If one word has embodied the Virginia Tech program during the Hokies’ nine-year run of bowl appearances, it’s consistency.

Sure, there have been modifications made in Blacksburg over the years, but for the most part the Hokies have done things the same way under Frank Beamer -- with minimal mistakes on offense and outstanding defense and special teams play.

The Hokies will employ those same basic philosophies this season, but are also coping with more changes than they have had to deal with in many years. With Rickey Bustle having accepted the head coaching job at Louisiana-Lafayette, Tech will have a new offensive coordinator for the first time since 1994. Offensive line coach Bryan Stinespring has been elevated to offensive coordinator and Kevin Rogers, who coached Donovan McNabb at Syracuse and had most recently been the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame, replaces Bustle as the Hokies’ quarterbacks coach.

The changes would have been noteworthy anyway, but seem even more significant after senior Grant Noel , the Hokies starting quarterback last season, went down with a torn ACL in his left knee near the end of spring drills. He opted not to have surgery and is rehabbing with every intention of being ready to go when practice opens on Aug. 5.

"I’m confident that I will be ready for practice in August," Noel said. "I know I’m going to have to work hard in the training room, but I’m ready for the challenge."

If Noel can’t go, the Hokies will turn to highly regarded Bryan Randall , who played in eight games as a freshman in 2001.

The Hokies also have a big, albeit not as pressing, question at tailback. Will Lee Suggs be able to return to his 2000 form after tearing his knee against Connecticut in last season’s opener? All indications are that he will, but Virginia Tech does have Big East Rookie of the Year Kevin Jones back.

Tech suffered another loss when senior Keith Burnell, unhappy with the coaching staff’s decision to move him from tailback to wide receiver, transferred at the end of spring practice.

Noel (6-2, 221) struggled with his consistency at times last season, but still completed 146-of-254 passes for 1,826 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He already has the respect of his teammates, but it will rise to a new level if he makes a healthy return and plays well.

The Gator Bowl was one of those times. Noel threw for 269 yards and a touchdown as the Hokies hung with Florida State until the Seminoles put the game away with a late touchdown in their 30-17 victory. Hokie fans can only hope that was not the last they’ll see of Noel and he can return and build on that performance.

Randall (6-2, 205) brought high expectations with him to Blacksburg last season and had some problems adjusting to the college game as a freshman. Ranked as the No.4 quarterback in the country by PrepStar, he completed just 12-of-34 passes for 114 yards and an interception. Randall has the ability to be effective as both a passer and a runner and showed progress in the spring, playing for both sides in the Maroon and White Game. He needs to prepare as if he’s the starter, just in case Noel won’t be ready.

"I do think Bryan Randall has made great strides since last fall," Beamer said. "I think he has demonstrated that he is in a position to be a factor in the quarterback battle."

The Hokies also wanted to take a good look at red-shirt freshman Will Hunt (6-0, 212) in the spring, but he was slowed a bit by a shoulder injury. He is still being counted on as a valuable backup.

The wild card could be top recruit Marcus Vick , the brother of Michael Vick and one of the top quarterback recruits in the country. But don’t count on it, even though the younger Vick (6-1, 190) broke his brother’s passing records in just two seasons at Warwick High School in Newport News, Va. Vick, a right-hander, threw for 1,746 yards and 15 touchdowns and ran for 702 yards and 13 scores in 2001. Still, it would be a surprise if he plays much. Even Michael, as good as he was, took a red-shirt year.

If Suggs comes back at full strength, the Hokies will have one of the best tailback tandems in the country. If he doesn’t, Jones will be a star.

Suggs (6-0, 201) received full clearance from his doctors to return in early April, but saw limited contact as a precaution. It’s not like he has to prove anything, anyway. In 2000, his only season as a starter, he ran for 1,207 yards and 27 touchdowns to lead the nation in scoring. He scored a touchdown in every game and set Big East records for rushing touchdowns (five), total touchdowns (five) and points in a win over UCF.

He was well on his way to another fine season last year when he tore his knee after gaining 99 yards and scoring twice before tearing his ACL in the third quarter against UConn.

