Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 19, 1995 TAG: 9511210025
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE|
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium
VMI ended a streak and rusher Thomas Haskins set some records.
But Georgia Southern spoiled any kind of sustained celebration, downing the Keydets 31-13 in the 49th Oyster Bowl at Foreman Field.
``I feel good about where we are, but I'm not satisfied,'' said VMI second-year coach Bill Stewart, giddy over the Keydets' 4-7 final record. ``We've been in the rain long enough. We've finally broke through with some sunshine.''
The Keydets, 1-10 each of the past two years, had been outscored 106-0 in their previous two meetings with the Eagles, who came into the game ranked No.17 in Division I-AA.
But after Georgia Southern took a 3-0 lead on a 37-yard Eric Meng field goal, VMI quarterback Al Lester combined with Marlon Anderson for a 13-yard touchdown.
``I just wanted to get some points on the board,'' said Lester, who completed 7 of 17 passes for 101 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. ``I was going for Marlon all the way.''
Anderson, who plays both ways for VMI, knew nothing about the scoreless streak.
Haskins, who finished fourth in the country in rushing last year with a 137.2 average, holds four of the top five rushing games in VMI history. With his 87-yard effort against Georgia Southern, he became the Keydets' all-time leading rusher - 3,640 yards - surpassing Floyd Allen's career mark of 3,559. The 5-foot-8 junior from Highland Springs High in suburban Richmond broke his own single-season mark (1,509 yards) established last year. His 1,548 total yards are the best by any back in the state.
Clutching his game ball, he couldn't help but smile.
``This one will go up on the shelf,'' he said. ``We didn't make it happen today.''
Most of the day belonged to the Eagles, whose wishbone offense wore down a VMI team thinned by injuries. With VMI up 7-3, the Eagles used a series of option runs and took back the lead when Dexter Dawson scored from 3 yards out with 6:05 remaining in the second quarter.
The Eagles then dominated the third quarter, scoring every time they got the ball.
Georgia Southern opened the second half with a six-play, 64-yard drive capped by Charles Bostick's 30-yard touchdown pass to Maurice Bing. The Eagles added rushing touchdowns by Bostick and Jevon Sullivan against a weary VMI defense.
``We've got to get better,'' Stewart said. ``That's growing pains. We haven't had a great year. We've had a growing year.''
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB