Daily Press from Newport News, Virginia • Page 45

Sunday, November 12, 1989 Effft Skip Miller wii 32 v. 'y I -Columnist i 1 "1 U.Va. survives 2nd-half rally and fisticuffs By DAVE FAIRBANK Staff Writer CHARLOTTESVILLE Typical Virginia-Virginia Tech. Down to the wire, outcome decided by a handful of big plays, finger-pointing and woofing. Even a bench-clearing brawl on the last play of the game that rearranged Tech Coach Frank Beamer's dental work.

But it was how the two teams reached Virginia's clinging-by-its-fingernails 32-25 victory Saturday at Scott Stadium that was unusual, even for this series. The 18th-ranked Cavaliers (9-2) played a near-flawless first half on the way to a 24-0 lead. Virginia Tech (5-4-1) Hokies' chatter angers Virginia CHARLOTTESVILLE Right defensive end Ray Savage was disgusted. Left defensive end Chris Slade was impressed. Offensive tackle Roy Brown was incensed.

None cared to call himself happy after helping the University of Virginia to a 32-25 victory over Virginia Tech Saturday. Happiness had no place in this 71st renewal of the state's lone remaining Division I-A football rivalry. Angry words started this game. Punches finished it That's why Savage found it so disgusting. Especially the antics of Tech tailback Tony Kennedy.

"He came out pointing at me like he was going to run it down my throat," Savage recalled. r-C A it s-z, i i KENNETH SILVERStaft photographer U.Vas Tim Finkelston rolls into the Virginia Tech sideline after being hit by Tech ptinter Chris Baucia (12) on a return. rallied behind third-string quarterback Rodd Wooten, called on after starter Cam Young suffered a broken arm 4:19 into the third quarter, for 25 points in Relief QB Backup quarterback brings Tech offense to life. D6. the second half Virginia's ninth victory wasn't secure until cornerback Jason Wallace intercepted Wooten at the Cavaliers 39-yard line with 1:13 remaining, and Virginia's offense was able to run out the clock.

With scouts from five bowls in attendance the Citrus, Hall of Fame, Peach, All American and Liberty the Cavaliers won nine games for the first time this century and recorded their third consecutive victory over Tech for the first time since 1950-52. "Whew," Virginia linebacker Elton Toliver breathed afterward, echoing the sentiments of many of his teammates. "I don't know if we let down," Virginia defensive back Kevin Cook said. "In the first half we got our 24, in the second half they got their 25. We were lucky enough to get a few more points." Beamer was pleased with the Hokies' comeback, though he had a little trouble talking about it.

As Virginia ran out the Please see U.Va., D6 Duke goes bowling, rips 'Pack Victory ties Devils for ACC's top spot By DAVID TEEL Staff Writer DURHAM, N.C. Seven weeks ago, Duke's football season was headed for -ruins. Saturday it became historic. The Blue Devils defeated North Carolina State 35-26 before 41,200, the largest crowd at Wallace Wade Stadium since 1975, to tie Virginia for first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference at 5-1. Duke can win at least a share of its first ACC title since 1965 by winning at last-place North Carolina next week.

The Blue Devils are 7-3 overall and will accept their first bowl bid since 1961 next week, probably to the All American Bowl. Since losing at Virginia 49-28 seven weeks ago, Duke has won six consecutive games, its first six-game winning streak since 1952. "This is a big step for us," Duke Coach Steve Spurrier said. "One more and we'll have a conference championship. I think we'll go to a bowl, Please see Duke, D6 if.

Defense lifts Tribe past JMU Inspired surges to victory By CHARLIE DENN Staff Writer WILLIAMSBURG The name of the game Saturday, in case you missed it, was defense. Playing like a unit inspired, thanks to senior defensive tackle Vince Edwards' fiery halftime oration, William and Mary's defense completely de-clawed James Madison's multi-Winged-T attack at Cary Field in the last half. There may have been better turnarounds by the Indians, but certainly not this year. The 12th-ranked Indians' 24-21 victory over the Dukes Saturday was a study in contrasts. In the first half, JMU controlled the momentum and was moving the ball almost at will.

But in the final 30 minutes, smothered the Dukes' Please see D8 Fight casualty Virginia Tech head coach loses a tooth in post-game fight. D6. That's exactly what Kennedy tried to do on the Hokies' first offensive play. He broke to the outside, into the lane Savage patrolled. Savage was pinched in by wide receiver Myron Richardson and Kennedy gained six yards.

