THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 12, 1995 TAG: 9510120470
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
In 1994, Virginia Tech wide receiver coach Terry Strock counted four dropped passes by his wideouts.
Through five games this year, the Hokies' receivers have dropped ``about 10,'' according to Strock. That doesn't include drops by running backs and tight ends.
``It's a problem,'' Strock said. ``We're not out there coaching them to drop balls.''
This week, the Hokies (3-2) are planning on doing something about it. Coach Frank Beamer has thrown open the competition for playing time at receiver, saying sophomores Shawn Scales and Michael Stuewe and freshmen James Crawford and Angelo Harrison will get a good look in practice.
Backup flanker Cornelius White has had the most trouble holding onto the ball, but flanker Bryan Still and receiver Jermaine Holmes have both had their problems.
``We're going to give all our receivers a chance to catch the ball in practice this week, and the ones that catch the ball in practice are going to be on the field Saturday,'' Beamer said. ``Maybe these guys are ready to step it up.''
Holmes said Tech is practicing the same way as last year and the rash of drops is hard to explain.
``It's individuals just not concentrating on looking the ball in,'' Holmes said.
HURTING HOKIES: Beamer said Still - Tech's best receiver - may be held out of the Akron game to give him more time to heal his shoulder, which he separated in the season opener. He missed one game and has been in severe pain after the last two.
``Every time he gets a shot on it, it continues to give him a lot of pain,'' Strock said.
Cornerback Antonio Banks (knee) has returned to practice and may be ready for the Oct. 21 Rutgers game. Defensive tackle Jim Baron (ankle) may also miss his second consecutive game.
ONE GOOD TURN: Syracuse is the only team in the Big East with a positive turnover margin. The Orangemen have 15 takeaways and just five giveaways for a plus-2 turnover margin per game, which is tied for second nationally.
The next Big East team is tied for 71st nationally.
Syracuse coach Paul Pasqualoni attributes the good number to freshman quarterback Donovan McNabb.
``Donovan is playing consistent and taking care of the football,'' Pasqualoni said.
SLIP OF LIP: It's possible Rutgers coach Doug Graber may regret having said this by the end of his team's Saturday night game at Miami:
``Miami had a great run, but every once in a while every program has to come back to reality.''
QUICK HITS: In this week's Sagarin power ratings in USA Today, Miami is the highest-ranking Big East team at No. 23 nationally. The Hurricanes (1-3) have yet to beat a Division I-A opponent. . . . West Virginia quarterback Chad Johnston (knee) is questionable for the Mountaineers' game at Boston College. injuries, and is looking to walk-ons for help. . . . Tech punter John Thomas was the league's special teams player of the week with a 42.7-yard average on seven punts. . . . Virginia Tech ranks fourth nationally in scoring defense (11.8 points per game). by CNB