VT - Easlick 6 yard run (Mollerup kick)
VT - Easlick 11 yard run (Felber kick)
VT - Willis 20 reception from Noel (Mollerup kick)
VT - Easlick 5 yard run (Mollerup kick)
VT - Wilson 3 yard run (Mollerup kick)
VT - Parham 60 yard interception return (Felber kick)
VT - Parham 15 yard interception return (Mollerup kick)

Game Roster and Photos by RUHokie

Blacksburg, VA -- Doug Easlick ran for three touchdowns and Terrell Parham, a wide-receiver by trade, had two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns as the Virginia Tech JV squad manhandled Fork Union 49-0 in action Friday afternoon. This marks the third consecutive JV win for the Hokies. Fork Union never provided much of a challenge, as the Hokies were more talented, and more ready to play. The action started well for Fork Union as LeAndre Boone ran the opening kickoff well into Hokie territory. After a short drive, FUMA's momentum was stopped after the Hokie defense stepped up. FUMA attempted a fake field goal on the 4, but the pass was incomplete. The Hokies then ran an impressive 96-yard drive that featured no passing plays. The drive ended with Easlick's 6 yard scramble and the Hokies led 7-0 midway through the first quarter.

After stopping FUMA again, the Hokies started the second quarter off with a bang as T.J. Jackson, an outside linebacker, lined up in the QB position and ran an option for a first down on 3rd and 14. The drive continued and Easlick scored again, this time from 11 yards out to put the Hokies up 14-0. On the next FUMA possession, T.J. Jackson got in the action again, this time in a 13 yard sack of the FUMA quarterback. Another FUMA drive stalled, and Terrell Parham (prepare to hear this name a bunch) ran the punt return back 20 yards. On the first play of the drive, Parham lined up in the QB slot, and much like Jackson, ran a keeper. The real Tech quarterback, Grant Noel, initiated the next score with a 20 yard touchdown toss to the big tight end Kevin Willis that put the Hokies up 21-0. The rout was in full effect at this point, and the only thing going for FUMA was halftime.

The first drive of the third quarter saw the Hokies march down the field again, and Easlick ran for his third touchdown of the game. His last went for about 5 yards, and the lead was increased 28-0. On the ensuing kickoff, the FUMA kick returners allowed the ball to hit the ground. The ball bounced in Tech's direction, and a hustling T.J. Jackson picked up the unplanned onside kick inside the FUMA 20 yard line. One more short drive and the Hokie fullback Joe Wilson punched it in from 3 yards out to put the Hokies up 35-0. The teams started to tank it in from this point in, and the Hokies put in their offense as the defense.

The story of the 4th quarter was the Hokie offense having a bit of fun on the defensive side of the ball. After LeAndre Boone picked off Grant Noel's floater to Ronald Moody in the end zone, the FUMA QB lofted a pass up for grabs, and Terrell Parham ran it back 60 yards to push the score 42-0. Parham wasn't finished yet as on the next possession Parham again picks off another pass for a touchdown to finish the scoring at 49-0. Kevin Willis recorded two sacks, which has to be a record for a tight end. Dirk Taylor added a late interception, and the Hokies ran out the clock to finish the game.

QB: Grant Noel started and played the majority of the game. The Hokies were much more obliged to run option plays, and Noel did a very good job on them. Aside from the interception, which was up for grabs between Moody and Boone, he had a decent game. Sometimes he's a bit too impatient and ends up throwing the ball long. Screen passes were the norm, so it's hard to say if his downfield accuracy has improved much. But he is much comfortable in the pocket than he was last year, and he looks like a much better quarterback than the frantic green guy he was last year in the JV games. T.J. Jackson and Terrell Parham both took snaps, but the chances of them playing QB in a big time varsity game are slim to none.

RB: Doug Easlick can flat out play. His biggest asset is his ability to shed tacklers like leisure suits. He broke some big runs in the middle of drives, and he can block well for the QB. Comfortable with the option. Joe Wilson also had a great game. He's a hoss, plain and simple. Nice to see him get a touchdown. Marvin Urquhart has lost some weight and is looking very good also. No complaints here...

WR: I'm not sure if Ronald Moody had many chances to show off his skills. I personally think that he's a little small, but if his hands can make up for it then he has a good chance to be a third down receiver. Terrell Parham was all over the field, and it was his name that popped up when I saw the roster for today's game. His picks looked very good, and I think they may have a spot on the team for him there. The speed was evident. But I was overall not that impressed with out wideouts simply because we didn't throw to them that much. Besides, we didn't need to.

TE: Kevin Willis is a player. He's gonna be a star, just wait and see.

OL: Ah, the toughest five guys to look at. Well, this bunch made my job very easy. From the left to the right, Jeff Hartzog, Anthony Nelson, Ricky Hudson, Tim Selmon, and Jacob Gibson put on a clinic. On each Hokie run, it seemed like they were in the defensive live before Fork Union was. And on Wilson's touchdown, they were in the end zone before he had the ball. And Noel was never pressured. Absolutely amazing. This is essentially our third team, and they looked great. Major kudos to Coach Stinespring for this group of guys.

Defense: I hate to say this guys, but you can't say much about the defense in a shutout other than good job. It was just a solid effort all around, but it shows one thing about FUMA when the offense can step in and do just as well. One notable point of interest is the fact that Thenus Franklin, after disappearing from depth charts, is back playing. He started at defensive tackle. A couple of players stepped it up for this game. Two that come to mind are Mark Costen and Michael Crawford. Costen was in the backfield many times, including one sack, and he's money on run defense. Michael Crawford had a massive hit on Justin Long, a FUMA wideout, and a sack. Chris Buie also had some great hits inside. The youth looks good. No complaints here either...

Special Teams: Jon Mollerup and Matt Felber traded off on holding and kicking for the extra points, which were all made. I have no punting notes, so either we did not punt at all during the game, or I must have not cared. The only problem was two of Mollerup's kickoffs fell very short (one at the FUMA 40), and that may have been the deciding factor in Coach Beamer's decision to utilize Carter Warley this year. It should be noted that VT kickers are perfect in every kick this year. Terrell Parham (there's that name...) handled kickoff and punt returns.

Recruiting: Coach Beamer and Coach Cavanaugh spoke with only two FUMA players after the game, OL Linden Ryan and TE Eric Coleman. I didn't notice anything spectacular from Ryan, but he must be a solid OL if we're going to talk to him. Eric Coleman is a tall beast. I'd say he is over 6'6", and he made a few good catches. I overheard his conversation with Beamer and he said that his grades were good and that Ohio State and Michigan were looking at him. Overall: The future looks very good for this program. If only every team had players like this to push the starters on varsity, they might have the success that VT has achieved. A solid win, and here's to the Hokies having a good showing in a couple of weeks when a good Hargrave team rolls into town.

David "HokieBONE" Deuyour

HC Football Page