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Carried by a Tech defender to every practice, meeting and game, the lunch pail is a symbol of the strong work ethic that has propelled the Hokies’ defense to outstanding success. Table of Contents Media Information .......................... 2, 3 2001 Season Overview ........................................ 4, 5 Hokie Honors ..................................... 6 Notes ............................................ 7-10 Game-by-Game Review ............ 55-65 Final Statistics ............................ 66, 67 Tech at a Glance Season Superlatives ........................ 68 Location BIG EAST Conference Blacksburg, Virginia Standings and Honors ..................... 69 Enrollment Statistics and Rankings .............. 70, 71 25,000 Football Staff Coach Frank Beamer ............... 37-41 President Assistant Coaches ................... 42-53 Charles W. Steger Associate AD John Ballein ............. 54 Director of Athletics The Players Jim Weaver Roster, Pronunciation Guide ......... 11 Two-Deep Lineups, Rosters ......... 12 Head Football Coach Profile Updates .................... 13-36 Frank Beamer (Virginia Tech, ’69) Records and History BeamerBall ....................... 40, 41 Hokies’ 2001 Tech’s Bowl History .......... 72, 73 Football Record Individual Bowl Superlatives ... 74 8-3 overall, Team Bowl Marks ..................... 75 4-3 BIG EAST Tech’s Career Leaders .................. 76 Longest Plays/Last Time .................. 77 Beamer’s Overall Record 149-87-4 (21 years) The University This Is Virginia Tech ......................... 78 Beamer’s Record at VT President Charles Steger ................. 79 107-64-2 (15 years) Virginia Tech Athletics Faculty Chairman of Athletics AD Jim Weaver, Administrators........ 79 Dr. Larry Killough Football Support Personnel ............. 80 Conference Gator Bowl Media Guide Credits The BIG EAST Conference Editor ................................ Dave Smith Senior receiver André Davis Nicknames Design ... Anne Panella, Dave Knachel displays the outstanding Contributors ............. Bryan Johnston, Hokies, Fighting Gobblers attributes of an All-American both on and off the field. Larry Hincker, Donna Stone Colors Photography Chicago maroon and The cover photographs and most of burnt orange the images in this guide were taken by David Knachel. The covers were Sports Information Director designed by Knachel. Others Dave Smith (540) 231-6726 contributing photos include Woody Veasey, Bob Veltri and the University Sports Information Fax Photo Lab and Scott Cunningham. (540) 231-6984 Printed by University Printing Services Tech Athletics on the Internet Publication No.: VT/825/1201/1.2M/221922 www.hokiesportsinfo.com 2002 Virginia Tech Gator Bowl Guide 1 Virginia Tech Gator Bowl Practice Procedures Coach Frank Beamer will be available to the media at the beginning of practice at the Virginia Tech practice site. Once dressed, Tech players will be available for an interview period prior to practice except the practice on Dec. 31. Media members are encouraged to arrive at the practice field early Travel Plans as the schedule may fluctuate. The first three periods of practice (approximately 30 minutes) will be The majority of the open to the media, including still photographers and videographers. Media members must remain on Virginia Tech football team the sidelines once practice begins. Following the first three periods, practice will be closed. Members will travel individually and of the Tech team will not be available for interviews at the team hotel. convene in Jacksonville. The official party will travel Practice Schedule (University of North Florida*) by charter jet and will Dec. 27 — Team arrives 10:15 a.m.; arrive in Jacksonville at Player interviews approximately 10:30 a.m.; approximately 10:30 a.m., Practice begins 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 26. While in Jacksonville, the Dec. 28 — Team arrives 9:15 a.m.; Hokies will be Player interviews approximately 9:30 a.m.; headquartered at the Practice begins 9:45 a.m. Marriott at Sawgrass Resort, and will practice at Dec. 29 — Team arrives 10:15 a.m.; the University of North Player interviews approximately 10:30 a.m.; Florida. The team will Practice begins 10:45 a.m. return home Jan. 2. Virginia Tech Sports Dec. 30 — Team arrives 9:15 a.m.; Information staff in Player interviews approximately 9:30 a.m.; attendance will be Dave Practice begins 9:45 a.m. Smith, sports information director, Anne Panella, Practice Schedule (Alltel Stadium) associate sports Dec. 31 — Team arrives 2 p.m.; information director, Bryan Practice begins 2:30 p.m.; Johnston, assistant sports No interviews at this practice. information director and David Knachel, assistant * Alternate practice site for inclement weather is sports information director. to be determined. Check with the Tech SID for updates. Virginia Tech Sports Information Staff Dave Smith Anne Panella Bryan Johnston David Knachel Sports Information Associate SID Assistant SID Assistant SID Director Bill Dyer Tor ye Hurst Donna Smith With Virginia Tech’s lovable HokieBird mascot Assistant