On Election Day, Frank Beamer refused to reveal his choice for starting quarterback this Thursday night against Maryland. Both Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor have received limited work in practice and remain questionable. Wide receiver Danny Coale said that third-stringer Cory Holt has received the most repetitions in practice thus far out of the three quarterbacks.
Lane Stadium will see a high profile return tomorrow night as Tech clashs with No. 23 Maryland on national television. Beamer said it's tough for a young team to manage the road slate -- four of the last five games -- that his team has had.
Tech will face a major challenge in forcing pressure on Maryland quarterback Chris Turner with its typical four-man rush, as the Terrapins sport four offensive linemen who are two-year starters. Beamer considered this offensive line unit the best his team has faced all season.
Beamer mentioned that Jahre Cheeseman will take snaps at running back this Thursday, sharing No. 2 duties with Josh Oglesby. Cheeseman had been spending time at fullback after suffering an injury that had set him back in the tailback race this past spring. Cheeseman, a redshirt junior, is now back at the position he originally filled on the Hokies' roster. Beamer said that the running game is critical to Tech's offense and that if Taylor could return it would significantly improve the situation.
Freshman free safety Lorenzo Williams' injury may not keep him out for the entire season as originally feared, but for now, freshman cornerback Eddie Whitley has been spending time at Williams' position in practice.
Currently, Beamer is satisfied with the position of his team -- which he considered his youngest and facing its toughest schedule -- despite coming off two consecutive losses. This is mainly because the Hokies control their own destiny in the ACC.
Beamer also mentioned that he left a phone message with Tennessee head coach Phil Fulmer yesterday, who agreed to step down as the Volunteers' head coach following this season.
Fulmer hired Beamer's son, Shane, as a graduate assistant in 2000. After he was there for three years, Shane eventually received a full-time position with Mississippi State. The two coached against each other in the 1994 Gator Bowl, a game won by Tennessee, 45-23.
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