Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, September 17, 1995 TAG: 9509180138
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JAMES C. BLACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LEXINGTON LENGTH: Medium
That's the attitude the Keydets have taken this season and the results have been fulfilling for coach Bill Stewart and his squad.
VMI ran over its opponent and made critical plays during crucial moments in the fourth quarter for the second straight week. The outcome was a 37-23 victory against East Tennessee State at Alumni Memorial Field on Saturday afternoon before a Homecoming crowd of 6,732.
``We're not playing anymore for people to pat us on the head and say, `Good effort for little VMI,''' a muddied Stewart said. "We are playing to win.''
Victories, now that's a new phenomenon for the Keydets.
The last time VMI (2-1), which upset Liberty 50-31 at home last weekend, won two straight games was four years ago. The Keydets beat Lafayette and Richmond early in the 1991 season to go 3-1. The Lafayette win also marked the last time the Keydets won consecutive home games.
``We can't go out there expecting to keep it close,'' said tailback Thomas Haskins. ``What we have to do is take charge and do the little things we need to do to win.''
By no means did Haskins contribute the ``little things'' to his team's victory.
Last week's Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week avoided Buccaneer tacklers for a hefty 187 yards on 29 carries, with 154 of those yards coming in the first half. His 47-yard run to the Buccaneers' 11-yard line set up Jason White's 2-yard touchdown run for a 16-7 lead.
But just like last week, the Keydets defense was the difference in the second half. Two of VMI's three second-half touchdowns were scored by the defense.
``I said I didn't want to get into a turnover battle, but we did,'' Buccaneer coach Mike Cavan said. ``But give VMI credit, they caused them.''
ETSU (0-3) committed six turnovers.
VMI was trailing 20-16 in the third quarter and had just failed on fourth and goal from ETSU's 5. But on the Buccaneers' second play, Greg Ryan's pass was deflected at the goal line and wound up in the hands of VMI's Billy Thomas for a touchdown.
``The ball was just there and I grabbed it,'' Thomas said. ``I couldn't believe I scored.''
The next VMI recipient of being in the right place at the right time was flanker Tim Williams.
On first and 10 from the 15 with the score tied at 23, VMI quarterback Al Lester stepped back to throw a lateral to Williams and a defender tipped the ball. Since the ball hit the ground, most of the Buccaneer defenders just stopped in their tracks, assuming the play was over. An alert Williams, acting like the center fielder he is during the spring, caught the ball on one bounce and ran to the end zone. Touchdown.
Then, with the Keydets leading 30-23 with 2:32 left in the game, ETSU's Ryan dropped back and hit Kent Hampton for a 6-yard gain. However, defender Kelly Cook stripped Hampton and raced into the end zone for the game's final tally.
Hampton had fumbled the ball three times earlier and Cook was well aware of that fact.
That was just the topper on a great day for Cook. He intercepted Ryan early in the third quarter and was in on 13 tackles.
Perhaps the most obvious reason for VMI's change of fortune in the win column has been the number of points put on the board.
In just three games this season, VMI has scored 115 points. The Keydets scored 153 points all of last season.
see microfilm for box score
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB