Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 17, 1995 TAG: 9511170027
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
UVa, which has clinched a share of the ACC championship, remains in contention for several bowls. The Peach Bowl, which has the third choice of ACC teams, was seen as a possible destination - until Wednesday.
That's when Robert Dale Morgan, the Peach's executive director, said his committee would have a tough decision if it had to choose between Georgia Tech and Virginia, which defeated the Yellow Jackets 41-14 in September.
``Please don't overestimate our disinterest in Virginia,'' said Morgan, in what some might perceive as a backhanded compliment. ``We want to take the best team - the best team for us.''
Holland, who has been the Cavaliers' athletic director since May, said the bowl-selection process is nothing like his experience on the NCAA Basketball Committee, which studies a multitude of data before picking the teams for the tournament.
``I don't know how much of it's posturing and how much is reality,'' Holland said.
``Since it's my first time, I've got to say, `Yeah, disaster could strike,' but I've got to have faith that people will do what's right and I've got no question about [UVa's support from] the conference office.''
Tom Mickle, the ACC's assistant commissioner, was asked about the possibility of Virginia landing in the Carquest Bowl, which has the fourth choice of ACC teams.
``I cannot see that scenario, whether Georgia Tech is available or not,'' Mickle said.
The little things count
Virginia Tech and Virginia have combined for nine bowl bids in the past seven years, counting the two bowls the state rivals will play this season. The two have 13 bowl trips in the past 12 seasons, after only four - all by the Hokies - before each went to the postseason in 1984.
The Tech-UVa series has became offensive in recent years. The average score of the past six games is 35-19. UVa won four of those six, but Tech leads the series 37-34-5.|
In the visit to Scott Stadium, Tech will be trying to complete a perfect season away from home. The Hokies are 4-0 on foes' fields and beat Temple at RFK Stadium. Tech hasn't won six games away from Blacksburg in a season since the 1966 Liberty Bowl club went 6-2 en route to an 8-2-1 finish on a schedule that included only three home dates.|
Bear tracks
Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer will be one of six finalists announced today at a news conference in Houston for the 1995 Paul ``Bear'' Bryant award.
The annual award goes to the nation's Division I-A coach of the year as voted by the Football Writers' Association of America.
by CNB