Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 30, 1994 TAG: 9411230007
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MIAMI LENGTH: Medium
Tech junior defensive tackle Jeff Holland severely sprained his lower back during the third quarter and will spend at least one extra night in Miami, where he will be hospitalized for observation.
Duane Lagan, the Hokies' team doctor, said Holland ``heard something pop'' in his back during a Miami running play. Holland remained on the ground, face down but moving his legs and head, while being attended to by Tech personnel.
He was taped, face down, to a board and driven off the field into the Hokies' locker room. X-rays there were negative, Lagan said, and there was no neurological damage.
Lagan said Holland sprained his lower spine near the sacroiliac.
``We're unable to get him to lie on his back'' because of the pain Holland feels when he tries to turn over, Lagan said.
So Holland was wheeled out of the Tech locker room, still face down on a stretcher, and was taken to Doctor's Hospital. He'll have more X-rays there, Lagan said, and it is hoped he will return to Blacksburg today.
One of Tech's assistant trainers will stay with Holland, Lagan said.
Holland's wasn't the only major injury in Tech's 24-3 loss at Miami. Offensive tackle Jay Haygood was carried off the field by teammates after spraining his right ankle in the fourth quarter.
Miami lost starting linebacker Rohan Marley for the season with torn knee ligaments. Punter Mike Crissy pulled a groin muscle on his first kick and is out for one to two weeks.
Crissy's replacement, kicker Dane Prewitt, had a 49-yard punt on his first try and saw his second downed at the Tech 2-yard line. That punt was called back because of an illegal-procedure penalty, however, and Prewitt's re-kick was blocked by Tech's Michael Williams, setting up the Hokies' first score.
A TARGET: Tech quarterback Maurice DeShazo again was the focus of the Hurricanes' defense.
``We didn't let DeShazo get outside, because that's when he's most dangerous,'' said Miami defensive end Kenny Holmes.
Added Hurricanes end Kenard Lang: ``We feel like when a great offensive player comes to the Orange Bowl, we need to step it up. We basically shut down Napoleon Kaufman of Washington, and we did it to Maurice DeShazo today. He was the key to their offense.''
DeShazo was 14-of-29 for 134 yards, one interception and no touchdowns. The Hokies have been outscored 146-47 in seven losses at the Orange Bowl, including a combined 45-5 the past two years.
RANK NOTE: Miami improved its record to 40-16 against ranked opponents in the past 10-plus years. Tech is 1-15 in games against Top 10 teams since Frank Beamer became head coach in 1987. The victory was over No.9 West Virginia in 1989.
ETC: Tech's 7-1 start was its best since 1967. The Hokies haven't gone 8-1 or better since 1954, when Tech finished 8-0-1. In '67, as in '94, it was Miami that broke Tech's winning habit. ... Tech has not won four road games in one year since '67; the Hokies finished this season 3-2 on the road. ... The two most penalized teams in the Big East combined for only 10 flags for 94 yards. ... Antonio Freeman's five catches tied him with Ricky Scales (113 from 1972 to 1974) for the all-time Tech record. ... Miami has scored 30 or more points in 10 of its past 13 Orange Bowl games. Tech was the opponent in two of those games, last year (Miami scored 21 points) and Saturday.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB