Just watched the replay of Rich Gunnell’s punt return for a touchdown from Saturday. These are the guys who appeared to be within reach of Gunnell—not to say that all of them could have made the tackle, but most could have, especially the first two here: Cris Hill, Dustin Pickle, Greg Boone, Collin Carroll, Chris Drager and Andre Smith.

As you’ll see below Tech’s Pride team—as coach Frank Beamer calls his punt-coverage unit—includes three redshirt freshmen and just two starters. (I don’t count Brent Bowden and Carroll as starters, because this is obviously their main role.) Not sure how many starters played on Pride teams in past seasons, but could the lack of first-string guys be a factor in the Hokies having allowed three punt returns for a touchdown? (Two of those were actual punt returns; the other was a blocked punt that East Carolina ran back for a touchdown.)

But overall, the Hokies’ backups are so inexperienced that they can’t really afford to get a starter injured on punt coverage.

Here’s a look at the Pride team ...

Brent Bowden—junior punter
Collin Carroll—redshirt freshman long snapper
Cris Hill—redshirt freshman cornerback (gunner)
Dustin Pickle—senior tailback (gunner)
Matt Reidy—junior rover
Jonas Houseright—senior linebacker
Chris Drager—redshirt freshman tight end
Andre Smith—sophomore tight end
Orion Martin—senior defensive end*
Greg Boone—junior tight end*
Cody Grimm—junior whip linebacker

*Starter

A look at the players who comprise Virginia Tech’s Pride team