Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 9, 1994 TAG: 9411090063
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Long
Beamer might not be an official-baiter in the class of college basketball's Dean Smith or Bobby Knight, but he and Syracuse's Paul Pasqualoni are known in the Big East Football Conference as the league's most (ahem) excitable coaches when they're irked.
Beamer had several on-field excursions during the East Carolina game, when he thought the non-Big East officials in a split crew erred. At Miami, Beamer railed for minutes over referee Terry Monk's intentional grounding call against Maurice DeShazo that killed a Tech possession just before halftime. Miami got good field position, a touchdown and a 17-3 halftime lead.
Big East coordinator of officials Dan Wooldridge initially said Monk's was a judgment call; about a week after the game, however, he said publicly the call probably should not have been made.
Beamer stressed that point when he was asked if he thought he was risking an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty by arguing.
``I try not to go too far with officials,'' he said. ``They tell me when things are getting too far along. As angry as it may seem, I always know exactly what I'm doing with those officials. Have I ever been flagged?''
No, but football coaches are flagged far less often than basketball coaches are hit with technical fouls. Tech athletic director Dave Braine said he's not worried about Beamer pushing it too far, and isn't concerned that a Beamer tirade or two could hurt Tech's image. Neither fans nor the league have called Braine with concerns over a Beamer outburst.
``I'm worried about him having a heart attack,'' Braine said, tongue-in-cheek. ``Frank, I think, 99 percent of the time presents a very good image ... The other one percent of the time, I think he's entitled to get upset.''
Beamer says all Big East coaches send game films to Wooldridge for review; Beamer says he goes the extra mile and sends a video that shows each call with which he disagrees. Beamer praised Wooldridge's efforts to improve Big East officiating, which received national criticism during last year's Orange Bowl.
``I feel bad sometimes that maybe I've gotten as angry as I have,'' Beamer said. ``But at the same time, I know how hard the players work and how hard the coaches work.
``We need to improve the quality of our officiating, and that's where we're headed.''
Meanwhile, there are no promises from Beamer to keep low blood pressure.
``I don't like to be a guy that's on officials every time,'' he said. ``But I'll never apologize for my competitiveness.''
TWO GONE: Flanker Cornelius White and defensive back Baron Spinner have been suspended at least for the Rutgers game because they didn't return on time from their weekend off, Beamer said. White has 10 catches, fifth most on the team; Spinner has played mostly on special teams.
Beamer said it was ``critical'' that Tech get back in its routine after an off-week.
``We wanted them back at 4 [p.m.] Sunday. They didn't make it back, so I've taken that action,'' Beamer said.
The pair will practice with the scout team this week and Beamer said he'll decide later whether they'll play against Virginia. Michael Williams and Shawn Scales may pick up White's playing time. Scales followed a dynamite spring practice with a disappearing act this fall, but Beamer said he'll get a ``good look'' this week in practice.
INJURIES: Defensive tackle Jim Baron (hip bruise) and fullback Marcus Parker (knee) are doubtful for the Rutgers game, Beamer said. Offensive tackle Jay Hagood (ankle) and defensive tackle Jeff Holland (back) would not have played had Tech had a game last Saturday, but both are expected to practice this week, Beamer said, and are probable for the game.
AT HOME: Tech has won 10 straight games at Lane Stadium, the second-longest streak in the history of the facility. It must be a comfort, then, that Tech's remaining business - Rutgers and Virginia - can be taken care of in Blacksburg. At least one Hokie says that comfort goes only so far.
``A crowd is only going to help you for two or three plays in a whole game,'' defensive tackle J.C. Price said. ``Most games are decided in about four plays. Maybe the crowd helps you in those plays, maybe it doesn't. [A coach once told me], `After the first three minutes, the crowd doesn't make that much difference; it gets down to blocking and tackling.' That's totally correct. When the game's played, it's all blocking and tackling. It's not whose crowd yells the best.''
ETC.: Tech has scored 30 or more points in 11 straight home games, the longest such streak in Division I-A ... Rutgers' Ray Lucas (59.5 percent completion rate) is one of four Big East passers completing close to or more than 60 percent of their passes ... Virginia Tech ranks second in the Big East and third nationally in pass defense with an 83.5 rating. The Hokies' 45.6 completion rate allowed is the league's lowest ... Tech leads the league in punt returns (14.5 yards per return), a mark that is sixth nationally ... The Hokies' 33 sacks are the most in the Big East.
by CNB