THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 28, 1995 TAG: 9509280473
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
The Big East may not be good, but it could be interesting.
After Virginia Tech's win last week over preseason top pick Miami, the title race is wide open. A bowl alliance bid (Fiesta, Orange or Sugar bowls) goes to the winner.
``I thought the race was a scramble before that,'' Boston College coach Dan Henning said. ``Miami didn't play that well against UCLA and they've had a few things happen to them down there that causes them to lose their focus.''
BC and West Virginia are atop the league standings at 1-0, but both have dropped a pair of nonconference games. With BC at Michigan State and West Virginia at East Carolina this weekend, the conference leaders could each have three losses overall.
``Miami was the pick, everyone had them picked No. 1,'' said coach Frank Beamer of Virginia Tech, 1-1 in league play. ``Beating that team helps our situation. If we'll continue to improve, I think we're in the race.''
No Big East team, meanwhile, is in the national polls for the first time since the league was formed in 1991.
``For once there's some competition that exists in this conference,'' said coach Ron Dickerson of Temple, the only team that can be counted out of the title chase.
But for this week and next, the Owls have a rare distinction for the program: they are tied with Miami in the standings.
MIAMI MICE: The news doesn't get better for the once-mighty Hurricanes. Quarterback Ryan Collins is out for a minimum of four weeks with a separated shoulder, and after an off week Saturday the Hurricanes play top-ranked Florida State. In Tallahassee.
If the 'Canes lose to the Seminoles, they will be 1-3, with the lone victory coming over Division I-AA Florida A&M. Miami would have to win six of its final seven games to meet the required six Division I-A wins for bowl eligibility.
Coach Butch Davis blames the problems on a young team hampered by injuries and early defections to the NFL.
``We're playing with guys who truly have no business playing at this stage of their careers,'' Davis said.
GO WEST: Pitt is expecting the return this week of tailback Billy West, the leading rusher in the Big East a year ago, for Saturday's home game with Virginia Tech (12:08 p.m., WPEN). West separated his collarbone in the season opener with Washington State and was replaced by senior Chris Patton and freshman Demetrius Harris, who have combined for 122 yards per game.
CORNER CALL: Loren Johnson and Pierson Prioleau, a pair of Virginia Tech true freshman cornerbacks, played for the first time against Miami in place of the injured Antonio Banks. Both gave up long plays, but neither was scored upon.
``Prioleau and Johnson are both going to be good players,'' Beamer said. ``To open up with a group that has the talent at wide receiver as Miami has, that's quite a challenge to start off with. But I think they handled it well.
``We had too many long plays (allowed), to be quite honest with you. But I think they'll learn from it and be better corners next week.''
Beamer said after viewing the film he was convinced Miami's last offensive play, in which Johnson and Hurricane Yatil Green made contact while going up for a pass, was a good no call.
Miami's Davis disagreed. ``There's no question it was pass interference,'' he said.
MELVIN SURGERY: Virginia Tech tailback Greg Melvin, a Bayside High graduate who came to Tech by way of Butler County (Kansas) Community College, will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his knee today, Beamer said. The Hokies had already made the decision to redshirt Melvin.
PIRATES' GOLDEN ARM: East Carolina will attempt to improve to 2-0 against the Big East Saturday when it hosts West Virginia. The Pirates have already beaten Syracuse and are a 3 1/2-point favorite over the Mountaineers. ECU quarterback Marcus Crandell has a big fan in Morgantown, W.Va.
``He can beat you with his arm, he can beat you with his feet and he can beat you with his head,'' West Virginia coach Don Nehlen said. ``That's quite a combination.''
QUICK HITS: Virginia Tech is ranked second nationally in rushing defense behind Oklahoma, surrendering 66.3 ground yards per game. . . . Virginia Tech defensive tackle J.C. Price, with 11 tackles and three sacks, was Big East defensive player of the week. Hokies tailback Dwayne Thomas rushed for 165 yards and a touchdown to share offensive honors. . . . Rutgers quarterback Ray Lucas suffered a cut that required three stitches on his non-throwing hand Saturday and is questionable for the Syracuse game. . . . Rutgers coach Doug Graber on his expletive-laden exchange with Joe Paterno after the Scarlet Knights were drubbed by Penn State: ``That was unfortunate and things were said probably on both sides that probably shouldn't have been. That's done with, so away we go.'' by CNB