ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, August 18, 1996 TAG: 9608190147
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KEITH POMPEY STAFF WRITER
It had all the signs of the nightmare for the Roanoke Rush on Saturday night at Victory Stadium.
A flasher was caught in the stands. There was a fistfight in the parking lot. And to make matters worst, the Rush trailed the Triad (N.C.) Wallabies early.
``We came out flat,'' linebacker Freddie Ford said as the Rush trailed the team with the worst record in National Minor League Football. ``They got up on us. I didn't think we were going to come back.''
But they did.
The Rush came back and defeated the Wallabies 16-6.
``But we had to work extra hard,'' Ford said. ``I'm not satisfied with this win. But there are two good things that came out of this game. The first is that we can win when our backs are against the wall. Secondly, we won't go into games overconfident anymore.''
Roanoke (3-0), however, can't thank its offense for this victory.
The Rush (3-0) had a season-low 110 yards of offense. Tailback Anthony Merchant, who rushed for more than 100 yards in the season opener, rushed for only 47 on Saturday. Quarterbacks Darren Graham and Toney Penn were a combined 1-for-6. And Roanoke punted the ball a season-high seven times.
``It was very disrupted on offense,'' said Rush coach Duke Strager. ``But you have to credit their defense.''
For what.
Patrick Henry High School could have stopped them. The game ball should have gone to a Roanoke defensive player - defensive back Rob Majors. The William Fleming High School alumnus had five tackles, two pass deflections and an interception.
With five seconds left in the first half, Majors nailed Theron Davis on the 1-yard line. One play later, Majors stuffed the Wallabies to end the half.
``He made a hell of a play,'' said Roanoke defensive tackle Jerome Preston That was turning point in the game. It really impressed me.''
Both teams punted on the first four possessions. With 3:09 left in the first quarter, Majors intercepted a David Russel pass.
But as the Rush finally found some offensive power, Penn fumbled a snap from center. Triad linebacker Jon Cunningham scooped it up and ran 52 yards for a touchdown.
Roanoke answered on Penn's 4-yard touchdown run with 2:25 left in the half. The Rush made it 10-6 on Dave Merrick's 41-yard third quarter field goal. Billy Pate's 1-yard touchdown run locked it up late in the game.
``Our butts were against the wall,'' defensive back Chad Long said. ``We got unfocused after beating Durham 46-6 last week. People stopped coming to practice. And we started getting big heads. We thought we were going to win this with ease. But this was good for us. I bet you will be focused for next week against West Virginia.''
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 59 linesby CNB