ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, December 10, 1996 TAG: 9612100111
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: ORANGE BOWL NOTES
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
They have averaged 10 victories per season over the past 27 years.
They have been ranked in the Associated Press college football poll a record 256 consecutive weeks.
They haven't had a losing season in 35 years.
They are getting set for their NCAA-record 28th straight bowl game.
They're the big, bad, two-time defending national champion Nebraska Cornhuskers.
So what, Virginia Tech says. The Hokies (11-1) may be huge underdogs to mighty Nebraska (10-2) in the Dec. 31 Orange Bowl, but, at least for now, they say they are not intimidated. Not one iota.
``We're at a point now where we're over the `ohs' and `ahs','' said Jim Druckenmiller, Tech's nail-tough quarterback.
``Sure, they're big, they're strong, they're Nebraska. But we won't back down or be scared of anybody, believe me.''
Don't get the Hokies wrong. They're not trying to be cocky. They respect the 'Huskers and all they've done. They just want to let everyone know they're not going to Miami to back down.
``Our guys haven't backed down from anyone,'' said Frank Beamer, Tech coach. ``If they were going to back down, they should have thought about it those last four games.
``I'm proud to be with this team. We've got a good, solid football team. Whether we're good enough to beat Nebraska, that's why you play the game.''
Senior center Billy Conaty said the Hokies will head south on Dec. 26 with one goal. And it won't be getting a suntan on the Miami beaches.
``We're going down there to win, not just down there to enjoy the trip like we did in the Gator Bowl two years ago [a crushing 45-23 loss to Tennessee],'' Conaty said.
``Sure, they've played in a lot of big games. But so have we. I know I won't be in awe, and I know a lot of guys won't be. Maybe a couple young kids will, but, hopefully, they'll get over it after they get knocked around a bit.''
Conaty said the Hokies need to take advantage of what could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Tech football.
``It took a lot of hard work by the players and coaches to earn this shot,'' Conaty said. ``It might only come once, so we've got to make the most of it. This is kind of the pinnacle, the biggest moment of Virginia Tech's existence football-wise, I think.''
THE MIGHTY DOG: The Hokies seem to cherish the thought of playing the role of huge underdog. Nebraska opened as a 14 1/2-point favorite in Las Vegas. Two hours later, the betting spread had inflated to 16 1/2.
``That's fine with me,'' Druckenmiller said. ``I'm used to it. I like it like that.
``They can put us underdogs all day long as far as I'm concerned. When you're the favorite, there's only way to go - down. When you're the underdog there's only one way to go - up. And I'd rather go up than go down.``
Conaty laughed the early point spread.
``That stuff doesn't matter,'' he said. ``If there was an exact science to it, I think everyone would be a professional gambler. This game will be decided at one place only - on the field.''
EARLY OBSERVATION: Beamer hasn't had time to do much homework on the 'Huskers yet. Nevertheless, he offered an early take on Nebraska.
``When you think of Nebraska, you think of running the football, the option,'' Beamer said.
``You think of those big ol' linemen coming around the corner, that's the heart and soul of Nebraska. They throw a little more, spread a little more now, but the heart and soul of Nebraska is to look you right in the eye and whack you in the nose.''
FAST COMPANY: For the second straight year, Beamer found himself on the Bowl Alliance show Sunday with heavyweight coaches like Tom Osborne of Nebraska, Steve Spurrier of Florida and Bobby Bowden of Florida State.
Beamer agreed he could get used to such deals.
``I kind of like hanging out with those guys,'' Beamer said.
``For an ol' boy from Fancy Gap, that ain't bad.''
When asked if he ever thought Tech could play Nebraska in the Orange Bowl when took the Hokies' job in 1987, Beamer paused before answering.
``I don't know if I ever said, `Hey, we could go to the Orange Bowl or Sugar Bowl or whatever,''' he said.
``Then came the Big East. I always thought we could hang out with the best of the Big East and I knew the winner of our league was going to go.
``Hey, just because I'm from Fancy Gap doesn't mean I don't think big.''
ORANGE JUICE: Tech All-American Cornell Brown obviously is still off-limits to the media. Brown sent his message by wearing a ski-mask that covered his mouth at Sunday's Bowl Alliance announcement gathering at Jamerson Athletic Center. No. 6 Nebraska and No.10 Tech are ranked fourth and eighth respectively in the New York Times computer poll. The Hokies finished No. 6 in the nation on the NYT computer last season. Each school was obligated to buy 15,000 tickets for the game at the 75,192-seat Pro Player Stadium. Each could receive as many as 3,000 to 4,000 more tickets depending on demand. Tech will resume practice Dec. 19-22. After breaking for Christmas, the Hokies will Gravel to Miami on Dec. 26.
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC: Chart by staff: Fedex Orange Bowl. KEYWORDS: MGRby CNB