THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 24, 1995 TAG: 9509240169
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Virginia Tech's biggest football win ever?
That's a hard one to answer, but it was certainly a matter of debate Saturday after the Hokies beat 9 1/2-point favorite Miami 13-7.
Even though several Virginia Tech players acknowledged that this Miami team was a notch or two below previous editions, the 'Canes are still the winningest team in NCAA Division I-A over the last 10 seasons. No. 17 Miami came into the game with 71 consecutive wins over unranked opponents and had a 19-1 record in the Big East since the league was formed in 1991.
And the fervor with which Tech fans celebrated the program's first victory in 13 tries against Miami matched that of any victory over Virginia or West Virginia.
``I'd have to say it's the biggest win I've been involved in in the 18 years I've been at Virginia Tech,'' assistant head coach Billy Hite said. ``They're a national power, have been for years. It's a great thing for the program. The exposure we're going to get for this, you couldn't buy it.''
Virginia Tech had started the season 0-2, so the victory was pivotal to keep any bowl hopes alive.
Coach Frank Beamer, who played at Tech and has been the head coach nine years, demurred when asked about the victory's significance.
``What happens after this will dictate where this ranks,'' Beamer said.
SACK ATTACK: Virginia Tech dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, running up an almost unheard-of 300 yards rushing against the 'Canes and recording six sacks for 51 yards in losses. Miami was held to 51 yards rushing on 36 carries (1.4 per carry).
Defensive tackle J.C. Price had three of the six sacks, including a pivotal one one Miami's last offensive series.
QB BOUNCES BACK: After a poor outing in last week's loss to Cincinnati, Virginia Tech quarterback Jim Druckenmiller was poised Saturday. He was 9 of 16 for 97 yards and threw a 47-yard pass to a diving Bryan Still at Miami's 1 that set up the only touchdown of the game.
Druckenmiller hit Still in stride on another bomb that would have been a touchdown had Still not dropped the ball.
``This helps our confidence,'' Druckenmiller said of the win. ``But it also gives us a new shot at the Big East title.''
SWEET START: Tech cornerback Loren Johnson had never played a snap in a college game, other than on special teams. Saturday he started against Miami, a school just south of Miramar, Fla., where he grew up.
``It's my home team,'' said Johnson, who shared playing time with fellow true freshman Pierson Prioleau. ``It was like a fantasy game. You wish for things like this and hope to play to your full potential.''
Miami picked on Johnson and Prioleau all game, and got much of its 320 passing yards against them. But the freshmen didn't allow a score, and Johnson broke up Miami's last play to secure the win.
QUICK HITS: Brandon Semones' second-quarter interception snapped a string of 126 passes thrown against Tech without a pickoff. William Yarborough added another one later. . . . Miami entered the game 81-1 over the last nine seasons when holding opponents under 23 points. . . . Virginia Tech had scored just five points in its previous two games against Miami. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
ALAN KIM/LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
William Yarborough brings down Miami quarterback Ryan Collins, who
was injured on the play.
by CNB