Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 21, 1994 TAG: 9409230052
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The Hokies' two highly regarded freshman running backs were shipped to special teams early in the season and really haven't returned.
But they will.
``They need to get in the game,'' Tech coach Frank Beamer said Tuesday. ``Part of it is they're [getting] prepared to play [from scrimmage].''
Oxendine, a tailback who was considered Tech's prime signee, has one carry for 8 yards. Parker, a backup fullback, has 1 yard on his lone carry. Second-string tailback Tommy Edwards has gotten 39 carries behind Dwayne Thomas (61 rushes), and starter Brian Edmonds has 17 of 22 carries by Hokies fullbacks.
Beamer doesn't want to rush Oxendine and Parker into games, and doesn't need to because of Tech's backfield depth. Both are talented enough to play now, Beamer said, but need more work from an ``assignment standpoint.''
Oxendine (who gained 3,256 yards and scored 34 touchdowns at Thomas Dale High School in Chester) and Parker (3,376 yards as a sophomore and junior before an injury-shortened senior year at Salem High School) have played mostly on special teams. Beamer said losing special-teams players such as Okesa Smith, Lenarick Thomas and Willie Wilkins during preseason didn't force Oxendine and Parker onto the kick-coverage unit.
``They were both good defensive players in high school,'' Beamer said. ``If some of those other guys were here, [Oxendine and Parker] probably would've been on special teams ahead of them.
``[But] we plan to play 'em more and more [from scrimmage].''
One who might not play: cornerback Quinton Waller. Phil Elmassian, Tech's defensive coordinator, said during the preseason he expected to play the Matoaca native, but Beamer said a decision on whether Waller would be redshirted will come no later than Friday. Waller will play in that day's junior varsity game if he's not going to be redshirted.
Other freshman contributors: center Todd Washington (36 snaps at center, 31 in the past two games); linebacker Tony Morrison, a well-publicized signee from Chesapeake who got 25 snaps in the opener but only eight in two games since; guard Gennaro DiNapoli (five snaps); and defensive tackle Brad Baylor (six snaps).
DESHAZO'S ANKLE: Beamer alarmed Hokies fans Monday by pronouncing quarterback Maurice DeShazo questionable for the WVU game with a sore ankle, then brightened his forecast hours later on his radio show - after DeShazo, a notably quick healer, ran some passing drills Monday. Asked Tuesday if he would miss a game like Thursday's national TV encounter, DeShazo smiled and said, ``Nah.'' The problem is cutting and pushing off during throws, he said, but he plans to practice today. ``I'm going to try to do a little bit more ... do enough to make sure I'm ready,'' he said.
DeShazo said he's getting 20-30 minutes of treatment a day, and pondered what else could help him play Thursday.
``Time, which we don't have, and ice,'' he said. ``It's really your manhood, sucking it up and taping it up.''
Meanwhile, West Virginia starting quarterback Eric Boykin's status for Thursday's game is uncertain. If he can't play, Chad Johnston, who started WVU's first two games, will.
ON THE OFFENSIVE: Entering Game 4 last year, Tech was averaging 32 points and 445.3 total yards per game. This year, those numbers are 21.3 and 350.3. Beamer says the offense may be pressing to equal its '93 output, but part of the reason is the loss of All-America center Jim Pyne, tackle Chris Barry and blocking tight end John Burke.
``You've got different guys up on the line of scrimmage right now,'' DeShazo said. ``If they get beat, they're trying hard. Sometimes, guys might just be better than another guy.''
Last year, Tech's offense was shut out in a 21-2 loss to Miami in Game 3. Players griped about the play-calling, then beat Maryland 55-28 with 649 yards of offense. Asked if this year's team could draw from that '93 scenario, DeShazo said: ``The difference between last year and this year is we're just not executing. The plays are fine. [If] I pitch the ball to Dwayne Thomas [on a play against BC] he walks into the end zone. I miss [Antonio] Freeman twice - the second time, I think I'm Hercules and just gun it. It's just minor things, and we're glad it's not major.''
STREAKS: Tech is tied with four teams for the third-longest Division I-A winning streak. The Hokies, Florida State, Colorado State, Michigan and Colorado have won six in a row. Auburn's 14-game streak leads the nation, followed by Penn State's eight-game run.
UH-OH: Tech defensive tackle Waverly Jackson noted this week's distractions aren't limited to interview requests, compressed practice time and such. ``Kevin [Martin] has a test Thursday night at 7, so hopefully our teachers will be flexible,'' he said.
ETC.: Kickoff for the WVU game has been moved to 8:01 p.m. It is the Hokies' sixth TV appearance in the past eight games. ... Beamer said he hasn't decided whether Ryan Williams or Atle Larsen will handle placements Thursday.
by CNB