ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 30, 1995 TAG: 9601020039
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Sugar Bowl Notes
DATELINE: NEW ORLEANS
SOURCE: RANDY KING AND JACK BOGACZYK STAFF WRITERS
Oddsmakers are calling Sunday's 62nd Sugar Bowl between Virginia Tech and Texas a toss-up.
However, there is one lock - the bookies' Sugar coin won't land on its side.
There will be no tie. Bet on it.
In a NCAA rule instituted before this season, any bowl game ending in a tie after regulation shall be settled by a new tie-breaking procedure.
After a coin flip, each team will get at least one possession from the opponent's 25-yard line, unless the defending team scores off a turnover or blocked field-goal attempt on the offensive team's first possession.
The new tie-breaker system was used in this season's first postseason game, which saw Toledo beat Nevada 40-37 in overtime in the Dec.14 Las Vegas Bowl.
Nevertheless, some of the coaches involved in bowls are oblivious to the new rule. LSU's Gerry DiNardo and Michigan State's Nick Saban conceded as much before their team's met in Friday's Independence Bowl.
However, the two Sugar bosses - Tech's Frank Beamer and Texas' John Mackovic - haven't been caught sleeping at the wheel. Both said their clubs have spent preparation time on the tie-breaking process.
``I think it would be crazy not to work on it,'' Mackovic said. ``With this particular game being rated so close by everybody, a tie is certainly not out of the realms of possibility. It very well may take the tie-breaker to decide this game.
``I'm in favor of a victory. Somebody should be a winner.''
Beamer, who is familiar with the tie-breaker from his coaching days at I-AA Murray State (1981-86), said he likes the procedure, too, and already has started mapping strategy.
``There's an advantage, I think, by going on defense first,'' Beamer said. ``That way you know what the other one does - does he get three points, seven or none. Yeah, if I won the toss I'd want my defense out there first.''
EARLY WARNING: If Tech wins, Bourbon Street may not be able to contain the hordes of Hokies come New Year's Eve.
``I don't think they could handle us anyway,'' said J.C. Price, Tech's star defensive tackle.
``They wouldn't have been able to handle us already, but we've kind of kept it toned down so far because we've got a big game to play.
``If we win, it's going to be the greatest night ever. If we lose, well, we're going to be there partying anyway. You can't do anything about [losing] after the fact anyway, so why not have a good time while you're here.''
Except for one incident - scout-team member Keith Short, a redshirt freshman defensive end from Richmond, was sent home Wednesday morning by bus after missing Tuesday night's 2 a.m. curfew - the Hokies apparently have escaped the perils of Bourbon Street.
``I know a few people from West Virginia,'' said Tech's George DelRicco, ``and I heard their guys were out having too much of a good time every night down here [in the 1994 Sugar Bowl]. Then Florida kind of put it on 'em (41-7). We sure don't want that to happen to us.''
BROWN OUT: Tech's All-America defensive end, Cornell Brown, practiced Friday with both ``VT'' logos on his helmet obscured by adhesive tape.
On one piece of tape was an ``8,'' with a ``13'' on the other. Those are the uniform numbers of linebacker Tony Morrison and James Crawford, both of whom are suspended from the Sugar Bowl game after being arrested and charged in Blacksburg.
Brown, who is not speaking to the media this week, is said to be close friends with the suspended players.
Beamer said Friday that Brown's no-quotes policy, despite costing Tech desired exposure, is a personal decision for each player to make. The coach said he did not know if Brown would display the numbers in any way on his helmet during the Sugar Bowl game.
``This was a practice situation, and the public wasn't there,'' Beamer said of the school logos being masked.
``It's a player's prerogative if he wants to be involved [in dealing with the media]. It's up to how he chooses. I do know Cornell doesn't particularly enjoy the public focus.''
KICKING PREZ: Perhaps Pulaski County High star Shayne Graham will have some unexpected competition for the Tech kicking chores next season.
Only two hours after Graham committed to sign with the Hokies on Friday, Tech President Paul Torgersen was practicing field-goal attempts on the Superdome artificial turf before the Hokies' short workout there.
Torgersen, clad in a Tech/Sugar Bowl sweat suit and gym shoes, booted a couple of 20-yarders from the hold of a student manager.
``I do have four years eligibility remaining,'' he said jokingly.
RANK 'EM UP: In Beamer's nine years as head coach at Tech, ninth-ranked Texas is the 34th ranked foe the Hokies have faced. Tech is 3-0 this season against ranked teams (Miami, Syracuse and Virginia). The Longhorns are the 17th Top 10 club Beamer's program has faced. The Hokies' last victory over a Top 10 team was a 12-10 win at No. 9 West Virginia in 1989.
LENGTH: Medium: 93 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. Virginia Tech defensive end Cornell Brown stretchesby CNBduring warm-ups at practice Friday morning at Tulane University.