THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 9, 1994 TAG: 9411090482
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
Punctuality counts, at least with Frank Beamer.
Virginia Tech's football coach has suspended backup flanker Cornelius White and backup cornerback Baron Spinner for Saturday's 1 p.m. home game with Rutgers because they did not report back to the team when they were supposed to. The Hokies were idle last Saturday and the players were given Friday and Saturday off.
``I made a special point we wanted them back at 4 o'clock Sunday to get back in a routine and to get focused on a very important week,'' Beamer said. ``Those two didn't make it back.''
BOWL PICTURE: Beamer isn't too clear on the specifics of the bowl picture, other than to say a victory Saturday should guarantee Tech a bowl. As for the ifs, ands and buts that cloud the bowl picture at this point in the season, Beamer said, ``It gets confusing to me.''
This is about as clear as it gets: If Tech (7-2) wins Saturday, it will go to either the Carquest Bowl or perhaps earn the Big East's second spot in the bowl coalition, depending on what happens to Syracuse (6-2) in its final three games. But if Tech loses, the waters muddy.
INJURY UPDATE: Off weeks are usually a time to heal. Virginia Tech healed up and got banged up.
Beamer said offensive guard Chris Malone (shoulder) and backup fullback Marcus Parker (knee) were injured in practice last week. Malone was back in practice Tuesday and should be able to keep alive his string of 32 consecutive starts, but Parker is questionable for Saturday.
They join offensive tackle Jay Hagood (ankle) and defensive tackles Jim Baron (hip) and Jeff Holland (back) on the injured list. Beamer said Baron is doubtful for Rutgers, but the other two should be able to play.
QUICK HITS: Virginia Tech has averaged 41.8 points in their last 11 games at Lane Stadium and their 11-game streak of 30 or more points at home is the longest in Division I-A. ... Defensive end Cornell Brown's 10 quarterback sacks are the most for a Hokie since Morgan Roane had 11 in 1985. ... The Hokies defense and special teams have accounted for eight touchdowns in Tech's last 12 games. by CNB