Virginia Tech Is Looking to Build on the Momentum Gained After Winning the Atlantic Coast Conference Title in Its fi Rst Year in the League
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Virginia Tech is looking to build on the momentum gained after winning the Atlantic Coast Conference title in its fi rst year in the league Burruss Hall houses the VirVirginiaginia TTechech administradministrationation in the middle ooff the beautiful campuscampus.. Senior defensive end Darryl Tapp, who is garnering preseason All-America honors, is one of six returning starters on defense for the Hokies. Tech’s 2004 defensive squad was one of the nation’s best 2003 and should combine with a talented offense to give the Hokies another shot at a conference title. INSIGHT 11th bowl of 12 in a row The 2005 Season Outlook out the 2004 season. He worked position, especially with the his way to the top during the 15 presence of Glennon. The 6-3 A Quick Glance spring practice sessions, edging Glennon served as the backup to Virginia Tech returns 14 starters — eight on offense and six on out sophomore Sean Glennon in Randall last season as a freshman defense — from a squad that fi nished 10-3 last season, ranked No. a close race. Redshirt freshman and has put a lot of time and 10 in both national polls, captured the ACC title and made a trip to Cory Holt was also in the running effort into learning the Tech the Sugar Bowl for the program’s 12th-straight bowl appearance. until being sidelined by a shoulder system. injury. Gone from last year’s team are a number of key fi gures, none “We have a lot of confi dence bigger than quarterback Bryan Randall, who was named the ACC “After evaluating the spring in Sean Glennon,” Beamer says. Player of the Year for his clutch play and outstanding leadership. game, as well as our whole spring “He is very capable and very Defensive tackle Jim Davis, the heart of a Tech defense that ranked practice, we felt that it was smart. Sean is a critical part of among the top 10 teams nationally in seven categories, is also appropriate to name Marcus the this football team.” gone, along with leading tackler Mikal Baaqee and three starting starter for our football team,” members of the defensive secondary. Beamer said. “I think Marcus Overall, the quarterback had an excellent spring. He has position will feature six the ability to make some big players when 2005 recruits Ike plays and did so throughout the Whitaker and Greg Boone report Where The Early Decision spring.” for practice. Walk-on Grant By naming his starting Throckmorton, who joined the Hokies Stand quarterback after spring practice, Beamer is hoping the team last year, rounds out the When preseason practice Beamer averted a summer move will give Vick a chance to candidates. Vick is the only one opens, the key goals for head of questions and allowed establish a leadership role. of the six who is shorter than coach Frank Beamer and his redshirt junior Marcus Vick the 6-foot-3. staff will include fi nalizing opportunity to get established. “I think going into the the starters and fi rming up Vick started the spring as the summer workouts is a good the depth along the offensive time for Marcus to be the leader Déja Vu? No. 3 man on After winning the Atlantic and defensive lines and at the the depth and take control of the team,” safety positions. There is also Beamer points out. “I thought Coast Conference Championship chart, after in its fi rst season as a member, a need for a backup at the sitting last summer Bryan Randall boundary corner, as well as some did a great job of taking Virginia Tech’s football team fi nds questions to be answered at control of the team itself facing high expectations fullback. and we would like for from fans and media alike, Marcus to do the heading into the 2005 season. “Those are the things we same thing.” need to get squared away,” The Hokies don’t have to look Beamer says. “I think we have Beamer far to see what happened the established a good starting feels good about last time they entered a season point, but it remains to be seen the Hokies’ that was surrounded by such what this team is going to be quarterback high expectations. In 2003, a like. We need to see how hard star-studded Tech team that was we work during the summer and ranked ninth in the preseason how dedicated we are when we Associated Press poll got blinded come back in the fall for our by the hype and lost its