Monday, October 4, 1999

BE PREPARED

As Virginia Tech climbed to #5 in the national polls and even higher in several of the ratings that are components of the BCS formula, the coaches were talking Monday night about focus and preparation.

Coach Beamer said he appreciated the respect shown for the VT program in the polls, but that all the team should focus on is what it can control: preparing for the next game.

When Bill Roth brought up Tech's stature in the various ratings, Beamer replied "I don't know anything about it. I don't care to know anything about it. I'm just interested in win number 5."

Coach Foster said the slogan for the team (defense?) this year is "WIN" -- which he explained stands for "What's Important Now."

When the team breaks huddle now in practice, it doesn't make reference to the opponent, as in "Beat Virginia," but rather says "Win Number 5."

Roth observed, as others have, that he's seen more rah-rah teams during UVa game week than this year's team was. The 1999 team seems more business-like, he said.

One factor with the trip to Charlottesville for VT's first 1999 road game, Foster said, was that "We told them this is a business trip."

Both coaches referred to the Temple experience of a year ago and almost seemed to imply that it can be turned to VT's advantage now in helping keep the team focused.

Beamer said there is good senior leadership on the 1999 squad and he's counting on that to lead preparation for Rutgers. Roth said there's a lot of character about the junior class as well.

INJURY UPDATE

QB Michael Vick had some pain with the ankle Monday. He did no running in practice, only throwing. Beamer said he hopes Vick can go full speed in drills by Wednesday.

DL Nathaniel Williams played 16 snaps against UVa and still feels "a twinge" in his knee when he runs laterally. Foster expects he will play a little more this week.

LB Jake Houseright was sidelined most of last week due to a severe strep infection and is expected back for Rutgers.

THE VIRGINIA GAME

Coach Beamer said it was a pleasure to review the game film and see how well the Hokies played. He commented on the execution and seeing how guys are improving, and how few penalties the team had.

"We have people who know how to play in big games," he said.

He complimented the receivers for blocking well downfield all night. Said the OL is getting better all the time and has made strides since the spring. Pointed to VT answering with a scoring drive to go back up 21-7 after Virginia scored. He also praised the drive from the VT 2 in the third quarter that led to Graham's 48-yard field goal, and mentioned again the drive in the Clemson game for the field goal after Clemson cut the Tech lead to three points. Very good blocking on the punt returns led to 67 yards in returns. Andre Davis has "a chance to be special" through work and concentration. VT fans were great at Charlottesville.

Roth and Foster talked about how UVa often used a double-team and varying schemes to block Corey Moore, which led to big defensive games by Beasley, Hawkes and Engelberger. The Cavs were restricted to running a lot of two-receiver routes because they kept extra people in blocking, Foster said. The Hokies limited where Ellis could throw and forced him to hold the ball longer.

Foster said he has been very pleased with the secondary this season, and noted that it hasn't given up a really big play or many yards after a catch.

As for the scoring drive, Foster said the UVa receivers made some good catches, he personally "guessed wrong" on a couple of plays and the execution wasn't there on some others. The touchdown pass to the tight end was a busted coverage.

TECH SUPERLATIVES

• The VT defense leads the nation for the third week in a row.

• John Engelberger was named Big East Defensive Player of the Week.

• Vick was named Big East Co-Offensive Player of the Week (along with the Pittsburgh QB).

• The Hokies are now in day three of possession of the Commonwealth Cup, which will extend for nearly 14 months by virtue of their unmerciful thumping of the 'Hoos.

RUTGERS

The Scarlet Knights return a running back who got 100 yards on the Hokies last year. VT was able to get pressure on QB Mike McMahon early in the 1998 game, and I believe Foster said he got knocked out early. Foster said Rutgers has a corps of tall and athletic receivers and an experienced OL. Roth said it appears Rutgers may have to use four freshmen at receiver.

IN GENERAL

1. A caller asked Foster if the Hokies' rise has led any national recruits/coaches to approach VT. He said people in Florida and other states are very aware of the VT program. Obviously, the national TV and media coverage and Corey Moore's publicity haven't hurt things, he said. Foster said he had received a call about a JUCO defensive lineman. I think he said the player is in California and is from Kentucky originally.

2. Kickoff for Syracuse game is officially set for 6 p.m. Oct. 16. Coverage by ESPN.

3. Next week's Hokie Hotline will originate from the Volume II bookstore in Blacksburg and will feature free pizza night. Foster said he'd have to keep the defensive linemen away because "we want to keep them cat-quick!"

4. Beamer went out of his way to say some positive things about QB Dave Meyer and said VT is fortunate to have his ability at backup.

5. Roth asked Beamer if he was surprised at the many comments by the Virginia players after the game that gave Tech little credit. He said he would only answer it in the context of his Tech team: "Our players win with class, and if someone catches us, I believe we'll give them the credit."

6. A caller credited Beamer for the successful quick punt play. The coach indicated someone must have suggested it wasn't good sportsmanship to have called the play -- whatever that means. He said it was just important to get a first down in that situation, which the Hoos' penalty brought about.

7. Moore and Wayne Ward "just missed" blocking an extra point and punt, respectively, against Virginia. Ike Charlton barely missed a block on a Clemson field goal that went wide. Had the kick been on line, Beamer said, Charlton probably would have blocked it. As Roth noted, the Hokies have had very few opportunities to block field goals and extra points so far.

8. Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese is in town Tuesday for the official announcement of VT's admission to the conference for all sports. The Oct. 28 basketball tip-off banquet will feature Dave Gavitt as speaker. Roth called Gavitt a founder of the Big East. Tickets are available.

9. A caller asked about walk-on prospects and players who are redshirting. Beamer mentioned the efforts of four redshirts on defense but wasn't very specific -- Buie, Adibi, Crawford and Colas. He said several receivers could make an impact -- Harrison, Provitt and Wilford (formerly projected at TE). The only walk-on he mentioned as a prospect was a receiver named Moody.

10. Coach Beamer said he received a personal note from ESPN's Mike Tirico (sp?) after the Clemson game and that Tirico said "the atmosphere here was second to none."

-- GalaxHokie

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