The East Carolina game - updated 9/14 at 7:20 p.m.

September 12, 2014

Football: #HokieHuddle

Tech slips out of polls

After its 28-21 loss to East Carolina on Saturday, Virginia Tech fell out of both major college football polls.

The Hokies, who were ranked No. 17 going into the game, were fourth among teams receiving votes in The Associated Press poll. Florida State (No. 1) and Clemson (No. 22) were the only two ACC teams ranked in that poll.

The Hokies were ranked No. 19 in the coaches’ poll. They were sixth among those getting votes. Florida State (No. 1), Clemson (No. 24) and North Carolina (No. 25) were the only ACC teams ranked in this poll.

More on Brewer’s record day

Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Brewer found himself in a Texas Tech-style game on Saturday when the Hokies squared off against East Carolina. The Texas Tech transfer completed 30 of 56 passes for 298 yards, with three touchdowns and two interceptions, in the Hokies’ 28-21 loss.

Brewer broke the Virginia Tech single-game record for passing attempts. Two people held the previous record – Don Strock, who threw 53 times in a 1972 game against Houston that ended in a tie and Sean Glennon, who threw 53 times in a Hokies’ loss to Georgia Tech in 2006.

Brewer became just the fourth Tech quarterback in Frank Beamer’s 27-plus seasons to throw at least 50 times in a game. The others:

• Sean Glennon, 2006 (53 attempts in a 38-27 loss to Georgia Tech)

• Marcus Vick, 2005 (52 attempts in a 27-22 loss to Florida State)

• Will Furrer, 1991 (50 attempts in a 27-17 loss to Oklahoma)

The common theme here – Tech lost all four games.

Also, Brewer’s 30 completions are the most by a quarterback under Beamer and the second-most all-time in a single game at Tech. Strock completed 34 passes in that tie with Houston.

The most completions by a Tech quarterback under Beamer had been 27. Both Glennon and Furrer each completed 27 passes in the above-mentioned games.

Virginia Tech Postgame Notes

• Nigel Williams made his first collegiate start, coming in place of Corey Marshall (ankle) at defensive tackle. Tech opened in a nickel package with Chuck Clark getting a start as an extra defensive back.

• East Carolina scored 14 points in the first quarter, marking the first time the Pirates have scored 14 points in the first stanza against Tech since 1990 when the Pirates would go on to lose 24-23 in Greenville.

• The only other time the Hokies gave up 21 points in the first quarter under Frank Beamer came in 2006 to Georgia Tech, a 38-27 loss. The Hokies had never trailed 21-0 after one quarter under Beamer prior to today.

• The last opposing quarterback to throw for three touchdown passes in a game was E.J. Manuel of Florida State in 2012. ECU’s Shane Carden had three touchdown passes in the game.

• Isaiah Ford caught his second collegiate touchdown late in the first half to extend Virginia Tech’s ACC- and school-record scoring streak to 246 games. It’s the fifth-longest active streak in the FBS and the 11th-longest streak in FBS history. Ford finished with two touchdowns in the game, giving him three for the season.

• Ricky Walker became the 11th true freshman to play this year, tying the most under head coach Frank Beamer (last year).

• Ten of the first 13 touchdowns on the season have been scored by freshmen (11 of 13 by underclassmen).

• Shane Carden attempted 47 passes in the game. The last opposing quarterback to attempt 40 or more passes in a game against Tech was Rakeem Cato of Marshall last year (41). The last quarterback or team to throw for 400 or more yards against Tech was Syracuse’s Troy Nunes, who passed for 403 yards in 2002.

• The 427 yards passing allowed are the fourth-most by a Tech defense under head coach Frank Beamer.

• The 440 yards of total offense by Carden is the third-most by a single player against Tech under Beamer. Maryland’s Scott Milanovich had 503 yards of total offense in 1993.

