THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 6, 1994 TAG: 9410060596
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: BIG EAST NOTES
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 95 lines
Virginia Tech is the most-penalized team in college football, and coach Frank Beamer is concerned about his team's reputation in the eyes of officials.
According to the NCAA's Rick Campbell, Virginia Tech's 51 penalties are the most of 107 teams in Division I-A. The Hokies' 404 yards in penalties is surpassed nationally only by Rutgers (448) and Iowa (406).
Beamer said officials may go into a Tech game with the preconceived notion they will throw the flag frequently, which could lead them to do so erroneously. Beamer said a review of the Syracuse game film showed three of Tech's 12 penalties should not have been called.
``I'd invite anybody to come look at it right on the video,'' Beamer said.
He sent the video to Big East coordinator of officials Dan Wooldridge. Beamer is worried about the perception the rash of penalties may create.
``All of a sudden in the back of officials' minds they start thinking if they are not throwing the flag, they should be, because this is a holding football team or this is a clipping football team or whatever,'' Beamer said.
Wooldridge disputed that notion and said incorrect calls are made in every game.
``Every game is treated as a new game and new situation,'' Wooldridge said. ``I don't think any official goes into a game with a predetermined idea of what's been called and what needs to be called.''
Beamer said the Hokies' infractions stem from lack of concentration (causing offsides and illegal-procedure calls) or lack of effort (clipping and holding).
They definitely are drive-killers for the 20th-ranked Hokies, who host Temple, the league's least-penalized team, Saturday at 1 p.m.
``I think our team plays smart for the most part,'' Beamer said. ``But they have to understand it's difficult to win against good people when you have to make up that yardage.''
The problem isn't new. Tech was the most-penalized team in the Big East last season in terms of both number (97) and yardage (805). Among other teams that played 11 regular-season games last year, only Brigham Young (108), Washington State (107) and Louisville (107) had more penalties, while those three plus Nevada, Fresno State and Arizona had more penalty yardage than Tech.
In 1992, Miami was the only Big East team with more penalties than Tech.
BIG GAMES REVISITED: The most intriguing games in the league this week involve nonconference foes: Notre Dame at Boston College and Florida State at Miami (7:30 p.m., ESPN).
The 1993 Irish-Eagles matchup, in which Boston College's dramatic 41-39 victory denied Notre Dame a national title, will be recounted a few times in Beantown this week. BC first-year coach Dan Henning said with all the new players on both sidelines, last year's game has no impact.
``It's a different game, different year,'' said Henning, who quarterbacked William and Mary when Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz was an assistant there from 1961-63.
At the Orange Bowl, the 13th-ranked Hurricanes could follow their NCAA record 58-game home winning streak with a two-game home losing streak if they can't handle No. 3 Florida State. Washington broke the streak two weeks ago.
``The intensity level between Florida State and Miami is unbelievable,'' Hurricanes' coach Dennis Erickson said. ``You're playing every year for the opportunity to compete at least for a national championship.''
SURPRISING SYRACUSE: It's hard to figure out Syracuse.
Last year the Orangemen were ranked as high as fourth nationally early in the season before falling apart and finishing 6-4-1. Most of the stars from that team departed - including quarterback Marvin Graves, a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate - and Syracuse was picked to finish fifth or sixth in the Big East this season.
They are first in the league, 4-1 overall and ranked No. 19 nationally according to the USA Today/CNN poll, 21st by The Associated Press.
``We had a lot of media attention surrounding the program last year,'' coach Paul Pasqualoni said. ``This year there's not all that fuss going on and maybe it's easier for the guys to focus and concentrate on the little things.''
Pasqualoni has one big thing to focus on - the Orangemen are last in the league and 96th out of 107 Division I-A teams in total defense.
QUICK HITS: Rutgers quarterback Ray Lucas suffered a separated shoulder last week against Miami and is doubtful for the Scarlet Knights' game with Army Saturday. . . . Boston College quarterback Mark Hartsell is expected to return from the hand injury he suffered against Virginia Tech. . . . Pitt tailback Curtis Martin remains sidelined with a sprained ankle, but his backup, Billy West, leads the Big East in rushing with 128.6 yards per game. . scoring defense, punt return yardage and quarterback sacks. . . . Syracuse's Pasqualoni mixed his cliches when discussing Saturday's game with Pitt: ``We've got our hands cut out,'' he said. Presumably that's a cross between having your hands full and your work cut out for you. ILLUSTRATION: Frank Beamer
Worried about penalties
by CNB