By BRIAN WOODSON
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
BLACKSBURG, Va. —
After two seasons serving as the right tackle for the Virginia Tech offense, Blake DeChristopher could have been expected to be in line to switch to the other side.
It didn’t happen, with Nick Becton taking over at left tackle for Ed Wang.
The 6-foot-5, 304-pound three-year starter didn’t let it bother him.
“I wasn’t expecting it, I was expecting to do whatever they wanted me to do,” said DeChristopher, during the Hokies’ media day last month. “In that situation they have had right tackles move over to the left side because they didn’t have left tackles.
“We had Becton and he had been working on it all last year on it so it didn’t really bother me, I will stay wherever the team needs me.”
They just need him on the field when the No. 6/10 ranked Hokies take on No. 3 Boise State on Monday at FedEx Field in Landover, Md.
While it’s a big game for both teams with hopes of national championship contention — something the Hokies faced last season in a season-opening loss to Alabama — DeChristopher doesn’t think of it that way.
“I don’t think it is an advantage (having played that game last year),”
DeChristopher said. “We are going to handle this like every game.
“Every game is the big game of that week so we are just going in there like we need to play.”
Many observers felt that DeChristopher would be protecting quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s back from the left tackle position, but he’ll stay put, a spot he has started at for the last three seasons.
Becton was injured in the preseason, and Andrew Lanier was switched from DeChristopher’s backup to left tackle, and could start on Monday night. Both are expected to play, with DeChristopher staying where he belongs.
“They usually put the left tackle there because he is the best blocker for the blindside, but whatever, the right side is usually the run side,” he said. “I like to think of myself as a run blocker and we’ll see what happens...
“I have gained some weight and hopefully it will help me out in the run blocking, and I work on my pass blocking still too. I will stay on the right side and do what I need to do.”
He’ll definitely enjoy that role this season. The Virginia Tech offense is expected to be as good as it has possibly ever been, led by Taylor, talented backs Ryan Williams, Darren Evans and David Wilson, along with a superior collection of receivers.
“The sky is the limit for this offense, we have so many weapons, that is what is so good about this team,” DeChristopher said. “We are going to try and work together so we will be able to use these weapons against Boise..
“It is exciting. The coaching staff and all the players are excited. It just adds to all the other skills we have with the quarterback, the receivers, and I think the offensive line will be really good.”
That is where any team’s success begins. DeChristopher is confident in what the Hokies will present against the Broncos. He will be joined on the line by senior center Beau Warren, guards Greg Nosal and Jaymes Brooks, along with Becton or Lanier.
Of course, he could switch if needed. Lanier has started just once in college, while Becton has never been in the lineup to begin a game.
“I think we are coming together good,” he said. “We have had all summer together and building relationships and that is what it is all about
“You have got to be able to trust the guy next to you and we have trust in everyone on the offensive line.”
While the offense is expected to be potent, Virginia Tech’s defense is the question mark, if only because of some many youngsters replacing departed standouts. Yet, DeChristopher plays against them every day and likes what he sees from defensive coordinator Bud Foster’s unit.
“They are young guys, but they are talented so they have got a chance to be a good defense,” DeChristopher said. “Some of the young guys need to step up. Coach Foster will get them right so the defense shouldn’t be a problem if they go out there and do their thing.”
DeChristopher is excited, expecting the Hokies to be in the mix for not only the ACC title — a championship Virginia Tech has won in three of its six years in the league — but the Midlothian, Va., product isn’t worried about anything at the end of the season.
Boise State is up first.
“I just go out there and play the game,” he said. “It doesn’t really matter to me where we are ranked because it doesn’t mean anything until we get out there and prove it so that is what we need to do.”
The Hokies plan to do that on Monday, in a big game for both teams. DeChristopher will definitely stand out, if only for his size.
“I’m glad I am built like this,” DeChristopher, with a laugh. “I don’t want to be little and fast, I would rather be a big guy.”
Tech tidbits: Virginia Tech will have to play without starting linebacker Barquell Rivers (quad) and reserve receiver Xavier Boyce (knee) against Boise State. In addition, Rivers’ linebacker mate, Lorenzo Williams, is out for the season with a foot injury.
—Contact Brian Woodson
at bwoodson@bdtonline.com
