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Beamer raising money for victims

September 8, 2005 1:06 am

By JIM McCONNELL

Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer is among several high-profile coaches who will participate in an online sports auction to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Tech men's basketball coach Seth Greenberg is the organizing chairman of a committee of college coaches, who are working with the Web site AllCoaches Care.com.

The group has received commitments from Mike Krzyzewski (Duke), Tom Izzo (Michigan State), Lute Olson (Arizona) and Bob Knight (Texas Tech).

Beamer confirmed during yesterday's Atlantic Coast Conference coaches' teleconference that he has selected several items to donate for the auction. All proceeds will go directly to Habitat for Humanity. The auction begins Sept. 14 on eBay.

"It's a chance for not only coaches, but everyone in the country to come together and help these people," Beamer said. "As much as we watch it on TV, we can't get the real picture of what's going on down there."

Virginia Tech's football program has played in the Sugar Bowl three times in the storm-battered Superdome--the last time in January against Auburn.

"Our Hokie Nation has some great memories down there," Beamer added. "We need to help as much as we can."

Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said yesterday that Drew Weatherford will remain the Seminoles' starting quarterback, but promising redshirt freshman Xavier Lee will see significant playing time.

Weatherford struggled mightily in his first collegiate start, completing only 7-of-24 passes for 67 yards and an interception in FSU's 10-7 win over Miami Monday night.

Weatherford was pulled early in the fourth quarter, but although the gifted Lee received a loud ovation from the crowd at Doak Campbell Stadium, he did nothing to distinguish himself, either.

"We have to bring those quarterbacks along," Bowden said. "It was the same way when we had Chris Rix. When you have young quarterbacks, you want them not to beat you, and for the most part they did that. Now we have to get them playing to their ability."

Special teams blunders

Even after surrendering nine sacks Monday, Miami had a chance to tie the game with a short field goal in the final minute.

Then punter Brian Monroe, making his debut as the Hurricanes' holder, fumbled the snap from center. Jon Peattie never got to attempt the kick and the Seminoles ran out the clock.

The play capped a brutal effort by Miami's special teams. Peattie earlier missed field goals from 47 and 39 yards; Monroe had a punt blocked; and return specialist Devin Hester lost a fumble that was overturned on replay.

"Special teams really hurt us," Miami coach Larry Coker said. "We've been very good on special teams the last few years. Obviously, we weren't very good against Florida State."

Andrews takes advantage

Wake Forest sophomore tailback Micah Andrews took advantage of Chris Barclay's absence last week to rush for 254 yards in a loss to Vanderbilt. His total was the second-best single-game performance in school history.

Barclay, the only Deacon in history with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, served a one-game suspension for violating team rules. But coach Jim Grobe said he will not start Saturday when Wake Forest (0-1) visits Nebraska.

"There's no way we can take Micah out after the game he had last week," Grobe said.

To reach JIM McCONNELL: 540/374-5444jmcconnell@freelancestar.com