Jones (6-0, 211) is out to show he is even better than the fabulous freshman who averaged more than 165 yards on the ground in the final three games of the regular season. Jones set a Tech freshman record with 957 rushing yards and also scored five touchdowns despite sharing carries with Burnell.

The same is true for red-shirt freshmen Cedric Humes (6-1, 218) and Justin Hamilton (6-3, 217), who starred on the scout team last season and want to show that they can hang with the big boys this year.

In fact, there is so much talent at the tailback spot that the Tech coaches are considering new formations to play two of them at the same time and possible position switches to maximize the talent on the field.

The fullback plays a vital role for Tech and the Hokies are hoping to find a suitable replacement for four-year starter Jarrett Ferguson. The top contenders are junior Doug Easlick (5-11, 230) and sophomore Josh Spence (6-0, 233), who is playing his third position (tailback, linebacker). Both have tailback size and bulldozer bodies.

There is clearly a certain degree of uncertainty at the receiver spots with Davis, a three-year starter, and Johnson, a two-year starter, now gone.

"We have some good receivers in the program, but right now I thing we need some people to step up and be productive," Beamer said.

Senior Shawn Witten (6-0, 197) is the primary candidate to start at flanker. Whiten has the best hands on the team and caught 16 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown before breaking his leg midway through last season.

"He’s going to have to be a leader for us," Hokies receivers coach Tony Ball said. "He’s a leader in his own way because he’s quiet, but the guys respect him. He’s got to work on getting off the line of scrimmage and creating space in his route running."

Junior Ernest Wilford (6-4, 216), who is best known for dropping a two-point conversion pass that would have tied the Miami game late in the fourth quarter, will get first crack at split end. Wilford caught eight passes for 100 yards and a touchdown in 2001.

Several other receiver candidates will get their chance to play as well. Senior Terrell Parham (6-0, 187) has played in each of the last three seasons and contributed 14 catches and a touchdown in 2001. Sophomore Richard Johnson (5-10, 191) has sprinter speed and big-play capability, junior Ron Moody (6-1, 194) is a former walk-on who has made himself into a player and walk-on Chris Shreve (6-0, 184) has the best work ethic in the group. Red-shirt freshman Chris Clifton (6-4, 201), who made the switch to receiver from quarterback this spring, has the size and natural ability to make a difference.

Tech also must overcome the losses of its two top tight ends, Bob Slowikowski and Browning Wynn. Junior Keith Wills (6-5, 241) has the most experience after catching two passes, including a touchdown, last season.

The Hokies return three starters, but have just two seniors projected to start, which bodes well for this season and beyond.

Junior Jake Grove (6-3, 286) shifts to center after starting 10 games at right guard last season. Grove, who has been slowed by back problems in the past, was relatively healthy last season and led the Hokies with 48 knockdown blocks.

"I think center is Jake’s best position," Stinespring said. "Last year we went with our best five linemen on the field, so we put Jake out there at guard. But I think he likes this position better and has a better feel for playing it."

Sophomore Robert Ramsey (6-2, 306) and freshman Danny McGrath (6-2, 293) will back up Grove.

Senior Luke Owens (6-3, 312) emerged as the starter at left guard over the second half of last season and moves to right guard this season. Sophomore James Miller (6-6, 310) played nearly 18 plays per game last season and is ready to take over at right guard. His best attributes are his size, footwork and work ethic. Red-shirt freshman Curtis Bradley (6-2, 299), junior Anthony Nelson (6-4, 334) and red-shirt freshman walk-on Will Montgomery (6-3, 286) provide depth at the guard spots.

Senior Anthony Davis (6-4, 320) took more snaps (708) than anyone on the line last season and returns at left tackle. Davis registered 29 knockdown blocks, but needs to improve his consistency to become a top Big East tackle. Freshman Reggie Butler (6-5, 324) enrolled at Virginia Tech in January and has a world of potential despite playing just three years of organized football. He is the top candidate to back up Davis.

Jon Dunn (6-7, 324), the biggest player on the Hokies, is the top candidate to start at right tackle, but the sophomore will be pushed hard by junior Jacob Gibson (6-4, 288).

