THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 6, 1995 TAG: 9509060591
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
One message came through clearly Tuesday about what Virginia Tech's football team thought of Boston College's horrific opener: What the Hokies saw isn't what they expect to get.
BC got run over by Ohio State 10 days ago in the Kickoff Classic, 38-6. The Eagles gave up 488 yards of total offense - 222 yards more than than their defense allowed on average last year, when they were ranked sixth nationally.
The Hokies, ranked 20th by The Associated Press and 22nd by USA Today-CNN, don't expect to have as easy a time with BC here Thursday (8 p.m., ESPN) as Ohio State did.
``It won't be the same team you saw on TV against Ohio State,'' Tech coach Frank Beamer said.
Beamer said the final score was misleading. BC played well in the first half and controlled the ball but couldn't get into the end zone. An Ohio State kickoff return for a touchdown in the second quarter turned the tide toward the Buckeyes.
``If you'd have looked at the halftime stats, you'd have thought (the Eagles) were winning by 10 points,'' Tech defensive tackle J.C. Price said. ``I watched their offensive line control Ohio State's defensive line, and that's what I'm concerned about.''
Beamer didn't mince words about the importance the game. Tech's season opener is against a league foe picked to finish ahead of Tech, and the national TV date provides a chance to impress pollsters and potential recruits.
``It's a critical game, probably the most important game we've ever opened up with,'' Beamer said. ``You can't deny that.''
HIGH ON GRASS: Beamer and the players like the new turf that has been installed at Lane Stadium. The Bermuda grass was developed in a laboratory at Virginia Tech.
``We without a doubt had the slickest grass in the country,'' Beamer said. ``Now the players are not slipping and sliding. I'm happy about the grass.''
Virginia Tech receiver Bryan Still said the turf is much better than the previous field. ``It's shorter and thicker and easier to cut on,'' Still said. ``It's faster, too.''
MELVIN TO REDSHIRT: Junior college transfer Greg Melvin is going to be redshirted this season. Melvin was recruited out of Virginia Beach's Bayside High School and Butler County (Kan.) Community College as a tailback but was listed on the preseason depth chart at linebacker. His weight has approached 240 pounds this fall.
``Greg got up here and got heavy,'' Beamer said. ``He was a great back coming out of high school, and what he wanted to do is lose the weight and get back to playing tailback.''
QUICK HITS: Tech opens the season with 17 returning starters. The only time in the past 20 years the Hokies had more returning starters was 1989, when they went 6-4-1. . . . . . . . Myron Newsome, a newcomer out of Hampton High and Butler County Community College, will start at inside linebacker, the only position where Tech does not have a returning starter. Tony Morrison from Chesapeake is his backup. . . . Running back Ken Oxendine (broken hand) is the only Hokie sidelined by injury. by CNB