Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, November 20, 1995 TAG: 9511210042
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Virginia Tech's knocks on the front door of the Bowl Alliance have now grown so loud that the coalition folks can't ignore the Hokies any longer.
Despite being informed long ago it wasn't on the preferred guest's list, Tech wedged its foot in the Alliance door further Saturday with its miraculous 36-29 conquest of 13th-ranked Virginia in Charlottesville.
The Hokies' stirring fourth-quarter comeback from a 29-14 deficit against a team that beat mighty Florida State only 17 days ago can't go unnoticed.
Evidence was provided Sunday when Tech jumped seven spots in both major polls. Tech (9-2) leapfrogged from 20th to 13th in the Associated Press rankings and from 18th to 11th in the coaches' poll.
The Hokies, winners of a school-record nine straight games, may have played themselves into a position where they can't be denied by either the Sugar or Orange bowls, one of which will wind up with the Big East Conference's alliance contribution.
Barring an unlikely tie, the winner of Saturday's Syracuse-Miami game will end up sharing the Big East crown with Tech. No matter which wins, Tech will have the edge of owning a considerably higher ranking in the polls, not to mention the fact the Hokies beat both head-up.
Tech's huge jump in the polls released Sunday gave Hokies athletic director Dave Braine reason for optimism. Until now, Braine had been skeptical about the Hokies' alliance hopes due to the program's lack of a national identity and its small television market size.
"I really think we'll be in an Alliance bowl,'' Braine said. "I don't know which one. I have my guesses, but I hate to say it and it not turn out. But right now, I think we have better than a 50-50 chance of being in an Alliance bowl.''
Tech players contend there should be no doubt. They want that Alliance pass key. Now.
"We're deserving of a coalition bid,'' said Jim Baron, senior defensive tackle. "We're one of the best teams in the country right now. Hey, we did something that mighty Florida State couldn't come in [to Scott Stadium] and do.
"Who's more deserving now? Somebody tell me a team. People want to see good football, man. I'm sick of this TV rating stuff ... we won't bring a big TV crowd, that's BS.
"People want to turn on the tube and watch good football. They're going to see a good defensive football team, a good offensive football team ... we're one of the top defenses in the country. Who wouldn't want to see that on TV? C'mon, tell me, please.
"If we don't get the bid it will just be a travesty. It will be ridiculous. What is the Alliance supposed to be about? It's supposed to be about the best teams. Are we better than Miami? Are we better than Syracuse? We beat 'em.''
If the Alliance shuns Tech, the Hokies are a virtual lock for a second straight Gator Bowl invitation. The likely opponent - Clemson.
"Nothing against the Gator,'' said Tech's Cornell Brown, "but we want one of the big ones - Sugar or Orange.''
TECH TIDBITS: Brown confessed he had his doubts at certain points about Tech's comeback chances against UVa. "Definitely,'' the junior defensive end said. "They were were pretty much doing whatever they wanted to. There were parts where I felt down, like `just hurry up and get it over with.' But nobody ever gave up and we fought back, like we've done all year.'' ... Tech played basically the entire second half without starting center Billy Conaty. The junior's left leg was injured on the first play of the third quarter, forcing backup Tim Wade to go the rest of the way. ... Junior cornerback Antonio Banks, whose interception for a touchdown on the last play sealed Tech's win, refused a post-game request to meet the media. Banks, whose 125 yards on four kickoff returns was key, has refused to talk to the media all season. He told one reporter in preseason that's he not talking to the media this year "because it gave me bad luck last year.''
by CNB