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August 31, 2009

Beamer remembers big games of the past

By LARRY EDENS

BLACKSBURG, Va. — It was only two years ago that Southeastern Conference power LSU avenged a 2002 26-8 loss to Virginia Tech with a 48-7 pasting of the Hokies in Baton Rouge.

It was Virginia Tech’s worst loss in the Frank Beamer era and many wondered at the time how it would affect the team as the season progressed. As it turned out, not much.

The Hokies proceeded to win 10 of their final 12 games, including the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game against Boston College. Their season culminated in an Orange Bowl loss to Kansas.

On Saturday, Virginia Tech, ranked number seven in the USA Today Top 25 Coaches’ Poll, will meet an equally challenging SEC foe in number-five-ranked Alabama.

It will be the season opener for both teams and played in front of a sellout crowd in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Just like in 2007, although this time well before the game is played, some are wondering how a loss to or win over the Crimson Tide will influence Virginia Tech’s season. Beamer is not one of those.

“The first thing I told my team in our team meeting is if we win, it doesn’t make our season; if we lose, it doesn’t make our season. There will be things still to happen, but it will be a great opportunity,” said Beamer.

Beamer owns the only Tech win over Alabama in 11 tries, a 38-7 victory in the inaugural 1998 Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tenn.

“When we got beat by LSU in our second game, we came back and in the last week of the season, we were ranked, I think, fourth in the Bowl Championship Series.

“Numbers two and three lost, and we were ready to go to number two. LSU jumped over us because they had beaten us so badly. My point is, no matter what happens, when you play one of the top teams in the country, you have to put the game in perspective.”

That’s good advice in any season, but particularly this one. Following the Alabama game will be consecutive home games versus Marshall, Nebraska, and Miami, with the latter two being especially daunting.

Nebraska is ranked 22nd in the country while ACC rival Miami will be looking to make it two wins in a row over the Hokies after defeating them 16-14 last season in Miami.

Beamer credits Director of Athletics Jim Weaver with doing the hard work required to secure teams like those aforementioned.

“When I first came to Virginia Tech, I knew one of the things we had to do was schedule better. When you start talking about Alabama, Nebraska, and Miami — three out of the first four ballgames — that’s scheduling better,” Beamer said.

“If we get through this one, we’ll deserve everything that we get because it’s a tough one.”

Since his first season as head coach in 1987, Beamer has won 177 games.

Saturday’s game will feature a contrast in quarterbacks. Junior Greg McElroy will be Alabama’s new starting quarterback after two seasons in a reserve role; junior Tyrod Taylor started 10 games last season for the Hokies.

McElroy has 16 career completions in 20 attempts for 196 yards and two touchdowns; Taylor was the top rusher among quarterbacks in the ACC with 738 yards. In addition, he ran for seven touchdowns and averaged five yards per carry.

Alabama returns nine starters while Virginia Tech returns seven on defenses that finished last season ranked in the Top Ten in total and scoring defense.

Beamer believes the Crimson Tide’s inexperience at quarterback on the offensive side of the ball may be offset by their experience overall on the defensive side of the ball.

“I hope their getting a new quarterback helps our situation, but all of the guys they get back on defense help their situation,” he said.

The game is slated to begin at 8 p.m. and will be televised by ABC.

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