Junior Carter Warley (5-11, 184) comes off a 77-point output in 2001 and enters his third season as the Hokies’ starting kicker. Warley’s performance was somewhat disappointing considering he made just 11-of-21 field goals. He could be pushed by senior Jon Mollerup (5-11, 202) or incoming freshman Nic Schmitt (6-1, 230), who made 8-of-12 field goals at Salem (Va.) High School last season.

The biggest challenge facing line coach Charley Wiles this spring is having to replace the top five tackles from a unit that ranked No. 2 in the country in total defense last season.

Fortunately, the Hokies had the foresight to red-shirt Kevin Lewis last season. Lewis (6-1, 281) showed he was ready to play as a freshman, but the Virginia Tech staff decided to hold him out last season to give the Richmond native three seasons to start.

Red-shirt freshmen Tim Sandidge (6-1, 272) and Chris Pannell (6-3, 256) will back up Lewis at nose tackle.

Junior Mark Costen (6-3, 275) is the only tackle on the roster who played last season and has the inside track to start. Costen, who made 11 tackles in six games in 2001, has improved his strength and should be ready to become a solid player. He will receive a strong challenge from red-shirt freshman Jason Murphy (6-2, 285). Murphy, who recorded 60 sacks during his high school career at Baltimore’s Edmonson Westside High School, has added 30 pounds of muscle since arriving in Blacksburg and could be an emerging force.

The end spots are in much better shape with four experienced players returning. Junior Cols Colas (6-0, 239), a converted running back, came on strong at the end of the season and has used his strength and speed (4.41 40-yard dash) to become a top-notch pass rusher. He started the final four games of 2001 and led the team with 17 quarterback hurries while contributing 37 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss.

Colas will be pushed by junior Nathaniel Adibi (6-3, 254), who has 21 career starts to his credit and is a strong force off the edge. Adibi, who runs a 4.55 40-yard dash, had 41 tackles, 15 hurries and a sack.

Junior Jim Davis (6-3, 251) is the top candidate to start at the other end position.

Graduation also hit this group hard as leading tackler Ben Taylor has departed along with the middle linebacker combination of Jake Houseright and Brian Welch. Things got more complicated with returning starter Deon Provitt sidelined with a knee injury and T.J. Jackson’s decision to transfer. Although the situation seems dire, the Hokies have several talented -- yet unproven -- players ready to plug in.

Junior Vegas Robinson (6-0, 239) is primed to take over Taylor’s backer spot after making 18 tackles as a reserve and on special teams.

"I think Vegas is ready and excited about the opportunity to step up and be the starting backer," Tech linebackers coach Bud Foster said. "He has all of the tools you are looking for to be a playmaker against the run and the pass. He’s seen how guys before him have worked and understands the defense."

Sophomore Chad Cooper (6-2, 214) missed the spring because of illness, which gave red-shirt freshmen James Anderson (6-3, 218) and Blake Warren (6-3, 221) more reps behind Robinson.

Sophomore Mikal Baaqee (5-10, 223) is primed to bring his quickness, athleticism and play-making ability to the Mike spot. He has experienced backups in Alex Markogiannakis (5-9, 209) and Chris Buie (6-0, 225).

Provitt (6-2, 201) was playing well before his injury and his health will play a key role in shaping the defense. The Hokies are much better off with him than without him.

If Provitt can’t go, Virginia Tech will turn to sophomore Mike Daniels (6-0, 197), who started the final four games last season, or Brandon Manning (6-0, 214), another sophomore who cut his teeth on special teams last season.

The secondary is solid with All-Big East cornerback Ronyell Whitaker and free safety Willie Pile leading the list of returnees.

Whitaker (5-9, 197) has been a standout performer throughout his career and was a third-team All-American after making 53 tackles, an interception and breaking up 10 passes last season. He will move to field corner after playing the boundary corner spot last season.

"When Ronyell is concentrating on his technique, there is none better," Tech defensive backfield coach Lorenzo Ward said. "He played really well last season when he concentrated."

