ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, September 8, 1996 TAG: 9609090134
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: JACKSON, MISS.
SOURCE: FROM STAFF AND ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS
THE KEYDETS get a touchdown from Thomas Haskins as they open with a 31-7 loss on the road.
Artie Moore rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown as Mississippi beat VMI 31-7 on Saturday night for its second straight victory over a Division I-AA opponent.
After building a 28-0 halftime lead, it didn't matter that the Rebels were lethargic in the second half.
Ole Miss (2-0) scored on its first two possessions, as junior college transfer John Avery scored on a 5-yard run and Moore tallied from 1 yard.
VMI, playing its season opener, picked up three quick first downs to open the game. But after breaking into Ole Miss territory, Al Lester's pass was intercepted by Ronnie Heard to set up Avery's score.
Moore, who had 19 carries, capped the second drive early in the second quarter with consecutive 1-yard runs after Paul Head converted a third-and-12 with a 15-yard pass to Ta'Boris Fisher.
Head, who has won four of his five games since taking over at quarterback last season, was efficient, completing 12 of 17 passes for 113 yards.
A 56-yard punt return by Andre Rone to the VMI 15 set up Head's 10-yard TD pass to Grant Heard midway through the second quarter. Fisher returned a punt 77 yards for a touchdown in the final minute of the first half.
VMI got its only touchdown after Cornell Lewis ended Ole Miss' first second-half possession by intercepting Head's pass at the Ole Miss 30. Five plays later, Thomas Haskins scored on a 3-yard run.
Haskins, a I-AA All-American who has had consecutive 1,500-yard seasons, had 85 yards on 25 carries.
Ole Miss was driving early in the fourth quarter when Avery fumbled while going into the end zone. Tom Curran recovered at the 1, but VMI couldn't capitalize and punted.
The Rebels capped the scoring with 5:45 left when Tim Montz kicked a 47-yard field goal.
``I am very pleased with the way the team played,'' said VMI head coach Bill Stewart. ``We played hard, however I am not overjoyed with the mental mistakes. We were playing a very talented and fast team. Mississippi is well coached.''
The Keydets travel to William and Mary on Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff. see microfilm for box score
LENGTH: Medium: 52 linesby CNB