Saturday, after what seems like an interminable wait, Virginia Tech finally gets to tee off the 2000 season at home against the Akron Zips. With the exception of a scare in 1996, the Hokies have smacked the Zips around in their four-game series, which Tech leads 4-0.

But this is an Akron team that is gradually getting better and better, and Tech will find that it doesn't bear much resemblance to the Zip team that the Hokies walloped 77-27 back in 1995. Yes, the Hokies should still win handily, but hopefully, Akron will provide some challenges and will teach the Hokie players and coaches a little bit about this Tech team.

Even more important, the Tech faithful hope those lessons are painless, not painful.

In 1996 at a rainy, windy season opener in Akron's Rubber Bowl, the Akron Zips came within three points of taking their place alongside the Cincinnati Bearcats, Temple Owls, and Miami of Ohio Redhawks as astounding upset winners over Virginia Tech.

The previous year, the Hokies had waxed the Zips 77-27 in a game, as they say, that wasn't even that close. Perhaps that 1995 laugher, combined with the rain and wind, is why the Hokies took the Zips lightly in that 1996 game, and Tech narrowly escaped with a 21-18 win.

For the Hokies, that 1996 game was embarrassing, humiliating, and a near-disaster. The Hokies had to lean on true freshman running back Shyrone Stith after Ken Oxendine went down in the first half with a shoulder injury. The Ox left with 65 yards on 11 carries, and Stith picked up the slack, piling up 119 more yards on 21 carries.

The reason that Stith had to play as a true freshman was that backup tailback Marcus Parker was suspended for shoplifting. The Hokies had had a run of off-season trouble with the law, so when Parker did his thing, Coach Beamer dropped the hammer on him, and the next thing you knew, skinny little Shyrone Stith, only 180 pounds at the time, was thrust into the role of hero.

The Zips led 8-0 early in the game, and led 11-8 midway through the third quarter before Tech hung a pair of touchdowns on them to take a 21-11 lead. Akron drove for a score with 14 seconds remaining for the final margin.

The game featured more mental miscues than a full-length Three Stooges movie. And indeed, in one particularly disastrous sequence midway through the first quarter, Tech punt returner Walter Ford did a remarkable impersonation of Curly as he attempted to field an Akron punt.

The punt sailed over Ford's head at the Tech 20, and unfortunately, he tapped it as it went by him, so he had to turn around and chase it. The ball rolled near the goal line, and Ford picked it up on the bounce and then ran into the end zone, where he stood frozen until the Zips arrived and tackled him for a safety.

Years later, I have convinced myself that Ford was bald, and that he was running around in circles slapping his head and going "Woo-woo-woo-woo-woo-woo!" the whole time. After being tackled, I'm positive that he said, "Eh, wise guy!" to one Akron player while attempting to poke him in the eyes.

This occurred just three minutes after Ford had fumbled another punt inside the Tech five, which the Zips recovered, later scoring on a 1-yard run. That PAT was blocked for a 6-0 margin, but minutes later, thanks to Ford's safety, the Zips led 8-0. Ford was so embarrassed that after his return to Blacksburg, he went on a deep-discount shopping spree at a Tech bookstore, was arrested, and was kicked off the Tech football team, just a month after the Akron debacle.

That game also featured a couple of stupid personal fouls by Cornell Brown and Tony Morrison, one of which (Morrison's) prolonged an Akron drive after a fourth-down sack by Morrison. Tony made a nice play and then ruined it with a little victory dance.

All in all, it was a hideous effort by the Hokies, and as I said, it nearly took its place next to the '95 Cincinnati game, the '97 Miami-OH game, and the '98 Temple game as monumental Tech upsets.

Enough reminiscing -- what about the Zips?

Akron has only been Division 1-A since 1987. Last year, the Zips posted their first winning record since 1992, going 7-4. Although they didn't beat anyone of import (Buffalo, Temple, Ball State, Ohio, Bowling Green, Navy and Kent), they're improving steadily under Coach Lee Owens, who took over the program in December of 1994.

This year, the Zips are gunning for a MAC championship. They return 14 starters and 44 lettermen from last year's team, and they're particularly strong at the offensive skill positions.

Fifth-year senior quarterback James "Butchie" Washington is the jewel of the Akron offense. Washington is Akron's all-time leading passer and is only 130 yards away from being its all-time total offense leader. 7 other returning starters join him on offense, including wide receivers Lavel Bailey (22.4 yards per catch last year, third best in the country) and Jake Schiffino.

1999's MAC Freshman of the Year Brandon Payne, who rushed for 845 yards and 13 touchdowns last year, returns at tailback. The only area where the Zips can be considered a little thin on offense is on the line, where they return just two starters, but Coach Owens likes the line, anyway.

In short, the well-rounded Zip offense will provide an excellent challenge for Virginia Tech's young defense. The Hokies had hoped to get their baptism by fire against Georgia Tech and their wizard of an offensive coordinator, but the Zips, with their experienced quarterback and talented skill players, will push the Hokie D in all phases of the game. The Zips finished 65^th in the country last year in total offense, with 366.1 yards per game.

On defense, the Zips bring back 6 starters, including most of their defensive linemen and defensive backs. But that's not necessarily saying much, because Akron finished 87^th in the nation in total defense last year (391.1 yards per game), and according to Athlon, the Zips only have 44 quarterback sacks in the last three seasons (by comparison, the Hokies had 58 sacks last year alone).

In the special teams arena, Akron kicker Zac Derr, a junior, made 12 of 15 field goal attempts last year, and Payne was an excellent punt returner, averaging 12.5 yards per return, good enough for 20^th in the country.

On offense, don’t be surprised to see Washington and his receivers make some plays and for the Zips to move the ball. Akron may accumulate as much as 250 or 300 yards of offense, depending upon how good their offensive line really is.

The good news for the Hokies is that the Zips' offensive line is a relative weakness, particularly up the middle (both guards are first-time starters). Tech defensive tackles David Pugh and Chad Beasley may be able to wreak some havoc in the middle of the Zips' line.

In short, Akron probably won't be able to run the ball consistently, certainly not up the middle (it has been many, many years since anyone ran the ball up the middle on Tech). Their only hope is to get some off-tackle success on Tech's new defensive ends, and then make plays with their passing game. Tech needs to be particularly careful of Bailey and his 22.4 yards per catch average.

On offense, the Hokies will absolutely roll, even if it rains. Vick will throw a few bombs to Davis, but other than that, the game plan will be as conservative as usual. The Hokies will come out and pound the ball at Akron. That is always Tech's first, best option, and their primary goal. Run, run, run, preferably up the middle.

Virginia Tech 48, Akron 17.

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