THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 15, 1996 TAG: 9610150408
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 75 lines
Following Miami's loss to Florida State Saturday, West Virginia is the lone remaining undefeated team in the Big East, and one of just nine in Division I-A.
The Mountaineers (6-0, 2-0 Big East) had a losing record last year and were picked to finish fourth in the conference. Last year they won their fifth game after Thanksgiving, but won No. 6 this year the first week of October before a bye last week.
The Mountaineers are getting it done primarily with defense. West Virginia ranks first nationally in rushing defense (35.5 yards per game), second in scoring defense (6.8 points), third in total defense (206.8 yards) and sixth in passing defense (171.3 yards). No other team in the country is in the top six in all four categories, and only Florida State and Nebraska are in the top 10 in all four.
``Their defense is awesome,'' Temple coach Ron Dickerson said of West Virginia.
It would seem the Mountaineers have no apparent weaknesses on defense, right?
``There are a lot of weaknesses,'' coach Don Nehlen said. ``We make too many mistakes on defense, we have too many missed assignments.''
The Mountaineers, ranked 15th by the Associated Press, have another easy assignment this week in Temple before their schedule gets interesting. Three of West Virginia's final four games are against Miami and Syracuse at home and on the road at Virginia Tech.
OX TROT: Tech junior running back Ken Oxendine was named Big East offensive player of the week after rushing for a career-high 163 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries Saturday in the Hokies' 38-0 victory over Temple. Oxendine went over the 1,000 yard rushing mark for his career. His 92.7 yards rushing per game would rank second in the Big East, but by missing two games with a separated shoulder, Oxendine has not played in enough of his team's game to be listed in conference statistics.
The Hokies rank 15th nationally in rushing offense (225 yards per game) and got a boost Saturday with the return of junior backup tailback Marcus Parker, finally bringing Tech's backfield to full strength. Parker and freshman Shyrone Stith give the Hokies a trio of proven tailbacks.
``If we can keep them fresh and keep them healthy, a good back is always going to be coming at you,'' Tech coach Frank Beamer said. ``We feel good about our tailback situation.''
PUNTER SWITCH: Beamer said he will continue to evaluate them, but for now freshman Jimmy Kibble is his new punter, although incumbent sophomore John Thomas will continue to kick from inside the opponent's 50.
Thomas has a 37.2 average, last in the Big East, and has had two punts blocked. Kibble averaged 38 yards in his first three punts Saturday against Temple, including a 48 yarder, the longest this season by a Hokie.
``Jimmy is a little bit erratic in his drop, but overall he's a little bit quicker kicker and basically has a stronger leg,'' Beamer said.
QUICK HITS: Beamer said the trainer told him All-American defensive end Cornell Brown's knee is responding well following arthroscopic surgery last week, but he's doubtful Brown will return in time for Tech's next game Oct. 26 versus Pittsburgh. ... Four Big East teams are among the top 15 nationally in total defense. In addition to West Virginia, Miami is fourth, Syracuse is ninth and Virginia Tech is 15th. Miami has not allowed a passing touchdown in five games. ... Pittsburgh is at the opposite end of the spectrum, ranking 104th nationally in rushing and total defense, 107th in passing defense and 110th in scoring defense out of the 111 Division I-A teams. ... West Virginia redshirt freshman tailback Amos Zereoue leads the conference in rushing and is 15th nationally with 114.3 yards per game, and he leads league and is 20th nationally in scoring with 9 points per game. ... Syracuse got three touchdowns by special teams in last week's 55-7 rout of Pittsburgh with a blocked punt, a punt return and a kickoff return. ``Very unusual,'' coach Paul Pasqualoni said. ``We've been pretty productive on special teams, but Saturday we kind of had a day where we put it all together.'' by CNB