Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 20, 1994 TAG: 9411210076
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
They had seen enough, and they weren't alone.
On as sun-baked a Saturday can be in mid-November, Virginia-Virginia Tech wasn't a football rivalry, it was a rout.
Rafael Garcia booted a UVa-record five field goals, including a lifetime-best 50-yarder, but it wouldn't be fair to say the Cavaliers just kicked the Hokies.
The visitors did much more in a 42-23 victory. The only thing close about this game was the squeezed sellout crowd of 53,157, the third-largest in Lane history and in the state series.
The Cavaliers played with a big-game attitude and embarrassed and dominated Tech, which came out in all-orange uniforms and turned into not-so-great pumpkins.
The Cavaliers hadn't scored this much in this series since a 42-0 victory at Roanoke's Victory Stadium 42 years ago. UVa ran through and over the Hokies, who couldn't run, couldn't hide, and couldn't even field kickoffs.
The Cavaliers' offense was average in that it reached its season norm of 395 yards, but it didn't have to be great because it was in control with 249 ground yards. The defense was even more so.
UVa could have won with alumnus Gov. George Allen at quarterback again. The Hokies kept giving UVa opportunities and the Cavaliers ran over Tech and ran the clock.
Tech had eight turnovers, leading to 29 UVa points. The Hokies hadn't had more giveaways in a defeat since a 38-7 loss to Virginia in Richmond on Oct.19, 1957.
The Cavaliers intercepted Maurice DeShazo five times, making his nomination for the state's Dudley Award a real dud. DeShazo had nine passes picked off in his two home dates against the Cavaliers.
Virginia rushed DeShazo furiously because the Cavaliers didn't have to worry about Tech running the ball. UVa stuffed the sometime Gobblers like Thanksgiving turkeys.
The Hokies learned why UVa's quick and tough defense was ranked first nationally against the run. Tech managed only 33 yards in 17 carries, as the Cavaliers lowered their rush defense average to 56.0 yards per game.
With North Carolina State visiting Scott Stadium on Friday for Virginia's finale, only Clemson's 53.4 yards in 1991 has been a tougher test on the ground.
What was most amazing was that, with 15 minutes to play, the Hokies were somehow still in the game, trailing only 25-16. UVa had helped Tech keep it close until then, and the Hokies' scoring drives had come from only 23, 37 and 31 yards.
So, where did this day leave these bowl-bound state teams except giddy and grousing?
UVa (8-2) can assure itself of being the ACC's second pick in the bowl coalition by beating the Wolfpack on Friday. That would mean no worse than a Gator Bowl spot.
The Fiesta left the pressbox impressed by UVa, but athletic director Jim Copeland said he still believes it's ``a stretch'' to project the Cavaliers into the coalition's first tier.
Fiesta scout Tom Fridena said national rankings are meaningful to a Tempe, Ariz., game that will pair someone with Colorado. With No.12 Southern Cal and the No.14 Hokies losing, 16th-ranked Virginia figures to move up and be the highest-ranked available foe for the Buffaloes.
Fridena said the Fiesta doesn't want USC. However, if State beats UVa, the lowest Virginia probably can fall is into the ACC's third slot in a very interested Peach Bowl.
In the bowl picture, Tech's loss was bigger than Virginia's triumph. That's not only because the Hokies (8-3) played their way out of any hope for a tier-one spot.
Tech could have locked up at least a second tier $1.5 million Gator check - and most convenient bowl drive for its fans - with a victory. That's because West Virginia upset Boston College.
The Hokies could land in the Sun Bowl, at the tail end of the coalition, although that isn't likely. They do remain at least assured of the Big East's third slot in the Carquest Bowl on Jan.2 in suburban Miami, probably against South Carolina (6-5), in the Southeastern Conference's fifth slot.
The Big East two-hole remains vacant. Syracuse (7-3) finishes Thanksgiving night at improved WVU (6-5). BC (6-3-1) must close at Miami on Saturday.
``If a bowl wants a major-market team [for TV ratings], it will take BC or Syracuse as Big East two,'' said Tech AD Dave Braine, speaking primarily about the Gator. ``If it wants fans, it will take us.''
For the Hokies to get to the Gator, they'll have to root for the Cavaliers to land somewhere even better. That might be as tough for Techies to swallow as what went down Saturday.
by CNB