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December 31, 2002 Pacific Bell Park Table of Contents Media Information ............................ 2, 3 Bowl Practice Schedule ....................... 2 Bowl Headquarters .............................. 3 2002 Season Overview .......................................... 4, 5 Bowl Notes ........................................ 6-9 Game-by-Game Review ............... 54-66 Season Superlatives .......................... 67 Final Statistics .............................. 68, 69 BIG EAST Conference Standings and Honors ....................... 70 Statistics and Rankings ................ 71, 72 Football Staff Location: Blacksburg, Virginia Coach Frank Beamer .................... 34-37 Enrollment: 26,000 Assistant Coaches ........................ 40-51 President: Charles W. Steger Associate AD John Ballein ................. 52 Tech Director of Athletics: Jim Weaver Support Personnel ............................. 53 Head Football Coach: Frank Beamer (Virginia Tech, ’69) at a Hokies’ 2002 Football Record: 9-4 overall; 3-4 BIG EAST Beamer’s Overall Record: 158-92-4 (22 years) The Players Glance Beamer’s Record at Tech: 116-69-2 (16 years) Roster, Pronunciation Guide .............. 10 Faculty Chairman of Athletics: Dr. Larry Killough Two-Deep Lineups, Rosters ............... 11 Conference: The BIG EAST Conference Profile Updates ............................. 12-33 Nicknames: Hokies, Fighting Gobblers Colors: Chicago maroon and burnt orange Records and History Sports Information Director: Dave Smith (540) 231-6726 BeamerBall .................................. 38, 39 Sports Information Fax: (540) 231-6984 Tech’s Bowl History ...................... 73, 74 Tech Athletics on the Internet: www.hokiesports.com Individual Bowl Superlatives .............. 75 Team Bowl Marks ............................... 76 2002 San Francisco Bowl Guide Credits Tech’s Career Leaders ....................... 77 Longest Plays/Last Time .................... 78 Editor .................................... Dave Smith The cover photographs and most of Design ....... Anne Panella, Dave Knachel the images in this guide were taken by Contributors .................. Bryan Johnston, Assistant SID David Knachel. Covers The University Larry Hincker, Melissa McKeown, were designed by Knachel. Woody This Is Virginia Tech ........................... 79 Whitney Scott, Kimberly Folkes Veasey also contributed images. President Charles Steger ................... 79 AD Jim Weaver, Administrators.......... 80 Printed by University Printing Services; Publication No.: VT/0825/1202/1.2M/231521VIRGINIA TECH SAN FRANCISCO BOWL GUIDE 1 Virginia Tech Travel Plans Virginia Tech San Francisco Bowl Practice Procedures The Virginia Coach Frank Beamer will be available to the media at the beginning of practice at the practice site. Tech football team Once dressed, Tech players will be available for an interview period prior to practice except the practice on and official travel Dec. 30. party will travel by Media members are encouraged to arrive at the practice field early as the schedule may fluctuate. charter jet and will The first three periods of practice (approximately 30 minutes) will be open to the media, including still arrive in San photographers and videographers. Media members must remain on the sidelines once practice begins. Francisco at Following the first three periods, practice will be closed. approximately 11 Members of the Tech team will not be available for interviews at the team hotel. a.m. (PST), on Thursday, Dec. 26. Practice Schedule (Laney College*) While in San Dec. 27 — Team arrives 9:45 a.m. Francisco, the Player interviews approximately 9:45 a.m. Hokies will be Practice begins at 10 a.m. headquartered at the Practice ends at Noon Hilton San Francisco, and will practice at Dec. 28 — Team arrives 10:45 a.m. Laney College, in Player interviews approximately 10:45 a.m. nearby Oakland. The Practice begins at 11 a.m. team charter will Practice ends at 1 p.m. return home Jan. 1. Virginia Tech Dec. 29 — Team arrives 9:45 a.m. Sports Information Player interviews approximately 9:45 a.m. staff in attendance Practice begins at 10 a.m. will be Dave Smith, Practice ends at Noon sports information director, Anne Panella, associate Practice Schedule (Pacific Bell Park) sports information Dec. 30 — Team arrives 5:30 p.m. director, Bryan Practice begins at 5:30 p.m. Johnston, assistant Practice ends at 6:30 p.m. sports information No interviews at this practice. director and David Coach Frank Beamer addresses the media. Knachel, assistant * Alternate practice site for inclement weather is to be sports information determined. Check with the Tech SID for updates. director. Virginia Tech Sports Information Staff Dave Smith Anne Panella Bryan Johnston David Knachel Bill Dyer Torye Hurst Donna Smith Sports Information