THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 17, 1994 TAG: 9410170150
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STEVE CARLSON
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
Virginia Tech's football team can no longer be referred to as the ``Chokies.''
That used to be an all-too-appropriate play on the Hokie nickname. In coach Frank Beamer's first six seasons in Blacksburg, Tech's record was 12-23-2 in games in which 10 points or less separated the teams.
During one abysmal stretch from late in the 1990 season to early 1993, the Hokies went 1-12-1 in games with a final margin of 10 points or less.
There are many indications of Virginia Tech's dramatic strides over the past two seasons. One is the polls, which rank the 6-1 Hokies 17th (The Associated Press) and 13th (USA Today-CNN) this week. Perhaps a better indicator is Tech's 5-1 record in games decided by 10 points or less since the midway point of last season.
The Hokies padded the mark with Saturday's 27-20 victory at East Carolina in a seesaw game with momentum swings and big plays throughout.
``I told our kids at halftime, `We're in a situation where we've got a tough game, somehow we've got to go out there and find a way to win it,' '' Beamer said. ``When you do, boy, it means a lot.''
What it and Tech's other victories in close games mean is the Hokies have athletes physically and mentally tougher than those who recently preceded them in Blacksburg. Also, Beamer's coaching staff, which was overhauled two years ago, is more adept at squeezing out the close ones.
Three seasons ago, the Hokies had a bundle of future NFL players and finished 5-6, with a 1-4 record in close games. Two years ago, the Hokies turned to mush at crunch time, losing four games and tying another in which they led in the fourth quarter.
But this is a different kind of Tech team, one that is much more self-assured and has proven it can win close games in tough places. After a likely breather at home next week against Pitt, Tech will face that challenge in spades at Miami.
``When you're building a season and building a football team, those things right there are important,'' Beamer said. by CNB