Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, September 23, 1994 TAG: 9409240061
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Tech athletic director Dave Braine said he'd like to see the Big East hook up with the Atlanta-based Peach Bowl, the scene of Tech's last-second victory in 1986 in front of 18,000 Tech fans.
The Peach Bowl's new selling point is that it has moved from Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium to the Georgia Dome.
The Big East is talking to the Gator, Hall of Fame, Carquest and Peach bowls to secure a spot for its second-place team. Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese said he's confident he knows where his league's No. 2 team will end up starting after next season. He won't name the bowl but said the opponent will come from either the ACC, SEC or Big Ten.
Tranghese said the Peach has "very much'' been a part of the talks. Whatever other league likes the Peach could influence an agreement.
"The bottom line is, you're not only looking for TV, you're also looking for who you can play,'' Tranghese said.
"The SEC and the Big Ten are going through their exclusive renegotiations with the Citrus Bowl [which takes those leagues' No. 2 teams]. Once they get through that, some things will start to fall.''
WITHHOLDING: Tech's $360,000 check from ESPN will have a $40,000 deduction to cover two light towers ESPN trucked in to brighten Lane Stadium for Thursday night's telecast. Tech installed lights at the stadium in 1982 at a cost of $348,318. There have been two night games televised since then: Virginia in 1982 and Thursday's contest. ESPN televised the 1990 Virginia game, but the 4 p.m. contest and did not require extra lights.
IN THE HOUSE: Lane Stadium long has been said to hold 51,000, but renovations - including new handicapped seating - have cut capacity to 49,100 without bleachers in the north end zone (the one opposite the scoreboard). Those bleachers, normally used only when an overflow crowd is expected, could push the capacity as high as 52,000.
NEW GUY: Randy Dunnigan, a 1994 West Virginia signee from Pulaski County High in Dublin, is redshirting while practicing with the offensive line. Dunnigan, said to be earning coaches' praise, could get a chance for playing time next year because WVU has four seniors on the two-deep roster.
ETC: Among those at Lane Stadium Thursday was Bimbo Coles, a West Virginia native who is the Hokies' all-time leading basketball scorer and currently a Miami Heat guard. Coles was seen in a pickup basketball game in a back gym at Tech's Jamerson Athletic Center, where he and Roanoke native Troy Manns, who has transferred to Tech, were matched up one-on-one ... The 14 professional football scouts at the game were believed to be the most ever at Tech ... Of the 284 press credentials issued for the game, ESPN took 75.
by CNB