Whitaker will be backed up by junior Eric Green (6-0, 186) and red-shirt freshman D.J. Walton (5-9, 197).

Sophomore DeAngelo Hall (5-11, 200) and junior Garnell Wilds (5-11, 194) are competing for the boundary corner position. Hall, a third-team Freshman All-American selection by The Sporting News, has a great deal of talent but needs to refine his technique a bit. Still, he made 42 tackles and three interceptions last season. Wilds is one of the most improved players on the defense and overcomes his physical limitations with hard work. He posted 27 tackles and two picks in 2001.

Pile (6-3, 205) has started 24 straight games at free safety and has led the team in interceptions the last two seasons. He also ranked second on the team with 94 tackles in 2001, but the Hokies want him to kick things up to the next level in his senior season.

"Willie does a lot of good things for us and has made a lot of plays for us, but we’re looking for him to make more," Ward said. "We want him to become more dominating in his open-field tackling."

Vincent Fuller (6-1, 184), an ever-improving sophomore, backs up Pile.

The only real hole to fill is the rover spot vacated by Kevin McAdam. Senior Billy Hardee (5-11, 191) will get first crack at the job. Hardee dinged up his knee last season, but has the talent and experience to make a smooth transition into the starting job.

Sophomore Vinnie Burns (5-11,177) returns as the starter, but will be pushed by junior Bobby Peaslee (6-0. 192), the starter in 2000. Burns, who averaged 37.8 yards on his 59 punts, has the stronger leg, but the Hokies know they have a solid backup if he falters.

The Hokies, a traditional special teams juggernaut, actually faltered a bit last season by allowing a punt return touchdown and a blocked punt for a touchdown.

Rest assured that Beamer, who oversees Tech’s special teams, will make sure it’s a long time before that happens again.

Still, the Hokies are better than almost everybody at special teams play. They blocked seven kicks and scored three special teams touchdowns with Green and Manning leading the way last season. Peaslee is a reliable holder.

The Hokies continued to clean up close to home, landing 13 of the top 30 players in Virginia, and the result is one of their best classes ever and one of the top 25 in the nation.

Their family ties didn’t hurt either. Vick was considered the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback by Rivals100.com, and his decision to attend his brother’s alma mater rather than following him to Georgia made Hokie fans quite happy. The Roanoke Times rated Vick the No. 2 player in the talent-rich state.

Defensive tackle Jonathan Lewis (6-2, 290) of Varina High School in Richmond was rated the No. 7 defensive lineman in the country by PrepStar, and is the younger brother of sophomore defensive tackle Kevin Lewis. The Times rated him the No. 4 player in Virginia.

Wide receiver Brenden Hill (6-3, 190), Vick’s favorite target at Warwick High School, is another blue-chipper.

Hill, who played just seven games because of a knee sprain, made 29 catches for 433 yards and three touchdowns in 2001.

Virginia Tech also addressed needs by landing six defensive linemen, including some who will play in their first season. Offensive lineman Brandon Gore (6-5, 300) and running back Mike Imoh (5-8, 180) are other top talents.

Gore, of Liberty-Bealeton High School in Warrenton, Va., was ranked the No. 28 offensive guard in the nation by Rivals100.com and the No. 13 player in the state by the Roanoke Times.

The Hokies have more holes to fill than usual, so expectations will be down a bit. But this team is still very, very good.

The quarterback and receiver spots are a bit unsettled on offense, but Virginia Tech has the people movers up front and studs in the backfield to run the football and make the whole team look good.

The defensive interior will have a whole new look, but Lewis is a future all-conference player and Pile and Whitaker are big-play guys in the secondary. The Hokies will be inexperienced and make some of the mistakes that young teams do, but they will also have the advantage in talent over most of their opponents.

These Hokies are not in the same class as the 1999 team, but they could be in a year or two. This team could end up looking a lot like last year’s. Virginia Tech probably can’t beat Miami, but it certainly has more than a good chance against everyone else in the Big East. A 9-4 regular season is a step back from what some of the diehards have come to expect, but it will keep the bowl streak alive and really isn’t that bad for a young team.