Bluefield Daily Telegraph, W.Va.
Sept. 04--BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Virginia Tech's opening game has not been kind to them the past three seasons.
The Hokies showed those days were behind them with an emphatic 66-13 victory over Appalachian State on Saturday afternoon.
"That was a really good win," Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer said. "This team, Appalachian State, concerned me coming in here with the threat of the quarterback. You look at them out there and they're a good looking football team.
"I give credit to our team. I think we were well prepared and we really played well for the most part. There's a lot of things to feel good about, but there area also a lot of things to learn from.
All it took was two plays for Virginia Tech to get going.
Appalachian State fumbled on its second play of the game when DeAndre Presley fumbled the handoff and Hokies defensive back Antone Exum recovered. Then David Wilson went 20 yards in six seconds for a touchdown to set the stage for Virginia Tech.
"I think that was a big start," Beamer commented. "Their offense concerned us and all of a sudden we're blowing up the line, causing a fumble and then David Wilson makes a couple of nice runs and we're on the board. So that was a perfect way to start."
Wilson rushed for 164 yards on 16 carries, scoring three touchdowns to help lead a Hokies' ground attack that finished with 256 yards.
"I got out there and ran every play to the best of my ability," Wilson said. "There are a couple plays I wish I could get back, but it was a good first day."
With the opening score, Wilson was able to make good on an earlier promise to his coaches.
"Earlier this week in the meetings, coach Shane (Beamer) was going through the plays we were going to probably run in the first three plays. He told me I was going to get the first carry and then I told him, there wasn't a need for the second play because I going to take it in," Wilson said.
Virginia Tech out-gained the Mountaineers 518-293 on offense while limiting them to only 11 first downs, with only three coming in the first half. It wasn't until the third quarter that Appalachian State made its first trip into the redzone.
"I was telling my players that it has been a long time since we've been in a game like this," Appalachian State head coach Jerry Moore said. "Our defense did not play well at all. I think besides coach Beamer being a real gentleman, I think (David Wilson) is a terrific ball player, he is the real deal."
Beamerball was in full effect as Virginia Tech had three scoring drives of less than 20 yards thanks to a fumble recovery, an interception return and a 55-yard punt return. The Hokies' special teams came up big in the third quarter with a punt block by Tony Gregory which was recovered by Kyle Fuller for a touchdown.
"We really worked hard on the 'Pride and Joy' team," Beamer said. "We got some returns and blocked kick today. That was good way to get things started.
"Defensively, we needed confidence. I thought we were going to play hard and I think we did, but I think getting some confidence to go with that I think we gained that today.
After a rough start by Logan Thomas, the redshirt sophomore settled down in his first collegiate start complete 9 of 19 passing for 149 yards. He threw touchdown passes to Randall Dunn and Jarrett Boykin, both in the corner of the end zone.
"There is plenty to improve," Thomas said. "It's gaining confidence and it's a learning curve. I think next week I'll be a lot more comfortable."
Following the quick score by Wilson, Virginia Tech held Appalachian State to a three and out. Wilson broke free for a 33-yard run which eventually set up a 28-yard field goal by Giles High School product Cody Journell.
Journell was also 9 for 9 in extra points.
Josh Oglesby scored his first touchdown since having two against Duke in 2009 to make it 17-0 midway through the first.
The rout continued as Jeron Gouveia-Winslow intercepted DeAndre Presley near midfield and returned it to the 19-yard line. Six seconds later, Wilson had his second touchdown on the game. He added his third and final touchdown late in the second as Tech drove the length of the field before Wilson took a pitch outside for a score.
"I was really impressed with their defense," Moore said. "And, it did not surprise me. The biggest worry I had going into the game was that we were young and we threw a few balls that were quick on the sideline and were hurried throws."
The Hokies weren't done though as Hosley took a punt return 55-yards with under a minute to go to set up another Virginia Tech touchdown.
Thomas found Dunn in the back corner of the end zone on a seven-yard touchdown pass with 22 seconds remaining in the first half. Thomas went back to that play to start the third as he found Jarrett Boykin on a four-yard score.
Once again, the Hokie defense forced the Mountaineers to punt from their own end, and this time the special teams broke through the line as Gregory blocked the punt. The ball bounced into the end zone where Kyle Fuller jumped on the ball for another Virginia Tech touchdown.
"It was probably my senior year in high school. It was a good feeling to recover that fumble," Fuller said, of his last touchdown.
As the teams turned to their backups in the third quarter, Appalachian State finally got on the board.
Backup quarterback Jamal Jackson connected with Brian Quick on a 46-yard score. Jackson would add a 15-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth.
Following each of those touchdowns was a touchdown pass from Virginia Tech backup quarterback Mark Leal to Marcus Davis.
The starter Presley was limited to only 89 yards passing and 43 rushing. He was sacked once by the defense and picked off twice.
"They did exactly what we thought they would do, we just made a lot of mistakes," Presley said. "If you would have told me that the game would have ended the way it did, I wouldn't have believed you. I feel like I didn't have a good game. Good thing about football is you get another chance."
Jackson led the Mountaineers with 46 yards rushing. Quick finished with 110 yards receiving.
Oglesby paced Wilson's day with 46 yards on 10 carries. Daniel Dyer added 30. Davis finished with 140 yards receiving. Boykin had two catches and now only needs one more reception to tie to tie the school record for receptions set by Ernest Wilford (126).
The Hokies (1-0) visit East Carolina Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. contest.
(c)2011 the Bluefield Daily Telegraph (Bluefield, W.Va.)
Visit the Bluefield Daily Telegraph (Bluefield, W.Va.) at bdtonline.com
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