BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Tyrod Taylor is the latest in a line of mobile Virginia Tech quarterbacks. While there's no denying his impressive talents, Taylor has heard the whispers, too. He doesn't show enough patience in the pocket. He makes too many bad reads. He runs too much. But guess what?Taylor wins, too.
"I just study film and go out there and play the game -- let the game come to me," said Taylor, nicknamed "T-Mobile."
Taylor, 14-3 in three seasons as Tech's starting quarterback, will be looking to repeat his performance from a year ago against Nebraska when the two teams tangle here Saturday at Lang Stadium. Taylor enjoyed perhaps his best college game in Lincoln, Neb., running 15 times for 87 yards and one touchdown, and passing for 171 yards without an interception in a dramatic 35-30 victory.
Despite their season-opening loss to Alabama, Taylor and the 13th-ranked Hokies (1-1) haven't given up their dream of playing for a national championship. A victory over the 19th-ranked Cornhuskers (2-0) would certainly keep that dream alive, not to mention build needed momentum heading into a critical ACC Coastal Division matchup next week at home against Miami. The Hurricanes thumped Georgia Tech 33-17 Thursday night to take an early lead in the division.
One hurdle at a time, though. A sea of red is swelling near Price Mountain.
Tech's opportunities against Nebraska start behind center with Taylor, part of a growing line of standout quarterbacks from the Peninsula area of Virginia. The Hampton High products joins Allen Iverson and Ronald Curry from the same city, Bryan Randall from Williamsburg, Va., and, of course, both Michael and Marcus Vick from Newport News, Va.
When Taylor graduated from Hampton in 2007, he was rated nationally as the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback by Rivals.com. Taylor's college choices came down to Virginia Tech and Florida, but he wanted to be just like Mike.
"I think he (Taylor) is an exceptional player," Tech head coach Frank Beamer said.
"He does a lot of good things for us, and he's a really good leader. Good person, good leader, good player. He's the kind of guy that's trying to constantly get better in every area. I think he's reading defenses better ... getting it there quicker, throwing better. I think he's trying to improve all parts of his game."
Taylor was vintage Taylor against Marshall. He was 9-of-16 for 161 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception and also ran seven times for 72 yards -- exactly the kind of performance Tech needs out of him each week.
The Hokies' offense is also searching for consistency.
In their 34-24 loss to Alabama, the Hokies totaled only 155 yards of offense. In their rout of Marshall last week, they amassed 605 yards of total offense. Freshmen running backs David Wilson and Ryan Williams became the first running back combo in school history to each eclipse 160 yards rushing in the same game. Virginia Tech had 444 rushing yards.
Taylor saw plenty of good in the win, but he focused on the not-so-good, knowing full well that Nebraska offers a far more difficult challenge.
Nebraska's defense played well in its first two games, allowing only 12 points combined in victories over Florida Atlantic and Arkansas State. There's also the memory of last year's game. After Tech grabbed a 28-10 advantage late in the third quarter, Nebraska used a 75-yard drive and a stunning 88-yard punt return to pull within five points with just under eight minutes to go.
"Going back and watching (the Marshall) film, some plays as far as the passing game, there some plays I missed," Taylor said.
"We played well but we didn't play a perfect game. (Nebraska) is going to put more people in the box and we are going to throw the football -- that's the game plan, try to stretch the field and, of course. try to get the running game going."
Beamer also has been impressed by the Cornhuskers.
"Offensively, they were good," he said.
"Defensively, I think they're better (from last year). They've been in the system a while and understand what's expected and they're better. Of course, the kicking game, they got us on a couple things there last year. So I was impressed with them last year and they're a better football team this year. That's a statement about what they're doing out there and how they're doing it. They've got a lot of good players and they're well-coached."
Nebraska will be looking to beat a Top-20 on the road for the first time since Tom Osborne was coach. Since Osborne's retirement from coaching after the 1997 season, Nebraska is 0-16 in true road games versus teams ranked in the top 20 of the Associated Press poll. The highest-ranked opponent that Nebraska has beaten since 1997 was then-No. 23 Notre Dame in 2000.
On the flip side, however, Nebraska also has won six consecutive games dating back to last season. That represents its longest win streak since it reeled off 13 straight in 2000 and 2001. The Cornhuskers have won eight of nine games since last October. Their lone defeat was at No. 4 Oklahoma.
And containing Taylor will be key to keeping the good times rolling as upwards to 9,000 Nebraska fans are expected to attend the game. Only Michael and Marcus Vick boast better winning percentages than Taylor in the last 13 years at Tech, and Taylor also believes he's a better quarterback from last season. He will take what the defense gives him -- with his arm or legs.
"He's a good football player," Nebraska coach Bo Pellini said.