• The 224 yards receiving by ECU’s Cam Worthy are the third-most by a Tech opponent in school history. Syracuse’s David Tyree had 229 yards against the Hokies in 2002 and Ron Sellers of Florida State also had 229 yards, his coming in 1967.

• Saturday marked just the 15th time under Beamer that an opposing offense recorded 500 or more yards of total offense. The last team to do that was North Carolina in 2012 (533).

• True freshmen Isaiah Ford and Cam Phillips combined to catch 14 passes and three touchdowns Saturday.

• Defensive end Ken Ekanem had a career-high 3.5 tackles for loss.

• Michael Brewer's 56 passing attempts are a new school record, breaking the previous mark of 53 set by Don Strock in 1972 against Houston and tied by Sean Glennon in 2006 against Georgia Tech.

Hokies fall to ECU

Virginia Tech rallied from a 21-0 deficit to tie the game, but East Carolina scored a late touchdown and pulled out a 28-21 victory over the Hokies at Lane on Saturday.

East Carolina quarterback Shane Carden threw three first-quarter touchdown passes, but it was his 1-yard touchdown run with 16 seconds left in the game that turned out to be the game winner.

The Hokies got on the board right before halftime on a 21-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Michael Brewer to Isaiah Ford to cut the lead to 21-7. They cut the lead to 21-14 on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Brewer to Ford with 6:31 left and then tied the game on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Brewer to Cam Phillips with 1:20 remaining.

But Tech kicker Joey Slye kicked the ball out of bounds, giving East Carolina the ball at its 35. Pass plays of 31 and 28 yards to Cam Worthy sandwiched around an illegal substitution penalty on Tech put the ball at the Hokies’ 1. Carden then went over the left tackle for the winning score.

Brewer completed 30 of 56 passes for 298 yards, with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Marshawn Williams rushed for 74 yards on 17 carries.

Carden completed 23 of 47 for 427 yards and three touchdowns. Worthy caught six passes for 224 yards.

ECU snapped a four-game losing streak to the Hokies and won in Blacksburg for the first time since 1991.

Tech and ECU scoreless in third quarter

Virginia Tech controlled most of the action in the third quarter, but the Hokies couldn’t put any points on the board. Their first drive ended at the ECU 46, and then, they went three-and-out on their second drive.

The quarter ended with the Hokies at the ECU 9. Tech has a first-and-goal after a drive that ate the final 5:22 off the clock to the end the quarter.

ECU’s offense, after a hot start, had just 13 yard of offense in the third quarter.

Off to the fourth quarter, we go.

Virginia Tech Halftime Notes

• Tech is trying to break a recent trend of losses after a big win. After wins against a ranked team, the Hokies have lost three of four times in their next game, most recently to Maryland last year after beating Miami.

• The only other time the Hokies gave up 21 points in the first quarter under Frank Beamer came in 2006 to Georgia Tech, a 38-27 loss. The Hokies have never trailed 21-0 after one quarter under Beamer.

• The largest comeback ever under head coach Frank Beamer at Tech is 20 points, coming against Duke in 2012 when the Hokies trailed 20-0 in the first quarter. Tech came back to win that one 41-20. The largest second-half comeback under Beamer is 15 points against Virginia in 1995. Tech trailed 29-14 after the third quarter and rallied to win 36-29.

•The last opposing quarterback to throw for three touchdown passes in a game was E.J. Manuel of Florida State in 2012. ECU’s Shane Carden has three touchdown passes at the half.

• Ricky Walker became the 11th true freshman to play this year, tying the most under head coach Frank Beamer (last year).

• Seven of the first 10 touchdowns on the season have been scored by freshmen (eight of 10 by underclassmen).

• Shane Carden attempted 33 passes in the first half. The last opposing quarterback to attempt 30 or more passes in a game against Tech was Marquise Williams of North Carolina last season (35). The last quarterback or team to throw for 300 yards or more in a game against Tech was Miami’s Stephen Morris (324 yards last year). The last opposing quarterback to throw for 400 or more yards against Tech was Syracuse’s Troy Nunes, who passed for 403 yards in 2002. Tech has never allowed a 500-yard passer in a game. Carden has 294 yards passing at the half.

