DATE: Sunday, April 20, 1997                TAG: 9704200158

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C8   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                        LENGTH:   67 lines

VA. TECH OFFENSE COMES ON STRONG IN SPRING SCRIMMAGE

Throughout spring drills, the first-team defense has been ahead of the offense at Virginia Tech, but you never would have known that Saturday.

The Maroon beat the White 35-0 in the annual spring game before an estimated 3,500 at Lane Stadium. The Maroon team featured the first-team offense against the first-team defense on White.

``Probably our offense had its best day today,'' Tech coach Frank Beamer said. ``All spring, we've been more consistent defensively than offensively.''

The Maroon (second-team) defense did dominate the second-team offense, holding the White to just four first downs and 17 total net yards in the game shortened to eight-minute quarters instead of the normal 15.

``The second offense going against the second defense, to me that wasn't a matchup today and hasn't been all spring,'' Beamer said. ``As far as the backups, some people have really got to make some strides.''

Tech has minimal concerns about replacing Jim Druckenmiller, selected in the first round of Saturday's NFL draft by San Francisco. Al Clark, a rising junior who was the backup the last two years, completed 8 of 15 passes for 121 yards and ran for a game-high 42 yards on eight carries. It was Clark's first live action this spring, as he had been wearing a yellow vest in practice that meant ``hands off'' to the defense.

``I thought he threw the ball pretty sharp,'' offensive coordinator Rickey Bustle said.

Clark displayed decent arm strength and shifty running ability, both out of the option and scrambling when protection broke down.

``I think I've got a knack for getting away from people,'' Clark said.

The Maroon got away early, scoring on its first drive as Clark completed three passes that accounted for 50 of the 65 yards. Ken Oxendine scored from a yard out. Short runs also capped long touchdown drives in the second and third quarters. Two fourth-quarter touchdowns were products of defense, the first set up by an interception that gave the Maroon the ball at the White 5, the second a 42-yard return by Carl Bradley from a fumble.

The Hokies hoped to pick a second-string quarterback, but neither Dave Meyer nor Nick Sorensen emerged this spring. Both redshirt freshmen struggled Saturday, combining for 1 of 7 passing for six yards and an interception.

``Neither Sorensen nor Meyer has made as many plays as we would like them to,'' Beamer said.

Coaches were concerned about the defensive end position, but Beamer said the play of some youngsters there has been surprising. Returning starter John Engelberger, Corey Moore, Chris Cyrus and Ryan Smith have proved to be a formidable group. Moore and Smith were defensive co-winners of the top newcomer award.

But tight end remains a concern, especially since front-runner Pedro Edison was dismissed from the team a couple of weeks ago after an incident with the Blacksburg police.

``A couple of our signees you saw walking around out there today probably will be in uniform for our (season-opening) Rutgers game,'' Beamer said. ``We signed some pretty good tight ends.''

Four of Tech's 26 signees played tight end in high school.

Beamer said he felt good overall about spring practice. The Hokies won't be picked to win a third-consecutive Big East title, but they weren't favored going into the last two seasons, either.

``I don't know that we're good enough to be the Big East champion right now, but if we make progress here this summer I think we'll figure in it,'' Beamer said. ILLUSTRATION: ASSOCIATED PRESS

Maroon team member Tyron Edmond, left, introduces White team QB Mike

Kocicka to the turf in Virginia Tech's Maroon-White scrimmage

Saturday.

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