Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 6, 1995 TAG: 9509060137
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The Hokies' road to a third straight bowl starts at the offensive line. If nobody has the answer on Tech, maybe it's because the pigskin prognosticators haven't asked the right question.
It isn't whether quarterback Jim Druckenmiller, virtually untested, will produce. It's whether the veteran front will give him time to do it.
Arm strength and size he has. Speed, he doesn't. Maybe he got his speed from his uncle, former Penn State linebacking great Dennis Onkotz. Druckenmiller just has to get rid of the ball quicker than he has in scrimmages, and he can't be afraid of making mistakes.
The rise of coach Frank Beamer's program two seasons ago, culminating in an Independence Bowl victory over Indiana, was rooted in an offensive front that produced two NFL players - All-America center Jim Pyne and tight end John Burke.
The Hokies' line in 1995 isn't as celebrated, but it's probably better at pass blocking, which is good news for an offense that probably won't run the option much. It's not as big as the '93 group, but it is more athletic.
In Thursday night's opener at Lane Stadium, first-time visitor Boston College figures to send everyone except coach Dan Henning after Druckenmiller. Let's test the untested. That's what Tech did in its upset win at BC a year ago.
How the 20th-ranked Hokies handle this rush job will be telling in a huge opener. Sure, BC was ripped by Ohio State in the Kickoff Classic, but the Eagles aren't Arkansas State, James Madison or Akron, either. It's a conference game, too.
Tech's offensive front also appears to have more depth than in recent years, and it is where the cohesion must be rebuilt on a team that seemed to be running plays from different pages too often last year.
``Our record was good (8-4), but everything didn't seem right last year,'' said center Billy Conaty on Tuesday. ``It isn't always about how much talent you have. It's whether you're willing to work for it.
``It was almost like we rested on our laurels last year. Maybe the success of the year before got to some people's heads. Or, maybe a bunch of guys just had great years at the same time two years ago.''
There is no question the Hokies' program is richer for the brief presence of departed coordinators Gary Tranquill (Michigan State) and Phil Elmassian (Washington). There also is no question the team is more comfortable since their departures.
Tranquill brought a thinking man's concept to the program. Elmassian brought intensity, and, at times, intimidation. They both, however, left the Hokies somewhat confused on exactly from where they were coming.
After months of verbal pounding, Tech's defense, particularly the secondary, bailed out on Elmassian late in the season. Maurice DeShazo, the graduated star quarterback, was anything but tranquil with the change in coordinators.
Defensively, Tech returns 10 starters. The only loss was star linebacker Ken Brown, but his replacement, junior college transfer Myron Newsome, is better than Brown was in '93, or perhaps even last year.
Offensively, the Hokies have superior speed to most of their Big East foes. Running back Ken Oxendine, out with a broken right hand, will be missed in an opener he likely would have started.
The special teams are young, the kickers inexperienced. In a close game, that often counts, as Beamer's kick-blocking units have proven year after year.
How the Hokies handle life in the fast lane in September will determine their December destination. Tech plays its first three games at home, with Cincinnati and Miami following the Eagles.
Tech has only two more home dates after the Hurricanes' visit, but, besides the regular-season closer at Virginia, the non-conference schedule belongs in a bakery window. Early exit polls say the Big East isn't a beast this season, either.
Even should the Hokies start 1-2, they have to play like the season isn't over, because it's not. They'd still have a chance at a solid season and a Carquest Bowl spot.
If the Hokies need inspiration in that regard, they need look no farther than across the line of scrimmage in the opener. BC has started 0-2 in each of the past two seasons and ended up winning bowl games.
Tech figures to be a better team than last year. A third straight 8-3 regular season wouldn't - and shouldn't - be surprising. Anything less than a repeat would.
by CNB