Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 7, 1995 TAG: 9509070051
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The strength of Virginia Tech's 1995 hand - something that has befuddled national college football prognosticators all summer - finally will be open for evaluation tonight at Lane Stadium.
In front of an expected crowd of 45,000 and a national television audience (8 p.m., ESPN cable), 20th-ranked Tech will tip its cards in its season opener against Boston College.
Tech coach Frank Beamer knows it's showdown time. For openers, he hopes he doesn't have to read 'em and weep.
``It's a critical game, probably the most important game that we've ever opened up with,'' Beamer said. ``I don't think you can deny that.''
``I don't think it can determine the outcome of our season, but I'm not going to sit here and deny that it's an important game.''
Likewise for BC. The Eagles, picked ahead of Tech in the Big East and ranked in the Top 25 by most preseason publications, are coming off a 38-6 loss to Ohio State in the Aug.27 Kickoff Classic.
With Michigan (home) and Michigan State (away) coming up next, BC needs to beat Tech or else look at a probable 0-4 start.
``The biggest thing,'' said BC coach Dan Henning, ``is that it's a Big East game. You've got to win in the conference to go to bowls. You don't want to leave it in others' hands and get left out like Syracuse did last year.''
Going bowling for a third straight year is certainly on the Hokies' minds. The Hokies know their postseason travel plans will depend a lot on what happens in Game 1.
``It's a big game,'' said J.C. Price, a senior defensive tackle for Tech. ``It's a home game, it's a Big East game. A lot of goals won't be reached if we lose this game.''
Unlike past openers with weaklings such as Arkansas State and Bowling Green, Tech won't be able to bluff BC. This one is lay 'em down and come straight at each other.
``It's just going to be line up and get after it,'' Price said. ``It's the LOS [line of scrimmage] where the game is going to be decided. We both have good offensive and defensive lines. I think that's the four groups of people who will decide the game.''
The Hokies won that battle last year at BC. In its strongest effort of the season, Tech's defense manhandled the BC offense, holding the Eagles scoreless until six seconds remained.
Can the Tech defense again defuse a formidable unit led by All-American tackle Pete Kendall and Mark Hartsell, the Big East's leading passer in 1994?
``Oh, definitely,'' said Cornell Brown, Tech's star defensive end. ``We should do better than last year. We should shut 'em out if we do everything we're supposed to.''
On the other side of the ball, Tech's offense unveils a new driver. Junior Jim Druckenmiller, Maurice DeShazo's two-year caddy, makes his first college start.
Druckenmiller has looked great in preseason, his coaches said, and his leadership qualities have been applauded repeatedly by his teammates. Still, he's never been under the gun of playing in a big game that figures to be a close one.
``Jim has given us every reason to be confident in him,'' said Rickey Bustle, the Hokies' offensive coordinator.
``But I admit I don't know what's going to happen. I sure don't know what's going to happen when those lights come, Jim walks through that stadium and all them people are hollering and he's going in there with the score 0-0 and the clock hasn't started.''
Beamer said the key behind Druckenmiller's debut as a starter will be the play of the Hokies' offensive line. The 6-foot-4, 222-pound Druckenmiller doesn't possess the pocket mobility of DeShazo.
``We've got to give Jim time to make his reads back there,'' Beamer said. ``If he has time he can throw to any part of the field with zip on it. We can't have too many second-and-10s. That's not good for your quarterback or the guy calling the play.''
As might be expected, Druckenmiller is gathering butterflies as kickoff grows closer.
``Jim is a little nervous,'' noted senior flanker Bryan Still. ``You can tell. He's been a little edgy responding at people.
``I know I would be too, though. Playing quarterback is the worst position because you have to know so much. To show it front of the world is tough, but I think he can do it.''
Tech, an early 2 1/2-point favorite, wants to show the world, too.
``I think we're better than people believe,'' Still said. ``This is a great opportunity for us to show everybody around the country just how good we are.''
by CNB