ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, October 23, 1996 TAG: 9610230048
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: TECH NOTES
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
Vacation is over for Virginia Tech's football team. Thank goodness, the Hokies say.
After a rare three-week span that included two open dates, the Hokies say they can't wait to get on with business Saturday against Pittsburgh at Lane Stadium.
While some may argue that facing pitiful Pitt (2-5 overall, 1-3 Big East Conference) qualifies as an open date, the Hokies don't care. They just want to play. Somebody. Anybody.
``I can't stand it,'' Tech guard Gennaro DiNapoli said Tuesday. ``I hated the two open dates, especially the one after Syracuse [a 52-21 Tech loss]. I've never seen anything like this'' schedule.
Tech (4-1, 3-1) has played one time - a 38-0 romp over Temple on Oct.12 - since its Sept.28 loss at Syracuse. When the Hokies tee it up with Pitt at noon Saturday, it will be only their second game in a span of 28 days.
``It's been an unusual situation,'' said Frank Beamer, Tech's coach. ``I don't think any coach would like to have a week off, a game, then another week off.
``I'd be lying if I said it hadn't had an effect. It's been different, that's for sure.''
Beamer said Tech's schedule quirk was a product of the Big East's computer, which takes in all eight league schools' non-conference games and dates and then spits out a final schedule.
``Television is a factor, and we sure like being on TV,'' the Hokies' coach said. ``Plus, being in the Big East is very important to us. So you've just got to live with it. Hopefully, we'll use it to our advantage.''
Things get busy now for Tech. After playing five games in 50 days, the Hokies, starting with Saturday's contest, will play six times in a span of 34 days.
``Yeah, things are going to get going real fast now,'' Beamer said. ``We'd better be ready.''
JOKING JOHNNY: While Tech bemoaned its recent inactivity, embattled Pitt coach Johnny Majors said he thoroughly enjoyed his team's idle time Saturday.
Majors, whose Panthers have been outscored 314-147 in their seven games, was full of quips on Monday's Big East coaches' teleconference with the media.
When asked what he did Saturday, Majors replied: ``I had a great time. I went to five funerals and it beats what I've been doing on Saturdays.''
Majors was kidding. He actually attended a wedding, then watched some football on TV.
``Yeah, I watched some others suffer '' Majors said.
Majors figures to return to his 1996 misery party Saturday. His Panthers have been installed as a 30-point underdog to Tech.
FATHERLY ADVICE: On his Monday radio show, Beamer mentioned his son, Shane, a walk-on special-teams player for the Hokies, wanted to one day get into coaching.
``I said to him, `You lived in this house all these years and you want to coach? Are you absolutely nuts?''' Beamer said.
After that setup, Beamer was asked Tuesday why he got into coaching.
``Is there anything else I can possibly do?'' a smiling Beamer wondered aloud. ``If you're not going to go back and check my grades, I'd say a doctor.
``I don't really know why I got into it. It just always seemed right, I guess.''
BROWN REHAB: All-America defensive end Cornell Brown, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Oct.7, is recovering nicely, Beamer said.
Brown ditched his crutches this past week and began rehabilitation workouts with Eddie Ferrell, Tech's trainer.
``Cornell is moving around, getting around well,'' Beamer said. ``He's not practicing with us, but he's been out there every day doing his routine with Eddie.''
Brown, who will miss his second consecutive game, is expected to return to the lineup Nov.2 against Southwestern Louisiana.
TRAINER'S TABLE: In addition to Brown, Tech may be without its leading tackler against Pitt. Senior linebacker Myron Newsome sustained a sprained right shoulder against Temple and is deemed questionable for Saturday's game.
``He was doing well, but he's at a standstill right now,'' Beamer said of Newsome. ``I'm not sure he's going to play [Saturday]. They took some X-rays and I think they're going to do some more, but something is not quite right there. We're very concerned about that.''
Beamer said redshirt freshman Chris Cyrus, who made five tackles in 21 plays in his Tech debut against Temple, sprained his right knee in Friday's junior varsity game against Hargrave Military Academy and likely will miss the next two games.
TECH TIDBITS: Tailback Marcus Parker, who had 90 yards rushing on six carries in his 1996 debut vs. Temple, has been getting some reps at fullback in practice, Beamer said. Redshirt junior Kerwin Hairston of Martinsville becomes the latest in a growing line of former walk-ons contributing for Tech this season. The former Fieldale-Collinsville High School standout will make his first start Saturday at defensive tackle, replacing Brad Baylor. Hairston won the start on the basis of his play against Temple and in practice the past two weeks. Tech officials are expecting a crowd of about 45,000 for Saturday's game, which will be carried by WSLS (Channel 10) as part of the Big East's weekly television package.
LENGTH: Medium: 99 linesby CNB