Beamer Is Aware of What He's Up Against

Hokies Coach Is Very Respectful of Nebraska Program

BLACKSBURG, Va. -- As a child growing up in Hillsville, Va., Frank Beamer associated college football with Nebraska. In his 36 years coaching, including 21 seasons and four games as head coach at Virginia Tech, Beamer never traveled to Lincoln, Neb. He never entered Memorial Stadium, which becomes the third-largest city in the state on game days.

So when Beamer brings his team to Lincoln for a marquee nonconference game Saturday night in front of the stadium's 293rd consecutive sellout, the game will carry significance for the head coach.

"When you said Nebraska, that's college football. And I still feel that way. Nebraska is big time," Beamer said. "It's going to definitely be an experience. Young kids, old kids, it's probably going to be pretty exciting."

Although Nebraska has declined in recent years -- Bo Pelini replaced Bill Callahan, who went 27-22 in four seasons -- Beamer still drooled over its prestige. The teams met in the 1996 Orange Bowl. The Cornhuskers beat Virginia Tech, 41-21, in a season sandwiched between three championship teams.

"I thought they taught us what it took to be big time that night," Beamer said. "We kind of understood what it took to be big time after that game."

When first discussing Nebraska earlier this week, Beamer rattled off statistics that bewildered the coach who has an impressive résumé himself. He mentioned the three Heisman Trophy winners, the five national championships and the 46 conference titles. Beamer continued referring to the consecutive sellout streak, which creates a home-field advantage unlike nearly any in college football.

Beamer's reverence for the Nebraska environment distinguishes Saturday's visit from a typical road game. He planned to move Thursday's practice indoors and amplify the noise through the fieldhouse's speakers to simulate the atmosphere expected in Lincoln.

The last time the Hokies faced a high-profile nonconference opponent on the road was last season when they lost to eventual national champion Louisiana State, 48-7, and struggled with the crowd noise.

"We're trying to forget LSU from last year," Beamer said. "We don't even bring that up around here. The problem I've got is I've got about 34 guys that probably weren't on that trip. But I think most of our kids enjoy a good atmosphere. I know I do."

Besides losing to LSU, Virginia Tech has been successful on the road in recent seasons. Since 2004, LSU and Boston College are the only hosts to top the Hokies.

Defensive coordinator Bud Foster attributed the road comfort to a routine that remains regardless of where Virginia Tech plays. Even when they have a home game, the Hokies depart Blacksburg the day before. The difference between a home and road game becomes only the allegiance of the crowd and the name of the stadium.

"When we're traveling to Lincoln, Nebraska, Miami or Chapel Hill, week-to-week, it's the same thing," Foster said. "You keep that consistent with your players."

For a team such as Virginia Tech that excels on defense, there are even advantages. At Lane Stadium, the crowd can distract the opponent's offense -- but also the Hokies' defense. On the road, the defense can communicate more effectively.

The challenge will come for a Hokies offense with a sophomore quarterback and inexperienced receivers that must battle a hostile crowd. Running back Kenny Lewis said when lining up behind quarterback Tyrod Taylor, he must approach Taylor before each snap to directly hear instructions. But the responsibility also falls on Taylor to make eye contact with Lewis, who cannot hear when standing Taylor's vocal path.

"If [Taylor doesn't] turn around," Lewis said, "we have no clue what the play is."

That might not be the most welcoming sign for a team that has yet to score in the first quarter in four games this season, but the Hokies enter Saturday with little to lose. They surprised even Beamer by rebounding from a season-opening upset and winning two Atlantic Coast Conference games. Now he can see how his team responds to a difficult road game that has no effect on its conference but could have significant effect on their confidence.

"You're playing one of the great all-time programs," Beamer said. "Myself and all these kids have never been there. We look forward to coming and seeing the atmosphere. We're right in the middle of trying to get better, regardless of who we're playing."