Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 26, 1995 TAG: 9510260047
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Long
No NCAA Division I-A football team in the country has scored more points than Virginia Tech the past two weeks.
Nevertheless, any discussion concerning the 5-2 Hokies must start on the other side of the ball.
It's a simple fact that defense is the undeniable calling card of a Tech team that has ripped off five straight victories and moved within sight of the school's first Big East Conference title.
While Tech has had some good defenses in the past - the latest being the 1989 unit that finished third in the country in total defense - there is talk that the current group of stoppers may be the Hokies' best ever.
``I've seen a lot of Virginia Tech defenses over the years, and this one ranks with any of 'em,'' said Don Nehlen, whose West Virginia club faces Tech on Saturday in Morgantown, W.Va.
``They have always had good ones, especially when [Bill] Dooley was there [1978-86]. But I think this one is the best one I've seen. I've been watching 'em on film, and they make you sick.''
Tech's numbers are healthy enough. The Hokies rank fourth in the nation in rushing defense (85.7 yards per game); fifth in scoring defense (14.7 points per game); and 15th in total defense (298.9 yards per game).
The key to Tech's defensive success has been its play up front. Tech's line, anchored by senior tackle J.C. Price and junior end Cornell Brown, is unmatched in the Big East.
``I wouldn't trade that bunch with anybody in this league or anybody I've seen on film right now,'' said Bud Foster, Tech's co-defensive coordinator.
``And that's not so much because of their abilities as it is their personalities. They're a close-knit group, a mature unit that has committed itself to getting the job done.''
Tech's front wall of Price, Brown, Hank Coleman (end), Waverly Jackson (tackle) and backups Jim Baron (tackle), Jeff Holland (tackle), Lawrence Lewis (end) and Rafael Williams (end) has been an opposing quarterback's nightmare.
Price and Brown have inflicted particular damage behind the opponents' line of scrimmage, combining for 12 of the team's 26 sacks and 18 of the Hokies' 48 tackles for loss.
``I think overall this front is probably the best,'' said Tech coach Frank Beamer, in his ninth season. ``They're very aggressive, always flying around, putting pressure on the quarterback and causing things to happen.''
The edge for Tech's front against bigger, bulkier offensive lines is its athleticism and quickness.
``I doubt there are many, if any, defensive lines in the country who have our speed,'' Price said.
The 40-yard-dash times prove it. Brown and Coleman are in the 4.6-second range, while Price and Baron are 4.7s. Jackson, who weighs 296, runs a 4.8 or 4.9, Foster said.
``They're all athletic kids,'' Foster said. ``J.C., Cornell and Waverly all were linebackers [in high school]. Hank was a tailback-linebacker.
``This whole defense was built on speed and athleticism. At some positions we may be a little undersized compared to the numbers of some people. But we feel like speed, strength, power and aggressiveness can overcome that.''
Tech's linebackers rank among the smallest on the I-A level. The Hokies' inside linebackers average 223 pounds, while the outside backers go only 195.
``We make up for it with speed. I'll take speed over size any day,'' said 6-foot-1, 238-pound linebacker George DelRicco, who leads the Hokies with 81 tackles.
The linebacking corps, a question mark in the preseason because of the graduation of All-Big East performer Ken Brown, has exceeded Beamer's expectations. Junior Myron Newsome and sophomore Tony Morrison, after some early-season problems, have come up big.
``Our linebacker situation has turned out a little better than we thought it might,'' Beamer said.
The depth of Tech's secondary has been bolstered by the play of true freshmen Loren Johnson and Pierson Prioleau, forced into action when starting cornerback Antonio Banks underwent knee surgery on Sept. 20.
Foster said the potion to defensive success starts with stopping the run. Tech opponents have gained only 600 yards on 281 rushing attempts (2.1 yards per carry).
``Everybody has been talking about our pass rush, but the key is we've been able to stop the run,'' Foster said. ``When you can do that, you make the other team a one-dimensional team ... they have to pass. And when you know that, you've got a good chance to be successful.
``It's a whole lot easier to call a game when [the opposition] is in third-and-seven all day instead of third-and-one.''
Except for Brown, now with the NFL's Denver Broncos, this is the same personnel that collapsed down the stretch last year, yielding an average of 432 yards and 36 points in its final four games.
``I'd really be disappointed if that happened again,'' Foster said. ``I don't think it will, knock on wood.''
While the players have done the dirty work, Beamer said Foster and his fellow co-coordinator, Rod Sharpless, should be credited, too.
To think, there were some Hokies who thought the world had ended when highly regarded defensive coordinator Phil Elmassian resigned last February to take a job at the University of Washington.
In choosing the fiery Elmassian's successor, Beamer, in a most unusual move, opted to split the job between Foster and Sharpless.
``Those two guys really have done a job with that defense,'' Beamer said. ``From day one, it's been the most consistent element of our football team.
``Give me a good defense, and I'll take my chances every Saturday. I've always said if you can play good defense, you always have a good chance to win.''
by CNB