THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 23, 1996 TAG: 9610230403
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: VIRGINIA TECH REPORT
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 53 lines
Another off week, another injury problem for Virginia Tech's football team.
Tech coach Frank Beamer said Tuesday linebacker Myron Newsome, Tech's leading tackler, may not play Saturday against Pittsburgh (noon, WTKR) because of a shoulder injury he suffered in the Oct. 12 Temple game. Beamer said Newsome seemed to be getting better at one point, but then the shoulder began to bother him again and X-rays were done to determine the extent of the problem.
``Something's not quite right there,'' Beamer said. ``We're very concerned about that.''
Off weeks are supposed to offer a chance to heal some bumps and bruises. But following their first bye this month, Tech was without defensive end Cornell Brown (knee) and linebacker Tony Morrison (foot) when it played Temple.
In addition to Newsome, Beamer said backup defensive end Chris Cyrus - who saw his first action of the season against Temple after being out with an injury earlier in the year - is also going to miss a couple of more weeks with a knee injury. Morrison is expected to play Saturday, but Brown is not.
``We have these open weeks and it seems like we come back with more injuries than what we started,'' Beamer said.
PICK DROUGHT: The Hokies are last in the Big East in interceptions with two in 148 opponents' passing attempts, and are last in the league and 100th out of 111 Division I-A teams nationally in turnover margin at minus-1.2 per game.
``I really believe we're going to end up getting more interceptions,'' Beamer said. ``It goes in cycles, and all those we haven't gotten early in the year we'll get late in the year. I feel like turnovers are going to come.''
RECRUITING UPDATE: The Hokies have received six verbal commitments. Recruits cannot sign a national letter of intent until February.
Tech's commitments: A pair of Amherst High players in 6-foot-3, 265-pound lineman David Pugh and 6-foot, 200-pound defensive back Camm Jackson; 6-3, 222-pound linebacker/tight end Jim Ferugio from Pottsville, Pa.; 6-2, 200-pound wide receiver Ricky Hall from Butler County (Kansas) Community College; 6-2, 218-pound linebacker Barney Bowman from Berwick, Pa.; and 6-3, 215-pound linebacker Ron Cook from Montclair, N.J. The Hokies also have Lamonte Pegues, a 5-11, 205-pound running back who transferred from Clemson and is sitting out this season.
THE BOOK ON TECH: Virginia Tech football history - both ancient and recent - can be relived with the ``Hokies Handbook: Stories, Stats and Stuff About Virginia Tech Football.'' The 160-page paperback came out this month and was written by Chris Colston, the former editor of the Hokie Huddler newsletter who is now a copy editor for Baseball America.
It's a quickie read and includes an entire chapter on the Sugar Bowl season. If you can't find it in stores, the book can be ordered through Midwest Sports Publications by calling 800-492-4043. by CNB