Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, November 22, 1993 TAG: 9311220095
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From staff reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
"It doesn't sound good to me if I read between the lines," said UVa coach George Welsh, whose Cavaliers have lost three of their past four games and four of six. "It sounds like North Carolina State's going to be going before us, and that's a little disturbing because we'll have a better conference record. Won't we?"
Virginia (7-4 overall, 5-3 ACC) finished ahead of N.C. State (7-4, 4-4) in the ACC standings, but conference officials say the Wolfpack has aggressively pursued the Hall of Fame Bowl, which has the fourth choice of ACC teams.
"I haven't talked to any bowl people," Welsh said. "I don't get involved in that. You'll have to ask the athletic director that."
Athletic director Jim Copeland, who spoke to Hall of Fame Bowl officials Monday for the first time in a week, entertained scouts from the Peach Bowl and Hall of Fame Bowl on Saturday. The Peach Bowl, with the third choice of ACC teams, is certain to invite Clemson (8-3, 5-3) after the Tigers' 16-13 victory over South Carolina.
"There's going to be some 6-5 teams in bowls, I think," Welsh said. "I think this team [would] be a good bowl representative. For whoever is listening, I know we will be a better offensive team in a bowl because everybody's back but [Mark] Dixon."
Dixon, an All-America offensive guard, has been suspended for the rest of the season. However, leading receiver Patrick Jeffers and tight end Aaron Mundy probably might be available.
Copeland made an appearance Sunday at the Virginia men's soccer game and said he had been in contact with Hall of Fame and Peach bowl officials.
"I don't know if `optimistic' is the right word or not," Copeland said. "I feel pretty good about our chances."
It is assumed that Clemson (8-3 overall, 5-3 ACC) will go to the Peach Bowl, with Virginia (7-4, 5-3) and North Carolina State (7-4, 4-4) vying for the Hall of Fame.
ACC officials have said the margin in Saturday night's game between the Wolfpack and Florida State might have an impact on the selection process.
"I don't want to comment on that because I'm not sure the people who said that represent the people who make the decision," Copeland said.
\ KICKS: Virginia Tech kicker Ryan Williams caught heat after Tech's 48-34 loss to Boston College because he missed a fourth-quarter field-goal attempt that would have pulled Tech to 34-30.
But Williams made two field goals Saturday - in a game decided by a field goal - and said afterward that former Washington Redskin kicker Mark Moseley had driven to the game to provide support.
"It helped me a lot, knowing he was there and kind of guiding me along," Williams said.
Tech coach Frank Beamer brought on the trip walk-on freshman kicker Scott Dunbar from High Point, N.C., who was seen warming up before the game. Beamer apparently used Dunbar to splash cold water on Williams.
"Kicking is pretty competitive," Williams said. "[It was motivating] with Scott being out there kicking against me, and Coach Beamer mentioning he may have a chance to play if things didn't work out for me . . ."
\ QBS: Tech's Maurice DeShazo, No. 2 nationally in passing efficiency, didn't throw a touchdown pass Saturday for the first time in seven games, although he did complete 19 of 31 passes. Symmion Willis, at one time the top-rated passer in the nation, struggled with 17 incompletions and an interception.
That regular-season-ending performance by Willis reminded DeShazo of someone: himself in his first year as a starter (1992). "Actually, I think I was a little worse," DeShazo said.
\ DECISIONS, DECISIONS: UVa had cut a 14-point deficit to seven when Welsh decided to pass up a field goal on fourth-and-one from the Tech 3-yard line with 4:40 left in the third quarter. The Cavaliers could have used the three points later, particularly when George DelRicco stopped Jerrod Washington for no gain.
"I don't think we got it executed right," Welsh said of the off-tackle play to the right side. "Should I have kicked? Who knows? I just thought we'd make it."
UVa would have faced a fourth-and-four, with little choice other than to kick a field goal, if DelRicco hadn't been penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct after Tech stopped the Cavaliers on third down.
\ MINDSHIFT: The question always arises during Tech-Virginia week: Does the winner have a recruiting edge?
"[I've said] I don't think beating Virginia really has a lot to do with recruiting," said Frank Beamer, Tech's coach. "But I changed my mind today, because we beat 'em."
\ BROWNOUT? The availability of Tech linebacker Ken Brown for the Independence Bowl could be affected by a court hearing Dec. 16 stemming from Brown's arrest in the early morning of Nov. 14 on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Tech coach Frank Beamer cleared Brown to play Saturday against UVa and said he will wait for the result of Brown's hearing before deciding if he will be allowed to play in Shreveport, La., on Dec. 31.
Blacksburg Police Captain W.H. Brown said officers responding to a call at a local restaurant were trying to interview former Tech player Don Stokes when Stokes became verbally abusive and was arrested. Capt. Brown said during Stokes' arrest, Ken Brown was being kept from coming to Stokes' aid by several patrons and was "cursing and raising Cain . . . [and] could not be controlled," so the officers arrested him.
Stokes later apparently had an epileptic seizure; one source with knowledge of the incident said Brown saw the seizure coming and was trying to intervene.
\ ETC.: The Independence Bowl selection committee met Sunday night but did not pick Virginia Tech's opponent for the Dec. 31 game. The short list is Indiana, North Carolina State, Iowa and California. Indiana, 8-3 and in fifth place in the Big Ten Conference, appears to be the favorite but may be taken by a bowl with a Big Ten-committed berth. Committee member Orvis Sigler said the Hall of Fame Bowl - which is strongly considering N.C. State - could affect the Independence's choice. Sigler said the Independence will seek a commitment by mid-week and will not wait until Saturday's games to determine Tech's opponent . . . The Hokies are 5-2 in season-enders against Virginia. . . . The Cavs became the first ACC team to score at least 300 points in the regular season for five consecutive years. . . . Tech's victory stopped UVa from gaining its fourth unbeaten season at home since 1987. . . . The Cavaliers had won nine consecutive non-ACC games dating to the Tech loss in 1990, and had won 12 non-conference games in a row at Scott Stadium dating to Penn State's 42-14 victory in 1988. . . . Tech outgained Virginia last year, 573 yards to 344, but lost; UVa outgained Tech this year, 356-263, but lost. . . . A blocked punt by freshman Brandon Semones, leading to Tech's first touchdown, was the fourth by the Hokies this year. UVa has not blocked a punt all season, but the Cavaliers' Jamie Sharper incurred a roughing-the-punter penalty Saturday while trying.
by CNB