Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 29, 1995 TAG: 9510310040
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From Associated Press and staff reports
DATELINE: CULLOWHEE, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
The victory snapped a four-game losing streak for the Catamounts (3-5 overall, 2-4 Southern Conference).
``I'm embarrassed like I have never been before in my life,'' VMI head coach Bill Stewart said. ``We came down here and got beat by a team that is not as good as us. It is just unacceptable.
``I'm very displeased with the way we played on both sides of the ball. We stood around and looked for our brothers to make plays, and that is not VMI football.''
``We have three more football games [Appalachian State, The Citadel and Georgia Southern], and we are going to have to go back to the drawing board. This is not the end of the world.''
Stokes saw his first significant action of the season after a preseason knee injury. It was the first time a Catamount running back had surpassed 100 yards since Darryl Jackson ran for 200 yards against Mars Hill in 1988. Stokes gained 81 yards in the fourth quarter and 111 yards in the second half.
Western Carolina's defense held Thomas Haskins, the Southern Conference's leading rusher, to 99 yards on 19 carries. His third-quarter scoring run pulled the Keydets (3-5, 2-3) to 17-14 at the end of the period.
``Our defense did a good job of defending Haskins and [quarterback Al] Lester,'' Western Carolina head coach Steve Hodgin said. ``VMI can put some points on the board. Our defense played well against what I think is a real strong offensive football team.''
Haskins' touchdown was his 12th rushing score of the season, which tied the single-season record set by Floyd Allen in 1980. Haskins also broke the school records for career touchdowns with 30, breaking Allen's record of 29.
Two fourth-quarter scoring drives broke open the game.
Fullback Michael Steward capped a nine-play, 73-yard drive with an 8-yard touchdown run with 11:23 to play. Stokes added a cushion for Western Carolina when he ran 4 yards for a score with 5:29 left.
``We kind of sputtered and stuttered there in the early going, but overall we did what we had to do to win the game,'' Hodgin said.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
by CNB