THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 30, 1994 TAG: 9412300600
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: JACKSONVILLE, FLA. LENGTH: Long : 102 lines
Frank Beamer was almost incredulous the other day when asked about the novelty of a bowl game for Virginia Tech.
``We've gone to two in a row,'' the Tech coach said. ``We're not like Tennessee, they go every year. But for us to go two years in a row is an accomplishment.''
There, in a nutshell, is the contrast between the two neighboring programs who will meet tonight in the Gator Bowl.
The Volunteers have bowled six years in a row and 13 of the last 14. Their 35th postseason appearance ties Texas for third in most bowls behind only Alabama and Southern Cal. Good Tennessee seasons conclude at Sugar, Cotton or Fiesta Bowls. Mediocre ones wrap up at locales like the Gator.
The Hokies, meanwhile, can puff up their chests because they've made the postseason two years running for the first time. Beamer christened this trip Tech's ``most prestigious bowl game in history,'' which says volumes about Hokie bowl history.
Beamer envisions a bowl blotter more closely resembling Tennessee's in the future.
Beating the Vols is another baby step in that direction. Beamer said a victory would give Tech credibility, legitimacy and make people take notice. He said similar things prior to the Hokies' regular-season loss at Miami.
``But this game is not going to make or break our program, or our ability to grow as a program,'' Beamer said.
Tech's bank account will grow. The teams are guaranteed $1.5 million. Athletic director Dave Braine said after expenses the Hokies will clear about $800,000. Previously, Tech's biggest guarantee was $1 million for moving a 1991 regular-season home game with Florida State to Orlando.
``We've done pretty well in Florida,'' Braine said.
Not necessarily on the field. A cloud of 11 consecutive losses in the Sunshine State hangs over Tech, which last won here in 1974.
Tennessee (7-4) is a 7-point favorite. Tech (8-3) is ranked No. 17 according to The Associated Press media poll, 15th in the USA Today-CNN coaches' poll. Tennessee is 24th in the coaches poll.
The winner will count it as its biggest victory of the season. Despite combining for 15 victories, Tech and Tennessee were just 2-5 against teams finishing the regular season nationally ranked. Tech beat Boston College (No. 25 coaches), while Tennessee defeated Washington State (No. 24 media, No. 23 coaches).
The Hokies will be seeking a return to early season defensive form. Tech allowed 102 points through eight games, 100 in losing two of its last three. The Vols, who outscored their last two opponents, 117-0, probably can't wait.
``Hopefully the Gator Bowl will help us get back on track,'' Tech linebacker Brandon Semones said. ``The biggest key defensively for us is to hold (James) Stewart under 100 yards rushing. Every game we've lost, the other team has rushed for over 200 yards.''
Actually, Miami had 197, but the point is well taken. The Hokies allowed an average of 241.3 yards rushing in three losses. In Tech's eight victories, opponents averaged 90.1 yards rushing.
Stewart, Tennessee's career leading rusher, runs behind an offensive line labeled by some the best in the nation. The Vols ranked 13th nationally in rushing offense with 231.2 yards per game. Tech's defense ranked high nationally in all key defensive statistics (eighth against the pass, 20th in total, 23rd in scoring) except rushing defense (tied for 31st).
``We were defensively playing at a high, high level early in the year, and it was very much carrying our team,'' Beamer said. ``There was some dropoff. I know there's a lot of pride in our defense, and they'll play exceptionally hard and see if we can get back to that high degree of play.''
Tech's defense can create high anxiety for a quarterback with its blitzing, attacking scheme that often features eight men on the line of scrimmage. Generally, young quarterbacks have not fared well.
``As I watch other teams against them, I can see so much confusion on the part of the offense,'' Vols' freshman quarterback Peyton Manning said.
Tech's offense may undergo subtle changes. Offensive coordinator Gary Tranquill has departed after one season for a similar job at Michigan State. There seemingly is an unspoken sentiment that isn't all bad among members of a unit that ranked 64th nationally in total offense, 58th in rushing, 55th in passing and 36th in scoring. In 1993, Tech ranked in the top 15 nationally in three of those four categories.
``After coach Tranquill left, we went back to the things we do best, which is make things simple,'' offensive guard Chris Malone of Emporia said. ``I think the offense coach Tranquill had is incredible, it's the perfect offense. We just didn't have the personnel to run it.''
Associate head coach Billy Hite and Beamer will call the plays, and senior quarterback Maurice DeShazo said he's had more input in this game plan than he has all season.
``This game plan is my type of game,'' DeShazo said.
DeShazo wouldn't say if that meant more option - which the Hokies shied away from this year - other than to reply: ``You know the things I can do. The old offense we had, we could attack every part of the field. That's what we've got again.''
This is a bounceback game for DeShazo as well as for Tech's defense. He threw five interceptions and lost a fumble in the season-ending Virginia loss. DeShazo has heard things from teammates like, ``Pass me the salt and pepper - oh, they're probably going to get intercepted.'' But he said he's loose, having fun and ready.
``This is the biggest game of my career, no doubt,'' DeShazo said.
Appropriate, since it's dubbed the biggest bowl in Tech history. by CNB