Beamer near QB decision

Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer is expected to make his quarterback plans known today during his weekly press conference.

An announcement was expected Monday, but Beamer declined to answer any question about the team’s quarterback competition.

“We’re going to talk about it (today),” Beamer said.

Fifth-year senior Sean Glennon and sophomore Tyrod Taylor battled for the starting job throughout the preseason.

Following the team’s final intra-squad scrimmage Friday, Beamer indicated that a two-quarterback system was still an option for the Hokies.

Lewis in at tailback

Tech offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring said Monday night during the “Hokie Hotline” radio program that junior Kenny Lewis Jr. will start at tailback Saturday.

He won’t get all the carries, though. The Hokies have six tailbacks listed on their travel roster, including true freshman Ryan Williams.

“We’re dressing them all,” Beamer said. “I don’t know if they will all play in a game, but all of them are going to dress.”

Lewis and junior Jahre Cheeseman were listed as co-starters for most of preseason practice, but Lewis moved ahead of Cheeseman following Friday’s scrimmage.

Redshirt freshmen Darren Evans and Josh Oglesby could be in the mix for carries early this season, along with Williams and senior Dustin Pickle.

“A lot of them will be on special teams. … We’ll see by the end of the week how we get (the carries) figured out,” Beamer said.

Nervous feeling

As many as 25 players with no game experience could see the field Saturday for the Hokies.

Ten true freshmen are listed on Tech’s travel roster, along with 15 redshirt freshmen.

Most of the first-year players will see playing time on special teams, but some, like true freshmen receiver Dyrell Roberts, who is listed as one of Tech’s starting receivers, will be playing more.

Tech expects to dress three true freshmen receivers — Roberts, Xavier Boyce and Jarrett Boykin — and three true freshmen linebackers — Jake Johnson, Quillie Odom and Bruce Taylor.

The other traveling true freshman are expected to be Williams, defensive back Eddie Whitley, safety Lorenzo Williams and kicker Justin Myer.

Of Saturday’s travel roster, Beamer estimated 41 percent to have no game experience at all.

“(I think they’ll) probably be throwing up before the game,” Beamer said. “It might be me (throwing up). I don’t know when we’ve had 41 percent of our team that has never been in a game before.

“We do have a lot of good players, and those freshmen are good players. I think if you know what you’re doing, you’re OK.”