THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 4, 1995 TAG: 9511040488
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
Today marks the last appearance at Lane Stadium for J.C. Price and the other seniors on Virginia Tech's football team. They would like to leave a lasting impression.
``This is definitely the biggest game we've played,'' Price said of today's game against Syracuse (3:30 p.m., WVEC). ``It's my last home game, and it's for the inside track to the Big East title. We're in a position to win the first major title in football for the school.''
And possibly earn the school's first major bowl bid.
Tech coach Frank Beamer called it probably the biggest game he's coached in nine years in Blacksburg because of what's at stake.
With a win, Tech (6-2, 4-1) moves into first place and virtually assures itself of at least a tie for the Big East title - it could clinch a tie next week against Temple. Tech also would have a chance to be the league's representative in the bowl alliance. That would likely mean the Sugar Bowl.
The Orange and Sugar bowls - members along with the Fiesta of the bowl alliance, of which one member will take the Big East champion - will have scouts at today's game. So will the Gator and Carquest bowls.
``We're playing for the league lead, and then certainly there's bowl possibilities in there,'' Beamer said. ``Which bowl, I don't care. All the bowls we're talking about are good bowls. Our ring won't be any smaller if we tie for (the title) or win it outright.''
Teams that tie for the Big East title would be declared co-champions. The bowl alliance member selecting a Big East team could choose whichever co-champion it desired.
A Syracuse win today essentially eliminates Tech's title hopes, but it doesn't assure the Orangemen of one. Syracuse (6-1, 3-0) still must play at Pittsburgh, Boston College at home, and at Miami.
``We've got so much football to play in the month of November, that's too far on the horizon right now,'' Syracuse coach Paul Pasqualoni said, passing off talk of today being a title game.
Either Virginia Tech or Syracuse leads the Big East in 13 of the league's 18 team statistical categories.
Tech leads in rushing offense, fewest first downs allowed per game, rushing defense, scoring defense, total defense, third-down-conversion defense and quarterback sacks. Syracuse is first in scoring offense, net punting, turnover margin, punt returns, third-down-conversion offense and penalties.
Both teams are on hot streaks. Syracuse, No. 15 in the USA Today-CNN coaches' poll and No. 20 in the Associated Press media rankings, has won five in a row. Tech - a 6 1/2-point favorite - has won six straight.
The Hokies have recorded 55 tackles behind the line of scrimmage in their last four games, including 24 quarterback sacks. Nineteen players, including every defensive starter, have had at least one tackle-for-loss in the last four games. Tech is first in the nation against the run, third in scoring defense and ninth in total defense.
But Syracuse has a quarterback who's tough to nab. Donovan McNabb, a redshirt freshman, is second nationally in passing efficiency, has thrown just three interceptions and is an excellent scrambler and option quarterback.
``He's extremely exciting with the football,'' Tech co-defensive coordinator Bud Foster said. ``He can create big plays from nothing. We've got to do a good job swarming the ball.'' by CNB