Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 23, 1995 TAG: 9508240028
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
If Marcus Parker ever has any doubts about his football ability, all he needs to do is throw a Billy Hite sermon into a tape player.
When it comes to Parker, the longtime reverend of Virginia Tech running backs sings nothing but high notes of inspirational praise.
Take a listen to Hite on the former Salem High star:
"Marcus is just a very special football player,'' said Hite of the former Salem High School star. ``I honestly feel that in the next two or three years he'll have the chance to be the best player I've ever coached.''
Strong message there. Now Parker wants to make it words to live by.
"I hope Coach Hite is right,'' said Parker, grinning sheepishly when asked about Hite's assessment.
"All I know is that I feel very comfortable going into this season. I feel like I can go in and get the job done. I'm ready to prove to myself that I can play on this level.''
Simply lettering as a freshman last season wasn't enough for a kid who had been ``The man'' in high school. A two-time all-state performer at Salem before injury his knee before his senior season, Parker was relegated to special teams and very limited backfield duty - he carried the ball 16 times for 83 yards - in his first college season.
"I wasn't too satisfied with it,'' Parker said. "That's why I worked so hard during the spring. I've got a lot to prove here.''
Now he has two good legs to work with. Parker missed Tech's last two regular-season games after injuring his knee against Temple. He underwent arthroscopic surgery in December before returning for the Gator Bowl.
"It was the same [knee] I hurt in high school,'' Parker said. "It was sort of a bummer. I had the major one in high school, then I come up here and have something else. But it should hold up fine now.''
So far, so good. Tech defenders have found the 5-foot-10, 202-pound Parker to be at least a step, possibly two, quicker than he was a year ago.
"I don't think anyone ever knew it,'' said Parker, laughing. "But I tell you I'm no faster than what I've always been.''
Although he ran for nearly 4,000 yards his sophomore and junior seasons at Salem, Parker said he's not concerned about numbers at Tech.
Good thing, too. Especially this year, when the Hokies' backfield arsenal is loaded with weapons. Besides Parker, there's senior Dwayne Thomas, junior Brian Edmonds and sophomore Ken Oxendine.
"We're all in this together,'' Parker said. "You know you can be in the game or three others can be in and get the job done.
"None of us are selfish players. We're all four about winning, that's all we really care about, really. So the bottom line, not who has this many carries and this or that, is we just want to win.''
ON SCHEDULE: Because of the presence of nonconference opponents Cincinnati, Akron and Navy, Tech's 1995 schedule has been maligned by some for being too soft.
The record book, however, says the Tech slate might be too hard. The Hokies have a combined all-time record of 72-92-6 (.441) against their 11 '95 opponents.
TECH TIDBITS: The Hokies will conduct their second intrasquad scrimmage tonight at 7 in Lane Stadium. Place-kicker Atle Larsen shined in last Saturday's first scrimmage of the preseason, making 4-of-6 field-goal tries. ... Tech, tied for 24th with Washington, was one of four Big East schools to make The AP's Top-25 preseason poll. The Hokies joined Miami (11th), Boston College (22nd) and West Virginia (23rd). In the USA Today/CNN Top 25, Miami was 10th and BC 23rd. Tech and WVU just missed at 26th and 27th, respectively. ... Antonio Freeman, Tech's leading receiver last year, continues to have a good preseason with the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Freeman led the Pack with three receptions for 59 yards last week against Indianapolis. ... Tickets for Tech's Nov.11 game with Temple at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., are priced at $22, $16,50 and $9.50. Tickets may be purchased by credit card through Phone Charge (703-573-SEAT), based in Northern Virginia.
by CNB