Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, December 30, 1994 TAG: 9412300112
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
DATELINE: JACKSONVILLE, FLA. LENGTH: Medium
After an aberration of an autumn, Tennessee simply wants to finish a salvaged season ranked in the polls. Virginia Tech, a seven-point underdog, can win even while losing.
If you asked Frank Beamer whether it's more important to win the biggest game in Tech football history or simply to keep the scoreboard difference respectable, the Hokies' coach would have an easier time with that than deciding how to handle the opening coin toss.
``Any time you play a team like Tennessee, a team that's been there over and over ... if you can beat a team like that, it adds credibility to your program,'' Beamer said. ``I don't think whether we beat Tennessee or not will [be the determining factor] on whether we continue to grow and develop and become a top 20 program year in and year out.
``I don't think we have to do this to do that. I think things are very emotional now. The number of people we're bringing down here [about 18,000], the enthusiasm for our program and what we've done the last couple of years.
``I don't think we have to beat Tennessee, but if we could, it would add credibility to our program.''
So, as the nation's sixth-oldest bowl picks up and moves 63 miles for tonight's kickoff at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the Hokies are looking up at the next level and hoping they won't be leveled.
While Tech's defense will gamble as always, the Hokies' offense plans to gambol. The departure of offensive coordinator Gary Tranquill to Michigan State's staff has brought revisionist history to the Tech play book.
Beamer will be calling the plays, and he'll be calling some that were more familiar last season, when quarterback Maurice DeShazo didn't play like he was out of options.
Forget the NFL-favored one-back set Tech has used this year, unless it comes with four wideouts. DeShazo won't be reading and reading. He'll be reading and reacting.
``We're going to be a different team this game,'' said guard Damien McMahon. ``We're using last year's offense. We're using Rickey Bustle's offense. He's coming back, so we might as well.''
Bustle will come back as Tech's offensive coordinator after South Carolina's Carquest Bowl date with West Virginia on Monday. Tech's offensive plans in the Gator mark his unofficial return, however.
``It's not that complicated,'' said split end Antonio Freeman.
He wasn't describing the game plan, but really, he was.
Or, as DeShazo said this week, ``Sometimes you're best drawing the plays up in the dirt.''
If Tech's plan to dust off some old plays has been one of the worst-kept secrets of Gator Bowl week, DeShazo's bruised right knee has been hush-hush.
The Hokies' quarterback has water on the joint and uses ice to reduce the swelling. He has been wearing a sleeve on the knee during practice and will do so tonight. The injury hasn't seemed to diminish his mobility, however.
``We're going to go with plays Maurice is more comfortable with,'' Freeman said. ``We're going to go back and do some things we've done exceptionally well in the past. I think you'll see him check off more than he has this season.
``It's not as complex as we've tried. The game plan probably has about 50 percent of what it has had this season. That doesn't mean we won't be trying some things.''
Freeman, who, like DeShazo, will be playing his last Tech game tonight, said he believes the Hokies have the potential for their best offensive game of the season.
Tennessee, however, is huge and fast and deep. To stay in the game, the Hokies must at least keep the ball. Freeman correctly said the Vols trail only Miami among quality Hokies opponents this season. Tennessee's offensive capability is superior to the Hurricanes' ball movement, however.
``If we're going to win, it's got to start with us [on offense],'' McMahon said. ``It has to end with the defense. We have to come out and be successful right away, and then the defense has to back us up.''
McMahon said if the Hokies should win the coin toss, they should take the ball and not defer their choice to the second half. That's a decision that has cost Beamer's team in the past.
The right guard is right. In its biggest bowl game, the Hokies have nothing to lose except the game. It's obvious they're thrilled to be here.
They've played like it at the pre-bowl functions, and they should play like it in the Gator Bowl, too.
Changing an offense is one thing. Changing an attitude is another.
by CNB