The Virginia Tech football team participated in its first scrimmage of the fall, playing Tuesday evening on the practice fields adjacent to the Jamerson Athletics Center following the team's regular practice. Only freshmen and second-, third- and fourth-team players participated in the 30-play affair that was long on effort and short on production.
"We're trying to figure out who is going to play and who is going to redshirt," Tech head coach Frank Beamer said. "So we had a little scrimmage. It's another way of evaluating to make those decisions. We'll look at this and make a few decisions tomorrow."
Quarterbacks Ju-Ju Clayton and Trey Gresh combined to complete 6 of 9 for 28 yards, with six different receivers making catches. The longest reception went for eight yards. On the ground, Martin Scales rushed for 12 yards on six carries and actually had some nice runs, but a couple were called back because of penalty. Still, the 5-foot-11, 207-pound redshirt junior caught the eye of Beamer.
"Martin ran the ball hard," Beamer said. "I think he could possibly help us some back there."
Several of Tech's younger defensive players stood out, including tackle Luther Maddy and end Corey Marshall – two true freshmen. Both stand good chances of playing this season, particularly Maddy after the coaching staff granted Nick Acree's wishes to move to the offensive line.
Maddy, a 6-1, 283-pounder, has probably played the best of all of Tech's young linemen. Maddy had four tackles in the scrimmage, two solo.
"I've got to learn and get better," Maddy said. "I've got to get better with my technique, learn the plays and listen to Coach [Charley] Wiles."
Defensively, Isaiah Hamlette had three tackles, including the scrimmage's lone sack. Ronny Vandyke had four tackles.
Other notes from the day:
- Mark Leal, who had been competing with Clayton for the backup quarterback spot, did not play in the scrimmage. Leal is nursing a sore groin.
- Jayron Hosley, Mark Shuman and D.J. Coles all missed parts of practice because of leg injuries. None of them are serious.
- Kris Harley, a true freshman at defensive tackle, missed the scrimmage because of an oblique injury.
- Tech holds a full scrimmage this Saturday at Lane Stadium at 4 p.m. Fans are allowed to attend, but must sit on the west side of the stadium. No video recording devices are permitted.
Unless they get injured or regress it sounds like Luther Maddy and Ronny Vandyke won't redshirt this year. Wiles and the coaches have been very impressed with Maddy since the beginning of practice.
What do you guys think?
