THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 28, 1994 TAG: 9412280549
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: JACKSONVILLE, FLA. LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
Virginia Tech All-Big East linebacker Ken Brown may be out of the Gator Bowl. If he is, freshman Tony Morrison from Chesapeake will start against Tennessee on Friday.
Brown aggravated a pulled right hamstring injury Dec. 17 on his second day back in practice full-speed. Hokies trainer Eddie Ferrell said Brown had 34 days off after suffering the injury in the 10th game of the season, against Rutgers. Brown went through a light workout Monday and Tuesday.
``Today he ran a little better,'' Ferrell said after Tech worked out Tuesday at Bolles School in Jacksonville. ``He ran some.''
Coach Frank Beamer was not optimistic before practice that Brown would be available by Friday's kickoff. Morrison, the only true freshman defensive player to start a game this season for the 17th-ranked Hokies, would get his second career start in Brown's place.
When Brown missed the Virginia game, Tech moved Brandon Semones to inside linebacker and started Morrison at Semones' outside linebacker position. Beamer said Morrison has had more time to practice and prepare at inside linebacker this time, and is ready to fill Brown's spot if needed.
``He's had some good practices,'' Beamer said of Morrison. ``I think he's ready to have a good game - we need him to.''
ADD INJURIES: The Hokies are nursing other injuries as well. Semones has an injured shoulder, and safety Antonio Banks hyperextended a knee. Both are expected to play.
Backup fullback Marcus Parker had arthroscopic knee surgery Dec. 6 and is questionable, while backup flanker Cornelius White is out with a fractured kneecap suffered a couple weeks ago that required surgery.
``We're a little bit banged up,'' Beamer said.
DOZIER UPDATE: Beamer has refused to comment on the future status of sophomore backup linebacker Vernon Dozier from Virginia Beach's First Colonial High. Dozier was suspended before the Virginia game for what sources said was failure to pass a drug test. He won't play in the Gator Bowl.
MARSHALL PLAN: Tennessee offensive line coach Steve Marshall should be able to provide the Volunteers with some insight on the Hokies. He came to Tennessee two years ago after serving as Virginia Tech's offensive coordinator. He left Blacksburg after the Hokies went 2-8-1 in 1992, resulting in a shakeup on Beamer's staff.
``Steve knows their personnel reasonably well,'' Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said. ``And any familiarity with their coaching staff has to be of some help, but I don't think it will be a great thing either way.''
The Sporting News rated the Vols' offensive line the best in the country, and Beamer has said all five of Marshall's starting linemen will play in the NFL. by CNB