THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 16, 1994 TAG: 9411160556
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
Virginia Tech linebacker Vernon Dozier from Virginia Beach has been suspended indefinitely, which means freshman Tony Morrison from Chesapeake will get the first start of his college career Saturday against Virginia.
``I'm pretty sure I'm ready,'' said Morrison, a true freshman. ``I've gotten plenty of downs during the season, so I know what college football feels like now.''
Dozier was suspended from the team along with Rhasheyd Williams, a backup tight end and special-teams player, for ``violations of athletic policy.''
Dozier, a redshirt sophomore from First Colonial High, was in line for his first career start when No. 14 Tech meets No. 16 Virginia (noon, WTKR) at sold-out Lane Stadium. Inside linebacker Ken Brown
is listed as doubtful with a pulled hamstring suffered last Saturday against Rutgers.
``It's an indefinite suspension, and that's all I'd say,'' Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said, refusing to elaborate on whether Dozier could be back for the 14th-ranked Hokies' bowl game.
Dozier's suspension opens the door for Morrison, a two-way All-Tidewater player last year at Indian River High. Morrison will start at Tech's whip, or outside, linebacker position. Regular whip linebacker Brandon Semones will move inside to fill Brown's position.
Morrison has played in nine games - he was suspended for the Syracuse game for an unspecified violation of team rules - and has 19 tackles. The bulk of his work has come on special teams.
``He hasn't gotten a lot of time, but in practice he's been doing well,'' Beamer said. ``We're confident Tony will do as well as he's ready to do at this time, being a freshman and not having played very much.''
Semones, a 203-pound sophomore, is third on Tech's team in tackles with 89 and is tied for the team lead in tackles for loss with eight. As Brown's replacement, Semones will be responsible not only for learning a new position in a week's time, but also for calling the Hokies' defensive signals.
``It's asking a lot of Brandon, but I feel he's capable of handling it,'' said Beamer, who is Semones' uncle.
Semones was told of the possibility of the move after the Rutgers game. He said he's been meeting with inside linebacker coach Bud Foster about three hours before practice to study the duties of the position.
Semones said he began the fall working as a possible backup at safety in the rover spot but now finds himself in the center of the defense.
He wouldn't have believed it a year ago if someone told him he'd be an inside linebacker one day. ``But reality hits, and I just have to learn the position,'' he said.
In addition to Brown, defensive tackle Jim Baron is doubtful with a sprained hip that kept him out of the Rutgers game. Beamer said starting offensive tackle Jay Hagood (Achilles' tendon) and backup tackle T.J. Washington (hamstring) are questionable, while linebacker George DelRicco (ankle) is probable.
``We're a little bit of a banged-up football team right now,'' Beamer said. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
Vernon Dozier, left, was in line to start at linebacker before he
was suspended for ``violations of athletic policy.'' Instead, Tony
Morrison, right, will start Saturday against Virginia.
by CNB