
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, October 15, 1995                   TAG: 9510160103
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: RANDY KING
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

HOKIES MAY PLAY AUBURN IN '96, '97

Virginia Tech's nonconference football schedule, the subject of much criticism among the media, fans and even some players, could get stronger very soon.

Dave Braine, Tech's athletic director, confirmed Saturday the Hokies are close to striking a deal to play perennial national power Auburn in 1996 and '97.

``It may be finalized this week,'' Braine said.

Under terms of the deal, the Hokies would travel to Auburn next season and the Tigers would come to Blacksburg in '97 in a likely opener for ESPN cable's schedule.

To accommodate Auburn on the schedule, Tech would drop games with Cincinnati the next two seasons.

Auburn, which was ranked No.7 in the country before losing 49-38 to Florida on Saturday, was 9-1-1 in 1994.Tech hasn't played a Southeastern Conference school in Blacksburg since 1989, when Vanderbilt visited Lane Stadium.

by CNB