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Defending Your Life Virginia Tech ('98: 9-3, 5-2 Big East)
Posted: Wednesday August 11, 1999 06:12 PM
The Plot
One of the nation's best defenses competes for publicity when an electrifying young quarterback, Michael Vick, threatens to make the team over in his image. Defensive forces like Corey Moore should keep Vick from hogging the spotlight, but if RB Shyrone Stith can average the 5.3 yards per carry he did in '98 and Vick can hook up with a mostly-unproven receiving corps, look out Big East.
The DirectorFrank Beamer -- 13th year, 77-59-2; 119-82-4 overallStarringDE Corey Moore -- Undersized end -- 6-foot, 212 pounds -- is a terror at any size and is the conference's reigning defensive player of the year.QB Michael Vick -- Once the No. 5 QB prospect in the nation (SuperPrep), Vick skipped Syracuse in favor of Va-Tech and is ready to unleash his talents after redshirting as a freshman. Co-starringK Shayne Graham -- Barring injury, he'll break the conference record for career points.DE John Engleberger -- Moore gets the most pub, but on the other end, Engleberger might be the second-best DL in the conference. WR Ricky Hall -- Vick's going to need someone who can catch the ball, and Hall is the most experienced receiver returning. RB Shyrone Stith -- Played a backup role in '98 but he's efficient when given the ball. Why it will workThe Hokie way has been to go on the defensive, but Vick and Co. could propel the offense to a league title.Why it won'tThe Hokies play Miami, which could stand in the way of a league title, and the offense, though promising, is a minefield of question marks.
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