When he got to his feet, he called Savage everything but an AU-American candidate. Four plays later, Kennedy ran the same play. Savage fought through the block to stop him for a 3-yard gain. The tackle made, Savage leaned back down into Kennedy's face, and said, "You've got to bring it stronger than that This is football." And the war was on. i Kennedy finished the day with 43 yards on nine carries.

Savage finished with eight tackles and the last word. "I never heard of Kennedy before," Savage said. "I don't know what was wrong with him, either. "He's just a kid who needs to realize football is football. You speak with your pads, not your mouth.

He's got to realize he's a running back and running backs get hit. I "And he definitely needs to grow up some." i. At the other outpost on the Cavalier defensive line, Slade was shrugging off the Hokie insults. "They were talking a lot of trash," be said. "But you've got to expect that in a Virginia Tech game.

This is the big rivalry. We ain't out there to say nice things to each other." The first play to Slade's side made him realize there was more to this war than words. He was chopped down at the line of scrimmage and tailback Vaughn Hebron escaped for a 5-yard gain. "I didn't expect them to be as physical as they were," Slade admitted. "I played against Penn State, Clemson, North Carolina State I thought Tech hit harder than any of And talked more.

"The more they talked, the harder we played," Slade said. "We wanted to prove to them we weren't going any place. We were going to be right there in front of them regardless of what they said." The Virginia offense had the ball when the game ended. Quarterback Shawn Moore intentionally downed it and then the clock ran out. Somebody threw a punch.

Virginia tight end Bruce McGonnigal said he was sucker-punched by Tech defensive end Jimmy Whitten. Benches emptied. An elbow caught Tech Coach Frank Beamer in the mouth, knocking out a tooth. i In the middle of it all stood Slade, hugging Tech kicker Jim McKechnie. Last year they were teammates at Tabb High School.

This year they were non-combatants in an alley fight. "Sure, I gave him a big hug," Slade said, smiling. "He's still Jimmy and this is still just football." Tell that to Roy Brown. A senior, Brown wanted nothing more than a once-and-for-all blowout in the last home game of his career. For two quarters, things were going his way.

Then Tech scored 25 points in the second half. Then there was the brawl. Brown didn't want it to end that way. I "A bunch of their guys thought they would win the game with a fight," Brown said bitterly. "They can fight all they want.

It won't change what's on the scoreboard." Brown didn't want to fight "I wanted to go a couple more quarters with them," he said. "It bothered me that we blew them out in the first half and then they got back into it. "Before the game, I wanted the blowout because it was my last game here. After the game started, I wanted the blowout because they came out like they were trying to intimidate us. i "I still want the blowout.

We're about 50 points better than Tech, but it didn't end that way." IK -I- v. ft i -f tA i DENNIS TENNANTSlatf photographer Keith Booker (66) and Vince Edwards sack JMU's Eriq Williams. King Petty should abdicate his throne following next week's race in Atlanta 2'V College football: Maryland and Penn State play to a 13-13 tie. PageD7 NBA: Mark Pries scores 19 points In his first game of the season as Cleveland defeats Boston 104-101 for its first victory. Page 09 NFL: Staff writer Warner Hessler predicts the Washington Redskins will upset the Philadelphia Eagles.

Page 010 By AL PEARCE Staff Writer Next Sunday's Atlanta Journal 500 at Hampton, Ga. will mark the end of Richard Petty's 32nd consecutive year of driving NASCAR race cars for pay. Respectfully, it says here that 32 years is enough, that Petty should peel off his sweaty uniform and hang up his battered helmet for the last time a week from today. Retire before its too late, Richard. Don't be so stubborn and foolish that you won't quit during a losing streak.

Go quietly into the night while we still remember you as The King. More importantly, quit while you're still alive and well and everybody's all-time favorite. -M He won't quit, of course. He'll show up at Daytona Beach next February, smile for the cameras, sign every scrap of paper thrust his way, and say how excited and optimistic he is about racing another season. He'll talk about how much better his STP Pontiac team will be in '90.

He'll describe all the neat stuff he learned in off-season testing. He'll admit that while he's not in the best of shape, he's working on that, too. Finally, as if to reassure himself, he'll reassure us that he wouldn't be back for Speed Week if he didn't think he Pleise see Petty, D9 ap High schools: West Virginia's Major Harris dives for yardage as the Moun- Gloucester wins the Region I girls' taineers beat Rutgers 21-20. basketball championship. Page D4 PageD13 File Petty has 200 career victories.

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