Press Conference: Frank Beamer

Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer talks with the media in advance of the Hokies’ Atlantic Coast Conference opener with Boston College on Saturday.

Opening Statement: As far as last week goes, it was a good win I’m really proud. There’s been a sense in every game where we’ve hung in there and battled and competed against a good football team and I thought it was a really good win. You look at this week and you go to Boston College that’s typically very big and strong up front, brings pressure from different places on defense, extremely well coached there, it’s certainly a challenge to go up to Boston and play those guys. Ryan Williams, we’ll list him on Thursday on the injury report and we won’t know until then what his situation’s going to be.

How did you think Kyle Fuller, the true freshman, performed?

I thought he played extremely well for a freshman and for his first time out there. The game makes sense to him and I thought he did some really good things, some good skill things in the ball game.

Did you talk to Ryan Williams yesterday, was he feeling better than he had?

We’ll discuss that on Thursday, we’ll put that on our report Thursday.

How did you think James Gayle performed?

He played hard, he has to play a little more consistent as far as calls and so forth, but his effort is not in question and I think as long as you have that effort we’ll get the other part right. Overall he did okay.

What do you mean by calls, you mean knowing the calls?

Yea playing his responsibility in the defense.

What did you see in the limited snaps seen in Nick Becton? Was he able to make a step forward?

Yea and I don’t think there’s any question. You know, you’d like to get him playing a little lower, but he’s very athletic and he looks like he’s back ready to help us out.

Offensive line opening up holes in the second half for running backs

I thought they played hard. I thought they played more aggressive and a good effort all the way across the board and I thought it showed up. We just have to do that every week we have to get in there and battle, and I think we have guys that’ll do that.

After looking at Boston College tape, where would you say Herzlich is compared to where he was two years ago.

It looks like to me he hasn’t lost a step. He’s impressive out there and you’ve got to know where he is and he presents problems wherever he is.

What have you made of his recovery from cancer? How impressed have you been?

I think it’s a great story and he’s back where he belongs out there on the football field, and he plays like he enjoys it and he’s a great player.

We saw a lot of Antone Exum in that game and the nickel package, is it fair to say with the success you guys have with that, that might be something you guys use a little more going forward in terms of having more speed on the field.

Yea we’re in the process of putting our game plan together right now. But Exum did well, you know for the first time playing a lot of plays, you know he did a nice job.

How important is it that your defensive line stands up to BC’s big physical offensive line.

It’s critical, I think from a defensive standpoint, they’re big, experienced, and tough. And that’s just typical of BC and they uphold that tradition, so you better have some toughness yourself.

BC has had this game circled on their schedule, do you sense your guys understand the importance of it and the importance they’re putting on it.

Yea I think it’s a critical game for both of us, it’s our first ACC game and there’s not question it’s a critical game, early in the season for both of us.