THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 9, 1996 TAG: 9609090103
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 91 lines
AKRON, Ohio - OK, now we know why Virginia Tech balked at the chance to play nationally ranked Auburn on television in its season opener.
The Hokies were not ready for prime time Saturday when they eked out a 21-18 victory over Akron.
A team that Tech beat by 50 points a year ago hung with the Hokies until 11 seconds remained. That's when Tech finally could exhale after recovering an on-side kick following a late Zips' touchdown.
On Saturday, Pittsburgh (52-14 over Kent) and West Virginia (34-9 over Western Michigan) did what programs from a major conference are expected to do to lesser-lights from the Mid-American Conference. Akron is considered not only one of the worst teams in the MAC, but in Division I-A. The Zips have won three of their last 26 games.
Quarterback Jim Druckenmiller said the Hokies' minds were not in the game.
``It's something we need to work on, developing more discipline upstairs,'' Druckenmiller said.
Discipline has not been the program's strong suit of late. Perhaps the cloud hanging over the Hokies following a spate of offseason arrests and then an on-campus fight last week - a track athlete said 15 to 20 football players beat him up at a party - contributed to Tech's lack of focus. Regardless, Akron still should have been a cakewalk.
``You guys that were writing about (this being) the worst mismatch of the century ought to be embarrassed,'' Tech coach Frank Beamer said.
No, Frank, after an offseason of embarrassments off the field, Tech ought to be embarrassed about its season-opening performance.
STEVE CARLSON Cavaliers' victory failed to answer many questions
CHARLOTTESVILLE - Instead of putting the season into focus, Virginia may have left Saturday night's season-opener with as many questions as it had coming in.
The Cavaliers won easily, 55-21, but the score was more impressive than the performance against Central Michigan, the weakest opponent in their schedule.
A defense predicted to be the strength of the team was touched for 441 yards and a whopping 22 first downs.
An offense with a rebuilt line and untested quarterbacks showed its inexperience by twice fumbling inside the 10 yard line and failing to complete a pass for a touchdown.
Those are the things coach George Welsh is likely to dwell on as he prepares his team for its ACC opener Saturday against Maryland in Charlottesville.
Welsh, though, could not be unhappy with a season opener that allowed his team to gain winning confidence and permitted him to play almost everyone who dressed.
The defense, while not rock-solid, scored three of U.Va.'s seven touchdowns on a kickoff return, an interception return, and a return of a blocked punt. An interception and a fumble recovery set up two others.
Welsh also could be encouraged by the offensive line, which did not allow a sack and consistently opened big holes for running backs.
True freshman tailback Thomas Jones showed he is ready as Tiki Barber's back-up by breaking a 57-yard run and scoring from the 4 a few seconds later.
But this was Central Michigan - not Michigan.
FRANK VEHORN Passing, kicking games still need work for Spartans
Norfolk State needs to get their offense rolling - quickly.
Yes, they left Bowie State with a 20-14 victory Saturday. And yes, they had over 400 yards in total offense. But the margin of victory could have and should have been much greater.
After Bowie State scored in the third quarter to cut the deficit to six, Norfolk State drove to the Bulldogs 18. The Spartans gained two yards on a first-down run and then had three straight incomplete passes.
On their last possession, the Spartans got to the Bulldogs 18 again. This time, the drive ended with a missed field goal attempt of 31 yards.
One obvious problem is the lack of a kicking game.
Keith King missed the point after on the first touchdown, forcing Darnell Moore to go for the two-point conversions after the next two touchdowns.
Another problem has been starting quarterback Robert Morris.
The junior signal-caller was a dismal 13 of 33, including 7 for 21 in the second half.
At least a third of his throws were errant passes to wide open receivers including tight end Ronald Boone, who has just five catches for 79 yards this season.
Last season, Boone was the team's second-leading receiver with 49.
With NAIA powerhouse Central State and Division I-AA teams Bethune-Cookman and Hampton still on the Spartans schedule, Morris better start picking up those open receivers - quickly.
JAMES C. BLACK ILLUSTRATION: COLLEGE FOOTBALL
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Virginia Tech linebacker Myron Newsome lunges for Akron's Yasin
Reeder during Saturday's 21-18 win. by CNB