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Hokies hammer Herd

September 13, 2009 @ 12:00 AM

ANTHONY HANSHEW

The Herald-Dispatch

BLACKSBURG, Va. -- At Marshall University football's expense, Virginia Tech enjoyed a white-wash during its "White-Out" home opener.

Wearing all-white jerseys, the No. 14 Hokies dictated in all phases Saturday afternoon, rolling to a 52-10 victory before a sold-out Lane Stadium crowd of 66,233. Virginia Tech (1-1, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) rushed for 444 yards and totaled 605 yards of offense against the Thundering Herd (1-1, 0-0 Conference USA).

Virginia Tech also wore special maroon helmets with orange and white stripes in honor of former Hokies' All-American player and ex-Marshall assistant coach Frank Loria who died in the Nov. 14, 1970, plane crash near Tri-State Airport.

"That was a good football team and they just took us behind the woodshed and whipped up on us, won both sides of the line of scrimmage," Marshall head coach Mark Snyder said. "We left too many plays out there on offense and our run defense was porous."

Virginia Tech's 28-point second quarter resulted in zero second half drama. Led by tailback Ryan Williams, the Hokies ran at will, averaging 8.4 yards a carry.

"We didn't come together to play this week -- plain and simple," Thundering Herd middle linebacker Kellen Harris said.

Underscoring a frustrating afternoon was Virginia Tech's Ryan Williams' 36-yard gain early in the third quarter. With his team leading 35-7, the 5-foot-10, 206-pound freshman running back hauled in a well-defended screen, broke three tackles and cut across the field. Three plays later, quarterback Tyrod Taylor rolled left, firing an 8-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Boyce for a 42-7 lead with 10:49 remaining in the third quarter.

Non-consequential field goals then were traded in a non-conference matchup long-since decided. Finally, on fourth and one in the fourth quarter, Virginia Tech reserve running back David Wilson ripped 36 yards through the middle on fourth down and one, increasing the advantage to 42 points.

"Well, I think what happens when you have backs that are breaking tackles and keep on running, you just want to block for them," Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer said. "I think our offensive line is getting better."

Marshall held its own early, featured by DeQuan Bembry's interception of Taylor in the Hokie end zone. It wasn't long, however, before Virginia Tech imposed its will on a 20-point underdog.

The hosts' following possession lasted all of one play, a 57-yard Williams touchdown run through the middle. Following a Marshall three-and-out series, VT methodically moved downfield, capped by Williams' 4-yard scoring run, providing a 14-0 lead less than one minute into the second quarter.

Another abbreviated Herd possession was countered by Jayron Hosley's 64-yard punt return to the end zone.

"They made a good play -- 'Beamer Ball'," Snyder said. "We punted the ball, didn't have a good hang time. They held up our snipers and the kid made a couple of people miss."

Marshall's Darius Marshall closed the gap, bouncing off a pair of blockers and sprinting 61 yards for his initial touchdown of the season.

"The credit goes out to the offensive line and the wide receivers," said Marshall, who rushed for 109 yards on 17 carries. "They made a couple of blocks. I saw a seam. I kept my legs under me. I had one dude to beat, the safety. We stalemated. I kept my legs driving and the receivers outside did a great job of blocking."

Mario Havrey's sack of Taylor on third down and short on the ensuing drive suggested the Thundering Herd might rally.

Instead, a six-play, 85-yard Hokie drive played out, emphatically finished by Williams' 28-yard touchdown run off right tackle.

A heady play by Taylor where apparently none existed wrapped a dominating first half. Avoiding a pass rush, the 6-foot-1, 216-pound junior shifted left and found Dyrell Roberts in the back of the end zone for a 21-yard score and 35-7 halftime lead.

Virginia Tech outgained Marshall, 346-142, in first half total yards, gaining 14 first downs to the Thundering Herd's five.

Overall, Taylor completed nine of 16 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns and added 58 rushing yards. Williams averaged 10.2 yards a carry, totaling 16 yards on 16 handoffs. Wilson rushed for 165 yards on 12 carries, mostly in the second half, averaging 13.8 yards a carry.

The Thundering Herd, meanwhile, managed just 252 total yards, two coming on two plays. Quarterback Brian Anderson completed 15 of 31 passes for 116 yards.

"We had a lot of good plays that we didn't execute out there, a lot of big plays that we should have hit, that I should have hit," Anderson said. "We just didn't do it."

Marshall continues its non-conference schedule Saturday against former Mid-American Conference rival Bowling Green. Kickoff at Joan C. Edwards Stadium is 7 p.m. and WSAZ will televise the game.

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The Herald-Dispatch

Virginia Tech running back David Wilson tries to elude Marshall defensive lineman John Jacobs (46) during first half action on Saturday at Lane Stadium.

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