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Bowl win boosts Va. Tech's image
Posted: Tuesday December 29, 1998 10:26 PM
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) -- Maybe Frank Beamer was right. Skeptics laughed when Virginia Tech's coach said a victory against tradition-rich Alabama in the inaugural Music City Bowl would be like taking two steps forward in the Hokies bid for national football prominence. The Crimson Tide, after all, finished 4-7 just last season and hadn't made anyone recall the Bear Bryant teams that once were regulars in the national championship hunt, winning at least a share of 12 titles. But it was still Alabama, the nation's most invited bowl participant and leader with 28 victories. And the Hokies dominated, using their trademark stifling defense and big-play special teams to win 38-7 Tuesday night. "You look at who you're playing ... and when you can come away with a win, you're working your way up that ladder we talk about. But you can't just get in and play. You've got to get there and win," Beamer said. The Hokies did it primarily because of what have become their trademarks -- defense and special teams -- and tied Nebraska for the most points scored against the Crimson Tide in their NCAA-record 49 bowl appearances. "We had an opportunity to play a prominent university in Alabama, and we took the opportunity and made the best of it," said cornerback Loren Johnson, one of 13 seniors playing his final game for the Hokies. "We just wanted to show America that we can play with anybody in the country." Coming two years after Virginia Tech failed in a similar chance against a marquee program, losing 41-21 to Nebraska in the Orange Bowl, and one year after an 42-3 wipeout against North Carolina in the Gator Bowl, the Hokies ended a season of surprise endings with one they won't mind replaying. "You're talking about beating one of the most storied programs in college football," said Hokies defensive end Corey Moore, who blocked a punt, forced a fumble, had a sack and was the game's most valuable player. "This is big for our program." Leading 10-7 at halftime, the Hokies put the Crimson Tide away with two quick scores in the third quarter. The first was set up by Phillip Summers' interception on the Alabama 11, the second when Moore blocked Daniel Pope's punt from his own 33 and Summers recovered at the Tide's 29. It was the Hokies' second block of the game and 12th this season. "I was kind of shocked they actually got one because it hadn't happened all year," said Pope, who had been unscathed on 55 punts coming in. The Hokies also had three interceptions, boosting their total to 26 for the season. And when Anthony Midget returned the third 27 yards to cap the scoring with 7:33 left, sold-out Vanderbilt Stadium was half empty and most of those remaining were just sticking around for a big Hokies Hootenany. "I'm going to go get me a cowboy hat and some cowboy boots and I'm going to go out dancing tonight," free safety Keion Carpenter said.
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