ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, October 13, 1996 TAG: 9610150037
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
In large part because of injuries, highly touted recruit Carl Bradley has moved into Tech's defensive plans sooner rather than later.
Bradley, a true freshman from Lynchburg, got his first taste of college football against Temple on Saturday at Lane Stadium.
"It felt good to be back on the football field once again,'' said the 6-foot-3, 260-pound former E.C. Glass High star.
"Everything went well. I was ready to go.''
Earlier this season, Bradley appeared to be a sure redshirt candidate because he hadn't been cleared to play by the NCAA.
"After that went through, the coaches, with it being about the fifth game, they were going to go ahead and redshirt me,'' Bradley said. ``But after Waverly [Jackson], with his problem [strained back], and Nate Williams [bruised knee] went down they went ahead and took my shirt away.''
NOTES 'N STUFF
Antonio Banks' third-quarter interception was his second pick of the season. Unfortunately for the Hokies the rest of the defense has none. Tech's two interceptions rank last in the Big East. The shutout was Tech's first since a 27-0 whitewash at West Virginia last season. It was the Hokies' first shutout at home since 1989, when they blanked Vanderbilt 18-0. Marcus Parker's 73-yard run tied for the 10th-longest rushing play in Tech history. Parker's run, combined with Ken Oxendine's 71-yard jaunt, marked the first time ever Tech had two 70-yard runs in the same game. Shawn Scales' 64-yard touchdown reception was his first Tech TD in 20 career regular-season games.
PUNTING STORY
Beamer has benched regular punter John Thomas in favor of redshirt freshman Jimmy Kibble.
Kibble, who handles Tech's kickoff chores, averaged 38 yards on three punts.
Thomas, who had two punts blocked in the Hokies' first four games, will be Tech's "pooch'' punter, handling the chores when Tech is inside the 50.
In his one pooch effort Saturday, Thomas drilled the ball through the end zone.
BY THE NUMBERS
The victory was Beamer's 55th at Tech, moving him past Frank Moseley into third place on the Hokies' all-time list. Bill Dooley (64 victories) and Jerry Claiborne (61) rank first and second. Tech is 25-5-2 in homecoming dates at Lane Stadium. Tech has won five straight at home. Keion Carpenter's first-quarter blocked punt that set up Tech's second touchdown was the Hokies' third this season. Tech, which blocked an extra point at Akron, has 52 blocks (24 punts, 15 field-goal attempts and 13 PATs) in Beamer's 107 games as coach.
INJURY REPORT
The Hokies, banged up going into Saturday, appeared to have escaped without further problems.
NEXT WEEK
Tech doesn't play next Saturday as it enjoys its second week off in a three-week span. The Hokies continue a four-game homestand when they face Pittsburgh on Oct. 26. The Panthers lost 55-7 Saturday at Syracuse to fall to 1-3 in the Big East and 2-5 overall. Pitt's defense has been shredded for 224 points in its past four games.
LENGTH: Medium: 67 linesby CNB