Glennon Works His Backup Plan

Former Starter Ready to Stand In As Hokies' QB

No coach instructed Sean Glennon to throw warmup passes behind Virginia Tech's bench during the third quarter of the Hokies' win over North Carolina on Saturday. After starting at quarterback for parts of three seasons, Glennon's instincts took over.

A listless offense needed to overcome a two-touchdown deficit. Glennon opened the season as Virginia Tech's undisputed starter, but the Tar Heels game marked the Westfield High School graduate's second game as the backup.

It was a demotion that may not befit a fifth-year senior, but it was one Coach Frank Beamer made after losing the season opener to East Carolina and realizing the plays sophomore Tyrod Taylor could create while the rest of the offense develops.

"It's been tough," Glennon said after the North Carolina game. "I'm not going to lie to you and say it's been no big deal. But I'm just keeping my head down, keeping faith that I'll get another opportunity. I still work hard in practice just in case.

"I want to keep playing football after this year, so whether I get in or not, it's still keeping myself in shape and that's just how I look at it. It's the coaches' decision. No matter if I'm happy, disappointed, sad, mad, whatever, it's not going to change what's going on. I just got to approach it with a positive attitude."

After watching the offense struggle Saturday, Glennon wondered about the possibility of another change.

"My guess is as good as anyone's if they were going to put me in," Glennon said. "If they were talking about it, I don't know. But in case they did, in case things continued to get worse, it probably would have, well, it might have happened. I shouldn't say 'probably would have.' It was really just in case. It was a feeling I got and I wanted to stay warm."

Whether coincidence or irony, the offense came to life while Glennon loosened his arm. Beamer said he had no idea Glennon threw those 20 practice passes. Taylor started making plays, the offensive line opened running lanes and the Hokies methodically worked their way downfield. Glennon would not be needed.

"Maybe I should not warm up next time," Glennon joked.

When the decision was made before the East Carolina game to redshirt Taylor and start Glennon, the coaching staff expected the offensive line to do a better job thwarting defensive pressure and the receivers to find openings more frequently.

A week later against Furman, Beamer started Glennon and played Taylor, whose mobility proved to be an asset the offense lacked. In a 20-17 win over Georgia Tech on Sept. 13, Taylor was the only quarterback to play. He attempted just 14 passes, but ran for 87 yards and a touchdown, and Beamer said after the game that the team would proceed with Taylor as starter.

Beamer and quarterbacks coach Mike O'Cain have lauded Glennon, but insist Taylor is better for the offense the team is best suited to play.

So Glennon waits. After the Georgia Tech game, Beamer and O'Cain referred to Glennon losing his starting job last season before regaining it after Taylor was injured.

For a moment Saturday, it appeared that might happen again. Taylor clutched his left ankle after an 11-yard rush midway through the fourth quarter, and Glennon took his first snaps since Furman. Although the Hokies held a three-point lead and were running out the clock, Glennon completed his lone pass.

"I've been itching to get out there the last couple games," Glennon said. "To complete a pass and feel a little bit part of the win -- very little, somewhat part of it -- was good and I'm hoping to build on it in weeks to come."

After the game, Beamer said Taylor's injury is not serious and Taylor could have reentered the game. On a conference call yesterday, Beamer said Taylor is "okay" and remains the starter.

With Taylor healthy, there is no indication how Glennon factors into Beamer's plans. What remains clear is that the Hokies have won two straight conference games with Taylor as the quarterback, and Glennon has been forced to watch from the sideline.

"The last two weeks, they just felt like the line, the receivers, whatever it was, Tyrod was the better fit," Glennon said. "But obviously I hope to take a more prominent role in weeks to come."