
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, September 8, 1995                   TAG: 9509080140
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

HOKIES GAME NOTES

Incredible as it may seem, Thursday night's game marked the first time in school history Virginia Tech had played a game without at least one conventional-style (straight-on) kicker on its roster.

Even during the nine seasons when soccer-style booters did most of Tech's kicking chores, there always was at least one straight-on kicker responsible for kickoffs or backup duties.

The past two seasons, Ryan Williams was the only regular conventional-style kicker on the NCAA Division I-A level. Williams, who graduated last year, is the Hokies' all-time scoring leader, with 254 points.

Before Williams' run from 1991-94, Tech's straight-ahead guys were from Pulaski County - Mickey Thomas (1989-90) and Pulaski native Chris Kinzer (1985-88).

This year's kicker, senior Atle Larsen, is the first soccer-style booter to start a season as Tech's principal kicker since Tom Taricani in 1985.

Last season, as Williams' backup, Larsen became the first soccer-style booter to successfully convert field goals and point-after-touchdowns for Tech since '85.

\ BLUE COLLARS

They haven't reached Cal Ripken status yet, but Tech offensive linemen Chris Malone and Billy Conaty kept a couple of impressive streaks alive Thursday night. Both players have started every game of their college careers.

Malone, a redshirt senior, has started 36 games at guard and may finish his career with more starts than any other player in school history.

Conaty, a redshirt junior, has started 25 games in succession.

NEXT OPPONENT

The Hokies will entertain Cincinnati (0-1) at noon Sept.16 at Lane Stadium. The Bearcats lost at Kansas 23-18 in their season opener Saturday. Cincinnati plays host to Kansas State this week. The Bearcats, 2-8-1 last year, have lost three in a row to Tech. The Hokies won 56-9 at Lane in the two clubs' last meeting in 1991.

Keywords:
FOOTBALL

by CNB