The Virginia Tech football team has taken two confidence-building steps forward after getting knocked down fairly hard against LSU three weeks ago.
The Hokies are now enjoying a two-game winning streak after soundly defeating the William & Mary Tribe by a score of 44-3 this past weekend.
Tech barely needed a full half to put away the Tribe as the Hokies put on a show and scored in a hurry, taking a 27-0 lead in the first quarter and going into the half with a comfortable 41-3 lead.
The flurry of points came as a collective effort of solid runs, tight defense, and nearly flawless special teams play. Even though Tech looked slightly sluggish in the second half, the second team offenses and defenses showed signs of improvement from last week against Ohio.
Quarterback Tyrod Taylor got a second start under his belt, but continues to develop his game as he has not faced a tough test since leaving Baton Rouge. He threw his first career passing touchdown this weekend, but he will be forced to grow up quickly as stiffer competition rolls around this October.
"There are some things that Tyrod will just have to learn from playing each week," said head coach Frank Beamer in a post-game press conference, "He's going to improve, and as he improves, our football team will be able to do the same."
Taylor has shown flashes of brilliance in approximately two and a half games this season, putting together 435 total yards on offense and two rushing scores, doing so with limited playing time because of score.
"Ideally we'd like him to get a few more plays in during the game but with the score the way it was we just wanted him to be ready for next week," Beamer said of Taylor's playing time against William & Mary.
Beamerball reared its head against William & Mary with several game changing performances. Cornerback Brandon Flowers, a third team All-American in 2006, started the party, scoring on a 49-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter.
"The receiver came out of his break and I felt really good on my coverage so I sliced in front of him in order to try and get to the ball and that's what I did," said Flowers.
Meanwhile, Eddie Royal showed speed and moves that brought the special teams back to life with a dazzling 60-yard touchdown down the middle of the field on a punt return early in the second quarter.
"I just think that anytime I am able to touch the ball I need to try and make something happen out there," said Royal.
Defense and special teams, hallmarks of Beamer and defensive coordinator Bud Foster's squad, flexed their might just before the crucial conference slate.
"It's really good to see that Beamerball's back," said Flowers, "Our defense came out ready to play and we definitely showed them last week wasn't a fluke and it's just what we needed to get our confidence before this ACC run."