ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, December 29, 1996 TAG: 9612310036
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: MIAMI
TYPE: ORANGE BOWL NOTES
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK and RANDY KING STAFF WRITERS
Virginia Tech fans usually are rooting against George Welsh. This time, the Hokies hope their state rival's football coach is right.
Before heading home to Charlottesville on Saturday following Virginia's Carquest Bowl loss to Miami, Welsh said he likes the 10th-ranked Hokies to upset No. 6 Nebraska on Tuesday in the 63rd Orange Bowl.
``I think Tech is going to win,'' Welsh said after a season-wrapup session at his Fort Lauderdale hotel.
``Virginia Tech is better than Texas on offense. We played them both. Nebraska couldn't stop Texas'' in the Big 12 Conference title game Dec.7.
UVa walloped the Longhorns 37-13 in September and lost to Tech 26-9 on Nov.29. Welsh said he wasn't that familiar with the Cornhuskers' defense. However, he said, ``Virginia Tech can win, if it can stop the option. And that's a good defense.''
When informed Saturday that Welsh thought Tech would win, Hokies coach Frank Beamer replied: ``Was he thinking soundly at that time? Was it after the [UVa-Miami] game or before the game?
``Hey, we're a 17-point underdog. That's a big margin.''
SPLIT CHEERS: Offensive tackle T.J. Washington said the Hokies' party that attended the Carquest Bowl appeared to be a ``50-50 split'' as to which team to support.
``It was kind of funny,'' Washington said. ``I know some guys at UVa, but I was pulling for Miami. I can't stand UVa and I wanted Miami to win for the Big East.
``Some guys were pulling for UVa because of some Miami fans in the stands. And others were pulling for Miami because they can't stand UVa.''
Beamer, who arrived for the game late, said: ``It was kind of neat, having played both teams. No one in the stadium liked us, though.''
BEACH BUM: Beamer showed up for Saturday's news conference at Tech's plush Miami Beach hotel wearing shorts and sandals.
Ready to hit the beach, coach?
``I haven't made it to the beach yet, but I'm going to make it in a few minutes,'' Beamer said. ``Now if you guys will keep your mouths shut, I'll be there in a few minutes.''
HAVING FUN, BUT ... : Washington said Tech's younger players have had more fun than the club's elder statesmen so far in sunny South Florida.
``We've got the beaches, the pools, a lot of girls around here,'' Washington said. ``But myself and some of the older guys know this is a one-shot deal and we can party in Blacksburg anytime.
``Some of us haven't been out since the first night we were here [Wednesday]. We don't want too much partying because we just came down here and we want to beat Nebraska. And after that we can party and bring in New Year's right.''
Starting tonight, Tech's curfew will be moved up to midnight from 2 a.m.
``Fun time is over,'' Washington said. ``It's time to get ready for the game.''
TRAINER'S TABLE: Following Tech's final full-contact practice Friday, Beamer said defensive end Cornell Brown and linebacker Myron Newsome, each hobbled by a sprained right ankle, will be ready for the game.
Beamer said sophomore rover Pierson Prioleau pulled a leg muscle Thursday, but should be ready to go.
Tech's biggest concern is senior cornerback Antonio Banks, who still is being slowed by a groin muscle he pulled the first week of November.
``I wouldn't say he's totally back,'' Beamer said. ``I call it maybe 75 percent.''
Freshman Anthony Midget, who started in Banks' spot against Miami and West Virginia, will start if Banks can't.
MORE GAMES: The Orange Bowl won't be the final college game for five Tech seniors. Beamer said four Hokies - free safety Torrian Gray, quarterback Jim Druckenmiller, offensive tackle Jay Hagood and Brown - are headed to the Senior Bowl on Jan.18 in Mobile, Ala. Senior Billy Conaty will participate in the Hula Bowl on Jan.19 in Honolulu.
ORANGE SLICES: Nebraska's 16th Orange Bowl trip ties it with Oklahoma for the most appearances in the bowl. Miami hasn't exactly been kind to the Huskers, who are 2-7 in their past nine Orange Bowls and 6-9 overall. ... Good omen for Tech? Eleven 10-1 teams have teed it up in the Orange Bowl's 62-year history. Nine of those teams won in Miami. ... Another possible strong omen for the Hokies? While Tech is 3-6 in bowl games, all three of the triumphs have come in games played on Dec.31. ... Five coaches have won the Sugar and Orange bowls in back-to-back years. If Tech wins, Beamer will join an exclusive club that includes Florida State's Bobby Bowden, Alabama's Bear Bryant, Texas' Blair Cherry, Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd and Notre Dame's Ara Parseghian.
LENGTH: Medium: 87 linesby CNB