ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, November 10, 1996 TAG: 9611120016
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-6 EDITION: METRO
Injured quarterback Marcus Crandell didn't start for East Carolina, breaking a string of 31 consecutive starts for the Pirates' star.
Crandell, who suffered a strained ligament in his left knee during ECU's 34-16 victory over Arkansas State, took a few snaps and threw some short passes in pregame warmups. But he was moving gingerly and appeared to be in pain with every step.
ECU coach Steve Logan, who had said Thursday that Crandell's status would be a game-time decision, must not have liked what he saw in warmups, opting to go with backup Dan Gonzalez.
Gonzalez, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound junior, had played in all of the Pirates' first seven games, completing 12 of 22 passes for 100 yards.
The loss of Crandell was a major blow for the Pirates' offense. The 6-foot, 204-pound senior ranks No.1 on ECU's career list in passing yards (7,198), total offense (7,644) and touchdown passes (58). Most of Crandell's records have come at the expense of Jeff Blake, now calling signals for the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals.
CHILLY CROWD
Despite a wind chill in the low teens, gusting winds and snow flurries, Tech sold all but approximately 200 tickets for the game. There were 49,128 fans inside the stadium, meaning there were only some 600 no-shows for a game on television (ESPN2). Tech's previous largest home crowd of the season was 47,204 for Rutgers.
OFF GUARD
On the third play of Tech's second possession of the game, Hokies quarterback Jim Druckenmiller accidently lined up behind left guard Todd Washington for the snap.
Saving himself much embarrassment, Druckenmiller caught his error before the play clock expired, moved right to center Billy Conaty, took the snap, and handed the ball off to back Ken Oxendine.
QUICK KICKS
ECU was only the second team with a winning record Tech has played this season. Entering Saturday's games, Tech's first seven opponents had a combined record of 23-39. ... Tech's final three opponents - Miami, West Virginia and Virginia - all will have the luxury of an off week before meeting the Hokies. assistant at Tech.
BY THE NUMBERS
Tech sophomore split end James Crawford caught a 13-yard pass in the first quarter, his first reception of the season. ... Michael Stuewe has recorded 65-yard touchdown receptions in consecutive games. Both were similar plays - short passes in which Stuewe wriggled out of a tackle and raced to the end zone. ... Entering Saturday's game, the Hokies were 16-1 when Druckenmiller has started and thrown at least one touchdown pass.
NEXT OPPONENT
The Hokies play on the road for the first time since late September, when they meet Miami at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the Orange Bowl. The key Big East Conference matchup will be televised by CBS (WDBJ, Channel 7). The Hurricanes (6-2 overall, 4-0 Big East) haven't played since whipping Temple 57-26 on Nov. 2. Tech was 0-12 vs. Miami before upsetting the 'Canes 13-7 last year in Blacksburg. Tech is 0-7 at Miami.
LENGTH: Medium: 67 linesby CNB