ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, December 2, 1996 TAG: 9612030021
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Monday Morning Quarterback
SOURCE: FROM STAFF REPORTS
``I know one thing: They're going to see this tape,'' Welsh said of his players. ``I think there are some things they need to see. I'm just glad we've got one more game.''
Welsh was disturbed by his team's carelessness, as reflected by blocking-below-the-back penalties on three returns. Instead of starting drives at its 25-, 25- and 27-yard lines, UVa took possession at its 10, 16 and 11.
Passing into history
Virginia Tech quarterback Jim Druckenmiller threw for 197 yards against Virginia in his last regular-season game, giving him 4,383 passing yards in his career. Since bowl stats don't count in an individual's total, Druckenmiller finished his career as the No.4 passer in Hokies history.
``In a way, it's sad to play my last game here'' in Blacksburg, said Druckenmiller, whose 4,634 yards of total offense ranks fifth at Tech. ``I'm just thankful we came out on top for our last home game. I didn't want to leave anything out there on that field.''
Druckenmiller's two scoring passes Friday in the 26-9 victory gave him 17 for the season, third in Tech history. His 72-yard completion to Cornelius White was his fifth pass of 70 or more yards in his career and was Tech's second-longest non-scoring pass play ever.
How did he know?
Welsh said he didn't think his coaches agreed with him when he sent in the field-goal team on fourth-and-inches from the Tech 22-yard line and the Cavaliers trailing 13-9 in the third quarter.
``I don't know,'' said offensive coordinator Tom O'Brien, of the alleged difference in opinion. ``He didn't ask me, so I don't know. Field goals don't win games, but if you kick one there and make it 13-12, who knows?''
Rafael Garcia had kicked three field goals at that point, but he was operating with a new holder, Will Thompson, after an injury to regular quarterback and holder Tim Sherman. Garcia missed the kick wide right.
Record upon further review
UVa linebacker Jamie Sharper was credited with seven tackles by press-box spotters, but it won't be known if he has broken the school tackles record until defensive coordinator Rick Lantz reviews the film.
Sharper entered the game with 421 tackles, second behind Charles McDaniel's 432 on the Cavaliers' all-time list. UVa conforms to NCAA guidelines, which count only statistics from regular-season games.
Fifteen and holding
Defensive back Ronde Barber will finish his career with 15 interceptions, third on Virginia's all-time list, if he elects not to return for his senior year.
Barber, contemplating a jump to the NFL, had said he would like to hold the interception record if he left early. Barber is one of two Virginia players to make All-ACC three times, joining offensive tackle Jim Dombrowski (1983-85).
Cavaliers' streak alive
Virginia was ranked 25th by The Associated Press and remained in the poll for the 41st straight week, the eighth-longest streak in Division I-A.
The Cavaliers haven't been 25th since the week the streak began, following a 34-10 victory over North Carolina on Oct.17, 1994. Nebraska has the longest streak, 255 weeks, followed by Colorado at 132 and Florida State at 127.
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines KEYWORDS: FOOTBALLby CNB