Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, November 11, 1995                   TAG: 9511120019
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

VMI, W&L HAVE HIGH HOPES TODAY

The Keydets (3-6 overall, 2-4 Southern Conference), who visit archrival Citadel (2-7, 0-6) at 3:30 p.m., are looking for their first four-win season since 1991. Meanwhile, tailback Thomas Haskins is just 182 yards from supplanting Floyd Allen as VMI's all-time leading rusher. Haskins, a junior, leads the conference with 142.8 yards rushing per game.

``This is the biggest game in my two years on post,'' VMI coach Bill Stewart said.

The Keydets haven't beaten the Citadel since 1989. They haven't won in Charleston, S.C., since 1987.

VMI is 0-4 on the road this season, but 3-2 at home. With that in mind, school officials have tried to give a home-field atmosphere to the game by bringing the band and part of the regiment along for the trip.

W&L (5-2-1) has a chance to do lots of things for the first time in a while when it hosts Swarthmore (4-5) at 1:30 p.m.

The Generals are going for:

The longest winning streak (six) at W&L since 1985.

The longest winning streak (six) to finish a season since 1981.

The first unbeaten season at home since 1985.

The most wins for a first-year head coach (Frank Miriello) since 1914.

In addition, if Hampden-Sydney upsets Randolph-Macon today in Ashland, the Generals would finish tied for second in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.

W&L is 2-0 in the series against Swarthmore.

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