ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 30, 1995 TAG: 9601020042
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: NEW ORLEANS
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
THE HOKIES' star center will play through pain, and he hopes Texas, during Sunday's Sugar Bowl.
Face it, come hell or high water, Billy Conaty is going to play in Sunday's 62nd Sugar Bowl.
Barring a kidnapping - whoever tries that one had better bring an 18-wheeler - the anchorman of Virginia Tech's offensive line will go bowling against Texas at the Louisiana Superdome.
Despite the fact his right leg - fractured in Tech's Nov. 18 regular-season finale against Virginia - is still on the mend, Conaty plans on hooking 'Horns for 60 minutes come Sunday night.
``Hey, I can't let something like a little ol' broken leg keep me out,'' said Conaty, Tech's giant 6-foot-3, 305-pound junior center.
``I've played in pain before, and in a game this big, your pain tolerance goes way up. You learn to take it a little more. And it would take a whole lot to keep me out of this one.''
Besides, Conaty can't stand this sitting-on-the-sideline stuff. This is a guy who used to play street football for two hours every day before attending high school practice in his native Pennsauken, N.J.
``I hated watching those guys hit in practice and me just standing there watching,'' Conaty said. ``I just can't stand not playing.
``It's got to be something pretty serious for me to be out. If something hurts me, I'll tell you it hurts, but I don't want to miss anything. I just hate seeing the team winning or doing anything without me.''
Conaty's teammates never figured on anything less from their tough center. Senior guard Chris Malone, who has lined up the past 35 games to the left of Conaty, said there was never a doubt No.61 would be ready for Texas.
``Billy is a tough guy, he's one of the last true tough guys,'' Malone said.
``I knew if there was anybody could tough it through it would be him.''
When his right leg got caught under a pile of humanity on the first play of the second half against UVa, Conaty wondered if he would live to see the next day, much less Texas.
``I felt it break and just snap,'' he said. ``I was screaming bloody murder, I was cursing. I had never broken a bone where I could just feel it. I remember saying to myself, `Oh, my God, I'm out for the bowl game.'''
Four days later, Conaty underwent surgery in New Jersey. A plate, tied to top of the bone by seven screws, was inserted for stability.
``I was really struggling at first but I've gotten a lot better,'' Conaty said. ``I'm about 80-85 percent. Pushing off with the ankle hurts a little, but I'll have to make up for my lack of power in legs with a better upper body and hands.''
Conaty, a second-team All-Big East selection this season, said he thinks he can go the distance. Besides, who's big enough to crate this guy off if he can't?
``Once I get in there, I know I won't want to come out,'' Conaty said. ``I'll play the whole game, I'm sure, if nothing happens.''
Conaty's presence will certainly be a charge for Tech. The center is responsible for calling the blocking assignments in the Hokies' no-huddle offense.
``We need him for that reason,'' said J.B. Grimes, Tech's offensive line coach. ``He's a very pivotal guy for us. He makes all the calls.''
``It would probably screw up the continuity a little if I'm not in there,'' Conaty said. ``Just like if Malone got hurt. Todd [Washington, Malone's backup] is a good player, but it's not the same. You definitely want your main guys out there.''
And that's just where Conaty will be. Sunday's game will mark his 36th straight start after a redshirt freshman year at Tech. Only Malone, who will play his 47th straight Sunday, has started more consecutive games than Conaty.
If Tech goes to a bowl game next year and Conaty plays 'em all, he can break his buddy's school record.
``If anybody were to get it,'' said Malone, ``I would be glad it'd be him. He's the only guy I could think who would be more deserving.''
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: DON PETERSEN/Staff Tech center Billy Conaty has startedby CNB35 consecutive games for the Hokies. No. 36 will come Sunday.
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