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Oct. 3, 1999 By Mike Lurie SportsLine Staff Writer |
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Michael Vick's Saturday was still young when his
first thought revealed the perspective of an older, wiser man.
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"I said to myself when I woke up this morning, 'Play my game. Don't try
to make a big play every play,' " the redshirt freshman Vick was saying a couple of hours after
the sun had set, with Virginia Tech's 31-7 drubbing of Virginia in hand.
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Game summary T O P N E W S
Vick's self-control allowed him to lead the No. 8 Hokies around their biggest obstacle so far. Since he signed at Virginia Tech two years ago as one of the most highly recruited quarterbacks from this state, his presence has been widely anticipated.
Last spring in Blacksburg, huge crowds showed to watch Vick play in the annual spring game. He completed three of 10 passes.
Six months later, he thrived in far more hostile conditions. On the road. Against a Top 25 team that also happens to be a 100-year-old arch-rival.
From the moment his left arm uncorked a 60-yard touchdown pass to Andre Davis with 9:15 to play in the first quarter, Vick set a tone.
Everyone knew he had the tools: a remarkably quick release, excellent speed, athletic ability reminiscent of Donovan McNabb. The question has been how soon Vick would harness all of those traits.
One important game does not establish Vick for the balance of his college career. It is an inspiring sign nonetheless.
"I settled down and relaxed and didn't try to do it all by myself," Vick said. "Didn't try to make a big play, every play. I could feel myself getting more comfortable toward the end of the Clemson game (the Hokies' most recent outing)... Today, I said, 'Just be a unit -- play as (part of) a unit, let things happen as a team."
Against Clemson, Vick threw three interceptions and completed just seven of 16 passes, though the Hokies won easily, 31-11.
There is a glimmer in the eye of 12-year Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer right now. Defense is the foundation of his program. But Vick brings a dimension the Hokies have not seen since Jim Druckenmiller.
The new dimension is just beginning. Beamer can envision the Hokies (4-0) winning the Big East title by scaring opponents in all phases of the game, not just from the pressure Corey Moore and John Engelberger apply from the defensive line.
Vick finished with 222 yards passing and 49 yards rushing. It was one of those high-percentage performances. He completed seven of nine passes, limited by a slight recurrence of a right-ankle injury he suffered running for a touchdown in the season opener against James Madison.
The ankle will be fine, which pleases Beamer immensely. The coach sees a special project blossoming.
"I'm gonna tell you: I'm high on my quarterback," Beamer said. "And the more snaps he gets, the better he's gonna be."
The refreshing thing about Vick is his innate sense for what to do with the ball. And when.
Beamer called it "control." Vick could escape from seemingly hopeless logjams in the backfield and make a play. He could run the option with a precise feel for when to keep the ball or dish it.
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| Although he's sandwiched on this play, freshman quarterback Michael Vick played like a veteran Saturday.(AP) |
"When he can scramble around, he's a tough guy to catch," Beamer said.
Vick offered a vintage example on a touchdown drive that was an immediate answer to the Cavaliers' (3-2) lone score, a score that had brought Virginia within a touchdown. On a third-and-7 at Virginia's 43-yard line, he took a snap out of the shotgun, noticed there were only three men on the defensive line and accelerated through a hole for 12 yards.
One play later, he set up the touchdown by eluding a couple of tacklers in the backfield, then stepping up and tossing a little flair to running back Shyrone Stith. Vick saw help and allowed the help to do the work; Stith took the short pass and ran 25 yards to the 1.
Said Davis, his favorite receiver: "Mike's just a great athlete. It's been a while since I've seen someone who can make plays like that or be so calm."
"Last week," Vick said, "I rushed a lot of balls and made reads too quick. I think I made a big improvement this week. I get better and better each week."
If that continues to be the case, the Hokies have a real chance to convince people they are a national power to stay. They have a couple of things in their favor: a quarterback with mounting potential, confidence and a schedule that will bring their toughest Big East challenges (Syracuse and Miami) to their home campus.
The receiver Davis relishes the prospect Virginia Tech will be more than a defensive power. "People have got to respect our offense now," he said.
They certainly have to respect the quarterback.
"He has the confidence of our football team," Beamer said of Vick. "I'm gonna tell you: He's the right guy for our football team."