Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 22, 1993 TAG: 9309220048
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Long
"We've got to keep him out of a rhythm," Beamer said Tuesday at his weekly news conference. "Things have got to change up."
Last year, that would have been a plea to a defense whose weak pass rush too often stranded a secondary that gave up school records of 17 touchdowns and 119 first downs passing.
This year, Tech seems able to back it up. The Hokies have nine sacks through three games - the same rate as last year - but they also have 36 quarterback hurries this season compared to 35 all of last season.
Tech's passing defense has allowed the lowest completion percentage of any Big East Conference team, although opponents have thrown more times (99) against Tech than any other league team.
Reasons include speed and Tech's new defense.
"When you are attacking more upfield, as opposed to reading or stepping to one side, you're getting into the pass protector quicker," said Beamer, who preaches that the rush should reach the quarterback in four seconds.
"For the quarterback to know what our defense is going to do after the ball is snapped has been a problem . . . [lining up] and not knowing whether we'll bring pressure or [drop in] coverage. It looks the same."
Tech's defensive linemen don't move the same as last year's group.
"Everyone on the front four is a legit 4.8 [40-yard dash] on down," said defensive end Hank Coleman, a linebacker last year. "That's the difference."
Pressure is coming from everywhere, however. Defensive backs Scott Jones and Stacy Henley each have a sack, as does linebacker DeWayne Knight. Linebacker George DelRicco has six hurries.
Tech needs another pressure performance Saturday to rattle Milanovich, who has set or tied five Terrapins passing records this year, including completions in a game (35), touchdown passes (five, tied with John Kaleo) and passing yards in a game (451).
\ HUDDLES: Maryland occasionally runs a no-huddle offense, and Tech's preparation will include having the players wear wristbands showing their defensive sets. Coleman said the Hokies will call a defense before Maryland lines up with the option to audible to another set. Coleman also said Tech's defenders are more familiar with rapid-fire plays than might be apparent, because defensive coordinator Phil Elmassian often runs two scout-team offenses at the first-team defense without pause.
Elmassian has been tormented by Maryland's offense, which averages 460 yards and 36 points per game. When asked if Tech's defenders would wear wristband play-sheets, Elmassian said, "Oh, yeah, on their foreheads, their ankles, hands."
"They do a great job of controlling the tempo of the game," he said of the Terps. "Their offense is undefeated . . . I don't know what we're going to do."
Elmassian doesn't want his players to worry about Maryland's no-huddle offense, only about the Hokies' execution - especially in the secondary.
"They've made great strides, but not good enough," he said of his backs. "If they don't [improve this week], they're going to get their butts kicked."
\ SURPRISE: Sophomore cornerback William Yarborough popped up in an unusual place Saturday against Miami. When freshman free safety Torrian Gray (playing for injured Antonio Banks) got cramps, Yarborough played several snaps at free safety.
"He didn't make a mistake," Elmassian said. "That was unbelievable."
\ RECONSIDERING: Selected opinions Saturday found Tech guilty of a dull offense against No. 3 Miami. Tuesday, Beamer didn't object to the rap, although he defended trying to use a running game to beat Miami as Alabama did in last season's Sugar Bowl.
"Particularly after the results, that's a legitimate statement," he said. "But it's easier [to say that] after the results than before. . . . We want to help our players by keeping things as loose as possible. Maybe we got a little too conservative."
\ BARRY'S BREAK: Senior offensive tackle Chris Barry broke a thumb during the Miami game and is questionable for the Maryland game. Beamer said Barry will be fitted with a cast later this week.
\ ALTERATIONS: Linebacker Ken Brown was credited with seven tackles in the Miami game, but Tech gets its official stats from coaches watching the game film. So, Tech stat-keepers credited Brown for a career-high 14 tackles (10 unassisted).
\ SCOUTING REPORT: Maryland's defense has been ripped for an average of 576 total yards (299 rushing) and 48 points per game. West Virginia coach Don Nehlen, whose team beat Maryland 42-37 last week, said the Terrapins' troubles include becoming "confused" on option assignments and a weakness against straight-ahead running - two of Tech's offensive preferences.
\ HONOR: Tech punter Robbie Colley was the Big East's special teams player of the week after punting six times for a 42.3-yard average. Colley, who averaged 38.1 yards per kick last year, had one boot of 49 yards against Miami.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB