Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG — Both of Tech’s back-up quarterbacks came up with some big plays and the Hokies’ kickers did not miss a field goal to highlight Tech’s second full scrimmage of spring practice on Saturday at Lane Stadium.
The first part of the scrimmage consisted of red-zone situations. Matt Waldron booted field goals of 37 and 35 yards, while Chris Hazley connected on a 29-yarder and Justin Myer hit a 32-yarder. The Hokies’ offense scored four touchdowns, three coming on short runs. Tyrod Taylor, Josh Oglesby and Kenny Jefferson scored on runs of 2 yards, 4 yards and 1 yard, respectively.
The other touchdown came on a 12-yard pass from backup quarterback Ju-Ju Clayton to Dyrell Roberts, who caught a perfectly thrown ball over defensive back Rashad Carmichael.
The second part of the scrimmage consisted of two 10-minute quarters. Clayton, a redshirt freshman from Richmond, enjoyed the best afternoon overall, completing 7-of-9 for 70 yards and two touchdowns (6-of-7 during the second part of the scrimmage). He also rushed three times for 34 yards, including 22-yard scramble.
Clayton led the Hokies’ offense on its best drive of the day when he spearheaded a 90-yard march against Tech’s second-team defense that ended with his 8-yard touchdown pass to fullback Kenny Younger. Clayton went 4-for-4 for 51 yards on the drive.
Marcus Davis, another redshirt freshman who is vying for the backup job behind Taylor, completed 3-of-6 for 19 yards on the afternoon. But Davis made the biggest play of the scrimmage when he ripped off a 62-yard touchdown run against the Hokies’ second-team defense. He ran six times for 85 yards on the day, but did fumble once on a quarterback-center exchange.
“I thought both of them did some good things,” Tech head coach Frank Beamer said. “You can see both of them getting a little bit better all the time and both of them are great kids. Both of them give you something. We’ll take a good look at this video and then make a decision from there. I don’t know if we’re in position to make a definite decision. Both of them had their moments.
“You see some good things. But what I see is hope – hope that we’re going to have a good backup before it’s all over with.”
Taylor completed 6-of-14 on the afternoon (but 6-of-10 combined in the two 10-minute quarters) for 54 yards, with one touchdown. He threw a 10-yard touchdown strike to Greg Boone against the Hokies’ first-team defense. Tech’s quarterbacks did not throw an interception on the day.
Defensively, reserve defensive back Cris Hill led all players with six tackles, while also breaking up a pass. Jake Johnson, Barquell Rivers, Matt Reidy and Eddie Whitley each finished with five tackles. Demetrius Taylor had four tackles and one of the Hokies’ four sacks. Cordarrow Thompson, Isaiah Hamlette and Courtney Prince had the other sacks.
Prince (right ankle) was one of three players hurt in the scrimmage, along with Jaymes Brooks (left ankle sprain) and Jeron Gouveia-Winslow (right ankle and knee). Brooks’ injury was the most serious and he may miss the remainder of spring practice.
As for the punting, Brent Bowden averaged 55.5 yards per punt on two punts, while Brian Saunders averaged 41.5 on two punts.
This was the final full scrimmage of the spring. Tech will hold its annual spring game next Saturday at Lane Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m.
OFFENSE
Rushing
Davis – 6 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD
Williams – 7 carries, 45 yards
Oglesby – 4 carries, 13 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Boone – 3 catches, 30 yards, 1 TD
Boyce – 2 catches, 24 yards
Wheeler – 2 catches, 31 yards
Oglesby – 2 catches, 20 yards
Terry – 2 catches, 5 yards
DEFENSE
Hill – 6 tackles, 1 PBU
Johnson – 5 tackles
Rivers – 5 tackles
Reidy – 5 tackles
Whitley – 5 tackles
D. Taylor – 4 tackles, sack
Hamlette – 2 tackles, sack