SID Assistant SID Secretary leading the way, Hokie fans have a reputation for travelling in great numbers to support their team. 2 2002 Virginia Tech Gator Bowl Guide 2002 Gator Bowl Directory Bowl Headquarters Virginia Tech Headquarters Marriott at Sawgrass Resort 1000 PGA Tour Blvd.; Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 (904) 285-7777 Florida State Headquarters Radisson Riverwalk Hotel 1515 Prudential Drive; Jacksonville, FL 32207 (904) 396-5100 Media Headquarters Jacksonville Marriott 4670 Salisbury Road; Jacksonville, FL 32256 (904) 296-2222 Virginia Tech Practice Site University of North Florida (Sports Information Office) 4567 St. Johns Bluff Rd. S.; Jacksonville, FL 32224-2645 (904) 620-4025 Coach Frank Beamer speaks with the media at a press conference Florida State Practice Site prior to last year’s Gator Bowl Coaches/Hall of Fame Luncheon. Jacksonville University (Sports Information Office) 2800 University Blvd.; Jacksonville, FL 32211 Gator Bowl Media Conferences (904) 745-7409 The Toyota Gator Bowl will hold two press conferences. Key Phone Numbers Press Conference Schedule for Virginia Tech Cheri Smallenberger (Times may be subject to change) Media Relations, Toyota Gator Bowl Direct: (904) 798-5982 • Home: (904) 262-5021 CSX Team Welcome Party Cellular: (904) 868-3943 Dec. 26 — 4:45-8:00 p.m. • Dave & Buster’s There will be a press conference with both head Virginia Tech SID Workroom (Jacksonville) coaches. Media members will be able to mingle with Marriott at Sawgrass Resort players during the event. (904) 285-7777 (Suite 100) Coaches/Hall of Fame Luncheon Virginia Tech SID Dave Smith Dec. 31 — Noon • Adam’s Mark and the Tech Sports Information Staff Coach Frank Beamer, André Davis, Chad Beasley Marriott at Sawgrass Resort • (904) 285-7777 and Ben Taylor will be available to the media. Virginia Tech SID Office (Blacksburg) 460 Jamerson Center; Blacksburg, VA 24061 Phone: (540) 231-6726 Fax: (540) 231-6984 Florida State SID Rob Wilson and the FSU Sports Information Staff Radisson Riverwalk Hotel • (904) 396-5100 Florida State SID Office (Tallahassee) P. O. Drawer 2195; Tallahassee, FL 32316 Phone: (850) 644-1403 Fax: (850) 644-3820 Postgame Procedures Virginia Tech’s locker room will be closed after the game. Coach Frank Beamer and requested players will be brought to an The Marching Virginians’ “Hokie Pokie” will again entertain the interview area designated by the Toyota Gator Bowl following a thousands of fans in Jacksonville’s Alltel Stadium. brief cooling-off period. 2002 Virginia Tech Gator Bowl Guide 3 The Winding Road to an 8-3 Season Lands Virginia Tech in Jacksonville If you would have asked Now, the Hokies travel to any writer, television analyst Jacksonville, Fla., for a or even the most die-hard showdown with the Florida Hokie fan last February if they State Seminoles. The road to thought the Hokies would go northern Florida has been 8-3 without Michael Vick and twisting, difficult and long, but Lee Suggs, most would have the Hokies navigated it fairly said “probably not.” well and are set for another But here is Virginia Tech, battle in Alltel Stadium. without its two big stars from The season started on an 11-1 season a year ago, Sept. 1 with a home date playing in its second against Connecticut. A consecutive Toyota Gator beautiful summer afternoon at Bowl and ninth straight bowl, Lane Stadium turned sour in overall. the third quarter when Suggs Most thought that with the went around the left side for a Hokies’ favorable schedule, nice gain. At the end of the run, tough running game and his left knee buckled and suffocating defense, they Suggs collapsed. His ACL and might be able to overcome medial meniscus were torn. His losing Vick, the No. 1 overall season was over. And many pick in last year’s NFL Draft. predicted so was the Hokies’. No one considered the The game, as did the possibilities of Tech having season, continued. The Hokies such a successful season rolled over the Huskies, 51-10 without Suggs — the top as first-time starter at scorer in Division I-A football quarterback Grant Noel threw The Tech defense posted a nation’s-best four shutouts this last season and a Heisman for three scores. season. During the Hokies’ 50-0 win at Rutgers, linebacker Jake Houseright picked off a pass and bowled through a candidate this year. But many questions were would-be tackler. But it’s a reality thanks to a left to be answered. Could great team effort, one of the Noel run the show without a The defense continued to Virginia, was supposed to be nation’s top defenses and dominating back behind him? dominate the next week at rattled playing there, and the several big wins. Could the new tandem of Keith Rutgers, posting another Mountaineers had a tough Burnell and Kevin shutout. In the 50-0 win, Noel running back in Avon Jones fill in for tied a school record with four Cobourne. Suggs? Could the TD passes, including three in The contest never lived up defense shoulder the first quarter, and the to the hype as Tech rolled to a the load of a now defense forced six turnovers 35-0 victory at Mountaineer vulnerable in the convincing victory.