ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, October 6, 1996 TAG: 9610070162
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C9 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: STATESBORO, GA.
SOURCE: FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS AND STAFF REPORTS
Kenny Robinson scored on a 1-yard run with 47 seconds left as Georgia Southern rallied for a 20-17 victory over VMI on Saturday in the Southern Conference.
The Eagles' winning drive began when Cloise Williams intercepted a Greg Ellen pass, returning it to midfield.
``There were a lot of guys out there in red, white and McKenna gold laying it on the line,'' said Bill Stewart, VMI's coach. ``I'm very upset for our upperclassmen. These guys came in here and bought into the system of playing as a family, to play to win a football game and turn a program around.''
The Keydets (0-5, 0-3) scored the first 17 points. VMI capped a 15-play, 90-yard drive when Al Lester hit Jason White for a 14-yard touchdown pass with 1:43 left in the first quarter.
A 45-yard field goal by Mike Harris increased the Keydets' lead to 10 points, and Thomas Haskins scored the final VMI touchdown on a 3-yard run with three minutes left in the half. Haskins finished with a game-high 137 yards on 25 carries.
The Eagles (2-3, 1-2) did not score until 18 seconds remained in the first half, when Robinson broke through for a 3-yard touchdown run.
Down 17-6 in the third, Georgia Southern marched 65 yards in 3:36 to close to 17-13. Reico Tutt scored on a 17-yard reverse.
``I want to credit Coach [Frank] Ellwood and [athletic director] Sam Baker for the class acts and the manner in which the Georgia Southern Eagles played today,'' Stewart said.
see microfilm for box score
LENGTH: Short : 40 linesby CNB