ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, October 27, 1996 TAG: 9610280151
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C11 EDITION: METRO
Virginia Tech's defense, already missing key starters Cornell Brown and Myron Newsome due to injuries, was forced to go without linebacker Tony Morrison on Saturday.
Morrison was suspended from the team by coach Frank Beamer after missing curfew Thursday night.
While Beamer told one reporter Friday that Morrison would miss only the Pitt game, the Tech coach, when asked Saturday, said Morrison was suspended ``indefinitely.''
It marks the third suspension of Morrison's checkered Tech career. The Chesapeake native was grounded by Beamer during his freshman season and during last year's Sugar Bowl.
Redshirt freshman Jamel Smith started in Morrison's spot. Former walk-on Steve Tate started in place of Newsome, whom Beamer said ``might could have played'' despite a sprained right shoulder.
KICKED OFF
In addition to Morrison, Beamer said sophomore punter John Thomas has been suspended indefinitely from the squad.
Thomas, the Hokies' regular punter in 1995, was relegated to second-string duty two weeks ago against Temple.
Redshirt freshman Jimmy Kibble handled all the punting chores Saturday, averaging 35.8 yards on five kicks.
JOHNNY PROUD
Embattled Pitt coach Johnny Majors, who quipped last week that he had more fun attending five funerals on his club's off Saturday than he did most previous weekends this season, had nothing but praise for his club after it bowed to Tech.
``Number one, I'll be surprised if our team didn't play our best game of the season,'' Majors said. ``I believe that's the best we've played all year, particularly in the first half.
``Making it close is not a lot of consolation. But as long as we get better and keep trying, I can live with anybody.''
BY THE NUMBERS
Tech intercepted two passes (by Antonio Banks and Loren Johnson), matching its total from the first five games. Banks has three of Tech's four picks. Johnson's pick was the first of his career. Tech fullback Brian Edmonds rushed for 60 yards, giving him 1,032 for his career. Ken Oxendine, who added an 111-yard rushing day to his 163-yard effort versus Temple, is the first Hokie to run for triple figures in two straight games since Dwayne Thomas in 1993. Shawn Scales' 71-yard TD reception was Tech's longest pass play of the season. Jim Druckenmiller is the first Tech QB to complete four passes of 70-plus yards in a career. Marcus Parker ran for 84 yards on 12 carries, giving him 174 yards on 18 carries in his two games back from suspension.
INJURY REPORT
The Hokies appeared to have escaped with only the usual nicks and bruises.
NEXT OPPONENT
The Hokies entertain Southwestern Louisiana at 1 p.m. Saturday at Lane Stadium. The Ragin' Cajuns, who upset then-ranked Texas A&M earlier in the season, are 4-4 after beating Memphis 13-9 on Saturday night. Southwestern Louisiana, which never has played Tech in football, is coached by former Hokie assistant Nelson Stokley.
LENGTH: Medium: 67 linesby CNB