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Glennon leads Virginia Tech to fifth straight victory

Oct 13, 2007 - 9:22 PM DURHAM, North Carolina (Ticker) -- When it comes to the Virginia Tech-Duke game, the faces have changed during the past 26 years. The result, on the other hand, has not.

Backup quarterback Sean Glennon threw for two touchdowns as 12th-ranked Virginia Tech blasted Duke, 43-14, in Atlantic Coast Conference action Saturday.

In addition to winning their fifth straight game, the Hokies (6-1, 3-0 ACC Coastal) defeated Duke for the seventh consecutive time. The Blue Devils (1-6, 0-4) fell to 7-8 in the all-time series and have not defeated the Hokies since 1981.

"I thought it was fantastic," Virginia Tech offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring said, referring to Glennon's effort. "He took control and we went straight to the air and he threw some really nice balls. He went out and ran the offense and it's a credit to him as a person and as football player to be ready when called upon."

Taking over for injured starter Tyrod Taylor at the start of the second quarter, Glennon showed the form that had made him the team's starter to begin the year. The junior went 16-of-21 for 258 yards with no interceptions as the Hokies became Bowl eligible for the 15th straight season.

Taylor took over for Glennon during the team's only loss of the season at LSU on September 8 and had been the starter ever since.

While Taylor's day was cut short by an ankle injury, the freshman completed 5-of-7 passes for 88 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. A week after running for a career-best 118 yards in a 41-23 win against Clemson, Taylor also carried five times for 20 yards.

Taylor's status is uncertain, but he could benefit from the fact that the Hokies don't play again until they host Boston College on October 25.

Several Hokies' wide receivers had big games with Glennon at the helm, including Josh Morgan, who caught touchdown passes of 19 and 40 yards. Eddie Royal led the team with six receptions for 90 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown.

Tight end Sam Wheeler had a game-high 94 yards receiving on four catches for the Hokies, who have outscored their last five opponents, 173-56.

"We had put a lot of things into trying to slow Tyrod Taylor down, but regardless of who the quarterback is you have to play good, sound defense and get off the field," Duke coach Ted Roof said. "There were too many long pass plays.

"Sometimes it was lack of pressure and sometimes it was their guys making big plays and their quarterback making good throws. We have to take a hard look at things during the off week and figure out a way to correct them."

While Virginia Tech's ground game was held in check for the most part, Kenny Lewis contributed a five-yard score and Branden Ore barreled in from two yards out.

Like the offense, the Hokies defense was led by a backup Saturday, as linebacker Brett Warren made a career-high 11 tackles to go along with an interception. The junior played in place of injured Vince Hall, who ranked fourth in the ACC with 10.2 tackles per game before breaking his wrist in last Saturday's win.

"Sean Glennon certainly stepped up and Brett Warren came in and played really well for us," Hokies coach Frank Beamer said. "That's when you know you have a good team coming together, when guys get called upon and they come in and answer the bell. I'm encouraged right now - this is a really good win for this football program."

Duke quarterback Thaddeus Lewis, who rushed for a one-yard score, finished 13-of-24 for 119 yards with a touchdown and one interception as the Blue Devils lost their fourth consecutive game.