THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, December 31, 1994 TAG: 9412310447
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
DATELINE: GAINESVILLE, FLA. LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
There is something about the Gator Bowl that brings out the worst in teams from the state of Virginia.
What could that something be?
Tougher opponents?
Right.
In many ways, some too ugly to recount, Virginia Tech's 45-23 loss to Tennessee was an echo of the 1991 Gator Bowl.
In that one, Oklahoma overran Virginia, 48-14.
What U.Va. learned then, Virginia Tech experienced Friday night. Stepping up in class for a lucrative bowl game carries the risk of running into a tougher, slicker team from a conference where football is religion.
Tennessee finished its regular season by outscoring two opponents, 117-0. Against Virginia Tech, the team in the creamsickle jerseys pulled off all the big plays - a 36-yard touchdown pass, an end around for 76 yards, a tailback option pass for a touchdown, a 49-yard punt return.
What can you say about Virginia Tech, especially after its pathetic first half? Well, the school's marching band played spritely.
Something else. Tech contributed about 19,000 paying customers to the event.
Any evaluation of the Hokies' future bowl opportunities must take into account the enthusiasm with which the alumni and student body gobbled up tickets.
The prospect of fannies in the seats often makes more of an impression on bowl promoters than whether a team finishes with seven or eight victories.
In a few hours, Virginia Tech's resounding loss will be just another blur on the overcrowded bowl scene. What the football businessmen will remember is the way Tech stormed the box office.
The turnout was all the more impressive because of the special circumstances surrounding this year's game.
With the Gator Bowl undergoing renovations, the price of a ticket included a slow drive of 70 miles from Jacksonville, where the teams partied and the fans trained.
Friday afternoon, a casual caravan of cars snaked along rural Rt. 301 to the Swamp, home of the Florida Gators.
The three hour stop-and-go journey was not without its attractions. As traffic stalled, the revelers could take note of the Purple Gator Western Wear shop.
On the left a few hundred yards up the road was a series of small, ramshackle buildings. Turned out to be a motel that looked like it was left over from The War. World War I.
Still in operation, the motor lodge featured a battered sign reading: ``Sngle only. $3 for extras.''
This was along a stretch of highway in the little town of Starke.
Aptly named is Starke, home of the Florida State Prison. It was here that the citrus state gave the juice to Ted Bundy.
Leaving Starke (always a good idea), a traveler burrows briefly into the hamlet of Waldo.
Next time your kids ask, ``Where's Waldo?'', tell them, ``Ten miles outside of Gainesville.''
Those who watched the Gator Bowl and asked, ``Where's Maurice?'' just haven't been paying attention.
More often than not, DeShazo has looked lost this season.
The porousness of the Hokies defense was something of a surprise. Unless you concede that Tech was overmatched by the variety of weapons Tennessee brought to the fray.
Tennessee's superior pedigree was obvious to anyone who wanted to see.
The outcome of another Gator Bowl was not a surprise, but a reminder for football fans of the commonwealth.
A stark reminder. by CNB