Collegiate Times

Fresh off their first win of the season, the Hokies play host again this Saturday afternoon as the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets swarm Blacksburg. Virginia Tech kicks off ACC play with an immaculate record in conference openers, with a 16-1 record under head coach Frank Beamer.

"When it gets down to your conference games, that's when you hit another notch," Beamer said of this game. "I think it needs to be a different tempo for us."

The Hokies will have to get over the offensive woes that have plagued them in their first two games in order to pull out a win against Georgia Tech.

"We need to consistently block better," Beamer said. "I don't question the dedication of that offensive line, because I saw what they did this summer. They stayed here and they lost weight. We haven't consistently formed well ... but I think we will."

"We did expect to be farther along than we are now," said offensive lineman Nick Marshman. "I think that we know that we need to work and keep getting better ... make sure that we stay more consistent throughout games. I know in the back of my head, once I cross the white line, it's time to get nasty ... it's time to be mean."

Marshman is part of a line that will assume the grueling task of blocking Georgia Tech's Michael Johnson, a 6' 7", 260-pound senior defensive end. The Hokies' offensive line faces a senior-laden Yellow Jacket squad, with three of the four starting linemen in their final season.  

Coach Beamer would not address whether that line would be blocking for sophomore quarterback Tyrod Taylor or redshirt senior Sean Glennon when the Hokie offense premiers in ACC play on Saturday.

"Everything is one block away from springing it," Marshman said. "With another guy (Tyrod Taylor) back there that can run it, it's OK, but sometimes you want that veteran leadership (Sean Glennon) as well. It doesn't matter which quarterback is back there, we need to be able to run the ball."

Because of a lack of offensive production in their first two games, the coaching staff has received heat from dissatisfied fans early and often this season.  

"When your tailbacks are new and your receivers are new, I think we're in a growing stage," Beamer said. "When you're in high school last year, you don't understand quite the sense of urgency that it is playing in the ACC ... the first conference game. That's where we want to get to this week."

Georgia Tech's Paul Johnson, who was named head coach on Dec. 7, 2007, brings along with his Yellow Jacket squad a unique offensive set that he found success with at Navy, presenting quite a task for the Hokie defense.

"It's definitely a challenge for our football team," Beamer said. "They run that option offense, and they run it well. It uses speed, counteraction.

"They'll come right at you. There's nothing wrong with that offense. (Jonathan) Dwyer ... they get him out there on that speed option, and he's averaging 110 yards a game."

The Hokie defense intercepted five passes in last year's game against Georgia Tech. However, with Johnson's system of running the option, the Yellow Jackets' athletic and mobile sophomore quarterback, Josh Nesbitt, figures to be handing off and carrying the ball much more than last year.