Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 4, 1994 TAG: 9410050039
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Beamer said Monday that Oxendine, a freshman who has nine carries in 20th-ranked Tech's 4-1 season, will start Saturday's home game against Temple over sophomore Tommy Edwards of Radford. Starter Dwayne Thomas, Beamer said, remains doubtful for the game with a sprained ankle.
``He broke some tackles and made some things happen when there wasn't a lot there,'' Beamer said on the Big East Conference teleconference, adding that Oxendine has improved in blocking and knowledge of the offense, too. ``He's had good production when he's been in there, and we're going to give him a chance to have more production this weekend.''
Neither Oxendine nor Edwards could be reached for comment Monday.
Thomas, a junior, had a team-high 351 yards rushing when he sprained his ankle in the fourth quarter against West Virginia.
Beamer would not say that a healthy Thomas, who in 1993 became Tech's first 1,000-yard rusher since 1986, would be re-installed as the starter.
``When he gets back, we'll make that decision,'' Beamer said.
Oxendine has 147 rushing yards, including touchdown runs of 62 and 51 yards, the Hokies two longest runs from scrimmage this year.
Edwards, who ran for 357 yards and nine touchdowns last year, has 182 yards and two touchdowns on 60 carries.
Edwards also fumbled twice (he recovered both) in Tech's first four plays from scrimmage Saturday against Syracuse.
Beamer didn't liken the tailback situation to the days when Vaughn Hebron and Tony Kennedy basically were co-starters, with the hotter runner getting the most carries in a particular game.
``When [Oxendine] got on the field he really did well, both in the West Virginia game and the Syracuse game,'' Beamer said. ``It's no reflection on Tommy. Ken Oxendine's going to start, Tommy Edwards is going to play; they're both good backs, and that's what I see.''
Oxendine, the 1993 Group AAA player of the year, was heavily recruited and chose Tech over Virginia and Tennessee. At Thomas Dale High School in Chester, he rushed for 3,256 yards rushing, averaging 8.1 yards per carry, and 34 touchdowns. He had three receiving touchdowns.
In other Tech football news, the school announced the Nov.19 game with Virginia is sold out.
Tech will move bleachers into one end zone to bring Lane Stadium's capacity to 53,000.
by CNB