Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 8, 1993 TAG: 9309080057
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
It has replaced the me-first mood that clung to the 1992 team that didn't win in its last eight games, and it's getting some credit for Tech's opening-game victory over Bowling Green.
It's rooted in Tech's grueling preseason, which many Hokies veterans have labeled the toughest in their careers. Some days, fullback Joe Swarm said, his legs hurt so much he "thought they were going to fall right off my hips."
Tech is not practicing in the mornings, which Tech coach Frank Beamer had hoped to do so players could schedule all their classes in the afternoons to avoid the practice conflicts that regularly kept several players out of workouts last year. However, Beamer said recently, class schedules have been arranged to minimize the problem.
That meant few players missed any fall practices, Swarm said, and that created a bond: Everyone went through it, everyone survived it.
It leaked over into Saturday's 33-16 victory. Absent was last year's flamboyant showboating after a score or a hit, except for defensive end J.C. Price's hastily done phantom golf swing after decking the quarterback.
Swarm said receiver Steve Sanders got a sideline talking-to after his touchdown catch. Why? He raised an arm as he scored.
"This team is trying to focus on unity and doing a lot of things together," Price said. "Last year, we started out with this concept and didn't really follow through with it."
From Swarm: "We try to celebrate as a team. No showboating that could even come close to a 15-yard penalty."
Saturday's victory was worth more to Tech than a digit under "W" in the standings. Part of the preseason punishment was to improve the players' conditioning, an obvious need after the Hokies melted in several fourth quarters last year.
Price and offensive lineman Billy Conaty said they felt so well-conditioned that the game was easier than their practices.
And the revamped coaching staff won some allegiance.
"Things came out as they told us they would," Swarm said. "What they've said came true."
The only question is how the attitude will survive a loss. Last year's losing streak, Price said, brought out the individualism for which Tech was criticized.
"A lot of people didn't expect excessive showboating on a team that went 2-8-1," he said.
"It's a lot better to be happy together than to be sad together."
In other Tech news:
\ SPECIAL TEAMS: Tech's coaching staff has sent the video of Ryan Williams' blocked extra-point attempt to Big East Conference officials' coordinator Dan Wooldridge, claiming it shows Bowling Green receiver Rameir Martin jumping on a teammate's back to make the play, an illegal move.
Williams was 3-for-5 on extra points, equaling the number of missed point-after attempts he had all of last year (28-for-30). He has a new holder, Jon Shields, but he took the blame for the misses.
Tech was flagged for a penalty only once on a kick return against Bowling Green while averaging 10.6 yards per punt return and 24 yards per kick return. Last year, penalties spiked numerous Tech returns. "The special teams made some good judgements: Do I block this guy or pull off?" Beamer said.
Beamer coaches the punt rush, punt return and kickoff coverage teams; Terry Strock coaches the punt returners; Bud Foster coaches the punting and field-goal block teams; Billy Hite coaches the kickoff return team; and J.B. Grimes coaches the field-goal protection team.
\ INJURIES: Two of Pittsburgh's best players, linebacker Tom Tumulty and receiver Dietrich Jells, have been slowed with health problems this week. Tumulty remained hospitalized Tuesday with a staph infection in an elbow and is questionable for the Tech game. Jells practiced Tuesday with a sore knee and is probable for the game.
Beamer said backup receiver Jermaine Holmes and cornerback Larry Green, both of whom have sprained ankles, probably won't make the trip to Pittsburgh. Defensive end Lawrence Lewis (sprained ankle) did not practice Tuesday, but free safety Antonio Banks (concussion) did work out.
by CNB