THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 28, 1996 TAG: 9608280608
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 66 lines
VIRGINIA TECH NOTES
Frank Beamer cannot recall ever relying on a true freshman placekicker in his 15 seasons as a head football coach. The last one at Virginia Tech was Don Wade in 1981.
A week from Saturday, when No. 14 Tech opens the season at Akron, Hokies' true freshman Shayne Graham will give both of those streaks the boot.
Beamer has selected Graham to kick field goals and extra points, Jim Kibble will handle kickoffs and John Thomas will be the punter. All three jobs were up for grabs when Tech began practice almost two weeks ago.
``Both Kibble and Graham have kicked very well,'' Beamer said Tuesday. ``I thought Graham was a little more accurate, and his kicking operation time was a little bit less. You could have competition from here to whenever and it'd be very close because they're both good kickers.''
But the competition is over. Beamer said he treats kickers like quarterbacks, awarding one the job and then sticking with that decision so that the kicker is not looking over his shoulder at every miss.
``That's the way we're going to go unless something happens pretty significant to change my mind,'' Beamer said.
Graham, from Pulaski County High School, is not a surprise choice. He ranks among the likes of defensive end Cornell Brown and tailback Ken Oxendine as the Hokies' recent most-heralded recruits.
Graham was a Parade All-American and second-team choice by USA Today. He set a national high school career record for kicking points with 279, and is second among high school kickers all-time in field goals made (38) and fifth in career PATs (165).
Wade in 1981 had actually entered school the previous spring semester and went through spring practice. The last Hokie kicker to come in and assume the kicking duties his first semester on campus was Dennis Laury in 1979.
GREEN WAITING: Tech is still awaiting word on whether senior cornerback Larry Green, a three-year starter, is going to be academically eligible to play this fall. The Hokies are hoping to know by Friday. Green has not practiced with the team yet, but Beamer said if he is eligible, Green could still be a key contributor.
If Green is lost, sophomore backup Loren Johnson will become the starter.
TAILBACK TWO-STEP: With Marcus Parker suspended indefinitely following his conviction on a shoplifting charge, Tech is trying to develop some depth at tailback behind starter Ken Oxendine. Running backs coach Billy Hite said Marcus Gildersleeve, a 5-foot-7, 163-pound redshirt freshman flanker, has been moved to tailback and may have won the backup role.
``He's doing an adequate job,'' Hite said. ``He's got great speed, he's just not real big.''
Gildersleeve's 4.38 40-yard dash time at the end of the offseason conditioning program was the fastest on the team.
Beamer described Parker's status as ``day-by-day.'' Parker is practicing with the scout team while undergoing counseling, after which Beamer will make a determination on his status based on the advice of counselors.
FINAL TUNE-UP: Tech will hold its final preseason scrimmage Thursday. Beamer said they will attempt to simulate game situations for both players and coaches. Some coaches will be in the press box as they work on communications with the sidelines and substitution patterns.
``We're trying to get game sharp both as players and coaches,'' Beamer said. by CNB