Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 19, 1995 TAG: 9511210020
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
It really wasn't important what Beamer said in politicking after the 77th Virginia Tech-Virginia game. It was what his team did at Scott Stadium.
The Hokies' coach really shouldn't have to say a word to get his Big East Football Conference co-champions some serious consideration against next week's Syracuse-Miami winner from the Orange and Sugar bowls.
He should just send those $8 million bowls the tape of the final quarter of Tech's stirring 36-29 triumph over the Cavaliers. The Hokies came from a 15-point deficit with 22 points in the final 13 minutes.
And ESPN wants glamour from the Hokies?
``We're getting prettier all the time,'' Beamer said. ``We're real pretty now, maybe even glamorous.''
Actually, he'd rather have guts, which is what it took for Tech to overcome the 13th-ranked ACC co-champions on what was mostly a frustrating afternoon for the visitors.
Consider that in the first half, Tech had knocked two UVa quarterbacks out of the game, didn't have a turnover, had stuffed UVa's potent ground game - and still trailed 22-14.
By the finish, none of that was germane. Or is that Jermaine?
Jermaine Holmes burned UVa's secondary for a 32-yard touchdown reception from Jim Druckenmiller with 47 seconds left. Only seconds before that, Gator Bowl scout Scott McCaleb stood on the sideline watching the Hokies' drive.
The Gator has the second bowl picks from the Big East and ACC. McCaleb seemed to be wishing.
``This,'' McCaleb said while admiring the fierce rivalry up close a few plays before the score, ``would be a heckuva bowl game.''
And just what would it take to play the regular-season finale again in Jacksonville on New Year's Day?
``They'd have to tie,'' McCaleb said.
Atle Larsen's point after Holmes' score assured the Hokies of at least a return to the Gator, against Clemson (8-3). Then, Antonio Banks' game-ending interception for a touchdown gave the Hokies a school record six defensive TDs for the season - all in the last five games.
At that point, there were only three questions left to ask about the Cavaliers.
How many fans will they really take to the Peach Bowl? Is coach George Welsh going to recruit someone who can snap the ball on punts? Does it matter that UVa is the best 8-4 team in the country, when it is the best choking team in the country, too?
UVa's 420 yards were the most against the Hokies this season, and offensively, Tech spent most of the first three quarters unable to get more than one first down a series, much less sustain a drive.
Then, even before the Banks' robbery, Tech had lit up the scoreboard more than any other UVa opponent, including four other ranked clubs.
``I don't think we were ever worried,'' said Druckenmiller, whose grasp of the two-minute offense was so good that he led the Hokies 71 yards to the tying score in only 1:25. ``We were frustrated at times, but we knew it would be a close game.''
It also would be wrong to simply say Tech won in the last minute. Holmes' route and Druckenmiller's play call had their geneses earlier in the week, when the Hokies wrote their offensive playbook for their visit.
Druckenmiller made the play with a pump fake, which had Virginia's Ronde Barber and Percy Ellsworth putting on the brakes. The only question was whether the still-streaking Holmes, who had a couple of drops earlier in the game, would make the catch.
It's that kind of confidence, toughness and smarts that have made this perhaps the best team in Tech history, certainly Beamer's best club in nine years on the sideline at his alma mater.
The Hokies have beaten Miami and Syracuse, and won as an underdog at a place where Florida State couldn't. Only Nebraska, Ohio State and Florida - Nos.1, 2, 3 - have longer winning streaks.
Tech certainly has proven this season that it's not how you start, it's how you finish.
So, in a way, has UVa.
by CNB