Matchup brings back memories of the beginning for VT

By Eddie Griffin  |   Friday, September 22, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Virginia Tech Hokies
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!

Virginia Tech takes on Cincinnati in Blacksburg on Saturday, in a matchup between old Big East and new Big East.

The last time the Hokies and the Bearcats squared off was in 1995, when UC came into Lane Stadium and blanked the home team 16-0.

It was the second of consecutive season-opening defeats the Hokies took to open 1995, the first being in the opener to Boston College.

It was also the last loss that Virginia Tech took that season, with an offense led by the strong arm of Jim Druckenmiller, the running exploits of Dwayne Thomas and Ken Oxendine and the big plays of Jermaine Holmes and Bryan Still. Their suffocating, playmaking defense Hokie fans have come to know and love engineered the team to its first Big East championship and 10 straight wins, including a Sugar Bowl victory over Texas.

That was when the nation really started to find out just who Virginia Tech was, and it was the first of its three Big East championships in a five-year period. The Michael Vick era is the one most think of when it comes to Virginia Tech history, but there'd have been no 1999 if not for 1995.

You would think that, by now, the school better known as VPI wouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

But it appears the Hokies are quietly moving toward that place in the polls that they've become accustomed to since that historic '95.

They surprised the ACC and a lot of people by winning the conference in its debut year of 2004, when most thought that it'd be owned by either perennial juggernaut Florida State or the more heralded newcomer, Miami. Last year they were a surprise of the opposite, missing out on the ACC title and a BCS berth by faltering after an 8-0 start.

This year is setting up to be a surprise of the good kind again.

With the departure of another Vick (Marcus), that one more infamous than famous, the Hokies were ranked in the bottom half of the preseason polls.

But Tech has rolled in its first three games, and, with each passing week, has rolled up the Top 25 -- this week peaking at No. 10 in the coaches poll (which, if you're a fan of the BCS, is the one that matters).

Granted, the Hokies' first three opponents (Northeastern, North Carolina and Duke) carry more threat in their collective nicknames than they pose on the field, but there is every reason to be impressed and encouraged by VT's early-season performances.

A little defense, a little more defense, enough offense and some more defense. That's how the team has gotten it done over the last decade, and that's how it's done the job this year.

Time for a little memory refreshment. What happened the last time Virginia Tech had a new starting QB with the No. 7 on his back?

OK, a run toward the national title might be going a little far, but new QB Sean Glennon is definitely coming into his own under center, having logged his first career 300-yard game in Saturday's 36-0 demolishing of Duke. He's no Vick (but, then again, who is, but the man himself?), but he has been the picture of efficiency: 66.7 completion percentage, 589 yards, five touchdowns and only two interceptions.

With he and the running of touchdown-machine Branden Ore, the offense is capable of putting up a big day, but with the capabilities of the defense, an efficient game with minimal mistakes is just as good as putting up 400-plus yards. Beamer Ball is known for its big-play ability, but that's more in terms of the defense and special teams.

And, of course, there have been the requisite big plays by the defense (four interceptions, one TD versus North Carolina, eight turnovers forced) and the special teams (punt return for a touchdown against Duke). But, in the first three games, the offense has generated 10 plays of 20 yards or more, including five of 41 yards or more.

If the D keeps it up, an ACC title certainly is within reach. The Coastal Division looks to be winnable. Georgia Tech has all-world potential, but translating it into conference contender status is another thing. And Miami? The jury's out on the Hurricanes until they beat a I-A team.

After Saturday's tussle with the 'Cats, the schedule gets a little tougher for the Hokies, and that'll show just how far this edition of Beamer Ball can fly.

But, first things first.

Cincinnati will be looking to pull a surprise of its own on Saturday, and the 'Cats are capable of it, as they showed last Saturday against top-ranked Ohio State. The 37-7 scoreline isn't a fair indication of the fight the Bearcats put up in Columbus. They gave the Buckeyes a great deal of trouble, holding a lead until late in the second quarter and staying in the game until the Buckeyes pulled away in the final quarter.

But, Lane Stadium is a little more than it was when that last Cincinnati came into it and walked out with a win. There won't be anything friendly in the eyes of the Hokie defenders when they go after Bearcat QB Dustin Grutza.

If the Hokies carry the momentum from the first three games into Saturday, they'll be well prepared for any Bearcat attack, and the only surprise in Lane Stadium will be if the game stays too close.

However, anything the offense does this weekend will be minus leading receiver David Clowney, who underwent an emergency appendectomy Thursday, and will miss the next couple of weeks. Clowney had 13 catches for 182 yards in the first three games. He made four catches for a career-high 120 yards last Saturday against Duke, including a 60-yard reception on the game's first play from scrimmage.

Get more on the Virginia Tech Hokies at RealFootball365.com
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article! (0)

Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report