Preseason football update: scrimmages, rankings, and passing prowess

     It’s only 22 days until the Kickoff in the Capital, Hokies!  Frank Beamer’s squad held their first open scrimmage of the Fall yesterday in Lane Stadium.  The defense and special teams stole the show, while Logan Thomas showed some separation in the battle for the No. 2 quarterback spot.  One of the most encouraging signs to me is the improvement of kicker Chris Hazley, who was 4/4 yesterday.  The kicking game was a big concern coming out of spring practice.  If you missed it, you can check out some notes from the scrimmage here:

• Hokiesports.com - Hazley leads Hokies in second scrimmage (video included)
• Gobbler Country - Virginia Tech Aug. 14 Open Scrimmage Observations
• The Key Play - An Impromptu Trip to Blacksburg

There are 10 more practice sessions and 4 more scrimmage sessions left in preseason practice.  The next and final open scrimmage is scheduled for next Saturday at 2 pm in Lane.

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     The preseason USA Today top 25 rankings were released recently, where the Hokies are ranked #6, just behind Boise State at #5.  A total of five ACC teams are ranked in the top 25 to start the season (#6 VT, #13 Miami, #17 GT, #18 UNC, and #20 FSU).  The ACC has not had 5 teams in the preseason poll since 2005 when [gasp] UVA was ranked #25 to start the season.  The Hokies have started the season ranked in the top 25 every year since 2005.

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Finally some stats to leave you with today, focusing on the passing game:

• The Hokies were 3rd in the nation last year in Receiving Yards per Catch at 17.5 YPC.  The only teams with a greater yards per catch average were Georgia Tech and Navy, both teams that use a run-oriented option offense.  This speaks volumes of the big-play threat that the Stinespring was able to create last season.  Bosie State ranked 39th at 12.8 YPC.
• Jarrett Boykin’s 835 reception yards last season were the most since Tech’s all-time reception leader Ernest Wilford caught 55 passes for 886 yards in 2003.
• Tyrod Taylor is 61 yards away from passing Don Strock for 3rd place all-time in career total offense.