Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 22, 1995 TAG: 9504260033
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Hokies conclude their four-week spring practice drills tonight at 7 with the Maroon-Orange game at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg.
Tonight's game provides the final opportunity for some players to exhibit their worth before the 31/2-month break leading to fall practice begins.
``Everybody is playing for playing time in the spring,'' said Frank Beamer, Tech's coach. ``We're trying to find out who's ready to play come Sept.7 against Boston College.''
The most-watched positions tonight figure to be the offensive glamour spots of quarterback and tailback.
At quarterback, junior Jim Druckenmiller continues to lead a trio of candidates that includes redshirt freshman Al Clark and surprising junior Cody Whipple.
Druckenmiller, backup to Maurice DeShazo last year, has the No.1 spot for now.
Clark, expected by some to emerge as the starter, has been slowed by nagging injuries this spring and been unable to muster a serious move. In Clark's absence, Whipple has stepped up, posting impressive passing numbers in scrimmages.
Behind the quarterbacks, senior Dwayne Thomas and sophomore Ken Oxendine are waging their own battle at tailback.
Thomas, the incumbent who led Tech in rushing last season with 655 yards, then added 102 more in the Gator Bowl, and the highly touted Oxendine, who ran for 258 yards as a freshman, give the Hokies a potent 1-2 tailback punch.
``Both of those guys will get their share of playing time,'' Beamer predicted.
Defensively, Tech lost only one starter - All-Big East linebacker Ken Brown - from last season. Beamer's biggest concern is developing some quality backups.
``We need more good players on defense,'' Beamer said.
EDWARDS UPDATE: Tailback Tommy Edwards, who announced last month he was leaving the Tech program, hopes to decide on what school he will transfer to in the next couple of weeks.
Edwards will visit Boise State next weekend before making a final decision. He already has visited James Madison, Marshall, Appalachian State and East Tennessee State.
"I've ruled out a couple already,'' said Edwards. "I think I've got it down to two now.''
Edwards, a former All-Timesland star at Radford High School, wants to go to a Division I-AA program so he won't have to sit out this fall.
TECH TIDBITS: Kelly Mann, a reserve guard on Tech's NIT championship basketball team, tried out as the fourth quarterback in camp this spring. ... Speaking of multi-sports guys, sophomore linebacker Chris Frith of Collinsville has switched to baseball. As a right fielder, the strong Frith has given Hokies baseball coach Chuck Hartman power at the plate as well as a gun in right field. ... Senior offensive guard Jared Hamlin of Blacksburg has left the team. ... Former Salem High School standout Shaine Miles has been moved from fullback to tight end, where the junior is battling redshirt freshman Todd Wheatley and sophomore Sean Sullivan for the backup spot behind starter Bryan Jennings. ... Smallish sophomore Tony Morrison (6-1, 216) continues to fill Ken Brown's void at middle linebacker. ... Knee injuries have shelved offensive tackle Jay Hagood and redshirt freshman cornerback Quinton Waller this spring. ... punter Robbie Colley, who will be replaced this fall by redshirt freshman John Thomas, likely will get invited to NFL camps this summer. The pro scouts have been impressed by Colley's workouts this spring, Beamer said. ... Fans can attend tonight's game free of charge.
by CNB