VIRGINIA TECH REPORT: Back in Blacksburg

Back in Blacksburg
I’ll be blogging throughout today’s game against Western Kentucky (one of the many benefits of a 1:30 p.m. kickoff). Check back for updates.

POSTGAME THOUGHTS
The blowout never came. The Hokies failed to impress against four-touchdown underdog Western Kentucky, but at least they won 27-13.

Tech coach Frank Beamer and many of his players said after the game that they expect these close games to be the norm, so get an ample supply of Pepto and get ready for the second half of the season.

The bye week comes at a good time for the Hokies, who are hurting right now. The extra time off won’t help starting running back Kenny Lewis Jr., though. He’s done for the season, a huge blow for this team. It’s come to rely on the mature-beyond-his-years Lewis. He’ll be around to give the team encouragement, but not having him on the field is devastating.

He leads the team in all-purpose yards and is one of the team’s most vocal leaders. Running backs coach Billy Hite said he’s like a father to the rest of the team. That says a lot. Darren Evans can pick up the slack on the field, and Josh Oglesby will get his chance to make an impact on offense now.

FIRST HALF OBSERVATIONS
Virginia Tech long snapper Matt Tuttle won homecoming king honors. Must have been the T-shirt campaign. His teammates came to Tuesday’s press gathering wearing “Get in the huddle … Vote for Tuttle” T-shirts.

Now on to the game …

Virginia Tech hasn’t had the breakout offensive game I expected, but it hasn’t been bad. Sophomore quarterback Tyrod Taylor threw his first touchdown pass of the season, a 27-yarder to tight end Greg Boone. Darren Evans scored his seventh touchdown of the season. He lept over the line with 25 seconds left in the first half to put Tech up 17-3.

Macho Harris has been a monster in the return game. His 32-yard punt return set up Tech’s second touchdown drive, and he returned an interception 49 yards to the 5 with eight seconds left in the half. Dustin Keys kicked his second field goal of the game, and 11th straight, for a 20-3 halftime lead.

Taylor fumbled three times in the first half and lost one. It was the first lost fumble of the season for the Hokies, who entered the game as one of only three Football Bowl Subdivision teams without a lost fumble.

WKU has 96 total yard. Forty-six of those yards came on a fake punt from punter Jeremy Moore to linebacker Blake Boyd. Another 20 came on a pass completion from David Wolke to wide receiver Wenquel Graves.

The fake punt set up WKU’s only points of the first half, Tanner Siewert’s 48-yard field goal.

One more thing before the second half …

I’m intrigued by WKU’s mascot, Big Red. He’s having a good time hanging out with the Highty Tighties in the South End Zone stands. A few minutes ago, he was crowd surfing, and I think I saw him swallow a water bottle.

PREGAME
Could Virginia Tech finally have an easy victory? It hasn’t happened yet for the Hokies, who have squeaked out three straight wins and even struggled for a half against Furman in their last non-conference home game (Sept. 6).

I’m thinking Tech, a 28-point favorite, would like to do away with the theatrics and win one big for a change.

This is a good opportunity to unleash the passing game, which took a big step forward last week at Nebraska. Tyrod Taylor is clearly taking ownership of the offense, and he can really gain a measure of confidence today. I’m predicting he surpasses the 200-yard mark for the first time since last November’s home win over Florida State.

I’m also predicting a breakout game from wide receiver Jarrett Boykin, if for no other reason than the feature I wrote about him this week. Seems every time I write a feature about a Tech player, he has a good game the same week. Happened for Stephan Virgil against ECU and Dustin Keys last week at Nebraska.

WKU’s mascot is the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen. It’s a giant amorphous red blob named Big Red. You may remember Big Red from the ESPN Sportscenter commercials. A lot of personality, and a big hit with the fans, but I have no idea what it’s supposed to be.

Some other facts about WKU …

The Hilltoppers are transitioning into the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision. According to their media guide, the football program was one vote away from being eliminated by the WKU Board of Regents in 1992.

Good thing it didn't get the ax, because it eventually won the NCAA Division I-AA championship (now Football Championship Subdivision) in 2002.

Jack Harbaugh, father of Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh and Baltimore Colts coach John Harbaugh, was WKU’s coach from 1989-2002. He won 91 games and a national championship.

Lynchburg native Romeo Crennel is one of the notable Hilltopper graduates. The current Cleveland Browns coach and former Central (Amherst) High graduate played on the defensive line at WKU from 1966-69.