BY DARRYL SLATER
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

BLACKSBURG – By halftime yesterday, Virginia Tech had held Boston College to 3 yards on 21 plays – an average of 5 inches per play. By midway through the third quarter, the Hokies trotted out their backup quarterback. And by the Eagles’ final drive, Tech was playing six defenders who aren’t even on the two-deep.

In a 48-14 win at Lane Stadium, the Hokies performed like the nation’s fifth-ranked team – something they didn’t do in last week’s 34-26 victory at Duke. They entered the regular season’s midpoint with a 5-1 record (2-0 ACC) by essentially ending the game in the first half, after which they led 34-0.

Their defense made the Eagles’ true freshman quarterback, Dave Shinskie, look like a man who, before this season, hadn’t played football since 2003. Which is exactly what he is. Their offense again converted enough long plays – eight of 20 yards or longer – to look like a more complete and competent group than the one that floundering for the past three seasons. Which is exactly what they are.

Shinskie, a 25-year-old former minor-league pitcher, completed 1 of 12 passes, threw two interceptions, took two sacks and was on the bench by the middle of the third quarter – the victim of a Tech defense whose frequently changing coverages “can create a lot of confusion for a guy,” said coordinator Bud Foster. Yet Foster knows a stiffer challenge lies ahead Saturday, when the Hokies must handle Georgia Tech’s option-based offense.

While Foster urged his players last week to rattle Shinskie, offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring preached consistency. The Hokies gained 477 yards at Duke and 370 the week before against Miami. “That’s something we’ve talked at great length about: Are we just gonna be good in periods, quarters, games?” Stinespring said.

His players answered with 441 yards yesterday, including 293 in the first half, when seven of their plays gained at least 20 yards – more long plays than they accumulated in all but one game this season. Their 235 rushing and 206 passing yards marked the first time in 52 games dating to 2005 that they had 200 and 200. Few Hokies looked better than redshirt freshman tailback Ryan Williams, who gained 138 of his 159 yards in the first half.

“I think it’s time we start getting some respect that we have good offense around here,” said wide receiver Jarrett Boykin.

And a more daring offense than last year – Tech’s third consecutive season finishing 99th or worse nationally in yards per game. That much was evident in the play Stinespring called with 12:05 left in the second quarter, the one that buried the Eagles (2-2 ACC, 4-2). The Hokies were beginning their fourth drive, on Boston College’s 41-yard line, and Stinespring knew exactly what he wanted. “We were going to go for the home run if we could,” he said.

He called a play that Tech practiced often this season but hadn’t used in a game, said quarterback Tyrod Taylor. It includes three deep routes: two go patterns straight up the field and a crossing route. Boykin had one of the go routes and lined up in the slot to Taylor’s left. Taylor rolled right to draw the defense that way and spotted Boykin running past strong safety Jim Noel. “I don’t think the defense was ready for that,” Taylor said.

It was a playground touchdown waiting to happen – run fast and far, chase down the deep pass – and when it did, the Hokies led 24-0, the Eagles were basically finished and the rest of the game seemed academic.

The ease with which Tech scored epitomized a first half in which the Eagles could do little right. They did not advance past their own 33 and did not gain a first down. Their first-half drives: four three-and-outs, interception returned for a touchdown, another three-and-out and another pick. After each team’s fourth possession, Boston College had 12 plays for minus-7 yards, Tech 27 for 230.

Though Boston College finished with 163 yards, most came against Tech’s reserves. The Eagles had 26 yards after three quarters and didn’t crack 100 until 6:26 remained. “We had some manners laid on us,” Eagles coach Frank Spaziani said.

Boykin, who wanted a decisive victory yesterday, would enjoy hearing that. “I feel like, this game,” he said, “we needed to make a statement.”

If you left Lane Stadium at halftime, you didn’t miss much.