THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 31, 1995 TAG: 9508310567
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
North Carolina State is playing its season-opener against Marshall tonight as a favor to fans who want to spend the holiday weekend at the beach.
Unintentionally, perhaps, it is also a favor to the Wolfpack staff - providing an extra two days to prepare for its Sept. 9th game against Virginia.
``That (Virginia) is an important game, and it is a big help to have an extra couple of days to get ready,'' coach Mike O'Cain said.
Although Marshall is a Division I-AA opponent, O'Cain doesn't think his players will be guilty of looking past it to Virginia.
The Wolfpack has won the previous two games against Marshall by a total of eight points, in 1991 and 1993, while benefiting from some controversial calls.
State will be without linebacker Duan Everett and reserve running back Carlos King. Both are on six-game suspensions for disciplinary reasons.
Wake Forest also opens its season tonight against Division I-AA Appalachian State. Eleven of the 17 previous games between the two geographical rivals have been decided by a touchdown or less.
Demon Deacons senior Rusty LaRue emerged from a three-way battle to win the starting quarterback job.
STILL IFFY: Virginia coach George Welsh is still waiting to see if tailback Tiki Barber will be available for Saturday night's game against William and Mary.
Barber is recovering from a shoulder that he bruised during an 81-yard touchdown run against Michigan last Saturday.
Wide receiver Pat Jeffers, who missed the opener because of a tight hamstring, practiced Tuesday and should be ready to play.
CAPARELLI REWARDED: North Carolina senior Scott Caparelli, from Salem High School in Virginia Beach, is expected to do both the kicking and punting for the Tar Heels this season.
Caparelli was one of four senior walk-ons who received scholarships at the end of preseason practice.
Coach Mack Brown said Caparelli, who did mostly kickoffs last season, ``has done a good job of handling the things we've asked him to do.''
Caparelli took over the punting because Mike Thomas is nursing a sore hamstring and was unable to punt in preseason camp.
Meanwhile, freshman Dre' Bly, from Western Branch High School in Chesapeake, may see early playing time as a punt returner.
The Tar Heels open the season Saturday against Syracuse. The ESPN-televised game will begin at 7:30 p.m.
HOME-COOKING: Even if Florida State's opening opponent is Duke, coach Bobby Bowden is relieved to be playing in Orlando Saturday.
Duke sold the game, originally scheduled for Durham, to Citrus Bowl promoters for $800,000.
``Gee whiz,'' said Bowden, ``I am tickled not to have to play them in Durham.''
Naturally, Duke coach Fred Goldsmith is not as delighted, although he said the money is being put to good use.
Goldsmith said Duke tried to cancel the deal last year but could not wiggle out of the contract.
While Duke won't hear many cheers at its ``home'' game, Goldsmith told his players that they will be the sentimental favorites of those watching the ABC telecast.
THROW-BACKS: Clemson opens its 100th football season Saturday in Death Valley against Western Carolina, but the celebration won't officially begin until Oct. 7.
On that date, the Tigers will wear 1939 uniforms for the game against Georgia. The '39 models were selected because that was the year Clemson made its first bowl trip, beating Boston College in the Cotton Bowl.
The uniforms consist of orange jerseys, blue pants, and blue helmets with two orange stripes.
And, no, they won't have a Tiger paw on them. That did not appear on Clemson uniforms until 1970.
HEALING AGAIN: Georgia Tech receiver Derrick Steagall will start the season the same way he ended the last one - nursing an injury.
Steagall, one of the league's quickest players, will miss the opener against Furman on Saturday because of an injured hamstring.
He missed the final six games last year because of a broken arm. by CNB