Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, September 11, 1995                   TAG: 9509110138
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

OFFICIAL ADMITS 5TH DOWN GAFFE IN TECH OPENER

Wooldridge, supervisor of football officials for the Big East Conference, admitted Sunday afternoon that the crew working Thursday night's Boston College-Virginia Tech game committed a huge gaffe that allowed the Hokies to gain an extra down on a last-minute drive.

``We made an error, and we admit it,'' Wooldridge said. ``We should be thankful, and I'm thankful, that it didn't cost somebody a ball game.''

After reviewing the game tape "a hundred times'' Sunday, Wooldridge concluded that the error occurred with 44 seconds left, when Tech converted a fourth-and-four play on Jim Druckenmiller's 5-yard pass to Jermaine Holmes at the BC 27.

``After Tech picked up that first down,'' said Wooldridge, ``it's evident that the chain got tangled up and didn't get set in the proper place before the next play.

``It's our fault. The head linesman is not supposed to let the next play go off without checking to see that the chain is set properly.''

When Druckenmiller completed an 8-yard-pass to Michael Stuewe to the BC 19 on Tech's next play, the officials, because of the misplaced chain from the previous down, mistakenly awarded the Hokies another first down.

Tech then got four chances - one more than it should have - to win the game. The Hokies couldn't capitalize on the phantom down, however.

Wooldridge said he reprimanded the head linesman working the game.

``If Tech had scored on that last pass,'' said Wooldridge, laughing, ``you wouldn't be able to find me right now. I believe I'd be hiding out in Cuba or somewhere.''