THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 2, 1996 TAG: 9601020151
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NEW ORLEANS LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
The Sugar Bowl champion Hokies have a lot of holes to fill for '96 season
A Sugar Bowl victory and likely top 10 final ranking are regarded by the Virginia Tech Hokies as signs they have arrived in college football's big time.
The question now is, how long do they stay there?
Clearly the program is at its zenith. The Hokies have won 27 games in the last three seasons - the best three-year run in Tech history. This will be only the fourth Hokies team to be ranked in the final Associated Press poll, and will be by far their best finish. Tech was 16th in the 1954 final poll, 20th in 1986 and No. 22 in 1993.
``I think we've got a chance to be a top program year in and year out,'' coach Frank Beamer said early Monday morning following the Hokies' 28-10 victory over Texas in the Superdome on Sunday night. ``This right here makes everything legitimate if we can build on it.
``In the sports world, it's what can you do next? It's not what you did yesterday, it's what can you do tomorrow?''
As much as Tech (10-2) yearns to be known as a perennial power like Penn State, Miami and Nebraska, the Sugar Bowl season doesn't mean the Hokies are one.
West Virginia played in this same building for a shot at an undefeated season and national title two years ago. The Mountaineers won just five games this season.
``Every year is certainly not going to be like this, I know our fans understand that,'' Beamer said. ``This was a good run this year. If you can consistently be there where every year you're mentioned up there around the top, that's what I'm shooting for. I think it happens over a period of time.''
So what happens next year?
The Hokies probably will make most preseason top 25 lists, but may be picked to finish third in the Big East behind Miami and Syracuse. Of course, they were picked third by the media this season behind Miami and Boston College.
The defense that spearheaded Tech's memorable season could be a shell of its dominating self without several departing players, especially if defensive end Cornell Brown opts to leave early for the NFL. The core of the Hokies' 1995 defense - Brown, defensive tackle J.C. Price, linebacker George DelRicco, safety William Yarborough and defensive end Hank Coleman - started together for three seasons. There will be a dropoff at each of those positions next year, as well as at Jim Baron's tackle spot.
``We're going to have a lot of young guys on defense, so hopefully the offense can carry us until the defense comes around,'' junior rover Torrian Gray said.
But like the defense, the offense loses five starters, and placekicker Atle Larsen also departs. The Hokies have a lot of holes to fill.
``My class, we haven't had a losing season,'' Gray said. ``We're going to be spoiled by the success and we want to continue it.''
``The guys who are here are very capable of keeping this thing going,'' said senior flanker Bryan Still, the Sugar Bowl's most outstanding player with a punt return for a touchdown and six catches, including one for a touchdown.
Beamer singled out the receiving corps and defensive front as the two areas of immediate concern. Departing Still and Jermaine Holmes caught 61 of the 99 receptions and nine of the 11 touchdown catches by wideouts this season. Junior Jim Druckenmiller developed into a fine quarterback in his first year as a starter, but he'll need someone dependable to throw to next year.
``We've got some OK receivers and we recruited some good receivers, but they've got to step it up,'' Beamer said.
During the seniors' tenure, Tech has stepped it up dramatically. There were nine seniors on this year's team who lettered on the 2-8-1 team in 1992. They've gone 27-9 since.
``I never thought I was going to see this,'' Price said of the Sugar Bowl season. ``I'd be lying if I didn't say I had doubts about whether I picked the right place to go to school or not.''
Recruits don't seem to have those doubts now. Tech already has 19 verbal commitments for the February signing period. The Sugar Bowl is a great conversation-starter with blue chippers.
So Tech certainly seems poised to at least continue making runs at bowl bids, and the occasional conference title and accompanying major bowl bid. The seniors leave with three bowl rings, a conference title and the satisfaction of leading the program to its most storied season.
``We've accomplished so much in the last four years,'' DelRicco said. ``I feel like a part of something great.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by Huy Nguyen/The Virginian-Pilot
Coach Frank Beamer: ``In the sports world, it's what can you do
next? It's not what you did yesterday, it's what can you do
tomorrow?''
by CNB