THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 5, 1994 TAG: 9409050133
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Short : 47 lines
Virginia Tech's offensive shortcomings were the focal point after the Hokies opened the season with an inglorious - in coach Frank Beamer's eyes - 34-7 victory over lowly Arkansas State at Lane Stadium Saturday.
But the defense came out of the gate focused. That is the side of the ball Tech really needs to demonstrate marked improvement over last season if the Hokies are to prove worthy of their 21st national ranking.
The Hokies' young defense - one senior, four juniors and six sophomores comprised the starting lineup - got a good start, holding Arkansas State to 177 yards of total offense. It was the best showing by a Tech defense in 48 games since Vanderbilt managed just 146 yards in 1989.
If the Hokies' defensive play was a precursor of things to come, that's a bigger cause for the Hokies to rejoice than the offensive pratfalls were cause for worry. Last year Tech was spotty at best on defense, ranking 69th out of 106 teams nationally with 388.1 yards allowed per game and giving up 22.7 points (49th nationally).
``Defensively, other than a couple of plays, I think it was a game where we went after them,'' Beamer said. ``That's the way our defense does it, and that's what we like to do.
``If we can stay healthy on defense, I think we'll cause havoc to some offenses because we've got some guys who are athletes. They chase that ball, they come off blocks and they get to ballcarriers in an angry mood.''
Beamer, however, was less than pleased about the performance of his offense, which scored on its first three possessions but had an uninspiring second half, gaining just 112 yards.
The Hokies managed a mediocre 381 yards of total offense and were held to 163 yards rushing, a big comedown from the 242.8 yards rushing they averaged last year to rank 10th nationally.
``I am concerned about our inconsistency and that we didn't run the football better,'' Beamer said.
``I'm definitely disappointed,'' backup fullback Ranall White said. ``We're a much better team than that.''
Tech's next chance to prove it will be Saturday night in Hattiesburg, Miss., when it meets Southern Miss, a 25-10 victor over Tulane Saturday. by CNB