ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 2, 1997 TAG: 9701020075
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KEVIN DING MIAMI HERALD
It's nice to be Nebraska's best kickoff-return man. And it's an honor to be one of Nebraska's team captains.
But it has never been like it was Tuesday night for Damon Benning.
In the final game of a spotty college career, Benning ascended to the lofty status he had long sought - becoming the Cornhuskers' featured I-back. And Benning delivered with 95 yards on 15 carries to lead sixth-ranked Nebraska past No.10 Virginia Tech 41-21 in the Orange Bowl.
``It's the ending I wanted,'' said Benning, named Nebraska's most valuable player in the game. ``We may have skipped a few chapters in between, but the ending is good. I'm satisfied.''
With sophomore starter Ahman Green slowed by a stress fracture in his left foot and freshman DeAngelo Evans idled by a pulled groin, Benning - the old man in Nebraska's running game - became the man in the Cornhuskers' bowl game.
Virginia Tech trailed 17-14 at halftime, but Benning didn't allow the Hokies to keep it close for long.
On Nebraska's first possession of the second half, Benning converted a fourth-and-one with a 3-yard run to Tech's 33-yard line. On the next play, he flashed up the middle and was gone to the end zone.
The Hokies closed to 24-21, but Benning stretched the lead again. Nebraska's next drive featured Benning's halfback throw that resulted in a key pass-interference penalty, and he scored his second touchdown on a 6-yard run as the 'Huskers went up 31-21.
Nebraska never looked back.
It was major production for a player whose work in three previous bowl games consisted of eight carries for 26 yards. And after fighting a midseason groin pull and late-season ankle sprain, Benning was healthy - and his I-back mates not - at the perfect time.
``Some times I could've been bitter, and some times I was bitter,'' Benning said. ``But as I matured, I found ways to channel my negative energy.''
Junior Jay Sims (seven rushes for 48 yards) and Green (seven for 52) did provide Benning with some help.
Green, Nebraska's highest-profile player, spent most of the game sitting on his helmet on the sideline, but he did come in to lead the 'Huskers to their first touchdown and first lead, 10-7. Green's 17-yard run started a three-play, 31-second scoring drive in the second quarter.
``Damon played an outstanding ballgame,'' said Tom Osborne, the 'Huskers' coach. ``The I-backs that we had healthy really came through.''
LENGTH: Medium: 53 linesby CNB