As Starter, Glennon Keeps an Even Keel

BLACKSBURG, Va., Aug. 27 -- Minutes after the conclusion of Virginia Tech's football practice on Wednesday evening, quarterback Sean Glennon continued passing. With the Hokies' opener against East Carolina on Saturday only days away, Glennon still had work to do.

But things were slightly different on Wednesday, namely because when Glennon practices now, he feels no need to look over his shoulder or watch his competition for the job. On Tuesday, Coach Frank Beamer announced that Glennon had won the starting quarterback job over sophomore Tyrod Taylor, who will be redshirted.

"It was a little different," Glennon said after Wednesday's practice. "For one, it was the first time getting all the reps with the [first team] instead of splitting them. It feels a little different, getting reps with those guys and knowing it's my team."

Beamer planned to identify a lone starter after Glennon and Taylor shared playing time last season. Although Virginia Tech managed to win the ACC title with two quarterbacks, Beamer said he preferred the stability of knowing who will play behind center entering this season.

"I like to have things going in a direction," Beamer said during a conference call with reporters on Wednesday. "Not you may do this, you may do that. It gives your football team a direction. Full-speed ahead."

Glennon said he approached practice the same as he did before the decision was made. There was no need to puff out his chest and speak or act with more authority. He said he expected to be the starter throughout the preseason after serving as the starting quarterback for much of the past two seasons. Walking around campus as the starting quarterback for a top 25 team and leading the huddle are designations with which the senior is familiar.

However, one difference looms large: the players sharing the huddle, especially the wide receivers.

Glennon no longer can rely on the security of passing to Josh Morgan, Justin Harper, Eddie Royal or Josh Hyman, who were seniors last season. Zach Luckett, a projected starter at wide receiver and one of only two current Virginia Tech wide receivers to have ever caught a college pass, was indefinitely suspended on Aug. 18 after his second drunk-driving arrest. And on July 1, the Hokies lost projected starter Brandon Dillard for the season because of a ruptured Achilles' tendon.

"There was probably a point in time when I was younger that some of the guys had to help me get better," Glennon said. "Now it's my job to make the young guys look better. Give them accurate balls. Put it in a place they can catch it and be able to run with it. Call protections, get things picked up right, stuff like that."

He throws those passes after practice with the understanding that although he has been there before, this season is more important than ever. There is no longer a next season to tap the potential that made him a heralded recruit out of Westfield High School.

Glennon planned to enter the season in this role. Now everyone else -- teammates included -- knows what he has thought all along.

"I don't think they're looking at me different," Glennon said. "They expected me to be in there regardless. Just now it's full time."

Harris Sits Out Practice

Cornerback Victor "Macho" Harris observed practice in a green jersey, with a boot on his foot and eyeglasses that befit a professor more than an all-American candidate. He was withheld from practice because of a sprained left foot. Per ACC policy, the Hokies will announce Harris's status for Saturday's game after Thursday's practice.

"I still have a couple days to determine if I'll play or not," Harris said.

Harris said he still could play even if he does not practice Thursday. In addition to starring at cornerback, Harris is a standout kick returner.