Tech trails 21-7 at halftime

For the most part, the Hokies suffered through a difficult first half, but they got on the board right before halftime. A 73-yard drive that took eight plays ended when quarterback Michael Brewer found Isaiah Ford in the corner of the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown with 47 seconds remaining in the half. Ford made a one-handed catch, and after officials reviewed the play, they came to the conclusion that he caught it.

So the Hokies cut the ECU lead to 21-7 at halftime. Tech finished with 148 yards in the half, but 73 of it came on that final drive. Brewer completed 11-of-23 for 129 yards, with the touchdown and two interceptions.

ECU amassed a whopping 370 yards in the first half, with 205 yard coming in the first quarter. Quarterback Shane Carden completed 16-of-33 for 294 yards, with three touchdowns.

ECU had 14 plays of 10 yards or more, including eight plays of 20 yards or more.

ECU owns first quarter

The Hokies got off to the worst possible start against the Pirates. Tech’s defense gave up touchdowns on the Pirates’ first two possessions and three of the first four. The offense only picked up one first down, which came with 1:57 left in the quarter.

In all, ECU out-gained Tech 205-14 in the first quarter. Shane Carden threw three touchdown passes – of 4, 15 and 2 yards. He completed 11 of 19 for 174 yards in the quarter.

ECU leads 21-0 heading to the second quarter.

Shegog to dress for first time this season, other dress squad notes

Exactly 73 players will be on the Virginia Tech dress squad for today’s game versus East Carolina, and there were a few changes to it both from the previous game at Ohio State and from the season opener against William & Mary.

On the injury front, Sean Huelskamp, a walk-on from Centreville, Virginia, is out for the season after tearing his ACL during the Ohio State. Huelskamp played on a lot ofTech’s special teams. Also, Jeremy Haynes, a walk-on from South County, Virginia, is out for the game with an injured ankle, and tight end Kalvin Cline is out for a third straight week with a knee injury. Cline said this week that he hopes to be back for next Saturday’s game against Georgia Tech.

Anthony Shegog, a redshirt freshman from Stafford, Virginia, made the dress squad for the first time this season. Shegog, a backup rover, may see time on a couple of Tech’s special teams.

Two freshmen who made the dress squad for the William & Mary game, but will not be on the dress squad today are offensive lineman Colt Pettit and defensive lineman Vinny Mihota. Barring something unforeseen (e.g. injuries), both will take redshirt years this season.

Two others who made the dress squad for the William & Mary game, but will not be on the dress squad today are kicker Michael Branthover and offensive lineman Adam Taraschke.

Given Corey Marshall’s uncertain status – he’s listed as questionable because of an ankle injury – freshman defensive tackle Ricky Walker will probably see his first collegiate action today. He would be the 11^th true freshman to play this season, equaling last year’s number.

Tech contingent visits Salem VA Medical Center

On a cloudy, rainy and otherwise dreary Friday, 12 seniors on the Virginia Tech football team and head coach Frank Beamer hopped on a bus and traveled 30 minutes up Interstate 81 to add a little sunshine into the lives of those who have given so much in the name of freedom.

Putting their final preparations for Saturday’s game with East Carolina on hold for a couple of hours, the Tech contingent went to the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center in nearby Salem, Virginia, to visit with military veterans dealing with various health issues. Tomorrow’s game against East Carolina serves as Military Appreciation Day, and the football program’s visit to Salem was one of many ways planned for the weekend to honor those who have served or are serving.

“This is a trip that works both ways,” Beamer said after the visit. “It’s for us to say thank you to them for what all they’ve done for the country and thanks for our freedom and for the sacrifices – because there are some sacrifices in that building right there [pointing to the medical center].

“And then, I think, for our players, there will be a new feeling the next time they put their hand over hearts for the Star-Spangled Banner before the start of a ball game. I think it’s one of those things that works both ways.”