focus, preseason practices.” along with four of its last fi ve games. One of that team’s victories in a 7-1 start was a 31-7 Strong Points win over No. 2-ranked Miami. Offensively, Tech has to Marcus Vick solidify its line, but when you With that in mind, Beamer’s start talking about the tight 2005 Hokies aren’t likely to be ends, the wide outs and the talking about the hype. running backs — the skill, speed and ability at those “The only thing we need to positions is very good. be concerned about,” Beamer says, “is getting to practice every Defensively, the Hokies day, getting a little bit better are going to be fast, and that’s as a football team and playing the way they like it. Beamer well on Saturday. The rankings hopes to be able to rotate two and expectations may make good teams into the game to keep the conversation, but the bottom line defense fresh. When the Hokies is how you perform in the fall have been able to do that, they and how the injury situation goes have been at their best. during the season.” 16 Virginia Tech Hokies OffensiveOffensive LLineine RETURNERS No. Name Cl. Pos. Mason Baggett Jr. OT 61 Reggie Butler Sr. OT 57 Tripp Carroll r-So. C Rashad Ferebee Sr. OG 74 Bandon Frye r-Jr. OT 77 Brandon Gore r-Jr. OG Zac Lowe Jr. OG 67 Nick Marshman r-Fr. OT 52 Jimmy Martin Sr. OT 69 Danny McGrath r-Jr. C 66 Will Montgomery r-Sr. OG/C 72 Jason Murphy r-Sr. OG 58 Ryan Shuman r-Fr. C 51 Matt Welsh r-Fr. OT NEWCOMERS No. Name Cl. Pos. 79 Eric Davis Fr. OT 64 Richard Graham Fr. OT 76 Brandon Holland Fr. OG 65 Robert Norris Fr. OG 63 Antonio North Fr. OG Jason Murphy Jimmy Martin Headlines Right Guard … Helped out on special teams, to continue to improve his game if • Three starters return for JASON MURPHY — Helped out but is ready to help out on he wants to be a contributor. Bryan Stinespring from a line that led a lot last year when moved into offense this season … Is backing an offense that averaged 178.2 the starting line up … Brings up at left guard … Is a big part Stinespring on rushing yards, 187.3 passing yards a lot of athleticism up front … of Tech’s game plan … May be His Newcomers and 30.8 points per game last year. Is a guy who can create some working toward being in the opportunities to move the ball starting fi ve … If he is, then “We are going to try to and create some running lanes. Stinespring can move Montgomery get a couple of them ready to • Jimmy Martin has started 32 play. I have talked to Antonio games in a row at tackle, the back to the center. Center North from the very beginning longest active streak on the team DANNY McGRATH — Had a good of recruiting. I anticipate him to heading into the season. off-season … Enters the fall as Left Tackle be an interior guy who will come the No. 1 man at center, but has JIMMY MARTIN — Is a guy who in and play. We will give him • Will Montgomery makes the to re-establish himself once fall can protect the quarterback’s surely one of the quicker looks. move from center back to guard practice starts. back side … An athletic offensive Obviously we have prep schooler after starting all 13 games a year lineman … Is a key player for the Brandon Holland. We will see ago in the middle. RYAN SHUMAN — Coaches Hokies this season … Coaches are what happens when he gets here. think he has a bright future … looking for him to take his game There are a couple of guys such as The Players Between him and McGrath, the to a higher level. Eric Davis, Richard Graham and Right Tackle ability to handle that center Robert Norris we have looked at REGGIE BUTLER — The leader at spot is going to be important for for an interior standpoint and we the position going into the fall, the Hokies. BRANDON FRYE — Will serve as would like to see if we can get but has not won the job … Has the top back-up to Martin … Needs them ready to play.” got the experience, knowledge Left Guard and strength but there is going WILL MONTGOMERY — Will to have to be consistency for him be the starting left guard … Is Coach Stinespring on the Line to be the starting tackle for every Tech’s best guard and its best game … Coaches are looking for center … From top to bottom, “My attitude has been that the success of our offense is going that higher level of consistency is probably Tech’s best offensive to be directly related to the play of our offensive line. We have to from him. lineman … Gives Stinespring continue to grow up front, both individually and as a group.