ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, October 28, 1996 TAG: 9610290014
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Monday morning QB
SOURCE: FROM STAFF AND ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS
If first-year quarterback Thad Busby has been a disappointment to Florida State, Virginia wants to know what it would take to make the Seminoles happy.
Busby completed 25 of 36 passes for a career-high 316 yards Saturday as third-ranked FSU topped No.14 Virginia 31-24 at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla.
``He went out and played a hell of a game,'' said UVa defensive back Ronde Barber. ``He didn't look that good on film, but he came out today and did what he had to do.
``He definitely came of age. I don't think we're a good defensive team. I think we're a great defensive team, and he came out and just tore us apart.''
Busby had failed to throw for 100 yards in two games, but he entered Saturday's action as the ACC's No.2-ranked passer behind North Carolina's Chris Keldorf.
``I've said all along that I thought he had the potential of any quarterback we've had here,'' FSU coach Bobby Bowden said, ``but it hadn't looked like it.
``He just needs the experience. But the only difference right now in him and Danny Kanell and Charlie Ward is he ain't lost a game yet. They all lost a game with Miami or, with Kanell, to Virginia.''
Busby's improvement has quieted a campaign for back-up Dan Kendra, who arrived in Tallahassee with a massive buildup. Kendra is 11-of-26 for 136 yards in three games.
``The good thing about this guy [Busby] is he's gotten where he is without looking that good in the stats,'' Bowden said. ``Now, if I can ever get him to just throw the ball away instead of eating it ''
Ground force
Virginia Tech's offense continues to be primarily fueled by a rushing attack that has rolled up 614 yards in its past two victories.
After posting a season-high 349 yards on the ground in a 38-0 rout of Temple on Oct.12, the Hokies ran for 265 in Saturday's 34-17 conquest of Pitt.
The Hokies' ground game has helped make up for an inconsistent passing attack through the season's first six games.
``We're running the ball well and that's good,'' said Frank Beamer, Tech coach.
``It all comes right back to the offensive line and the way tight end Bryan Jennings is blocking for us. You're knocking people around and the more we run it, the more people they get up around that ball and we can open up the passing game. Yeah, some good stuff is going on there.''
Drops must stop
Tech's passing game finds itself periodically saddled by dropped passes by its receivers. The Hokies mishandled at least five catchable balls against Pitt.
What should Tech do?
``Catch 'em,'' Beamer said.
``I think our receivers are good. I don't know if it was because we've been off for a while, the ball being a little wet, or just lack of concentration on our part.
``But I do know this. It's really critical with the way things are happening with our offense that when our receivers get a chance to make a play, they make a play. We had too many dropped balls.''
The drops haven't helped Jim Druckenmiller's passing numbers, but the Tech quarterback remains somewhat unperturbed.
``Sure, it's a little frustrating, but you can only let it frustrate you to a point,'' Druckenmiller said.
``Eventually, they're going to catch it. Hey, sometimes you just have a bad day. I've had my bad days passing the ball, so sometimes you're going to have a bad day catching the ball.''
Top 25
Alabama and West Virginia, unbeatens no longer, tumbled in The Associated Press' Top 25 college football poll, while top-ranked Florida picked up support without playing.
The Crimson Tide (7-1), a 20-13 loser to Tennessee, fell from No.7 to No.10 in Sunday's balloting by the 67 sports writers and broadcasters who vote in the poll. The Mountaineers (7-1) were beaten by Miami 10-7 and dropped from No.12 to No.18. (Complete AP and USA Today/CNN polls in Scoreboard. B5)
The Gators (7-0) remained on top for the sixth consecutive week, picking up 59 first-place votes and 1,666 points. A week ago, Florida had 57 first-place votes.
With its Big East Conference victory over West Virginia, Miami moved from No.25 to No.22. But the Hurricanes had a rough time of it in Morgantown, W.Va.
An ambulance that took Miami running back Danyell Ferguson to a nearby hospital during the game was rocked and almost tipped over by rowdy fans, Hurricanes officials said.
Coach Butch Davis said Miami players and coaches feared for their safety because of the atmosphere at Mountaineer Field.
Ferguson, a 1,000-yard rusher last year, is expected to miss the rest of the season with a dislocated right hip. He was injured during the first quarter and was taken to a hospital two blocks away at halftime.
``Outside the stadium, the driver had difficulty leaving because fans were rocking the ambulance, and he feared they were going to tip it over,'' said Bob Burda, Miami's sports information director. ``He called for a police escort, but all the police were being used inside the stadium.''
Because West Virginia has a re-entry policy, many fans were outside the stadium at halftime. The Hurricanes have long enjoyed a reputation for intimidation, but they apparently met their match in Morgantown.
Linebackers coach Randy Shannon was knocked to the ground after the game when he was hit on the head by a trash can thrown from the second level of the stadium. The incident left Shannon with a lump on his head.
``It was very unsportsmanlike,'' Davis said Sunday. ``It's truly not what I would think college football is all about.''
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