THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 31, 1995 TAG: 9512310200
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NEW ORLEANS LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
The message is as ubiquitous as the jazz music in the French Quarter here this week: Virginia Tech's national powerhouse defense against Texas' potent offense is the key matchup in tonight's Sugar Bowl.
That familiar tune is beginning to strike a sour note for guys on the other side of the ball.
``It sticks in your craw come game time,'' Virginia Tech offensive guard Chris Malone said.
But Tech's offense is accustomed to being overshadowed by the defense.
The Hokies, after all, finished the regular season first in Division I-A in rushing defense (77.4 yards per game), fifth in scoring defense (14.1 points), 10th in total defense (285.9) and 23rd in pass efficiency defense (104.2 rating). Tech led the Big East in most defensive categories and set a slew of conference and school records.
Accolades following Tech's school-record nine-game winning streak, Big East title and first major bowl bid were heaped primarily upon the defense.
Perhaps in too large a portion.
``I think people still underestimate our offense because of how great our defense is,'' receiver Bryan Still said. ``We've been showing steady improvement as the season's progressed.''
If they hadn't, Tech would not be ringing in the New Year in New Orleans. The Hokies started abysmally, averaging 13.4 points through five games, among the bottom five of 108 Division I-A teams.
``We pretty much stunk,'' Malone said.
``Not everyone was on the same page at times,'' quarterback Jim Druckenmiller said. ``I think our offense was the epitome of our whole season: start slow and finish strong.''
Tech's offense did that.
The Hokies ripped off 77 points in week six against hapless Akron, and just kept pouring it on. They averaged 42.3 points in the season's final six games - although the defense scored six touchdowns during that span - and finished with 29.2 points per game, which vaulted them to 28th nationally.
Theories about the turnaround are abundant. The Hokies finally averted what coaches said were breakdowns by just one guy that ruined a play. Still, the offense's big-play threat, got healthy following a shoulder injury. First-year starter Druckenmiller became more comfortable with the no-huddle offense.
``It's a thin line between when you're not making plays and you are,'' coach Frank Beamer said. ``Confidence is a wonderful thing. You either have it or you don't.''
Beating up on the patsy Akron provided confidence.
After scoring 67 points combined in the first five games, the Hokies closed the season by scoring 77, 45, 27, 31, 38 and 36 in the final six. They ended up rated as one of the school's most-productive offenses ever in several categories, including total offense (fourth with 4,233 net yards) and scoring (second with 321 points).
``It was put up or shut up time,'' said Malone, the lone first-team all-Big East pick from Tech's offense compared to four from the Hokies defense. ``We're prideful people and we didn't want the defense to keep carrying us. They were playing great and they were having all the fun and getting all the press.
``We didn't want to take a back seat to them. We really got fed up with the whole situation. It had gotten to the point where they were playing more snaps than we were, and that's not good.''
The Hokies don't have individual offensive standouts like Texas, which averages 433.3 yards of total offense (17th nationally) and 31.7 points (18th). But they have produced.
``The thing I like about Virginia Tech's offense is they do something that covers all facets of the game,'' Texas coach John Mackovic said. ``They're not a team you stereotype.
``They have two good runners, different types of formations, their variety is good. They move the ball around. I believe those are the best kinds of offenses.''
With a win tonight, the Hokies (9-2) could be remembered as the best team in the history of a school that began playing football in 1892.
No Tech team has ever won 10 games on the field - the 10-1-1 record in 1986 included a win by forfeiture over Temple - and the Hokies have never finished a season ranked in the top 10. They are poised to do that with current ratings of 13th by the Associated Press, 11th by USA Today-CNN. Texas (10-1-1) is No. 9 and No. 6, respectively.
Both teams come in on hot streaks: Virginia Tech has won nine in a row, while Texas is 8-0-1 in its last nine outings.
The Hokies have aspirations beyond being regarded as the best team in school history. They are seeking a place among the nation's elite programs.
``It's just reality that how we play in this game will answer questions about how we fit,'' Beamer said.
``Winning it sends a message we're ready to be a perennial top 20 program,'' Malone said.
As Beamer stated repeatedly during the struggles of September and as the offense proved, it's not how you start that matters, but how you finish. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer hopes to get his hands on the Sugar
Bowl trophy tonight.
by CNB