ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, November 18, 1996 TAG: 9611190012
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Monday Morning Quarterback
SOURCE: FROM STAFF REPORTS
More than one person said it was imperative that Virginia Tech score first Saturday against Miami.
The Hokies took care of that impressively, going 86 yards in 12 plays on their first possession of the game to go up 7-0.
The drive, Tech's longest of the season, was spurred by quarterback Jim Druckenmiller, who completed four of five passes during the series. Junior Shawn Scales caught three of those passes for a total of 59 yards.
How big is it to beat Miami to the punch?
Really big. Since 1983, the Hurricanes are 114-8 (.934) when they score first.
Finally
Cornell Brown, Tech's All-America defensive end, had his first sack in nearly two months.
Brown, who missed two games after knee surgery and a third because of a suspension related to a campus brawl, recorded his first sack since Sept.21 vs. Rutgers and has five for the season.
Brown, who declined reporters' requests to comment on the game, had 14 sacks in 1995.
Air time
Miami's passing attempts (48), completions (29) and yardage (340) marked season highs for a Tech opponent.
Ten Hurricanes caught at least one pass, led by Yatil Green's nine receptions for 152 yards.
In the end, though, it was a dropped pass and the Tech secondary that finished the 'Canes. After Tony Gaiter's drop on a potential tying touchdown with 2:17 left, Tech sewed it up on interceptions by Keion Carpenter, who raced 100 yards for a touchdown to make it 21-7, and Torrian Gray.
After intercepting two passes in their first four games, the Hokies have two picks in each of their past four contests.
Fine mess for Welsh?
Virginia coach George Welsh was not pleased when the officials threw flags on North Carolina on back-to-back possessions, only to wave off both penalties.
On the first play, Carolina defensive back Omar Brown collided with Cavaliers wide receiver Germane Crowell on a corner pass route, but the side judge ruled the ball was not catchable.
``It has to be interference,'' Welsh said as he watched a replay of the ball landing inbounds. ``That's ridiculous. I don't care if they fine me $1,000. Certainly, it's catchable.''
On the next series, one official threw a flag on North Carolina quarterback Chris Keldorf for intentional grounding, but a second official intervened. Carolina went on to complete the touchdown drive that broke a 3-3 halftime tie.
Barber vs. Johnson
Virginia's Tiki Barber got the better of North Carolina's Leon Johnson in a showdown between marquee backs, but neither had much running room. Barber had the edge in rushing yards, 79-40, and all-purpose yards, 145-117.
Mack Brown, North Carolina's coach, said he didn't think the Cavaliers would be able to run the ball ``and I didn't think we would,'' he added. ``My gosh, that's two of the best defenses in the country.
``We had two of the best running backs we've ever had in the ACC; [it's] one of the few times that two running backs had 3,000 yards each coming into this game, and neither one of them had any long runs.''
Odd scoring
Virginia has become the first team in ACC history to score 300 points or more in eight consecutive seasons. The Cavaliers have seven touchdowns from their defense and special teams, which is more touchdowns than their passing game has produced.
They're b-a-a-a-c-k
Virginia's final home game marked the first on-field performance this year by members of the UVa Pep Band. Although the pep band has played music in the stands, the athletic department had brought in other college and high school bands to perform before the games and at halftime.
AP Tech's Marcus Parker fights for yardage as James Burgess (54) and another Miami defender bring him down Saturday.
LENGTH: Medium: 85 linesby CNB