THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 14, 1995 TAG: 9510140419
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
Virginia Tech's beleaguered offense could use a breakthrough game.
But no one should get too excited if the Hokies suddenly light up the scoreboard today.
Akron (1-4), which comes to Lane Stadium at 1 p.m. for Tech's Homecoming, does not pose much resistance to opposing offenses. The Zips rank 102nd of 108 Division I-A teams in rushing defense, 87th in passing defense, 100th in total defense and 102nd in scoring defense (37.2 points).
At least Akron's defense can hold its own in practice against the Zips offense. Akron is 105th in rushing offense, 72nd in passing, 101st in total and 105th in scoring (12 points).
Akron has forged those abysmal rankings against four of five opponents from its Mid-American Conference, one of the two weakest in I-A. In their only previous nonconference game, the Zips were clipped by Kansas State 67-0.
Akron is 2-15 over the last two seasons and has lost 10 in a row on the road, dating back to October 1993.
``It's not like people are saying `We're playing Akron, we can take it easy this week,' '' Hokies wide receiver Jermaine Holmes said. ``We haven't been performing well on offense, so the intensity level in practice is very high.''
The Hokies have won three in a row, sometimes in spite of their erratic offense. Tech's defense ranks fourth nationally in points allowed (11.8) and 10th in rushing defense (95.8 yards). The defense, unscored upon in its last five quarters, has been a rock.
But the Hokies' offensive production has been rocky.
Tech (3-2) has scored 67 points (13.4 per game, 104th nationally). It's the Hokies' fewest through five games since 1970, when they opened the season 0-5.
Coach Frank Beamer said there are several reasons for the breakdowns.
``We're just kind of out of sync,'' Beamer said. ``It's one guy missing a pass here, one guy missing a block here. As you look at the video you say `Boy, that'd be a good play if that one guy just made the block right there.'
``Sometimes I think when you're not in sync and you're not doing well, people try to do too much and they get a little tentative and don't want to make a mistake. I think we've got to get looser, play with a little more emotion and enjoy this thing.''
Tech should enjoy it today.
Hokies starters expected to miss the game because of injuries are flanker Bryan Still (shoulder) and defensive tackle Jim Baron (ankle). Cornerback Antonio Banks (knee) is expected to dress for the first time in four games, but may not play. ILLUSTRATION: GAMEWATCH
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by CNB