THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 28, 1994 TAG: 9409280581
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: VIRGINIA TECH NOTES
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
Junior tailback Dwayne Thomas may miss Virginia Tech's regionally televised game Saturday at Syracuse with a sprained left ankle.
Coach Frank Beamer said Tuesday that Thomas, a 1,000-yard rusher last year who has 351 yards through four games, is doubtful for the game at Syracuse (3:30 p.m., WVEC). Thomas suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of Tech's victory over West Virginia on Thursday night.
``I just don't know whether he's going to make it or not,'' Beamer said. ``The good part is Tommy Edwards is there, and we have a lot of confidence in him. And we're trying to bring Kenny Oxendine along.''
Edwards, a sophomore, has 12 touchdowns in 15 regular-season college games. Oxendine, a true freshman, had a 53-yard touchdown run late in the West Virginia game on his second college carry.
``If you watch that run late in the game against West Virginia, I believe he's about ready,'' Beamer said.
FEELING OFFENSIVE: Beamer said it's a sign of how things have changed at Tech when the Hokies (4-0) can score 34 points and beat West Virginia and still not feel good about their offensive performance.
``That says something about our players,'' Beamer said. ``I feel good about our offense.
``Our running game is much better than it was. (Center Billy) Conaty and the guys, we're blocking better and there's more holes in there to run the football. We're improving as an offense, but the thing that we're not is a real consistent offense. It's a momentum thing, and we're having a hard time getting the momentum.''
Beamer said quarterback Maurice DeShazo, hampered by a sprained ankle and bruised hip in the West Virginia game, should be fine physically by Saturday. He wants his quarterback to improve his mental approach.
``He's probably putting too much pressure on himself,'' Beamer said. ``I just want him to go out there and have some fun.''
D-FENCE: The Hokies lead the nation in passing defense (60 rating), are second nationally in total defense (200.5 yards allowed per game), fifth in scoring defense (8.5 points per game) and 11th in rushing defense (81.5 yards per game). They lead the Big East in each category.
Virginia Tech has allowed just one touchdown in its last 11 quarters, and four opponents have totaled just seven points in the second half this season. Opponents are averaging just 2.9 yards per play, a vast improvement over the 5.5 yards surrendered last year.
``What we've got is great speed on our defense,'' Beamer said.
QUICK HITS: Linebacker George DelRicco was the Big East co-defensive player of the week with 14 tackles, two fumbles caused, two quarterback hurries, a broken-up pass, a sack and another tackle for a loss against West Virginia. . televised. . . . Virginia Tech's seven-game winning streak is its longest since 1967. The Hokies' last eight-game winning streak spanned the 1917-1919 seasons, when they won 11 in a row. . . . Beamer said a decision has been made to redshirt quarterback Albert Clark, cornerback Quinton Waller and freshman linebacker Chris Frith, who at one time was penciled in to play before he sprained a knee. Clark and Waller, however, will continue to dress out and travel with the team in case they are needed in a pinch. by CNB