ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, December 31, 1996 TAG: 9612310095
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: MIAMI
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
After finishing his umpteenth Orange Bowl news conference Monday, Frank Beamer was anxious to leave the Miami Airport Marriott.
On his way out the door, the Virginia Tech coach glanced back toward a group of Virginia reporters, and broke into huge smile.
"Y'all say a prayer for us,'' Beamer said, laughing.
Indeed, it may take nothing less than divine intervention for Beamer and Tech tonight at Pro Player Stadium.
In front of an expected crowd of some 65,000 fans and a CBS national audience (7 p.m., WDBJ, Channel 7), the Hokies face their toughest assignment ever, trying to slay college football giant Nebraska in the 63rd Orange Bowl.
Tech, no pantywaist at 10-1 and ranked No.10 in the country, goes into the biggest game in school history as a hefty 17-point underdog to sixth-ranked Nebraska (10-2).
Beamer, who has been playing Tech's role of heavy underdog to the hilt, has sounded as if he would be happy if his team merely stayed on the field with the Huskers for 60 minutes.
"I know not many people are giving us a chance, and believe me, I understand that,'' Beamer said.
"When you're talking the best in college football, you're talking Nebraska. And we're not as good as Nebraska.
"But we're here and we've got a great opportunity. Not many teams get to play the best program in the country in the Orange Bowl. Yep, this is about as big as it's going to get for us until we play in a national title game.''
Which is what Nebraska is used to playing this time of year. But the Cornhuskers saw their hopes for a third straight national crown shucked in a 37-27 loss to Texas in the Bit 12 Conference title game on Dec.7.
Now come the Hokies. In what amounts to a consolation game. Can the 'Huskers possibly be motivated?
They say yes.
"Believe me, we'll be stoked,'' said Nebraska All-America defensive end Grant Wistrom. "We got humiliated against Texas and we've definitely got something to prove to us, the state of Nebraska and the country.
"We all know Virginia Tech is looking at this game as a chance to really make its program. Nothing against 'em, but we don't want to let that happen. Not at our expense anyway.''
Whether they believe it or not, the Cornhuskers appear to have bought coach Tom Osborne's take on Tech. Osborne said the Hokies are solid in every department, especially defense.
"Last year we had a good idea we'd move ball on Florida [in the Fiesta Bowl],'' Osborne said. "But I think Virginia Tech is a much better defensive team than Florida was.''
All Beamer recalls about Nebraska's epic victory over Florida that clinched its second straight national crown is 62-24.
"If I look like I'm nervous right now, I've been looking at that 62-24 film,'' Beamer said, opening his Monday news conference. "Sixty-two to 24. That's pressure right there. This team can whack you and beat you soundly.
"We'd better be wild-eyed and ready against this crowd. If we don't play our very best, this crowd can beat you and beat you badly.''
But who's talking about getting beat? The Tech players aren't.
While Jim Druckenmiller wasn't about to sing James Brown's tune - the Texas quarterback predicted the Longhorns' upset of Nebraska - the Hokies' QB has no doubt Tech can win.
"I'd like to make a prediction like [Brown's],'' said Druckenmiller, "but I'm just not that type of guy. I will say this. There's no doubt in my mind that we're capable of winning this game.''
Billy Conaty, who at center anchors a Tech line that must keep the 'Huskers off Druckenmiller, said the key for Tech will be to stay within striking distance, especially early, against a team that averages 43 points a game.
"A team like that blows so many teams out, so the only way you're going to have a chance is be within a touchdown or two late third quarter or so,'' Conaty said.
"We're hoping - I've never played against these guys and I'm sure they're probably stronger than anyone we've ever played - that we can run on 'em in the second half and wear 'em out. Because that's the only way we'll have a chace to win the game.
"I'm sure they don't give up a bunch of big plays, so I doubt we'll be able to hit 'em long with passes. If we can run on 'em, just like in every other game, you can win the game.
"But these guys are a little different. These guys are tough.''
Offensively, Beamer said Tech must spring some wideouts open deep.
"They're the best tackling team I've ever seen,'' said Beamer, "so we've got to have some long plays. If you don't, a lot of people are going to get close to the football and it's a long night.''
The Nebraska defense, in the top seven in the nation in rushing defense, scoring defense and total defense, figures its first chore is to beat Tech's huge offensive line and get to Druckenmiller.
"I don't think their offensive line is going to be the most mobile group in the world,'' said Nebraska defensive tackle Jason Peter.
"So if we can out-quick those guys, we should be in good shape. We've had enough of chasing around those little, skinny quarterbacks. Druckenmiller is a big guy who stands back there, and our defense would rather play a guy like that.''
Defensively, Tech's chore is to stop Nebraska's option game that operates behind a line that Beamer said "all could play in the NFL.''
"They just keep pecking and pecking and all of a sudden they break a big one,'' said Beamer of Nebraska's horde of running backs.
"We know now that they're going to get outside one-on-one several times. We've got to make the tackle.''
Syracuse, the only other option team Tech has faced this year, posted season highs of 338 rushing yards and 461 total yards against the Hokies' defense. Tech lost 52-21, its only setback in its past 21 games.
"The only thing was I think Syracuse's quarterback [Donovan McNabb] was a little quicker than Nebraska's guy [Scott Frost],'' Beamer said.
"I think we may be able to handle this a little better than at Syracuse. We got caught a couple times up there and got burned.''
Speaking of which, the Hokies say they're ready to feel the heat of facing the big, bad 'Huskers.
"We won't be intimidated,'' said Waverly Jackson, a Tech defensive tackle.
"Hey, they put on their pants one leg at a time, too. We believe in ourselves, I'm telling you. The whole world is taking us lightly in this game. We've battled uphill all season long, so what's one more mountain to climb?
Even if it's Mount Everest.
"Amen,'' Jackson said.
LENGTH: Long : 120 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: DON PETERSEN Staffi The Virginia Tech Hokies hold a lightby CNBpractice at Pro Player Stadium on Monday afternoon in preparation
for tonight's Orange Bowl clash with mighty Nebraska. color.