Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 19, 1995 TAG: 9511210031
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Long
None has been any sweeter than victory No.531 Saturday in the back yard of its biggest rival.
In a stunning comeback in front of 43,600 disbelieving fans, 20th-ranked Tech erupted for 22 points in the final 13 minutes to shock 13th-ranked Virginia 36-29 at Scott Stadium.
Tech quarterback Jim Druckenmiller summed it up for Hokies everywhere when he said: ``It just doesn't get any better than this.''
Considering the opponent, the site, the comeback and its possible effects on the bowl-game shakedown, there's no topping the latest chapter in Tech's school record nine-game winning streak.
With a quarter to play, the Hokies (9-2) were as good as cooked. Four-point favorite UVa (8-4) led 29-14 and appeared to be in control.
``I think they thought the game was over ... but we didn't,'' said Cornell Brown, Tech's star defensive end.
Virginia has failed in the past to nail down games in the fourth quarter, and Saturday was another example. Earlier this season, the Cavaliers lost on the last play at Michigan and Texas. They squandered another late lead at North Carolina.
``We knew they may fold in the fourth quarter ... they've been doing it all year,'' said George DelRicco, Tech senior linebacker.
And it happened again.
After doing virtually nothing on offense since producing 14 first-quarter points, the Hokies scored 22 in the final 13 minutes and 13 in the final 47 seconds.
The game-winner - the play that will be remembered - was Druckenmiller's 32-yard touchdown pass down the left sideline that hit senior wideout Jermaine Holmes, who somehow had slipped behind UVa senior safety Percy Ellsworth.
Holmes, who had dropped several passes earlier in the game, wasn't about to play butter-fingers with this baby ... not if he wanted to ride the bus back to Blacksburg, anyway.
``Druck pump-faked on the play and [Ellsworth] bit on it,'' Holmes said. ``When I saw the ball coming I thought it might be a little [overthrown]. But I stretched my arms, everything got a little quiet and I brought the ball in. No way could I drop this one.''
The touchdown tied the score at 29. The conversion kick by Atle Larsen, who had booted a pivotal 35-yard field goal with 6:58 left to bring Tech within six, put Tech ahead 30-29.
``We knew it was up to the offense to score on that drive,'' said Druckenmiller, who completed six of nine passes on the 71-yard march, the last six straight.
``We told ourselves this is the last shot, the very last one. And everyone sold it out.''
The drive against suddenly defenseless UVa was kept alive with 1:52 left when Druckenmiller hooked up with Cornelius White on a 14-yard crossing pattern on fourth-and-10 from the Tech 29.
Still, UVa had one final shot to win it. Three straight Mike Groh completions, totaling 52 yards, moved the ball from the UVa 18 to the Tech 40 with six seconds left. At that point, UVa coach George Welsh called a timeout, trying to decide whether to try a 57-yard field goal, throw a quick out for a short gain and get out of bounds or dial ``Hail Mary'' in the end zone.
Welsh chose option No.2, hoping to gain about 6 yards or so. The only people that got six was Tech. Junior cornerback Antonio Banks stepped in front of UVa receiver Bryan Owen, picked off Groh's bullet, and raced 65 yards for a touchdown that supplied the final differential.
Afterward, Welsh was left second-guessing himself.
``In hindsight, I think we should have thrown the ball in the end zone,'' Welsh said. ``It would have been a 57-yard field goal. We were trying to get 5 or 6 yards out of it and get out of bounds. If we executed it, we think we can get out of bounds with 1 second to go.''
Larsen never got a chance to kick the extra point. Delirious Tech fans poured onto the field, sparking a long, joyous celebration. Numerous Hokie fans climbed the south end goalpost and nearly had it down before some UVa backers and policemen wielding billy sticks took over.
The Cavaliers won the statistics battle, outgaining the Hokies 420-319. All but 103 of UVa's yards came through the air behind Groh (13-of-24 for188) and backup Tim Sherman (8-of-10 for 129), who led the 'Hoos to 15 second-quarter points when Groh left the game with a sprained left knee.
The first half was a tennis match, with the teams trading blows.
UVa broke on top 7-0 on the first of two touchdown receptions by sophomore Germane Crowell.
Tech answered with two first-quarter scores, both set up by long bombs from Druckenmiller to Bryan Still. Ken Oxendine knifed in from the 1 after Still's 59-yard catch to make it 7-7. Dwayne Thomas' 2-yard run, following a 51-yard Druckenmiller-to-Still connection, made it 14-7.
UVa volleyed right back, however. Sherman, playing magnificently considering he had thrown only seven passes all season, directed a 70-yard march that was capped by his 2-yard touchdown pass to fullback Darrell Medley.
Then, the Wahoos caught the Hokies napping for two points and a 15-14 lead. On the conversion, Sherman lined up, took a quick snap, and threw the ball to Bobby Neely, who was left unattended near the right sideline.
When Sherman hit Crowell for a 31-yard TD pass on UVa's next possession, the Cavs appeared to have momentum, going to the locker room with a 22-14 halftime edge.
Things continued to be in UVa's favor in the third quarter. Virginia led 29-14 after Tiki Barber, who was held to a season-low 58 yards rushing, scored on a 9-yard run with 10:51 showing.
Then came the fourth quarter.
For Tech, that usually means its time to go work. Counting Saturday's 22 points, the Hokies have outscored their 11 opponents 107-21.
For UVa, the fourth quarter often spells doom.
``I'm sure it plays on their minds. It has to,'' said Brown.
When Tech cut it to 29-20 on Druckenmiller's 10-yard touchdown pass to Holmes with 12:59 left, DelRicco said, ``you could see it coming.''
``Chris Harrison [UVa right offensive tackle] was in my grill and talking some smack like `You guys are going to lose,''' DelRicco said. ``Then, when Banks took that interception home, I couldn't help but laugh at him.''
The Hokies might be laughing all the way to a major bowl.
``I don't know where we're going [to] wind up,'' said Tech coach Frank Beamer, ``but I think we'd be good for a bowl. We're a story, an up-and-coming program. I'd be surprised now if one of the [Bowl Alliance] didn't want us.
``Whatever happens, this one is definitely nice. There's so much pride at stake in this one. I'm so happy to be able to give it to our fans and alumni. Yeah, I think this one will last a while.''
by CNB