Tech may still use two-QB system next fall

By Nate Warters

Published: April 10, 2008

BLACKSBURG — Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor are neck-in-neck in the battle for Virginia Tech’s starting quarterback spot.

Each had their moments during Wednesday’s spring practice, mini-scrimmage at Lane Stadium. Glennon, who started every game two years ago as a sophomore and shared starting duties with Taylor last season, completed seven of 12 passes for 52 yards.

Taylor connected on four of his seven pass attempts for 71 yards. One of his completions was a 45-yard touchdown to wide receiver Mike Reid. They both went live for the first time this spring.

“We’re kind of going through here and see what we think at the end of spring practice,” said Tech coach Frank Beamer.

Beamer isn’t ruling out a two-quarterback system like the Hokies used in five games last season. The team fared well in the first four games Taylor and Glennon shared snaps, but the system wasn’t very effective in Tech’s 24-21 Orange Bowl loss to Kansas.

Glennon threw two interceptions against the Jayhawks, and Taylor tossed a pick that cornerback Aqib Talib returned 60 yards for a touchdown.

“I said, I thought going into the ACC championship, two quarterbacks worked great. We needed both of them,” Beamer said. “In the bowl game, I didn’t think it was very good, and that’s kind of what you live with a little bit.

“What happens this spring will determine (if we’ll play both), or at least (we’ll) have an idea going into the fall.”

Kickers struggle

Tech turned up the pressure on its kickers Wednesday. The result was some ugly misses and a couple of blocks.

Beamer said rising senior Dustin Keys is leading the kicking competition, but he hasn’t won the job outright. Matt Waldron, Tim Pisano and Chris Hazley are still in the mix. All four missed kicks Wednesday.

“Without the pressure, I think Keys has been our best kicker, Matt’s been our second-best kicker, and then Hazley and Pisano,” Beamer said. “But with the pressure, I’m not sure. That’s what we’re going to find out here in the next few days.”

For the second straight season, the Hokies are looking to replace a reliable place-kicker. Jud Dunlevy, who made 21 of 26 field goal attempts in his only season as the starter last year, went through some struggles during the spring and early fall practice before excelling when it counted.

“You know, last year we went into the preseason and Dunlevy had troubles, and then all of a sudden he got hot, and that’s what Keys needs right now. I think he needs some confidence,” Beamer said.

Macho back on D

Cornerback Victor “Macho” Harris was back on defense Monday after spending the first seven spring practices at wide receiver.

After learning the nuances of playing offense, the Highland Springs High School graduate is now getting a feel for a different defensive position. Tech’s coaches have moved him to the “boundary” cornerback spot once occupied by All-American Brandon Flowers, who decided to forgo his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

Harris played on the “field” side last year, earning first-team all-ACC honors. The “boundary” corner plays on the shorter side of the field, and it’s considered much more of a physical challenge than playing on the wider side.

“It’s a good and bad thing, you know,” Harris said. “It’s good in a way because it’s a shorter field, but if you’re not a physical guy, the boundary is made for straight physical people. I just can’t wait to go out there and show my talent out there on the boundary.”

There’s a good chance Harris will pull double-duty on offense and defense this season.

Beamer didn’t hesitate to throw Harris’s name in when asked who the Hokies’ top four receivers were at this point.

Scrimmage highlights

Josh Oglesby, one of four tailbacks battling for the starting job, rushed for 36 yards on three carries during Wednesday’s scrimmage. One of his runs was a 29-yard touchdown.

Defensive end Jason Worilds, tackle John Graves and tackle Demetrius Taylor each had sacks.