time of hoodwinking at these two schools. The Spiders pledged to use two quarterbacks, as did the Keydets. That didn't happen.
VMI vowed to stick by its Pro-I offense. That didn't happen, either.
What did happen was a VMI loss, 51-28 before a crowd of 13,142 at UR Stadium.
``We weren't doing anything to trick them,'' said Richmond quarterback Jason Gabrels.
Sure. The loss came on a day when Richmond didn't even wear its home uniforms (the Spiders' new duds are in the mail) and on a day when two of VMI's senior receivers, Marlon Anderson and Tim Williams, doubled as cornerbacks in the first half.
On top of all that, the Keydets returned to an option-oriented offense.
``We've got to be more than a Thomas Haskins one-back team,'' said VMI coach Bill Stewart, referring to his All-Southern Conference runner.
Against the Spiders, the Keydets looked to quarterback Al Lester and fullback Jason White. A freshman, White ran 10 times for 83 yards and a touchdown, and Lester ran more times (20) than he passed (18).
The option ``really fits our scheme,'' Stewart said. ``Unfortunately, it really fit theirs.''
Nothing proved that more than Haskins' numbers. After averaging 137.2 yards rushing per game last season, Haskins ran 12 times for 29 yards against the Spiders.
The Keydets mustered 292 yards of total offense, and Richmond caused five fumbles, recovering three of them. Two came in the first half in VMI territory.
``Any time you lay the ball on the ground, that's big,'' Stewart said.
It wasn't as if Richmond needed the help. The Spiders roamed up and down the field for 470 yards. Junior tailback Minoso Rodgers rushed for 193 yards and three touchdowns in the first start of his career, and senior quarterback Jason Gabrels threw for 113 yards and ran for 76.
This from a guy who was known as an immobile, drop-back type in the Spiders' camp. ``I don't know what I am,'' Gabrels said.
On Saturday, he looked like a surefire starter. Before coach Jim Reid met with him Thursday, though, Gabrels thought he had just as much a chance of winding up as the backup to junior Joe Elrod.
Reid said he would play Gabrels and Elrod, last season's starter. It wound up looking like another smoke screen as Gabrels went the distance.
But the Spiders weren't the only team here with such a quarterback misdirection play. Stewart guaranteed backup Greg Ellen would see playing time in the game, most likely as soon as the second quarter. But Ellen did not take a snap until 2:17 remained in the game and Richmond was up 51-28.
``Al got in a groove running the option,'' Stewart said. ``I apologize with all my heart to Greg Ellen and I am going to meet with him this week.''
While that surprise may have been unintentional, the deception on VMI's opening drive was not.
Facing a fourth-and-three play on their 27-yard line, the Keydets went into a punt formation. But when the punter, Howie Lowden, got the deep snap, he heaved the ball to Ron Hill, who was set wide on the left side of the field. Hill ran 27 yards to the Richmond 46.
A similar situation arose four plays later after VMI got pushed back to its 48. On fourth-and-16, Lowden looked to the other side and hit Anderson, who turned and ran 52 yards for the first touchdown.
Lowden ended up 2-for-2 passing for 79 yards and a touchdown. By comparison, Lester was 9-of-18 for 65 yards.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
by CNB