Collegiate Times

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The Virginia Tech football team opened up its playbook Saturday in the second of three preseason scrimmages this August — the last one open to the public.

The Hokies scored six offensive touchdowns, including two from recently named backup quarterback Logan Thomas. In the first scrimmage the Saturday before, the coaching staff had yet to implement its red-zone playbook, meaning drives were automatically halted once they reached the 20-yard line.

On Saturday, however, the offense wasted no time finding pay dirt. Tyrod Taylor capped a six-play, 70-yard drive with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Dyrell Roberts on the scrimmage’s first possession.

Yet the standout of the scrimmage was David Wilson. The sophomore running back is listed third on the depth chart behind Ryan Williams and Darren Evans but is expected to redshirt this season.

“I mentioned that I wanted to redshirt at the end of last season, and from that point I just wanted to make the decision hard on the coaches,” Wilson said.

Wilson did his part on Saturday. He carried the ball six times for 39 yards, including an impressive 12-yard scamper against the first-string defense. The touchdown run, which was designed to go straight up the middle, ended with Wilson bouncing the ball to the sideline, and he pranced into the end zone untouched.

Williams, who broke Tech’s single season rushing record last season as a freshman, saw more action in Saturday’s scrimmage than the week before.

Williams carried the ball nine times for 49 yards and a touchdown. He was his usual self, breaking tackles on several runs and squeezing his way through seemingly airtight holes for impressive gains.

The coaches even showcased two plays out of the “Wildcat” formation, with Williams taking the direct snap. One play resulted in a one-yard run by Dyrell Roberts, while the other was a Williams run for no gain.

The Hokies had a scare early on when starting punter Brian Saunders’ punt was blocked by Cris Hill, who picked up the ball from 22 yards away and scored a touchdown.

Saunders left the field limping, and his right ankle was immediately wrapped in ice. Afterward, head coach Frank Beamer said the injury was nothing serious.

“I think he just bruised his foot, they (think) he’s going to be OK,” Beamer said.

Thomas, who was named the official backup quarterback last Monday, completed six of 16 passes for 45 yards. He also carried the ball three times for 18 yards. He had a 16-yard touchdown run, but it was called back by a holding penalty.

“I thought he did OK,” Beamer said. “He’s another guy that just needs to get in there and learn from what is happening.”

The first-string defense did not have a great day. It was on the field for four of the six touchdowns.

“We’re driving into the kids that they’ve got to be consistent with their performance,” defensive coordinator Bud Foster said. “I think we’re getting closer and closer.”

The Hokies were missing one projected starter in the secondary. Sophomore field corner Jayron Hosley has missed most of fall camp with a hamstring injury. Earlier in the week, head trainer Mike Goforth said he expected Hosley to play Saturday, but he did not participate.

“Yeah, I’m concerned. He’s a big time player and a big time prospect,” Foster said.

With just over two weeks to go before the season opener against Boise State, Foster said his defense is not where it needs to be to win that game.

“I think we’re making progress,” Foster said. “We’ll look at this thing very closely tonight and tomorrow and really zero in.”

A version of this article appeared in the Aug 23 issue of the Collegiate Times.