THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 31, 1995 TAG: 9508260498
SECTION: FOOTBALL '95 PAGE: Z16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: COLLEGE FORECAST
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium: 93 lines
Virginia Tech has a new quarterback and two new kickers, but the Hokies' biggest enigma in 1995 is a defense with 10 starters back.
Would that be the defense that was ranked in the top 10 nationally while allowing 126 points and 2,522 yards through nine games? Or the one that was just plain rank while allowing 121 points and 1,364 yards in the final three games, including a bowl game?
Will the real Tech defense please stand up?
Better yet, please knock somebody down . . . or knock down a pass - neither of which it did much of the final three games.
``We practically got our tails kicked the last few games,'' defensive tackle J.C. Price said.
So which defense will show up when the Hokies open the season under ESPN's bright lights on Sept. 7 at home against Boston College? The answer should largely determine the success or failure of Tech's season.
``We could be the ones to carry us,'' junior defensive end Cornell Brown said. ``All championship teams have a great defense, and with 10 starters returning we should be one of the best defenses in the country.''
Brown is one of four returning Hokies who were first- or second-team All-Big East last season. Only 10 all-conference defenders return. Miami, with two, is the only other team with more than one.
``If we're not nationally ranked defensively all year, that would be a disappointment,'' Price said.
The Hokies were a disappointing 20th last year in total defense, 23rd in scoring defense, eighth in passing defense and tied for 31st in rushing defense. They made the top 10 in all but rushing defense at one time during the season, but faltered badly at the end.
If bowl games counted in final season statistics, the Hokies' rankings would have spiraled further.
Tech coach Frank Beamer identified two factors that contributed to the defensive demise.
First, the offense turned the ball over 33 times all season, but 12 came in the last three games.
Second, by Beamer's count, only 14 or 15 players saw significant action on defense, and the players wore down. After a 7-1 start, Tech limped to an 8-4 finish.
``We had a lot of guys who were playing for the first time last year, and they weren't used to 12 games of being beat on,'' Brown said.
So Beamer has declared defensive depth is a necessity. But on the two-deep roster on the opening day of practice, only one of the seven backups at linebacker and in the secondary had played a down of varsity football for Tech.
Chesapeake linebacker Tony Morrison's return from a suspension helps mightily, but depth remains problematic in the back of the defense. Either Morrison or Myron Newsome, a newcomer out of junior college, will occupy the only defensive position which does not return a starter.
In the second week of fall drills, the remaining backups in the linebacking and receiving corps consisted of four true freshmen - including a walk-on - a sophomore who has never played and sophomore Korey Irby, a special teams player last year. Tech already is relying heavily on a freshman class that was lightly regarded by recruiting analysts.
It's a different story along the front line, where all four starters plus their backups return.
``I feel we're comparable to a lot of teams defensively as far as our starters,'' said junior rover Torrian Gray, an All-Big East player last year. ``Our depth is where we get separated from great defenses like Miami's.''
Gray is joined in the secondary by a pair of second-team all-conference players in cornerback Antonio Banks and free safety William Yarborough, who have switched positions. That group will be most affected by the departure of defensive coordinator Phil Elmassian, who also coached defensive backs. Elmassian left to become secondary coach at Washington.
Elmassian revitalized the Hokies' defense with an attacking, gambling, speed-oriented 4-3 set. But his acerbic style had worn thin. ``He was hard to play for,'' Gray said.
``He did some great things, but after hearing him about two years, it was a little repetitive,'' linebacker Brandon Semones added.
Beamer promoted Bud Foster and Rod Sharpless to co-coordinators in place of Elmassian. Sharpless will be in charge of pass defense, while Foster will oversee run defense and has the final say on game plans and defensive calls on game day.
``We haven't changed a thing,'' Foster said of the defensive philosophy.
But he hopes to change the rut the Hokies fell into late in the season. MEMO: Special Section ILLUSTRATION: Photo
ALAN KIM/Roanoke Times and World News
Junior defensive end Cornell Brown is one of four returning Hokies
who were first- or second-team All-Big East last season.
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