"I think the biggest key for him now is it's his offense. It pretty much was last year, but they still had a little bit of a rotation going, but now I'm sure that helps him with a little bit of a comfort level. To be out there all the time and knowing that he's going to get all the snaps. That would help anybody. I think he is more comfortable. I think he has grown. Just like anybody else who has played this game, the more reps you get, the more experience you get, the better you get.
"I think that's the case with Tyrod."
Despite their season-opening loss to Alabama, Taylor and the 13th-ranked Hokies (1-1) haven't given up their dream of playing for a national championship. A victory over the 19th-ranked Cornhuskers (2-0) would certainly keep that dream alive, not to mention build needed momentum heading into a critical ACC Coastal Division matchup next week at home against Miami. The Hurricanes thumped Georgia Tech 33-17 Thursday night to take an early lead in the division.
One hurdle at a time, though. A sea of red is swelling near Price Mountain.
Tech's opportunities against Nebraska start behind center with Taylor, part of a growing line of standout quarterbacks from the Peninsula area of Virginia. The Hampton High products joins Allen Iverson and Ronald Curry from the same city, Bryan Randall from Williamsburg, Va., and, of course, both Michael and Marcus Vick from Newport News, Va.
When Taylor graduated from Hampton in 2007, he was rated nationally as the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback by Rivals.com. Taylor's college choices came down to Virginia Tech and Florida, but he wanted to be just like Mike.
"I think he (Taylor) is an exceptional player," Tech head coach Frank Beamer said.
"He does a lot of good things for us, and he's a really good leader. Good person, good leader, good player. He's the kind of guy that's trying to constantly get better in every area. I think he's reading defenses better ... getting it there quicker, throwing better. I think he's trying to improve all parts of his game."
Taylor was vintage Taylor against Marshall. He was 9-of-16 for 161 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception and also ran seven times for 72 yards -- exactly the kind of performance Tech needs out of him each week.
The Hokies' offense is also searching for consistency.
In their 34-24 loss to Alabama, the Hokies totaled only 155 yards of offense. In their rout of Marshall last week, they amassed 605 yards of total offense. Freshmen running backs David Wilson and Ryan Williams became the first running back combo in school history to each eclipse 160 yards rushing in the same game. Virginia Tech had 444 rushing yards.
Taylor saw plenty of good in the win, but he focused on the not-so-good, knowing full well that Nebraska offers a far more difficult challenge.
Nebraska's defense played well in its first two games, allowing only 12 points combined in victories over Florida Atlantic and Arkansas State. There's also the memory of last year's game. After Tech grabbed a 28-10 advantage late in the third quarter, Nebraska used a 75-yard drive and a stunning 88-yard punt return to pull within five points with just under eight minutes to go.
"Going back and watching (the Marshall) film, some plays as far as the passing game, there some plays I missed," Taylor said.
"We played well but we didn't play a perfect game. (Nebraska) is going to put more people in the box and we are going to throw the football -- that's the game plan, try to stretch the field and, of course. try to get the running game going."
Beamer also has been impressed by the Cornhuskers.
"Offensively, they were good," he said.
"Defensively, I think they're better (from last year). They've been in the system a while and understand what's expected and they're better. Of course, the kicking game, they got us on a couple things there last year. So I was impressed with them last year and they're a better football team this year. That's a statement about what they're doing out there and how they're doing it. They've got a lot of good players and they're well-coached."
Nebraska will be looking to beat a Top-20 on the road for the first time since Tom Osborne was coach. Since Osborne's retirement from coaching after the 1997 season, Nebraska is 0-16 in true road games versus teams ranked in the top 20 of the Associated Press poll. The highest-ranked opponent that Nebraska has beaten since 1997 was then-No. 23 Notre Dame in 2000.
On the flip side, however, Nebraska also has won six consecutive games dating back to last season. That represents its longest win streak since it reeled off 13 straight in 2000 and 2001. The Cornhuskers have won eight of nine games since last October. Their lone defeat was at No. 4 Oklahoma.
And containing Taylor will be key to keeping the good times rolling as upwards to 9,000 Nebraska fans are expected to attend the game. Only Michael and Marcus Vick boast better winning percentages than Taylor in the last 13 years at Tech, and Taylor also believes he's a better quarterback from last season. He will take what the defense gives him -- with his arm or legs.
"He's a good football player," Nebraska coach Bo Pellini said.
"I think the biggest key for him now is it's his offense. It pretty much was last year, but they still had a little bit of a rotation going, but now I'm sure that helps him with a little bit of a comfort level. To be out there all the time and knowing that he's going to get all the snaps. That would help anybody. I think he is more comfortable. I think he has grown. Just like anybody else who has played this game, the more reps you get, the more experience you get, the better you get.
"I think that's the case with Tyrod."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-19-2009 @ 9:23PM
dontntcabs said...
the Huskers cant beat the REFEREES, hokies suk
Reply
9-21-2009 @ 7:47PM
SML Real Estate said...
Whining, funny no player or coach mentioned one thing about calls, grow up. Apparently the better team won.
Reply