Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 28, 1994 TAG: 9408260016
SECTION: COLLEGE FOOTBALL PAGE: FB5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Coach: Frank Beamer, eighth year (75-66-4 overall, 33-43-2 at Virginia Tech).
Rushing: No worries here, at least in terms of ball carriers. If it isn't Dwayne Thomas, it will be Tommy Edwards, or Brian Edmonds, or freshman Ken Oxendine, or Ranall White. Thomas averaged 5.3 yards per carry and gained 1,130 yards as a sophomore, becoming Tech's first 1,000-yard rusher since 1986, and he scored 12 touchdowns, 11 on the ground. Edwards, White and Edmonds combined for 1,017 yards and 13 touchdowns (nine of them by Edwards). Starting fullback Joe Swarm is gone, but Edmonds has the speed and power to take his place. Oxendine already is the Hokies' No.3 tailback behind Thomas and Edwards and figures to get plenty of work. Quarterback Maurice DeShazo is a threat running the option. The biggest problem here is the offensive line, which must replace consensus All-America center Jim Pyne, big tackle Chris Barry and tight end John Burke, a blocking specialist. Center Billy Conaty moves to his natural position after a year at tackle, and a combination of Mike Bianchin, Jay Hagood and T.J. Washington will cover the tackle spots. Senior Kevin Martin and sophomore Bryan Jennings are the top candidates at tight end.
Passing: DeShazo enters his senior year as one of Tech's most efficient quarterbacks - and it was his throwing that was a question early in his career. He completed 56.1 percent of his passes (seventh best in a quarterback-rich Big East last year), but his 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions helped him rank second in the league in passing efficiency (fifth in the country). The first-team preseason All-Big East quarterback is able to avoid rushes and improvise for big plays, a skill he might use often if Tech's line can't overcome personnel losses. Given time to throw, DeShazo should have a ball with receivers Antonio Freeman (second team All-Big East last year with 32 catches and 20.1 yards per catch), Bryan Still (15 catches), Cornelius White (15) and redshirt freshman Shawn Scales, who had a tremendous spring practice. DeShazo lost a good friend and trusted coach when offensive coordinator Rickey Bustle left for South Carolina, but his learning curve with new coordinator Gary Tranquill should be smooth.
Defense: Despite the loss of All-Big East cornerback Tyronne Drakeford and three other senior starters, this unit should continue the improvement it showed late last year. It's an aggressive defense that is willing to risk big plays (which it gave up often last year) to make big plays. The Hokies gave up 388 yards and 22.7 points per game, but cut those numbers to 326 and 18.5 in the last two games, against Virginia and in the bowl against Indiana. Poulan/Weed Eater Independence Bowl defensive MVP Antonio Banks returns at free safety, as do impact players Ken Brown (113 tackles, second in Big East), Cornell Brown and Torrian Gray. Linebacker George DelRicco complements Ken Brown, and Lawrence Lewis and Hank Coleman effectively bookend Cornell Brown, a touted recruit whose freshman year showed why. Except for the interior line - four deep with Waverly Jackson, J.C. Price, Jeff Holland and Jim Baron - an injury or two could dramatically affect Tech's defense.
Kicking: Kicker Ryan Williams fell off after a solid '92 season, missing five extra-point attempts and five of 11 field-goal tries, including a potential game-winner at West Virginia. Nevertheless, the senior has to be beaten out for the field-goal job. Trying to do so will be scholarship recruit John Thomas, walk-on Jeff Haug and Division I-AA transfer Atle Larsen. It likely will be the best kicking competition Tech has had in Beamer's tenure. Senior Robbie Colley was the Big East's lowest-ranked punter last year (38.4 yards per kick), despite kicking six times for a 42.3-yard average against Miami. He also may be challenged by Thomas.
Prospectus: Almost everything is in place for Tech to have perhaps the best season in school history. The Hokies have 23 key players back from last year's 9-3, bowl-winning, 22nd-ranked team and have added highly sought recruits Oxendine and Tony Morrison, among others. Beamer seamlessly covered Tech's biggest off-season loss, hiring well-respected Tranquill to replace Bustle, whose only year as offensive coordinator produced the most prolific team in Tech history. Offensively, the Hokies' skill players are as good as any collection in the Big East. Defensively, coordinator Phil Elmassian will continue his zero-tolerance policy and has enough players to be better than last year. The Hokies must avoid injuries, avoid complacency and answer nagging questions on the offensive line and at cornerback, tight end, backup linebacker and backup safety. Pending the successful completion of those assignments, Tech could by playing on New Year's Day for the first time ever. 9-2 overall, 5-2 Big East.
by CNB