Virginia Tech QBs may give Jackets ‘headache’

One of the biggest stories for Virginia Tech is the quarterback rotation between fifth-year senior Sean Glennon and sophomore Tyrod Taylor.

Don’t expect coach Frank Beamer to shed light on it this week before the Hokies game against Georgia Tech on Saturday.

“We’re figuring out this quarterback situation,” he said Monday. “I’m not going to talk about it anymore. I’ve asked them not to do interviews this week.”

Glennon was expected to get all the snaps after Beamer announced his intention to redshirt Taylor. When the Hokies opened the season with a 27-22 loss to East Carolina — Glennon was picked off twice — Beamer scrapped that idea.

Taylor was in for 39 plays in Saturday’s win over Furman, compared to 22 for Glennon.

Taylor ran for 112 yards, including a 50-yarder, and hit 4-of-5 passes for 26 yards. Glennon went 3 for 8 for 42 yards, with a touchdown and an interception, then said he was disappointed he got only eight second-half snaps.

Beamer was asked whether those comments contributed to his gag order.

“I just think we spend all our time talking about quarterbacks and I want to focus on Georgia Tech,” he said.

For his part, Tech coach Paul Johnson would have preferred Taylor being redshirted all season.

“He gives you another headache,” Johnson said. “The Glennon kid is a really good passer, a really good quarterback, but the other kid gives you another dimension you have to get ready for.”

Strength in the secondary

The Jackets, who intercepted five passes all last season, have picked off four already.

And the secondary has become a strength instead of a liability.

“Getting stereotyped pretty much as the weakest group on the team, after last year’s performance, we’ve refocused,” said the unit’s lone senior cornerback Jahi Word-Daniels. “It’s a fresh start for us as a unit and we want to show we’re for real.”

Cornerback Mario Butler and nickel back Rashaad Reid each got their first career interception Saturday. Safety Morgan Burnett, who had three interceptions last year, picked off two in the opener and nearly snagged another at Boston College.

In another close call, Word-Daniels and B.C. receiver Ifeanyi Momah simultaneously grabbed Chris Crane’s 7-yard pass in the end zone. Officials ruled it a touchdown.

“We both put our hands on the ball and it was an up-in-the-air call about who had more control,” Word-Daniels said.

Kicking woes

Johnson remains unhappy with the kicking game, but doesn’t anticipate any lineup changes.

Sophomore Scott Blair is 1-for-5 on field goals, 7-for-8 on extra points.

“There’s not really anybody to pick up off of waivers,” Johnson said. “We’ve got to do a better job of giving Scott a chance to kick. The snaps haven’t been great. The holds haven’t all been great, but he’s got to make ‘em. At least a couple of ‘em weren’t his fault.”

Three of Blair’s misses have come from at least 47 yards.

The first player in 25 years to serve as Tech’s primary kicker and punter, Blair is averaging 44.2 yards on five punts.

Richard honored

Defensive tackle Darryl Richard has been named the ACC’s Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performance in Saturday’s 19-16 win at Boston College.

Richard (6-4, 290) made 4-1/2 tackles, including a team-high three tackles for loss. He pounced on a fumble in the third quarter and also batted down a pass as the Yellow Jackets held the Eagles to 60 yards in the second half.