ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, September 15, 1996 TAG: 9609170043
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
Star defensive end Cornell Brown knew he would attract a lot of attention from opposing offenses this season.
But little did the All-American know that things would get this crowded.
For the first time in his Tech career Saturday, Brown wasn't credited with a tackle as the Hokies romped to a 45-7 rout over Boston College.
The Eagles' offensive line put at least two men - sometimes three - on Brown all day.
``It was tough out there,'' Brown said. ``But it doesn't bother me a lot because I know when they put all that attention on me that we've got some other people who can step up. As long as somebody makes the play, I don't care.''
The statistics kept by BC didn't include Brown's name among a list of 24 Hokies making tackles. Of course, that's subject to change when Tech's coaches grade the game film today.
If Brown continues to be shackled by double teams, don't be surprised if defensive coordinator Bud Foster begins to move his most talented player around a bit before the snap of the ball.
SACK EXCHANGE
While Brown occupied plenty of company it enabled others in Tech's defense to feast.
Senior linebacker Brandon Semones (team-leading 10 tackles) and redshirt freshman end John Engelberger each posted two sacks of BC quarterback Matt Hasselback. The Hokies registered seven sacks in all for 70 yards in losses.
Tech, which led the nation in rushing defense last year, permitted BC just 55 net yards on the ground. Akron got 30 last week.
STREAKIN'
The victory pushed Tech's winning streak to 12, second-longest in the nation behind Nebraska (26) in Division I-A. Tennessee (11) and Miami (10) rank third and fourth. The 12-game run is a school record, breaking an 11-game streak from 1917-19. The Hokies have won a school-record nine straight away from home.
BLOCKBUSTERS
Tech remains one of the nation's best at blocking kicks.
Keion Carpenter's block of John Malecki's punt that set up Tech's second touchdown was the Hokies' 10th block in the past 12 regular-season games. The Hokies blocked a point-after-touchdown last week at Akron and have recorded 50 blocks (22 punts, 15 field-goal attempts and 13 PAT attempts) in coach Frank Beamer's 104 games at Tech.
On the flip side, Tech's John Thomas had a punt blocked Saturday.
INJURY REPORT
The Hokies got out of Beantown in good shape. Backup free safety Carpenter sustained a mild concussion when he collided with teammate Tyron Edmond while breaking up a pass on the next-to-last play of the game. But Carpenter, a sophomore, should be fine, said Tech trainer Eddie Ferrell.
NEXT WEEK
The Hokies play the first of seven 1996 home games, entertaining Rutgers at noon at Lane Stadium. The Scarlet Knights (1-2 overall, 0-1 Big East) have lost two straight since beating Villanova in their season opener. Rutgers, a 33-0 loser to Miami on Thursday, will be playing its first road game. Tech has averaged 45 points per game in winning the past three meetings in the series.
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines KEYWORDS: FOOTBALLby CNB