8B - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, September 9, 1999

Hokies aren't pokey against UAB

Dy Nathan Warters
The Collegiate Times (U-WIRE)
BLACKSBURG, Va. (U-WIRE) - For the third time in as many
years, the Virginia Tech Hokies will square off against the UAB
Blazers. Against the Hokies, the Blazers have yet to walk away with
a victory.
In fact, the Blazers have failed to score a single point against the
Tech defense.
The teams' first meeting was in 1997 in front of Tech's home
crowd in Blacksburg. The Hokies had no problem with UAB, beat-
ing the Blazers 37-0.
Last season, Tech traveled to Birmingham and defeated UAB 41-
o at Legion Field.
Alabama teams have not had much luck against the Hokies the
past three years. In addition to the Blazers' deficiencies, Tech also
beat Alabama 38-7 in last year's Music City Bowl.
Although the Hokies are still riding a high from Saturday's win
over JMU, the question on everyone's mind is whether Michael
Vick will play against the Blazers.
Tech head coach Frank Beamer said Tech head trainer Mike
Goforth is pleased with the redshirt quarterback's progress, but
Vick needs to get out onto the playing field in order to determine
whether he can play or not on Saturday.
"He does need to practice and he needs to be full speed on
Saturday, and whether he can do those two things remains to be
seen," Beamer said. "We'll see what happens (at practice) today
and tomorrow and make a decision after that."
Beamer doesn't want to wager the future of Tech football to play
him if he is not ready.
"We certainly want to play him, but I don't think it's in his best
interest or our best interest playing him if he's not full speed,"
Beamer said.
If Vick does have to sit the game out, Beamer is very comfort-

able with Dave Meyer leading the team.
"Dave Meyer practiced very well yesterday and I think he's ready
to accept the challenge (of starting) if that's the case," Beamer said.
Tech is preparing to play a team who came close to beating the
Missouri Tigers Saturday.
The Tigers barely squeaked by with a 31-28 victory over the
Blazers.
In that game, UAB took a page out of the Hokies' playbook,
blocking two punts and returning them both for touchdowns.
"This is an improving program and they improved because
they're a good coaching staff at Alabama-Birmingham," Beamer
said.
Even if Vick is on the sideline for this contest, the Blazers will
have to contend with Tech's talented group of running backs.
Shyrone Stith, Andre Kendrick and Lee Suggs all saw playing time
last week against JMU and figure to do the same Saturday.
UAB head coach Watson Brown said Tech is probab ly the best
team they face this year when it comes to running the ball He said
playing a good running team like Tech will be a good learning
experience for his team.
"It's a concern, but I think that if we can survive it physically, it
willhelp us," Watson said. "We can learn and correct our weak-
nesses. But certainly, nobody we face will be any better than
Virginia Tech at running the ball right at you."
With Vick's injury last week, UAB might face a Tech backup
quarterback once again. The past two years, Tech started current
safety Nick Sorensen in place of Al Clark. This year, the Blazers
may face the same situation, but this time Meyer might get the call.
"We have yet to play against their starting quarterback; both
times we have faced their backup quarterback," Watson said. "And
again, last Saturday, their starting quarterback got hurt. I don't
know if he'll play or not Saturday - we won't know until game
time and I'm sure they won't tell us earlier."

Last season the Hokies from Virginia Tech defeated Alabama (above) in the Music City Bowl. This wee
end they look to continue their streak against Alabama teams when they square off against UBA.

I

mayor
meets with
students
By Amanda Hill
Colorado Daily
BOULDER, Colo. (U-WIRE) - I
response to the riots on Saturday at Mil
High Stadium, Denver Mayo
Wellington Webb has called a meetid
with CU President John Buechner
CSU President Al Yates to discuss
future of the annual Rocky Mountain
Showdown game.
"It was like inviting people to you
house and having them arrive drunk.
They break your china, destroy yo
chandeliers, and then get mad when you
call the police," said Andrew Hudson,
press secretary for Mayor Webb.
Students at both CSU and CU
questioning the use of mace and tear
by the police without warning'
crowds. Mayor Webb, however,- h
taken a firm stance in favor of the poli
action.
A similar incident occured in Nov.
'97, when police used pepper spray to
slow the crush of fans trying to rush the
Michigan Stadium field after- the
Michigan football team beat Ohio State,
20-14, to go to the Rose Bowi.
"When 65 police officers are lined
against the stands, that a pretty
warning" said Hudson. "In hinds
we should have made an announcement.
But how do we know it would have done
any good?"
Former CSU Student Body President
Chris Piper, who was at the gamethinks
the police had a miscalculated response
to what would have been a non-violent
celebration.
"If the students had rushed the field,
tear gas would have been an approp
response;" Piper said.
The 41-14 CU upset that created riot
at the end of the game was fueled
CSU fans shouting "Take the posts
and "Fuck the police!", said Hudson
According to the police, however th
problems had started long before th
game began.
"At 8 a.m., students began tailgating.
There was a moving van full of kegs and
another full of furniture," said Hudson,
"By 2 p.m., police were taking peopc
de-tox."
Hudson said the use of mace and tear
gas was a judgment call of the police.
"I saw one officer approach the stadi
um and gesture to a student with
bring-it-on motion," said Piper. "
thought it was completely uncalled for.
You don't egg on a drunk student.
Piper expressed concern about the wa
in which the police went about sprayin.
the crowds with pepper spray. "$>
"I saw one officer open a gate:a
spray among three or four sections sai
Piper. "It was a get-them-all attitude.-
even saw people' in yellow events-staf
shirts balled up on the ground frbn
being sprayed."
The mayors office has a different er