Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, September 24, 1995 TAG: 9509250088
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Billy Hite, veteran Hokie assistant coach, called the win "the biggest one I've ever been involved in 18 years at Tech.''
"I think that because Miami is a national power. It's a great thing for our program. You couldn't buy the exposure we're going to get out of this. It should help us in recruiting.''
Not to mention help soften the embarrassment of the Hokies' 16-0 loss to Cincinnati a week earlier.
"It was a long week,'' Hite said. "We [the coaches] did hear a lot of things and I don't blame 'em.
"That loss last week has probably followed me around longer than any loss I've ever had here. Then turn around the next week and have the greatest win I've ever had at Tech. It's a crazy profession, I tell you.''
TRUE REWARDS
Loren Johnson and Pierson Prioleau, a pair of "true'' freshmen cornerbacks, got their baptism by fire against Miami.
Johnson and Prioleau alternated at the left cornerback spot left open by Antonio Banks, who had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Thursday.
Due to all of Tech's blitzing, the two youngsters were hooked up one-on-one with Miami receivers on several occasions.
"They did a great job,'' Beamer said. "We hung 'em out there a couple times. We had to to pressure their quarterback and those two freshmen really hung in there.''
Johnson ended Miami's hopes when he broke up a pass inside the Tech 5 intended for Yatil Green.
"We bumped a little [on the play],'' Johnson said. "Banks told me later I got away with one. I don't know what happened. I didn't see any flags.
"As far as the day goes, the rest of the team pushed me to another level. I found out real soon that this wasn't high school.''
STREAKS, STATS
The loss was Miami's first to an unranked opponent in 72 games. The Hurricanes' last loss to an unranked foe came on Nov. 10, 1984, when it fell 42-40 to Maryland. ... Miami lost for only the second time ever in Big East play. West Virginia turned the trick in 1993. ... Not only was it Miami's first loss to Tech, but it also was the 'Canes' first setback to a school from Virginia. Before Saturday, Miami was a perfect 20-0 vs. state schools. ... Rarely is 13 points enough to beat Miami. Entering Saturday, the 'Canes were 81-1 in games in games in which they held their opponents to 23 or less points ... The victory snapped a four-game Tech losing streak, dating back to last season. ... Tech sophomore tailback Ken Oxendine had 82 yards on nine carries in his first action of the year. Oxendine missed the first two games after breaking his right hand in preseason. ... Brian Semones' second-quarter interception ended a string of 126 straight passes by opposing quarterbacks against the Tech defense without a pick. Tech hadn't intercepted a pass since last November against Rutgers. ... The gathering of 51,206 was the 10th-largest crowd in Tech history.
NEXT OPPONENT
After three straight home games to start the season, the Hokies travel to Pittsburgh on Saturday for a Big East Conference game. The Panthers, who lost 55-14 to Ohio State on Saturday, have lost two straight after opening with two wins. The game, which starts at noon, will be televised by the Big East Television Network (WSLS, Channel 10).
Keywords:
FOOTBALL VA. TECH
by CNB