THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 22, 1995 TAG: 9510220192
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PISCATAWAY, N.J. LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
Virginia Tech offensive coordinator Rickey Bustle woke up at 5:30 Saturday morning feeling ill.
``I didn't know what day it was, I didn't know exactly what was happening to me,'' Bustle said.
After a couple of hours he called team doctor Duane Lagan, who gave him something for the pain. But before long, Bustle called him back.
``I said `I don't know if I'm dying or what, but it sure feels like it,' '' Bustle said.
At 10:30 a.m. Bustle was taken to the emergency room at St. Peter's Medical Center in New Brunswick, N.J. He was diagnosed with a kidney stone. The Hokies game at Rutgers began at 1 p.m., but instead of calling plays Bustle was busy with an intravenous feeding, X-rays, urine samples and Demerol.
``It was killing me at the hospital over there because I couldn't get a score,'' said Bustle, who finally got an update from his wife back in Blacksburg.
Finally, the stone moved somewhat, and Bustle headed for the stadium. He rejoined the team at halftime. The stone never passed.
``I get to take it home with me,'' Bustle said.
GRABER'S HOT SEAT: Saturday didn't do anything for Doug Graber's job security. The Rutgers coach is now 26-34-1 in six seasons and has had two winning seasons. The Scarlet Knights are 1-5, and fans are calling for his head.
``I've been through some tough times before, but never quite like this,'' Graber said.
STEPPING UP: Linebacker Brandon Semones, Tech's second-leading tackler, suffered a mild concussion in the second quarter and did not return. He was replaced by sophomore Korey Irby, who had appeared on defense in just two games this season.
Irby had two sacks, a bundle of quarterback pressures and caused a fumble that Hank Coleman returned for a fourth-quarter touchdown.
``He did a great job,'' Tech coach Frank Beamer said.
It was the first touchdown of the senior Coleman's college career.
``When I was running, I thought they were going to catch me,'' Coleman said. ``My feet felt so heavy with all that mud on them. It was a great feeling, better than a sack.''
QUICK HITS: Tech senior running back Dwayne Thomas gained 50 yards, which moved him ahead of Eddie Hunter into fourth place on Tech's career rushing charts with 2,530 yards. Thomas trails Cyrus Lawrence (3,767), Roscoe Coles (3,459) and Maurice Williams (2,981). . . . Tech receiver Bryan Still returned from a shoulder injury to catch a season-high six passes for 62 yards and a touchdown. . . . The Hokies, second in the Big East last week with 3.2 sacks per game, recorded six against Rutgers. . . . Tech scored 67 points in the first five games this season, and has scored 122 the last two. by CNB