VIRGINIA TECH NOTES: Hokies sticking with QB plan, at least for now

By Nathan Warters

Published: September 1, 2008

Even though its offense was sputtering Saturday, Virginia Tech didn’t entertain thoughts of playing sophomore quarterback Tyrod Taylor.

“No, we didn’t consider that,” Tech coach Frank Beamer said during a Monday teleconference with reporters.

Fifth-year senior Sean Glennon, who was awarded Tech’s starting quarterback job last week, threw two costly interceptions, one in the red zone and another East Carolina returned to the Hokies’ 1-yard line.

“Really, Sean, other than a couple of plays, played very well,” Beamer said. “Those couple of plays were tough plays.”

Beamer didn’t say no, however, when asked if Taylor, whom the Hokies were hoping to redshirt this season, could play in the near future if Tech’s offense continues to struggle.

“I’ll talk about those things on Tuesday,” he said. “If there’s anything to talk about, I’ll talk about that during (today’s) press conference.”

More on block

East Carolina’s T.J. Lee got a good jump on Brent Bowden’s punt at the end of Saturday’s game. Maybe it was too good.

“Whether he was offsides or not, it’s very very close,” Beamer said.

Lee slipped through the line and swatted Bowden’s kick. He scooped it up and ran 27 yards for the game-winning touchdown in ECU’s 27-22 upset win.

“(Lee) did a good job, and it was a good effort by him, but it really wasn’t something that should have been hard to protect,” Beamer said. “Again, I want to give them credit, but we’ve been in that protection a bunch in preseason and ran something very similar to that a bunch of times, really.

“I don’t feel like it should have happened.”

Keys still No. 1

Senior Dustin Keys, who won Tech’s starting placekicker job in the preseason, missed a field goal and an extra point Saturday.

He still has Beamer’s confidence, though.

“I watched him all spring and all preseason, and he’s our best kicker,” Beamer said. “The field goal hit the crossbar, and he pushed it out there on the extra point. We’re going to continue the competition, but Keys is still my kicker.”

Kickoff duties could change this week, though. Tim Pisano averaged 58 yards on four kickoffs Saturday. He squibbed one of his kicks, which led to an ECU fumble on the return.

“I want to take another good look at (Justin) Myer this week,” Beamer said.

Extra points

Beamer said information about injuries to offensive tackle Blake DeChristopher (deep thigh bruise) and cornerback Macho Harris (sprained foot) would be held until the release of Thursday’s injury report, as per ACC rules. … Tech dressed 10 true freshmen for Saturday’s game. Phenom running back Ryan Williams and Myer were the only two not to play. “We still plan to play him,” Beamer said of Williams.