Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 11, 1995 TAG: 9510110068
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Frank Beamer has heard all the armchair quarterbacks' theories as to why Virginia Tech offense continues to be, well, just plain offensive.
The Hokies' head coach, however, buys little of that reasoning.
``It still all comes down to making plays,'' Beamer said. ``You block people, you run the ball and hold on to it, you pass the ball and catch it. It's pretty simple, really.''
The Hokies are not having a simple time doing it, however. Poor execution - missed blocks, backs not hitting the proper hole, misguided passes, dropped passes, etc. - continue to choke the Tech offense.
Mix in 11 turnovers in five games and you're left with the nation's 104th-ranked scoring offense (13.4 points per game).
Beamer said Tuesday close scrutiny of the video from Saturday's 14-0 victory at Navy revealed 17 of the 21 players the Hokies used on offense ``broke down'' on one or more plays.
``It's not mental mistakes; it's more physical mistakes, not getting a block, not making a catch or whatever,'' Beamer said. ``We look at the thing and all these guys have done it before. I do think it's concentration.
``I really think we've got good people. When you're on a good roll, everything kind of falls into place. But when you get on a bad roll, everything's a struggle.
``Then people start trying too hard, pressing to make a big play. A lot of the guys involved in this have been instrumental in us winning 20 games the past 2 1/2 years. I believe in 'em. And I promise you this crowd on offense will be right back. I'll tell you this: We'll get it squared away.''
Beamer said there could be some offensive personnel changes before Tech (3-2) takes on Akron (1-4) at 1 p.m. Saturday at Lane Stadium.
This week in practice, Beamer has laid it on the line for a receiving corps that has been plagued by a case of the drops.
``We're giving all our receivers a chance to catch the ball this week in practice and the ones who do best will be out there first on Saturday,'' Beamer said.
Tech has moved the ball well at times, as its respectable 350 yards per game total offense attests. But too many promising drives have stalled where it counts - inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Tech has scored only four touchdowns on 14 trips inside the ``red zone.''
``That's a momentum-killer,'' said Chris Malone, a senior offensive guard for the Hokies. ``That's when somebody has to make a play. Once you get down there you've got to punch it in. That's the best way to build momentum, get it in the end zone.
``The reason people are concerned is that we are not carrying our load,'' he said of the offense. ``It will come. I firmly believe that.''
It had better come in a hurry. After the Akron game, Tech's bowl hopes will rest on what happens in four consecutive Big East Conference games.
``We've got to win out,'' Malone said. ``If we don't, everything we worked for in the off-season is gone.''
FEARSOME FRONT: Tech's defensive line, called the best in the Big East by Boston College coach Dan Henning, continues to post awesome numbers.
Three of Tech's front four registered career highs in tackles against Navy - end Cornell Brown and tackle Waverly Jackson had 16 each, and tackle J.C. Price had 14. The trio had 11 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and eight quarterback pressures against the Middies.
Price, coming up huge in his senior year, has a team-high six sacks and seven tackles for losses. Brown is right behind him with five sacks and five tackles for losses.
TECH TIDBITS: The Tech defense continues to be as good as the Hokies' offense has been bad. The defense ranks fourth in scoring yield (11.8 points per game), 10th in rushing yards allowed (95.8 yards per game) and 19th in total yards per game (311.8) among the nation's 108 NCAA Division I-A schools. ... The Hokies have yet to give up a fourth-quarter point and have permitted only 13 second-half points this season. ... Senior linebacker George DelRicco is well on his way to becoming the first Tech player to post 100 or more tackles in three consecutive seasons since Mike Johnson (1981-83). DelRicco, who had a career-high 20 tackles against Cincinnati, has 66 for the season. ... Tech likely will be without speedy flanker Bryan Still (sore right shoulder) and defensive tackle Jim Baron (sprained left ankle) Saturday. Junior cornerback Antonio Banks, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Sept. 21, is working out with the Hokies this week, but is not expected to play.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB