ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, December 3, 1996 TAG: 9612030094
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: Associated Press
VMI tailback Thomas Haskins, the all-time leading rusher in NCAA Division I-AA history, and offensive stars from Virginia Tech and Virginia are finalists for the Dudley Award as the state's top Division I football player.
Haskins, a senior from Highland Springs who gained 5,349 yards in four seasons with the Keydets, has some stiff competition for the award. The other finalists are Virginia's Tiki Barber, the all-time rushing leader for the Cavaliers, and Virginia Tech quarterback Jim Druckenmiller, who has guided the Hokies to back-to-back Alliance bowl berths.
The Downtown Club of Richmond will present the award at a Wednesday night banquet. It is named for Bill Dudley, who was an All-American at Virginia and went on to star in the NFL.
Haskins ran for at least 1,500 yards and led the Southern Conference in rushing each of his last three seasons at VMI. He was named the Southern Conference's offensive player of the year his last two years.
Barber, a senior who starred at Cave Spring High School along with his twin brother, Cavaliers defensive back Ronde, is the first UVa player to rush for more than 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons. The tailback gained 1,402 yards on 250 carries this year with 14 touchdowns. He also caught 22 passes for 258 yards and returned 19 punts for 241 yards and a touchdown to earn the player of the year award in the ACC.
Druckenmiller, a senior from Northampton, Pa., passed for 2,071 yards and 17 touchdowns in leading the Hokies to a 10-1 record and a Big East Football Conference co-championship. He completed 142 of 250 passes with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also rushed for 259 yards on 74 carries. Tech has won 20 of its past 21 games and beaten the past seven ranked opponents it has faced with Druckenmiller at quarterback.
LENGTH: Short : 42 linesby CNB