Associate SID Assistant SID Assistant SID Assistant SID Assistant SID Secretary Director 2 VIRGINIA TECH SAN FRANCISCO BOWL GUIDE 2002 San Francisco Bowl Directory Bowl Headquarters Virginia Tech Headquarters Hilton San Francisco 333 O'Farrell Street; San Francisco, CA 94102 Phone: (415) 771-1400 Fax: (415) 771-6807 Air Force Headquarters San Francisco Marriott 55 Fourth Street; San Francisco, CA 94103 Phone: (415) 896-1600 Fax: (415) 777-2799 Media Headquarters Grand Hyatt Beautiful Pacific Bell Park is the site for the 2002 Diamond Walnut 345 Stockton Street; San Francisco, CA 94108 San Francisco Bowl. (415) 398-1234 Fax: (415) 392-2536 Virginia Tech Practice Site Bowl Media Opportunities Laney College (Sports Information Office) 900 Fallon Street; Oakland, CA 94542 The Diamond Walnut San Francisco Bowl will hold one (510) 464-3478 press conference. Air Force Practice Site Press Conference for Virginia Tech San Francisco City College (Sports Information Office) Monday, Dec. 30 50 Phelan Avenue; San Francsico, CA 94112 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. (415) 239-3412 (Time may be subject to change) Hilton San Francisco Key Phone Numbers Coach Frank Beamer, Lee Suggs and Willie Pile Sara Hunt will be available to the media. Media Relations, San Francisco Bowl Direct: (415) 972-2429 San Francisco Bowl Team Events* Fax: (415) 947-2925 Cellular: (415) 799-1976 Blue and Gold Fleet Bay Cruise and Alcatraz tour Friday, Dec. 27 Virginia Tech SID Workroom (San Francisco) 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Hilton San Francisco (415) 771-1400 • Fax: (415) 771-6807 Video Game Challenge/Action Theatre/Dinner The Metreon Virginia Tech SID Dave Smith Sunday, Dec. 29 and the Tech Sports Information Staff 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Hilton San Francisco (415) 771-1400 Inaugural San Francisco Bowl Kickoff Luncheon Virginia Tech SID Office (Blacksburg) Hotel Nikko 460 Jamerson Center; Blacksburg, VA 24061 Monday, Dec. 30 Phone: (540) 231-6726 Noon to 2 p.m. Fax: (540) 231-6984 *Contact Sara Hunt of the San Francisco Bowl for Air Force SID Troy Garnhart information about covering these events. and the Air Force Sports Information Staff San Francisco Marriott The Game on Television and Radio (415) 896-1600 The Diamond Walnut San Francisco Bowl will be televised by Air Force SID Office (USAFA, CO) ESPN2. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:36 p.m. (PST), 10:36 p.m. (EST). 2169 Fieldhouse Drive; USAF Academy, CO 80840 Pam Ward will handle the play-by-play, with Chris Spielman Phone: (719) 333-9263 handling color and Rob Stone on the sidelines. Fax: (719) 333-3798 Tech is 83-46 all-time in televised games and is 10-3 in games televised by ESPN2. Virginia Tech is 0-2 on ESPN2 this year, dropping contests to Pittsburgh and West Virginia. Postgame Procedures The game will also be called by Bill Roth and Mike Burnop on Virginia Tech’s locker room will be closed after the game. Coach the Virginia Tech ISP Sports Radio Network. That broadcast can Frank Beamer and requested players will be brought to an interview also be accessed through Tech’s official athletics web site, area designated by the Diamond Walnut San Francisco Bowl www.hokiesports.com. following a brief cooling-off period. VIRGINIA TECH SAN FRANCISCO BOWL GUIDE 3 Youthful Hokies LSU. Many wondered how Tech would hold up against the cap season defending SEC champions. The Hokies answered with a with trip to the convincing 26-8 victory, relying on the strength of the defensive Diamond Walnut and special teams units. Defensive end Jim Davis San Francisco Bowl recorded three sacks on the At the start of this season, day, while the Hokies’ defense fans and critics alike predicted a limited LSU to only 214 “rebuilding” year for the Virginia offensive yards. Redshirt Tech football team. Having lost sophomore Jason Lallis and several key players from last redshirt freshman Justin year’s 8-4 season, the Hokies Hamilton each blocked a punt, had several problem areas to resulting in 9 points for the address. The quarterback Hokies (a touchdown and a position was a huge unknown safety). with the torn ACL of returning Tech couldn’t rest on its starter Grant Noel and the laurels after the LSU victory, inexperience of sophomore with 16th-ranked Marshall backup Bryan Randall. The coming into Lane Stadium/ wide receiver positions were Worsham Field for a Thursday also a big question mark, with night game. The Thundering the graduation of All-American Herd, led by Heisman hopeful André Davis. And the defense quarterback Byron Leftwich, was characterized by its youth, hoped to snatch a victory from particularly at the defensive the toughest opponent on their tackle and linebacker spots, schedule. Instead, the duo of which lost All-Americans David Suggs and Jones combined for Pugh and Ben Taylor. With 324