One quick note of local interest before I get to the game story that will appear in tomorrow’s paper ...

Redshirt freshman Alonzo Tweedy, a Hermitage High graduate, made a nice play on a Tech punt with 3:33 left in the second quarter. He ran down the field and caught the ball on the fly, downing it at Maryland’s 1-yard line.

BY DARRYL SLATER
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – When a game that had been over for hours officially ended, the Virginia Tech Hokies celebrated like they usually do. Coach Frank Beamer smiled as he walked off the field, waving to the fans sitting in the visiting section of Byrd Stadium. Cornerbacks Stephan Virgil and Rashad Carmichael mugged for photos, flashing the palms of their new gloves, special for this game, to show the “VT” logo on them.

They rightfully rejoiced yesterday’s 36-9 win over Maryland, a dominant performance in which they led by at least 11 points from the 4:55 mark of the first quarter on; more than doubled the Terrapins in yards, 484-236; and got one of the most complete performances of junior quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s career.

But as the players poured into the locker room, they were unaware that about an hour earlier, just after 3 p.m., another game in Durham, N.C., was tempering some of the remaining buzz surrounding their season, which still has two regular-season games left, then a bowl. Georgia Tech’s 49-10 win at Duke gave the Yellow Jackets, who beat the Hokies last month, a 7-1 conference record the Coastal Division’s spot in the ACC championship game.

Even if Georgia Tech lost, the Hokies (4-2 ACC, 7-3) still needed more help to play in that game for the third consecutive season. Now, though, they are left pursuing their sixth straight 10-win season and a spot in the best possible second-tier bowl, perhaps the Gator if they beat North Carolina State and Virginia the next two Saturdays, or the Champs Sports if they stumble.

Tech’s coaches didn’t mention the Jackets’ win to the players in locker room after yesterday’s game, so they heard about it during media interviews. “I care to a certain extent, but I don’t,” said redshirt freshman tailback Ryan Williams. “When they beat us, they deserved to win.”

The Hokies, too, looked every bit worthy of yesterday’s blowout – the fifth straight loss for Maryland (1-5, 2-8), whose dismal season sinks lower each week.

Tech’s defense limited the Terrapins’ offense to a field goal; their lone touchdown came on a fumble recovery in the end zone. Williams ran for at least 100 yards for the seventh time this year. Taylor completed 13 of 23 passes for 268 yards and a career-best three touchdowns, and ran eight times for 81 yards. The 349 total yards were his most in 33 games, and 25 starts, at Tech.

Long passes to sophomore wide receivers Dyrell Roberts and Jarrett Boykin demonstrated yet again the strides Taylor, and his receivers, have made. Roberts had catches of 27 and 41 yards. For Boykin: 24, 30 and a 64-yard touchdown. “I believe my receivers can play with any defender in the nation,” Taylor said.

Taylor now has 30 passes of 20 yards or longer this season, 27 to his wide receivers. In 14 games last season, when youthful mistakes hindered the receivers and Taylor often scrambled out of the pocket too early, he threw 11 20-plus passes, eight to the receivers. This season, 27.5 percent of Taylor’s completions have covered at least 20 yards, compared to 11.1 percent last season.

“I think he understands we know what we’re doing,” Roberts said.

The progress bodes well for the Hokies, this year and next, but when they reflect on the entirety of their season, they will remember that chilly night in Atlanta, when they lost the one game they couldn’t afford to, 28-23 to the Jackets.

Their next month and a half might feel less important to those who observe them, but the Hokies believe they can still find a lofty purpose. For Williams, it centers on winning 10 games. Beamer talked to his team about “being as good as we can be.” Defensive coordinator Bud Foster wants the Hokies to “play for each other.”

“We’ve got a lot to still play for, pride-wise,” said fifth-year senior whip linebacker Cody Grimm. “I think we’ve got one of the better teams since I’ve been here. We’ve got to prove it.”

A thorough beating that was tempered by Georgia Tech’s win today at Duke.