The group of seniors included Michael Branthover, Caleb Farris, Kyshoen Jarrett, Luther Maddy (photo to the right), Detrick Bonner, Greg Gadell, Daniel Dyer, Derek Di Nardo, Chase Williams, Laurence Gibson, David Wang and Willie Byrn. The group gathered in a “community” room with the veterans, shook hands and had conversations with them.

Beamer spoke to the group of veterans and thanked them for their service and sacrifice. Then each player came to the front of the room, gave his name and hometown, and like Beamer, thanked the veterans for what all they have done. They handed out autographed photos of Beamer and signed other Tech paraphernalia.

The group heard an eye-opening story from a veteran named Chris Riddle who had served in Afghanistan and had been shot. Doctors repaired his skull using a metal plate, and he showed the players a plastic molding (photo below) of what his skull looked like after he was shot. Nearly half of it was missing.

He got the players to sign the molding and plans to keep it, probably as a reminder of how fortunate he is.

“It puts football into perspective,” Di Nardo said. “These people have dedicated their lives to us, and it’s nice to go out and show your appreciation for them.”

The visit particularly hit home for Di Nardo, Farris and Gibson. Di Nardo’s grandfather, James Joseph Di Nardo, served in the military, while Farris’ brother, Damien Farris, serves in the National Guard, and Gibson’s mother, Michelle Nash, serves in the Army. Nash did a tour in Iraq in 2007.

“My brother is in the military and I know what military families go through,” Farris said. “It’s stressful. My brother means a lot to me, obviously, and he means a lot to our family. We have a Military Appreciation Day at Virginia Tech, and it means a lot to go out there and represent for them.”

The Tech contingent spent roughly an hour at the VA Medical Center before getting back on the bus and heading back to Blacksburg. It was a relatively small amount of time and yet it meant so much to a group of people who dedicated a portion, or all, of their lives in the name of freedom and liberty.

“Doing things like this means a lot to them, and it means a lot to us,” Farris said. “It feels good in your heart to be able to come here and give something back to these veterans who have given a lot – and a lot have given all. It really puts things in perspective.”

To see what took place, please watch the video below.

@mmoran0226 @VT_Football @WDBJ7Weather Forecasting clouds, passing shower & a Hokies win. pic.twitter.com/C3WrcXYOAm
— Brent Watts (@wattsupbrent) September 12, 2014

Clark, others appreciate Military Appreciation Day

Tech tight end Kalvin Cline has received a lot of attention this week for being the Hokies’ lone team member in the university’s Corps of Cadets, considering this Saturday’s game against East Carolina serves as Military Appreciation Day. But there are several Tech players with family members who have served or are serving in the military.

All three of Josh Trimble’s brothers attended the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York (photo at right). Caleb Farris (brother), Dewayne Alford (father), Mark Leal (father and stepfather), Wyatt Teller (father), Laurence Gibson (mother) and Chuck Clark (father) are just a sampling of Tech players with family members who have served or are serving in the military.

So Saturday’s game means a lot for them as well.

“It does,” Clark said when asked if the game meant more to him because of his military connections. “Just having family members in the military, it means a lot. My dad is in the Navy, and I have two uncles in the Navy. When I was in elementary school and middle school, my dad was gone overseas a lot, doing tours – he’s on shore duty now. But he was in Kuwait and places like that. Basically, it was just me, my mother and my sisters at the house. I had to take that ‘Man of the House’ type of role until he came back. That’s kind of how it was.

“It [Military Appreciation Day] has an impact. I like being able to go out there and show my appreciation for them [his dad and uncles] and for all those who serve in the military.”

Tech athletics department officials have several things planned before and during the game to thank and honor those who serve in the military. A couple of those include a flyover before the game and a joint performance at halftime by the Marching Virginians and East Carolina’s band, along with the Highty-Tighties, Virginia Tech’s regimental band.

