THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 10, 1996 TAG: 9609100422
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 82 lines
Two years ago, Virginia Tech's mastery of Boston College in the Eagles' stadium served as the coming-out party for what would develop into an outstanding defense.
When Tech goes back to BC on Saturday, the architect of its defense will be the opponent.
Boston College defensive coordinator Phil Elmassian should have some inside information about the Hokies, whom he helped build into a national power as Tech's defensive coordinator in 1993 and '94. Elmassian has installed the same type of attacking defense at Chestnut Hill.
``He's familiar with us,'' Hokies coach Frank Beamer said. ``I don't think what we know about each other is going to win this game. It's going to be the players on the field and how they perform.''
BC coach Dan Henning also downplayed the significance of the connection - ``A lot of things change in two years,'' Henning said - but Elmassian knows the Tech defense and personnel about as well as anyone on the outside possibly could.
BACKFIELD TURNSTILE: Beamer said a decision would come in the next couple of days on the status of tailback Marcus Parker, suspended in the preseason for a shoplifting incident.
Tech needs him.
With tailback Ken Oxendine out three to four weeks with a separated shoulder sustained in Saturday's 21-18 victory at Akron, the Hokies relied on true freshman Shyrone Stith of Chesapeake for the bulk of the backfield work. Stith responded with 119 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 21 carries. Beamer said senior fullback Brian Edmonds, suspended for the Akron game for an undisclosed reason, will be back for Boston College.
BROWN'S QUICK START: Virginia Tech collectively struggled against Akron, but All-American defensive end Cornell Brown got out of the gate quickly. He was named Big East co-defensive player of the week for his 10 tackles, two quarterback sacks and two other tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
FAULTY MEMORY: West Virginia coach Don Nehlen, who unfailingly makes every Mountaineers opponent sound like a unit of NFL Pro Bowlers coached by Vince Lombardi, gushed Monday about East Carolina's back-to-back Liberty Bowl bids.
``They lost to Illinois by about a touchdown in the Liberty Bowl two years ago,'' Nehlen said.
Actual score: Illinois 30, ECU 0.
The Pirates, who visit Morgantown on Saturday, are on the verge of breaking into the national rankings, as is West Virginia. Both schools are among the first five in ``others receiving votes'' in both polls. Nehlen said the Mountaineers (2-0) will get a good reading as to what kind of team they are after this game.
The biggest problem with facing East Carolina is dealing with its potent passing game, led by quarterback Marcus Crandell.
``You got any aspirin?'' Nehlen said when asked about the challenge Crandell poses. ``He broke Jeff Blake's (career touchdown pass) record, and Jeff Blake is giving people headaches in the NFL. So I'm sure we'll have a headache.''
ORANGEMEN BLUES: Big East preseason favorite Syracuse was seen as a dark-horse national championship contender in some quarters, but that horse came up lame in the opener when the Orangemen were pounded by North Carolina 27-10 in the Carrier Dome. Syracuse plummeted from No. 9 to No. 23 in The Associated Press poll.
``Obviously we didn't play with the poise we needed to play with,'' coach Paul Pasqualoni said. ``We were wound up a little too tight, and it really, really hurt us. I think we'll learn what we can learn from this, put it behind us and move forward.''
THIRD ONE A CHARM? New Rutgers coach Terry Shea's West Coast offense has been somewhat of a bust thus far, producing just two field goals in Saturday's loss to Navy.
Thursday against Miami on ESPN, the Scarlet Knights will start senior Mike Stephans, a former walk-on at Tennessee who did not play football last year. He began the fall as the third-stringer behind Corey Valentine and Ralph Sacca. Stephans is 5 of 14 for 58 yards through two games.
``Right now we've reached a point where our best chance is Mike Stephans,'' Shea said.
QUICK HITS: Beamer declined to discuss the progress of the investigation into an on-campus fight last week allegedly involving 15 to 20 football players and the possible suspensions that may stem from it. . . . Miami gets a boost Thursday with the return of receiver Yatil Green and All-Big East running back Danyell Ferguson, who had to serve a two-game NCAA suspension for use of a limousine provided by an agent. . . . Henning said cornerback Kiernan Speight (sprained knee) will not play against Tech and tight end Scott Dragos (pulled hamstring) has a 50-50 chance. Both starters were hurt in BC's Aug. 31 opener at Hawaii. . . . Miami does not have a quarterback sack in two games. by CNB