ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, November 17, 1996 football TAG: 9611180134
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B9 EDITION: METRO
Tech seniors Billy Conaty and Brandon Semones said in some ways Tech's victory rivaled the significance of last season's Sugar Bowl triumph over Texas.
``Texas is not a rivalry, but Miami is being in the Big East,'' Conaty said.
``No one gave us a chance, basically. Miami was a seven-point favorite and they didn't give us a lot of respect.
``But this team has so much character. We might have had better players last year, but this team has fought through a bunch to get here.''
Semones, who took home some of the Orange Bowl turf as a souvenir, had 10 tackles, including three for loss.
``Last year was almost too easy - nobody got hurt and there were no off-the-field distractions like this year. I think all that makes this more special,'' Semones said.
DOUBLE HIT
Not only has Miami's program slipped a notch on the field, but it's also taken a dive at the gate.
Saturday's crowd of 38,814 marked only the second time this season the Hurricanes have played before more fans than empty seats in the 72,319-seat Orange Bowl.
It continues a trend that started last year when Miami went 8-3 - its worst record in 11 years - and saw its average home attendance dip to 38,204 from 60,331 in 1994.
Despite drawing 75,913 for Florida State, the 'Canes were averaging just 33,468 entering Saturday's game.
Tech helped Miami out Saturday. Hokies athletic director Dave Braine estimated some 4,000 Hokie backers made the trip.
ETC.
The Hokies didn't win everything. Tech sophomore rover Pierson Prioleau lost his helmet in the postgame celebration on the field. Freshman Anthony Midget was the 19th different player to start this season on defense for the Hokies. In contrast, Tech used 16 different starters in the entire 1995 season. When Ken Oxendine scored on Tech's opening drive, it marked the Hokies' first touchdown in the Orange Bowl since 1987, a span covering 10 1/2 quarters.
STREAKS 'N STATS
Tech has scored 20 or more points in a school-record 15 straight games. Before getting three touchdowns Saturday, Tech had scored just 13 touchdowns in its first 13 meetings with Miami. The loss broke Miami's 10-game Big East win streak and was its first loss in 13 games at home against league foes since the Big East went to a round-robin schedule in 1993. The loss was only the second in Miami's past 43 November games dating to 1985.
INJURY REPORT
Tech senior offensive tackle Jay Hagood was knocked unconscious for more than a minute in the fourth quarter and never returned to the action.
``I was knocked out cold,'' Hagood said. ``I don't remember anything that happened on the play in which I got hurt.''
Sophomore linebacker Tony Morrison sprained his left ankle in the second quarter and never returned.
NEXT OPPONENT
The Hokies take on West Virginia at noon next Saturday at Lane Stadium. The Mountaineers (8-2, 4-2 Big East) haven't played since whipping Rutgers 55-14 on Nov.9. Tech has won the past two meetings, 27-0 last year at Morgantown and 34-6 at Blacksburg in 1994. The game, which will be televised by ESPN2, is a sellout.
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines KEYWORDS: FOOTBALLby CNB