Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 20, 1991 TAG: 9104200031
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"I just sort of had to take what was left," said Poindexter, Virginia Tech's third-string fullback in 1990, of his six carries and two pass receptions that season. "It's been a lot of role-playing. I had that role and got a little bit of glory."
In fact, Poindexter served the appetizer and dessert of Tech's 38-13 romp over then-No.17 Virginia by scoring the first and last touchdowns of the day - the first on one of his two rushes of the game, the second on his only reception.
This fall, the Franklin County High School graduate shouldn't go so long between snacks. Tech running backs coach Billy Hite said Poindexter's spring performance has moved him from third-string to second-string behind returning starter Phil Bryant, and said Poindexter will see "a bunch of playing time" nextseason.
That's a given tonight. Poindexter expects to start for the White team, which will be spotted 18 points, against the Maroon team of Tech's starters in the annual spring football game at 7 p.m. at Lane Stadium.
The game will be played regardless of weather, a Tech spokesman said Friday, because today is the last of the NCAA-mandated three-week period in which a team can practice 15 times. There will be four 12-minute quarters. There is no admission charge.
Whether Poindexter gets many carries tonight - or next fall - is of little import, he says.
"It's not really the carries, it's just the snaps," he said. "I want to be in the game. We've got a high-powered offense, and I want to be a part of it."
Since arriving at Tech as a tailback who had gained 3,729 yards in his four-year career at Franklin County, Poindexter hasn't been part of much except practices. He was tried at defensive back before landing at fullback, and in his two-year college career, he's carried seven times for 27 yards and caught two passes for 11 yards.
Last year, a sprained ankle in the season's first game caused him to miss several weeks. When he returned, he was behind freshman Mike Hodges and Bryant at fullback. But off-season weightlifting, he said, added seven pounds to his 5-foot-9 frame - he now weighs about 213 - and he said he's much stronger than he was last year.
Hite said Poindexter's strength and his improved techniques at fullback have made him "a different football player."
"I feel very comfortable with him running the football," Hite said. "He's a fullback with running back skills."
Not that many skills, counters Poindexter, who was asked if he thought he could've made it at Tech as a tailback.
"I don't, because I don't have the skills," he said, mentioning Tech's top two tailbacks, Vaughn Hebron and Tony Kennedy. "They're much better, to be totally honest about it. I think I fit in [at fullback] better than anywhere."
Or, in outside linebackers coach Bud Foster's words: "He's a stud. When he or Bryant's in the game, you can hardly tell the difference."
Foster wishes his position could be as deep as Tech's offensive backfield. The Hokies lost starting outside linebackers Archie Hopkins and Darwin Herdman and are faced with starting third-year sophomore P.J. Preston and senior Mark Scott, entering his second year in the program. Behind them are converted offensive players DeWayne Knight (formerly a wide receiver), Marcus McClung (formerly a tight end) and freshman Ken Brown.
Foster greets the coming fall with brave words, raving about his players' athletic ability and expressing confidence that the Hokies won't be exploited at that position.
"It's been a productive spring," Foster said. "We have some outstanding athletes. I've got more speed at this position than I've ever had."
How about experience? Preston played well at times last year and had 48 tackles, and Scott had 12. Other than that, zilch. And the Hokies, with September-October road games against North Carolina State, South Carolina, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Florida State, won't be able to break in their rookies pressure-free.
"No question I'm concerned about that. I need those five more practice days," he said, referring to the NCAA's shortening of spring practice. "I'd like to have 10 more."
by CNB