THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 15, 1996 TAG: 9609150175
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Steve Carlson
LENGTH: 63 lines
Brian Edmonds' return from a one-game suspension was instrumental in Virginia Tech's offensive explosion Saturday at Boston College.
Edmonds ran for a pair of touchdowns and made key blocks on two other scores as the Hokies rolled to a 45-7 victory over the Eagles.
``He's a guy that's been in a lot of ballgames for us and won a lot of ballgames for us,'' Tech coach Frank Beamer said. ``He broke out of the pack there a couple of times and scored for us. He's a big old guy with quickness, that usually works out pretty well for a fullback.''
Edmonds - whose suspension was reportedly related to an on-campus fight involving football players Aug. 31 - did not offer any quick quips about his play.
``I ain't talking,'' Edmonds said politely.
Quarterback Jim Druckenmiller said Edmonds' talents as well as his leadership were a welcome return for Tech's offense.
``Everyone felt like it was a whole offense again,'' Druckenmiller
Five of Edmonds' 12 career touchdowns have come against Boston College. No tackles for Cornell Brown?
This may be a first for a Virginia Tech stat sheet: All-American defensive end Cornell Brown was not credited with a tackle against BC. That's apt to change come Monday, because tackle statistics are tabulated off game films.
``I know we tried to double-team Cornell a lot because he's such a great player,'' BC quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said. ``But they still managed to get guys through.''
Indeed, Tech managed seven sacks for 70 yards in losses, driving BC's net rushing yardage down to 55 on 34 attempts. Though it's probably inaccurate that Brown was not in on a tackle, the Eagles did bottle him up well with double teams.
``Definitely it bothered me,'' Brown said of BC's blocking scheme. Not a good day for former Tech coach
Virginia Tech won a game and the game within the game Saturday. The Hokies were matching wits with defensive coordinator Phil Elmassian, the hard-edged coach who used to be Tech's defensive coordinator. The Hokies seemed to relish beating Elmassian's unit.
``I'd be lying if I said it doesn't make it a little better,'' Gray said. Hokies block 50th kick under Beamer
Keion Carpenter's blocked punt emphasized once again Tech's uncanny ability at blocking kicks. The Hokies have blocked 50 kicks in Beamer's 104 games as head coach. They also blocked an extra point last week at Akron. School-record winning streak
The victory extended Tech's winning streak to 12 games, the second-longest in the nation behind Nebraska and a school record. Tech won 11 in a row from 1917 to 1919.
``I haven't mentioned a winning streak to our football team, and I don't think I've heard our players say anything about a winning streak,'' Beamer said. ``I think everyone knows we've got one going.''
Tech also has won its last nine games played away from home. by CNB