THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 12, 1994 TAG: 9410120580
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
Virginia Tech wide receiver Antonio Freeman reached a milestone Saturday, and in doing so got rid of a millstone.
He entered the season needing only two touchdown catches to break Ricky Scales' Tech career record of 18 receiving touchdowns. Freeman, who had a single-season-record nine TD grabs last year, didn't expect it would take him six games this season to get his second one. He didn't have a touchdown catch in last season's final three games, so before Saturday he had just one touchdown in his last eight regular-season games.
``It's a relief to set a career touchdown record,'' Freeman said. ``Now I can put that behind me and concentrate on the rest of the season.''
Freeman needs 13 receptions to break Scales' school-record 113.
The person who has thrown the bulk of those passes to Freeman, quarterback Maurice DeShazo, is sneaking up on a few career marks of his own.
DeShazo needs just three touchdown passes to break Tech's career record of 43 set by Will Furrer. He's third in both career total offense (5,189) and career passing yardage (4,784), two categories in which Don Strock holds school records.
DeShazo would have to average 246 yards passing in the next five games to break Strock's record of 6,009, and 137 yards of total offense to break Strock's mark of 5,871 yards.
Last Saturday, DeShazo threw for two scores against Temple, breaking Furrer's record of 14 multiple-touchdown games.
MORRISON MOVING: Freshman Tony Morrison, who played safety last year at Indian River High School, has been moved from outside to inside linebacker. Coach Frank Beamer said Morrison, the only true freshman on the Hokies' defensive two-deep, will work behind Ken Brown, the only senior on Tech's defense.
``I think Tony would be the guy who would replace him at this point,'' Beamer said. ``We'll see how that whole transition goes.''
Beamer said he and defensive coordinator Phil Elmassian believe Morrison has the necessary quickness and toughness, and that inside linebacker will be his best position. At 211 pounds, Morrison would undoubtedly be expected to beef up by next season.
Morrison has 14 tackles, one sack and one interception in five games.
MORE PERSONNEL MOVES: Beamer said junior tailback Dwayne Thomas worked out on his own Monday and experienced no swelling in his sprained ankle. Beamer said Thomas would have to be full-speed by today to start Saturday when the Hokies play at East Carolina at 1:30 p.m., but he expects freshman Ken Oxendine to start.
``Right now, I don't think (Thomas) will be able to run full-speed,'' Beamer said. ``We'd hope he'll be back by next week.''
Beamer said right guard Damien McMahon remains doubtful with an ankle problem, while his backup, Jared Hamlin, is questionable with a pulled muscle.
Beamer said Hamlin hurt himself Friday while messing around kicking the ball with punter Robbie Colley.
``There's probably a good lesson there,'' Beamer said. ``Those linemen think they're all either great tight ends or great kickers.''
Beamer said to shore up the guard spot, center Bill Conaty may be moved over and freshman Todd Washington would be the center.
FLU BUG: The Hokies have another problem: a virus has bitten several Hokies. Beamer said about 15 players missed practice Monday. Linebacker and special teams player Vernon Dozier of Virginia Beach was one player who missed the Temple game and Monday's practice with the virus.
``It's a hectic situation trying to get everyone there,'' Beamer said.
DEFENSE WON'T REST: Virginia Tech's defense continues to rank high nationally.
The Hokies are first in passing defense with 132.8 yards allowed per game, eighth in total defense (246.5), 10th in scoring defense (12.5) and 22nd in rushing defense (113.7).
``We've been pretty impressive defensively, other than a few plays and maybe a quarter or so in the Syracuse game,'' Beamer said.
QUICK HITS: East Carolina expects a sellout this weekend. Fewer than 5,000 tickets remain. ... Placekicker Ryan Williams of Suffolk needs six points to move into second place on Tech's career scoring list, 16 to break Chris Kinzer's school-record 234 points. ... The Hokies are off to their first 5-1 start since 1980. ... Tech was second in the league in turnover margin last season, but is second-to-last this year with 17 giveaways versus 15 takeaways. 10.8 yards per return. As a team, the Hokies lead the Big East and rank 13th nationally with 13 yards per return. ... Linebackers George DelRicco (71) and Ken Brown (58) lead the Hokies in tackles. ... Tech's last eight opponents have not scored in the third quarter. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
With one record already in hand, Antonio Freeman is going after
another.
by CNB