Cline talks about decision to join Army ROTC

This Saturday’s game between East Carolina and Virginia Tech at Lane Stadium serves as Military Appreciation Day, so a conversation with tight end – and Corps of Cadets member – Kalvin Cline is the perfect way to launch this weekend’s Hokie Huddle.

Cline, a sophomore from Boca Raton, Florida, is the lone member of Tech’s football squad in the university’s Corps of Cadets. He joined the Army ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) this summer, and by doing so, became a member of the Corps.

Cline answered some questions regarding his decision to join the Army ROTC, his daily schedule and his future plans.

Q: Why did you decide to join the Army ROTC?

KC: “My father [Mike Cline] was in the Army. He was a reserve officer coming out of college [Arkansas State]. When he was in college, he did both as well. Coming here my freshman year, I didn’t know how it would be doing all three – academics, football and ROTC – so I shied away from the ROTC at first because you could tell how intimidating that might have been coming into college the first year.

“So I just did football and academics, and then after I got my feet wet with that, I understood that there was a little room to try and squeeze that [ROTC] in. Once we sat down and looked at the schedule and planned it all out, it looked pretty doable. It was a commitment that I wanted to make, and I’m proud of that. It’s worked out pretty well.”

Q: How has the transition from traditional student to a Corps of Cadets member been so far?

KC: “It’s been good. I don’t get too much sleep anymore, I tell you that. It’s definitely a challenge, but I’ve committed to it, and I’m enjoying it. I really like the discipline and what you learn from it. It’s been great. I know it will crossover into life or football, or whatever I pursue. Just the leadership skills that they teach you and some of the basic knowledge of life that they teach you, it’s awesome to learn. It’s been a great experience, and I’m looking forward to continuing it.”

Q: What is your schedule like during a normal day?

KC: “We have 5 a.m. wake up, and then we’ll do PT [physical training], and that usually consists of a 2-3 mile run. Obviously I’m not doing the running right now because of my knee [he re-injured his knee in August]. Once you finish the run, you’ll do a lot of pushups and sit-ups. We’ll do pull-ups and burpees [a type of exercise]. We’ll do 200-meter sprints and hill runs. It’s a good workout.

“Once we’re done with that, we’ll have room and uniform inspections and formations for the rising of the flag. Once that’s done, we get time to go to class and things like that. Then I’ll go to football [practice], and once that’s through, I’ll go back over there, and we’ll have drills or different classes. We also have a designated study time, which is from 7 to 11. You have to be studying. It’s mandatory. You’re in your room. You can’t be on social media or electronics unless you’re on your computer doing work. It’s pretty strict.”

Q: What do the other cadets think of having a football player as a cadet?

KC: “They’re loving it. It’s awesome. When they go to the games, they have someone specifically to cheer for now. That’s great. Hopefully, when I get back out there, they’ll turn it up with the noise. I love being around those guys because they’re all of the same mindset as me in trying to make a difference and trying to be successful in life. That’s who I like to surround myself with – with people who have the same mindset and same goals and aspirations that I have.”

Q: What is your future plan once you graduate?

KC: “This is definitely a career choice for me when I’m done with football down the road. Then I’ll pick this up. When I graduate, I’ll be a commissioned officer. I get my commission when I graduate, so I’ll always have that. Once I’m done with football, I’ll have to decide if I want to stay in the reserves and work a civilian job or go to full active duty. I have some time before I have to make that decision.”

Q: What did Coach Beamer think when you told him of your decision?

KC: “Coach Beamer was all for it. He used to coach at The Citadel and they have a great military program there as well. He was happy and respected that I wanted to take on this challenge. He was very supportive of it, and that was great.

“Football is my first priority. I make sure I don’t miss anything. With the Corps, I’m barely missing anything as well, and if I do, I make it up at a different time. I make sure I don’t miss anything. I make sure I’m fair with each, and I make sure I’m meeting all the requirements.”

For updates on Virginia Tech football, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_Football