Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, August 26, 1994                   TAG: 9408260061
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                 LENGTH: Medium

AT TECH, FIELD GOALS ARE NOTHING TO KICK ABOUT

Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer backs place-kicker Ryan Williams, but not to the point of guaranteeing Williams' starting job.

Williams, whose consistency has kept him No. 1 through fall practice, made one of three field goals Thursday night in the 22nd-ranked Hokies' final full-scale scrimmage at Lane Stadium.

Transfer Atle Larsen had three crisp extra points and a 46-yard field goal - his only three-point attempt.

``We've got competition. Ryan's still my kicker,'' Beamer said.

asked if Larsen could win the job before the Sept. 3 season-opener against Arkansas State, Beamer said: ``Yeah. I'm not ruling it out.''

Williams has been under scrutiny after a tough junior year in which he missed five of 11 field goals, including the potential game-winner at West Virginia. Thursday, Williams missed from 31 and 33 yards and was perfect from 26.

``I don't know whether it's kick-for-kick [between me and Larsen],'' said Williams, a senior who said he kicked more balls this summer than he ever has. ``I just try to kick the ball the best I can. Things'll work out how they work out.''

Williams' trouble Thursday mirrored the offenses, which Beamer described as ``ragged.'' In previous scrimmages offensive teams had dominated.

``I thought the defense made a comeback here,'' Beamer said.

Defenses had four interceptions (one by former Salem High School star Keith Moyer); reserve safety Danny Osborne had nine tackles, an interception and a forced fumble; reserve linebacker Vernon Dozier had seven tackles and a sack.

``Right now, we're behind,'' defensive coordinator Phil Elmassian said. ``The tackling's adequate right now. Our focus is inconsistent ...I think we've regressed some [from the end of last season].''

Offensively, quarterback Maurice DeShazo was 11-for-20 for 185 yards and three touchdowns (to Jermaine Holmes, Bryan Still and Antonio Freeman). Freshman quarterback Al Clark was 7-for-11 for 81 yards and ran 47 yards for a touchdown.

BEAMER CONTRACT: After months of off-and-on talks, Tech coach Frank Beamer has accepted a new contract offer from the school.

The new deal will be announced Tuesday after ratification by the school's Board of Visitors, assistant athletic director Jeff Bourne told the Associated Press. Athletic director Dave Braine confirmed the agreement by phone from Kansas City, Mo., where he's attending NCAA meetings, the Associated Press reported.

After last year's nine-victory season, Beamer was eager for longer-term security while the university apparently needed to be convinced.

``I don't think his future with the university has ever been in doubt,'' said Tech president Paul Torgersen. ``We'd kind of like to start the season with that whole thing settled.''

SOME PLAY, SOME WAIT: Barring drastic circumstances between now and Tech's season opener, the Hokies' staff pretty much knows which true freshmen will play and which will redshirt this year. Playing-time probables, Beamer said, are running backs Ken Oxendine and Marcus Parker, offensive guards Dwight Vick and Gennaro DiNapoli, center Todd Washington, whip linebacker Tony Morrison (moved from rover) and cornerback Quinton Waller.

Redshirt candidates are offensive tackles Anthony Kapp and Derek Smith, defensive tackles Todd Volitis and Joe Whitten, linebacker Jason Berish, tight end Todd Wheatley, quarterback Al Clark and wide receiver James Crawford, who has been moved from safety.

Kicker/punter John Thomas, Beamer said, will travel as a backup punter and kick-holder, but the staff intends to redshirt him, too.

Linebacker Chris Frith of Martinsville had earned a second-team spot behind George DelRicco, but Beamer said a kneecap injury that will sideline him for about a week has postponed a decision on whether he will redshirt or play as a reserve.

PLAYER MOVES: Sophomore receiver Willie Wilkins has left school to attend to what Beamer called a ``family financial situation'' in Boynton Beach, Fla., but is expected to return in January. ... Third-year sophomore cornerback Okesa Smith, who was third on the depth chart entering fall practice, fell short of NCAA academic guidelines and is not with the team. He remains in school.