ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, November 23, 1996 TAG: 9611260024
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DANIEL UTHMAN
Two milestones could be reached when VMI plays at No.25 Appalachian State at 3:30 today and it's difficult to determine which would mean more to the Keydets program.
A victory over the Mountaineers (6-4 overall, 4-3 Southern Conference) would give VMI (3-7, 2-5) its first three-game win streak since 1981. But a 225-yard rushing day by senior tailback Thomas Haskins would place him atop the all-time Division I-AA rushing list.
Haskins has 5,108 career rushing yards, fourth all-time. He is 41 yards behind Eastern Kentucky's Markus Thomas (1989-92) and 112 behind Colgate's Kenny Gamble (1984-87). Nevada's Frank Hawkins (1977-80) is No.1 at 5,333 yards.
The All-American's 277 yards last week against The Citadel was the ninth 200-yard game of his career. Haskins ran for 225 yards against Appalachian State in 1994 and had 200 in last season's meeting.
VMI coach Bill Stewart said he is concerned his team will have trouble focusing after two wins over its closest rivals. He said he ``about got his back slapped in,'' last week on the sidelines.
The game will be televised on SportSouth cable and broadcast locally on radio (WRIS AM 1410 Roanoke, WREL FM 96.7 Lexington).
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines KEYWORDS: FOOTBALL 2DAby CNB