Soundbites: Week Three Press Conference (Maryland)

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech football Head Coach James Franklin met with the media Monday afternoon following Tech's 44-21 win against ODU Saturday afternoon at Lane Stadium. Franklin and the Hokies have shifted the conversation towards this Saturday's matchup at Maryland, a program he coached at for eight seasons over two stints, where he served as an offensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and assistant head coach. The Hokies will look to build on their back-to-back in-state wins as they head on the road for the first time this season. 

Head Coach James Franklin
Opening statement:
"I want to thank our fans. We've had two really well attended games ... great environment, great atmosphere. The Military Appreciation game was awesome; obviously we know how important that game is and we don't want to take it for granted. Talking about this game coming up, we have 35,000 alumni in the DMV area (Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia) and we sure would love to see a bunch of (Tech fans). We've had two games at home and have taken a step in the right direction in each of those games and have an oppurtunity to go on the road to play a Big Ten team we have tremendous respect for. I've known (Maryland Head Coach Mike Locksley) for a long time. I've got a ton of respect for him and what he's been able to do his entire career. Tremendous oppurtunity this week, but also a tremendous challenge and we're doing everything we possibly can to refine our process and give us the best chance possible." 

On his recruting ties in the DMV:
“I think it is critical. When I first went to the University of Marlyand, I thought the area was underrecruited. With Ralph (Friedgen), we won the ACC Championship in that first year, and I think everyone saw that team were kids from the region, and everyone started recruititng it heavily. It's an important area for a lot of schools. The amount of alumni we have in that area and the amount of good players in our history that have come out of that footprint. It's a very important area for a lot of programs, but specifically for Virginia Tech. "

Offensive lineman Brody Meadows
On the makeup of the team and blending athletes who came from different schools:
"The best part about it is they're not Penn State guys anymore. Everybody in this room is Virginia Tech. We play for Virginia Tech and we play for this community. It's great having both sides, Coach Franklin, heck of a coach, and still having Coach Pry here who was great with Blacksburg, great with this team. To be able to have two powerhorses like that on one team has been awesome for us."

Defensive back Jaquez White
On facing Maryland wideout Na'eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding: 
"He's their go-to guy. He plays in the slot a lot, plays outside sometimes. He's pretty shifty and can run routes pretty good. It's going to have to come down to those gritty plays and what we can do as a position group. When they want to make a big play, (Maryland looks to him). But we can eliminate him and we will do that."

Demand remains high for Tech's remaining home games, and fans are encouraged to secure their seats as soon as possible. The Hokies' home slate also features Georgia Tech on Oct. 17, Stanford on Nov. 14 and Virginia in the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash on Nov. 28.

Fans still seeking tickets for the sold-out Pitt matchup are encouraged to visit SeatGeek, the official fan-to-fan ticket marketplace of Virginia Tech Athletics.