THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 14, 1996 TAG: 9610140122
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: 37 lines
VIRGINIA TECH 38 TEMPLE 0
Virginia Tech could have coasted into the Temple game, an opponent that probably could not beat the Hokies' second teamers.
But Tech was not in a coasting mode after its last outing, a blowout loss to Syracuse. Although it's hard to tell against the abysmal Owls, the Hokies seemed to have made strides since the loss.
Tech threw the ball deep successfully (one long touchdown was called back by penalty), but rarely went to the air as the offensive line and backs produced 349 yards rushing. The Hokies' punt protection was improved. They tackled better. And a respectable Temple offense was thoroughly stymied by Tech's defense.
All in all, it was the type of domination a good team should be capable of accomplishing against a weakling.
``This was a key game for us,'' Tech coach Frank Beamer said. ``We needed to make improvement in a lot of areas after the loss at Syracuse, and I think we did.''
Syracuse exposed some weaknesses, and Tech went to work to correct them.
``We had that off week, we came back and practiced hard and did not slack off,'' center Billy Conaty said.
With another bye this week, October is almost like a second preseason practice for the Hokies. Pittsburgh - which rivals Temple for Big East futility - follows the bye, so the Hokies (4-1, 3-1 Big East) have a month to focus on improvement without a serious threat of a loss.
``It gives us an idea we did get some work done over the last week and we can be a good football team,'' receiver Shawn Scales said of the Temple game. ``I don't want to say we're back on track. We can be better.''
Next game: Oct. 26 at home vs. Pittsburgh, noon.
STEVE CARLSON by CNB