ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, December 5, 1996 TAG: 9612050054
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
THE VIRGINIA RUNNING BACK is chosen the state's top Division I football player.
Former Cave Spring High School star Tiki Barber, Virginia's career rushing leader, won the Dudley Award on Wednesday night as the state's Division I football player of the year.
Barber, the first running back to win the award, was the only nominee named on all 15 ballots, receiving 13 first-place votes and 69 points. He was the first player to lead the ACC in rushing, all-purpose yards and scoring in 40 years.
``This a testament to just how hard I've worked to get to the level I'm at,'' Barber said at the awards banquet. ``The level of competition in Virginia has gotten so much higher than it used to be.''
Barber finished the regular season with 1,360 rushing yards and 1,859 all-purpose yards. He scored 90 points. He had 14 rushing touchdowns and one touchdown on a punt return. Barber rushed for at least 100 yards in nine games.
The Dudley Award, named after former University of Virginia All-American ``Bullet'' Bill Dudley, is sponsored by the Downtown Club.
Thomas Haskins of VMI was runner-up with 36 points. Haskins received the other two first-place votes and was mentioned on 14 ballots. Haskins set the NCAA Division I-AA career rushing record this season with 5,349 yards.
Virginia Tech quarterback Jim Druckenmiller was third with 22 points after passing for 2,071 yards and 17 touchdowns in leading the Hokies to a 10-1 record.
LENGTH: Short : 41 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Barber. Color.by CNB