Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 17, 1993 TAG: 9311170021
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Last Saturday's victory over Syracuse and its postseason prize, he says, puts pressure on No. 25 Tech to keep its momentum and beat 23rd-ranked Virginia this week. Opportunities exist elsewhere, too.
He noted recent facilities upgrades at schools such as UVa, and described Virginia's rise from mediocre in the early 1980s to a consistent bowl team.
"When I first came here . . . [UVa] made some changes in how they approached athletics, academics and certain things," Beamer said. "I think they've got a solid formula for success. [Here] it was tougher. We had the [probation] situation. There were some things there kind of going in the opposite direction. But I think it's straightened back out."
Some wrinkles need more ironing. A bigger weight room, a one-room locker room, a central meeting room and more personnel in Tech's academic advising office are on Beamer's wish-list. He also tossed in a phrase about Lane Stadium being "one that we can make larger very easily once there's a need for it." This year's success may strengthen his bargaining position, Beamer said.
"It's a matter of getting it done," he said.
Beamer wouldn't specify what he meant when he said Virginia made changes in its "academics." The school has consistently refuted charges that it relaxed admissions standards for athletes in recent years. Tech's athletic department and admissions office occasionally have been at odds, but Beamer said things are smooth at the moment.
"We understand each other," he said. "They want to make sure that a person has a legitimate chance to graduate from this university. That's right. That's fair."
\ UNDERDOGS: That Tech is a 5 1/2-6 point underdog at Virginia may surprise some, but Beamer, worried that Tech will relax after securing a bowl bid, might dangle it over his players all week long. "That means people think they're better than we are," Beamer said with a mischievous look. Tech linebacker DeWayne Knight accepted the spread "given the success of their program the last few years."
Quarterback Maurice DeShazo, who had two interceptions returned for touchdowns in last year's 41-38 UVa victory, isn't concerned about Tech being too satisfied.
"I don't think it's really hit everybody yet," he said of the bowl bid. "The biggest person going crazy was Bruce Garnes, our manager, and he doesn't even play. [If we beat UVa] you'll see a different emotion then. You'll see people having a great time."
\ RUBBING OFF: Center Jim Pyne may affect Tech's offensive lineman even after he graduates this year. Sophomore guard Chris Malone said Pyne has taught him to "have an attitude when you go out there. What's yours is yours and what's theirs is yours, and go out and take it. I love him. He's a great guy."
\ SAY WHO?: Before beating Syracuse to earn a bowl bid, the Hokies were nationally ranked for a week, had played three times on regional television and had played two teams in the Associated Press' top 10, but by one measure that has done little to increase Tech's traditionally poor name recognition. Coors Light, with help from The Sporting News and Prodigy, an interactive computer service, conducts a "fans' poll." Before Saturday's games, Tech (6-3 at the time) was 62nd - behind, for example, No. 57 Purdue (1-8), No. 55 Pittsburgh (2-7), No. 48 Nevada-Las Vegas (2-7), No. 40 Duke (3-7) and No. 36 Texas (3-4-1).
\ ETC: Freshman rover Torrian Gray, who had two interceptions in his first start Saturday, is the Big East Conference's defensive player of the week. He remains listed as free safety Antonio Banks' backup, but Beamer said he will play there only if Banks is hurt . . . Tech's ticket office reports it has sold a little more than 1,000 tickets to the Independence Bowl.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB