By BRIAN WOODSON
BLUEFIELD — For the first time since 2006, Virginia Tech won’t be playing in the ACC championship game.
Still, the Hokies have plenty to play for. For instance, No. 16 Virginia Tech could reach the 10-win plateau for a sixth straight season, but they have to win three more games to make it happen.
They only have three games left.
“I think when you talk about pride in each other and just getting better as a football team and being a really good football team at the end of the year, that means continuing to win,” Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer said. “If we can do that and somehow get 10 wins against a tough schedule, it would be very gratifying, something you would really feel good about and feel good about each other and good about this football team.
“We’ve got to keep working in that regard. With this one Saturday, we’ve got to crank it up for that one though.”
Saturday marks the first visit to Lane Stadium for North Carolina State (4-6, 1-5) since 2004, a 17-16 loss for the Hokies during a season that started the run of 10-win campaigns.
Even though the Wolfpack was a darkhorse choice to win the ACC’s Atlantic Division before the season, the visitors from Raleigh have dropped five of their last six games after a 3-1 start.
Still, Virginia Tech is wary of the Tom O’Brien-coached Wolfpack that does have a win over Pittsburgh, the only loss for the Panthers this season.
“This N.C. State really is a scary team, the way they can score points, they can get the ball down the field in a hurry,” Beamer said. “They’re just a very dangerous team in that regard.”
N.C. State can score, as evidence by 32.6 points a contest, but they’ve also allowed 30.9. The ‘Pack has surrendered 31 or more points in their last seven games.
“They have given up a lot of plays, but from what I can see, they have a very good defense,” said Virginia Tech junior signal-caller Tyrod Taylor, whose quarterbacks coach, Mike O’Cain, was the head coach at N.C. State from 1993-99. “They’re just a little inexperienced sometimes in the secondary, but their front four is one of the best in the ACC and they have a good linebacker corps too.
“We’ve still got to play our game, we’ve got to go out there and execute the plays that are called and just play our game.”
Taylor was shocked to learn during Tuesday’s teleconference that his 268 yard and three-touchdown performance last Saturday at Maryland put him fifth all-time for the Hokies in total offense.
Not bad for a junior who had to share playing time with Sean Glennon before this season.
“I wasn’t aware of that stat right there,” Taylor said. “It seems like I’m learning something new every time I come here to the podium, but it’s great to have those accomplishments. I’ve just got to keep working to get better.”
N.C. State is led by Russell Wilson, one of the ACC’s top quarterbacks, who Taylor is looking forward to playing against for the first time. Wilson has thrown for 2,853 yards and 26 touchdowns this season.
“I get up for every game, but Russell is a good player and this is the first time I get a chance to play against him,” Taylor said. “I’m looking forward to the game, I’m sure a lot is going to be talked about the quarterbacks and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Even though the hopes of an ACC or national title were dashed with consecutive losses in October to Georgia Tech and North Carolina, Taylor said the Hokies are still striving for three more wins.
“Ever since we lost the first game, we’ve continued to play each game like it is our last,” Taylor said. “I know we had two games that we did lose, but it’s been the like that, whether it’s the ACC championship or not, we just want to go out there and give it our all every game.”
Much like Taylor, Beamer will miss the current collection of seniors, which in five years have won 49 games, two ACC titles and a pair of bowl games.
“We’ve had a good run, I really like this football team, I really like our seniors, I really like our leadership, and I like what they have been all about,” said Beamer, whose Hokies have won two straight following the two-game losing skid. “I think it has come through the last two weeks the way we have played after some real disappointment.
“I think that goes right back to your seniors and how they have hung in there and kept this team together and played well themselves. It’s a good group, really some guys you hate to see leave, but they have had a good run here, helped us win a lot of ball games.”
While a bowl destination is still a mystery for the Hokies, Beamer isn’t worried about postseason just yet. They’ve got N.C. State, followed by state rival Virginia in Charlottesville on Nov. 28.
“Like I’ve said many times, I’ve never been to a bad bowl,” Beamer said. “I think the thing for us to do is to concentrate on N.C. State and get that one — that is going to be tough — and everything else will take care of itself.”
Already winding down his junior campaign, Taylor admitted to being a little surprised at how fast his tenure at Virginia Tech has gone.
“It is kind of overwhelming that my senior year came so quick,” Taylor said. “It seems like I was just a freshman not too long ago.”
Taylor knows Saturday will be an emotional day for some of his teammates. He wants them to go out with a smile.
“As far as this senior group, they have shown very good leadership this past year, especially during the summer, just bringing the team together,” Taylor said. “It has been one of the better teams I have been on as far as leadership from the seniors...
“It’s always good to send your seniors out on a winning note because some of these guys won’t get a chance to play this game after they leave here. I would like to send all those guys out with a win and a positive note.”
—Contact Brian Woodson
at bwoodson@bdtonline.com
