Virginia Tech Football Notebook

By Nathan Warters

Published: April 19, 2008

BLACKSBURG — Judging from his performance in Saturday’s Maroon-White scrimmage, it’ll be hard to keep Virginia Tech quarterback Sean Glennon out of the starting lineup in the fall. Even if his main challenger at the position is the ultra-talented Tyrod Taylor.
Glennon was spot-on in the spring game, connecting on nine of 15 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns in leading the White team to a decisive 24-3 win.
His counterpart Taylor didn’t fare too well. Quarterbacks were live in the game, which gave Taylor the freedom to take off and run when he couldn’t find an open receiver. He ran 11 times for seven yards. He was sacked three times and was intercepted once.
Hokies coach Frank Beamer said the quarterback competition would remain open through the fall. He didn’t rule out redshirting Taylor next season if Glennon wins the job outright.
“We’ll evaluate it. That will continue,” Beamer said of the quarterback battle. “The good thing about us is we’ve got two really good quarterbacks.
“I think we keep on going right now. We’re going to discuss it again after watching this video, but I think this probably needs to go on in the fall and make a decision at some point (based on) what’s best for the players and what’s best for the football team.”
Switch suits Chancellor
At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, junior Kam Chancellor might be the biggest free safety in the country. His size hasn’t slowed him down, as he showed on Saturday.
He ran past the Maroon offense during a 55-yard interception return in the second quarter. He finished one yard short of the end zone, though. He lowered his shoulder and laid a licking on a couple of players before running out of bounds.
The speedy Taylor was credited with the tackle.
“I saw four people coming after me. I just gave my body up to try to get the touchdown. It didn’t work,” Chancellor said. “It was four big guys and Tyrod. I know about quarterbacks. Once they throw an interception, they don’t want you to score, so they’re going to bring a little boom, too.”
Mixed reviews for kickers
Dustin Keys leads the competition at placekicker, but the job is still up for grabs.
He made an 18-yard field goal in the second quarter. Chris Hazley kicked a 42-yarder in the second quarter for the Maroon team’s only points.
Tim Pisano was short on a 52-yarder that was returned 36 yards out of the end zone by Victor “Macho” Harris.
Spring awards
Tech presented its spring awards at halftime. Tight end Greg Boone and defensive end Jason Worilds won the George Preas Award as the offensive and defensive MVPs.
Other award winners included wide receiver Ike Whitaker and defensive tackle Demetrius Taylor (Dr. Richard Bullock Award/most improved), offensive tackle Blake DeChristopher and linebacker Barquell Rivers (Paul Torgerson Award/top newcomers), running back Dustin Pickle and defensive tackle John Graves (Frank O. Moseley Award/most hustle), fullback Devin Perez and whip linebacker Cam Martin (Don Williams Team United Award/team first), offensive guard Nick Marshman and linebacker Brett Warren (Coaches Award/exceptional spring) and defensive end Orion Martin and free safety Kam Chancellor (President’s Award/outstanding leadership).
And a special “Biggest Loser” award was presented to defensive tackle Cordarrow “Taco” Thompson for losing 30 pounds during the offseason.
Extra points
An estimated crowd of 30,000 attended the game. It lasted a brisk hour and 37 minutes. … Brian Saunders (Nelson County) averaged 35 yards on three punts. His second-quarter attempt was blocked by Prince Parker and recovered by Nekos Brown. … Daryl Robertson (Liberty-Bedford) had a tackle and assisted on a tackle for loss. … Harris recorded a sack and three tackles for loss. He didn’t see any time at wide receiver. … Boone lined up at tight end and fullback. He caught two passes for 27 yards and ran once for minus-two yards.
— Nathan Warters