THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 1, 1996 TAG: 9610010426
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 72 lines
Virginia Tech has an off-week Saturday, but the Hokies won't be taking much time off.
Coach Frank Beamer has a laundry list of things to work on following Saturday's blowout loss at Syracuse: punt protection; kickoff return team; tackling; and taking advantage of one-on-one coverage.
Punt protection seems to be job one. Syracuse blocked one punt it returned for a touchdown, partially blocked another and almost got to a couple more.
``It was purely a protection problem,'' Beamer said. ``We're looking at a couple people there and we're going to really work hard on that this week. That's going to be a priority item for us. I think Syracuse beat us in the kicking game. Not many people do that.''
Not many run for over 300 yards on the Hokies either. Beamer said Tech coaches counted 18 missed tackles when they looked at the film, about three times the typical number.
``After we missed the tackles, Syracuse went on to gain 146 yards,'' said Beamer, adding that Orangemen quarterback Donovan McNabb was responsible for about half that yardage. ``That's a lot of first downs right there.''
ORANGE JUICED: Syracuse finally played like a team that was favored to win the Big East Saturday after a miserable 0-2 start.
Orangemen coach Paul Pasqualoni said the difference compared to the losses to North Carolina and Minnesota was that his team was relaxed.
``The only mistake they made against North Carolina and Minnesota was that they tried too hard,'' Pasqualoni said. ``They were wound so tight they couldn't go out and be who we are.''
MOUNTAINEER MEN: West Virginia, picked to finish fourth in the Big East in the preseason, is 5-0 and ranked 19th in both polls. The Mountaineers are getting it done with defense, as six seniors lead a unit that is first in the nation in rushing defense, second in scoring defense, fourth in total defense and seventh in passing defense. Canute Curtis has won or shared the Big East defensive player of the week distinction three of the five weeks it has been awarded.
On Saturday, Maryland's offense never crossed the 50.
Coach Don Nehlen correctly points out that the Mountaineers haven't gotten to the meat of their schedule yet, as West Virginia has beaten only one team with a winning record.
``But it's a good, solid defense,'' Nehlen said. ``I think our defense certainly stacks up personnel-wise with any defense since I've been here.''
MIAMI VICE: Hurricanes safety Tremain Mack will miss the Oct. 12 Florida State game as part of his alcohol treatment.
Mack acknowledged he has an alcohol problem after an arrest two weeks ago. He was suspended for a minimum of two games and is undergoing a treatment program that coach Butch Davis said includes education and an after-care program.
``He feels good about what he's doing, he feels good about himself,'' Davis said. ``It's one of those deals we'll evaluate periodically how he's doing, and if he's doing well, he'll be a welcome addition back to our football team.''
BOWL BANTER: The Big East has four automatic bowl slots, and although it's early, there seems to be little doubt which teams will claim those spots: Miami, Syracuse, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. In what order remains to be seen.
The Big East champion goes into the Bowl Alliance (Sugar, Fiesta and Orange Bowls). A second pick from the Big East will play in the Jan. 1 Gator Bowl against a second team from the ACC; The Big East No. 3 selection meets ACC No. 4 in the Dec. 27 Carquest Bowl; and a Big East fourth team meets the Conference USA champion in the Dec. 27 Liberty Bowl.
The bowls can select from any conference team that has the necessary six wins against Division I-A teams. They do not have to pick based on Big East order of finish. by CNB