Tech ground game needs work
Blacksburg — After taking a seat on Virginia Tech's bench moments after throwing an interception on his first pass attempt in Saturday's 17-7 win against East Carolina, quarterback Sean Glennon heard a smattering of "We want Tyrod" taunts.
By the end of the day, Glennon wasn't anywhere near Tech's biggest problem on offense, but there's plenty for No. 9 Tech (1-0) to worry about before heading into Saturday's game at Louisiana State. Avoiding a cajun-style beatdown will involve taking a hard look at the running game.
Tech gained just 33 yards on 31 carries against ECU (0-1). Running room was non-existent for tailback Branden Ore, who carried 23 times for 70 yards, behind an ineffective offensive line.
"I'd say (I'm) very (concerned)," said Tech coach Frank Beamer, whose team went just 3-3 last season in games where it gained under 100 yards rushing. "We need to go back and look at it and see where we are there."
To get his answer, Beamer only needs to turn on game film from No. 2 LSU's 45-0 win last Thursday at Mississippi State, or most of LSU's games from last season.
LSU (1-0), which returns eight defensive starters this season, gave up 10 yards rushing against Mississippi State. Last season, the Tigers didn't give up more than 100 yards rushing in nine of their 13 games. Defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, an All-America candidate, had two of LSU's tackles for losses, and one of LSU's four sacks against Mississippi State.
Tech offensive line coach Curt Newsome said he was much more concerned about the lack of running production against ECU than he was with a few pass protection breakdowns (four sacks, two of which were the responsibility of Tech's line). The left guard spot is still one of Tech's most troubling problem areas. Sophomore Richard Graham, who started against ECU, will continue to rotate at left guard this week with junior Matt Welsh and sophomore Brandon Holland.
"I knew going into the game that's what we were going to do," Graham said regarding his rotation with Welsh against ECU. "That's fine for me because it keeps me and Matt as fresh as we can be and you can go as hard as you want every play. Sure, I'd like to play more, but at the same time it allows me to play my best at all times when I'm in there."
Though improving the ground game will be the first task for Tech's offensive coaching this week, getting time to throw in Saturday's first half was also a problem for Glennon. He was in disbelief after throwing the interception on Tech's first play from scrimmage.
"It was just kind of like, 'Are you kidding me?'" said Glennon, who overcame a few more errant throws to complete 22 of 33 passes for 245 yards, a touchdown and an interception. "I felt like I'd been playing so well lately and throwing the ball so well – especially when you get a 'home run call' on the first play. No words can express how I felt."
He said he wasn't concerned about hearing fans calling for Taylor, a freshman quarterback from Hampton High who managed to go from No. 4 to No. 2 on the preseason depth chart. Glennon referred to himself as his "own worst critic."
"I did hear it, but that's not going to bother me," Glennon said. "I definitely had my moments (against ECU). I have about five plays off the top of my head I wish I could have back, but I think I hung in there and did a better job in the second half. I don't need anyone to tell me. I know I didn't play up to my potential, and that's disappointing because I really thought I was going to come out here and make a statement, but I guess I'll just have to wait until next week."
See more
at www.dailypress.com
| 
