Hopeful Hokies begin season against Pirates

Aug 29, 2007, 15:27 GMT

Blacksburg, VA - The ninth-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies open up their 2007 football season this weekend, when they welcome the East Carolina Pirates to Lane Stadium for a non-conference affair.

Frank Beamer's Hokies will be in the national spotlight all season long not only for their play on the field, but as ambassadors for a school and community trying to recover from the tragic events of last April. The Hokies are coming off a highly successful 2006 season in which the team posted a 10-3 overall record and a second-place finish in the ACC's Coastal Division (6-2). Tech was rewarded with a spot in the Chik-fil-A Bowl, dropping a 31-24 decision to Georgia. Still, Virginia Tech's consistent success landed the team in its 14th straight bowl game, one of just four team's in the nation with such a streak (Florida, Florida State and Michigan).

The Pirates also found themselves in the postseason in 2006, taking part in the Papajohns.com Bowl, a 24-7 setback to South Florida. Still, a 7-5 overall regular season record and 5-3 finish in the East Division of Conference USA play was good enough to earn the team its first bowl bid since 2000. More is expected in Skip Holtz's third year at the helm in Greenville.

Virginia Tech leads the all-time series by a count of 8-4 and has won five straight in the series, including the last matchup, a 45-28 decision in 2000.

The Pirates had a strong passing attack in 2006, ranking 31st (232.6 passing ypg) in the nation. However, losing quarterback James Pinkney and wideout Aundrae Allison will cause a change in offensive philosophy this season. The ground game will be implemented much more in 2007. Leading the way will be senior RB Chris Johnson, although he rushed for only 314 yards and four touchdowns last season. Johnson is not an every-down back, so expect junior Dominique Lindsay to get his fair share of touches as well. With four starters returning on the offensive line, sophomore QB Rob Kass can ease into the starting role under center. A big signal-caller, Kass (6-4, 250) has a strong arm and a solid upside. However, Kass is suspended for the season- opener. Sophomore Brett Clay and junior Patrick Pinkey are next in line on the depth chart. They will look to form a report with senior wideouts Steven Rogers (6-0, 182) and Phillip Henry, who is the team's leading returning wideout from 2006 (34 catches and 484 receiving yards).

ECU did a nice job on the defensive side of things as well last year, ranking 52nd nationally in total defense (329.3 ypg). With seven starters back in the fold this unit could do even better in 2007. However, the Pirates did struggle against the run, allowing 145.2 ypg, and must improve up front, especially in this season-opener against a staunch Tech rushing attack. Three starters return up front, giving the Pirates a good nucleus. Throw in North Carolina transfer Khalif Mitchell (6-6, 320 pounds) and ECU has the pieces to possibly dominate up front. All three starters return in the LB corps. Junior Quentin Cotton highlights the trio and he is the team's leading returning tackler (68). In the secondary is where the Pirates may struggle this season, as only one starter is welcomed back. ECU, which had one of the league's best pass defenses the last two years, will lean on returning starter Travis Williams to be a leader (55 tackles, eight PBUs in 2006).

Frank Beamer turned things over to QB Sean Glennon last season and for the most part, he handled the job effectively. Glennon completed just over 56 percent of his passes last year, for 2,191 yards, with 11 TDs and the same number of INTs. He will be backed up by freshman Tyrod Taylor, who was regarded as perhaps the top duel-threat QB in the high school ranks in 2006. The ground game has always been a strength of the Tech offense and last season was no different, as another sophomore, 5-11, 200-pound Brandon Ore handled the lion's share of the workload. Ore rushed for 1,137 yards and 16 TDs, on 4.7 yards per carry. Another All-ACC campaign is well within reach for the talented Ore. When Glennon does decide to pass the ball, look for senior wideouts Eddie Royal and Josh Morgan to be the primary targets downfield. In all, eight starters return from last year's offense, including three along the offensive line. Headlining the group is senior left tackle Duane Brown (6-5, 308), who was a Second-Team All-ACC selection in 2006.

The biggest key to Virginia's Tech's success under Beamer has been the play of the defense. Last season was another banner year on this side of the football in Blacksburg, as the unit led the nation in total defense (219.5 ypg), passing defense (128.2 ypg) and scoring defense (11.0 ppg). Eight starters return from that squad and this is a unit that could be just as dominant as last season. The strength of the squad is in the middle, where the Hokies own the nation's top linebacking unit. Seniors Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi are playmakers with the ability to play sideline-to-sideline. Hall, A First-Team All-conference selection, led the team with 128 total tackles, including 8.5 TFLs and two sacks. Adibi was a Second-Team honoree, finishing with 82 stops, three sacks and three INTs. The secondary returns three of the four starters from a year ago, highlighted by junior CB Brandon Flowers (51 tackles, 18 PBUs, three INTs), another First-Team All-ACC member. The defensive line is an unknown commodity right now, but senior end Chris Ellis (6-5, 267) has the ability to get upfield and make plays on a regular basis.

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