THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 22, 1994 TAG: 9410220430
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
One thing you can count on today at Lane Stadium is plenty of points.
From Virginia Tech, at least. The Hokies have a string of 10 home games in which they have scored 30 points or more, the longest such streak among the 107 schools in Division I-A. Fresno State, Nevada and Tennessee all joined Tech in scoring at least 30 points in each home game last year, but the other three all have been held to under 30 at home already this season.
The Hokies have not, and Pittsburgh would not appear to be a team likely to snap that string when it visits Tech at 1 p.m. The Panthers rank last in the Big East and 93rd nationally in total defense (433 yards allowed per game), and are seventh in the league and 86th nationally in scoring defense (29.3).
Virginia Tech (6-1), ranked 17th according to The Associated Press and 13th by USA Today-CNN, has averaged 41.5 points in its last 10 home games and has won the last nine at Lane Stadium.
Pitt, meanwhile, is working on a less desirable streak. The Panthers have lost five in a row.
``We've come a long way without winning, and that's unfortunate,'' coach Johnny Majors said.
Pittsburgh has lost to four teams - Texas, Ohio State, Boston College and Syracuse - currently ranked among the nation's top 25 teams.
``I think they're really a victim of their schedule,'' Hokies coach Frank Beamer said. ``If you turn on the video and watch it, it's very obvious they're a much better football team than last year. Their record just doesn't show it.''
Tech's schedule shows potentially the biggest game in the program's history next week at Miami. With a victory over the Hurricanes, the Hokies would be in the running for the Big East title and major New Year's Day bowl.
With a 1-6 opponent this week and a regional television date one week down the road, it would be easy for Tech to forget about Pitt. Beamer declared early in the week the Hokies would not discuss Miami this week. On Thursday, he said they've adhered to the order.
``I think our players have been pretty mature about things,'' Beamer said. ``I haven't heard anyone else mention it. I think you realize Pittsburgh has good players, and this is a conference game. Every game you can win is just critical.''
Pitt sophomore Billy West, a replacement for injured Curtis Martin, leads the Big East in rushing with 112.3 yards per game. But last week in a wild 47-41 loss to West Virginia, Pitt at times went with no back and five wide receivers. The approach led to 433 yards passing and four touchdowns for reserve quarterback Jeff Ryan. Ryan will start today in place of Sean Fitzgerald.
Tech is second nationally in passing defense, 10th in total defense and 12th in scoring defense.
The other interesting matchup of the day is Pitt senior offensive tackle Reuben Brown against his baby brother, Tech sophomore defensive end Cornell Brown. The brothers from Lynchburg will match up on about half of Pitt's offensive snaps. Reuben is regarded as one of the top offensive linemen in the nation, while Cornell leads the Big East in sacks and has emerged as the Hokies' most exciting defensive player.
Reuben, at 305 pounds, outweighs his brother by 75 pounds, but Cornell is quicker.
``This will tell me where I stand seeing that he's one of the best linemen in the country,'' Cornell said.
The Hokies will start tailback Dwayne Thomas, who has missed the last three games with a sprained ankle. Right guard Damien McMahon remains sidelined with an ankle injury.
A representative of the Carquest Bowl, which has a contractual agreement to take a Big East team, will attend today's game. by CNB