Friday, November 02, 2007
Sports columnist Aaron McFarling: 'Backup' wears role well
Aaron McFarling
Recent columns
ATLANTA -- This is how a quarterback wins his job back: He stumbles and falls on first down, protects the ball as he's sacked on second down, then launches a 71-yard touchdown pass on third down.
This is how a quarterback wins his job back: He gets hit and hit and hit, but each time he rises, not rattled in the least.
This is how a quarterback wins his job back: He comes in relief of a fallen teammate and destroys an overmatched opponent, follows it up with a smart game against the nation's No. 2 team, then has the night of his life against one of college football's most aggressive defenses.
Virginia Tech has to start Sean Glennon at quarterback again. After leading the Hokies to a 27-3 victory over Georgia Tech on Thursday night, he's left the coaches no choice.
This is no knock on Tyrod Taylor, who was 5-0 as a starter before falling prey to a high ankle sprain against Duke. He's only a freshman. He'll get his chances again.
But the dynamics of this competition have changed completely.
The Glennon who entered that Duke game -- let's call him "Backup Sean" -- was different than the Glennon who stood sullen outside that locker room following the Week 2 disaster against LSU. This new guy no longer worries about messing up; he only sees opportunity.
Physically, it's the same guy. Good arm. Limited mobility. Tough as a mixed martial artist.
But mentally, Backup Sean is far superior.
The old Glennon could be spooked. Backup Sean is fearless.
The old Glennon sometimes seemed tentative. Backup Sean makes a decision and then lets it fly.
On Thursday, Glennon completed 22-of-32 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns.
But it was some of the little things he did that mattered most. Midway through the third quarter, when Tech needed eight yards on third down, Glennon dropped back, rolled out of the pocket, sprinted for the chains and dove headfirst to get the first down.
Without that play, Glennon never throws the 71-yard strike to Josh Morgan that put the game away.
By the way, that jersey suits him, don't you think? The way Glennon played on Thursday night, so loose and free and plucky, he looked just right in a makeshift uniform top a kid might create before the big backyard game on Thanksgiving morning.
The name scripted on there in marker was the perfect touch. Nothing too flashy, but you definitely know he's there.
Glennon was not a one-man team by any stretch. Tech's five interceptions on defense might have played a tiny role in the outcome (Hey, Bud -- call those plays whatever you want, and keep calling them).
So did the balanced play-calling of offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring, whose 112th-ranked offense suddenly became a 481-yard machine.
So did head coach Frank Beamer's gutsy onside kick call late in the first quarter, a crafty move by a normally conservative guy.
And so did Branden Ore's 86-yard rushing performance -- his second solid game in a row -- which led to manageable third-downs situations.
But when they got in those manageable third-down situations, it was Glennon who managed to pick up the 5 or 6 yards the team needed. The Hokies converted seven of 12 third downs in the first half, sustaining drives and keeping that defense fresh to prevent any chance of a Georgia Tech comeback.
This is the way it was always supposed to look, the way folks thought it might look when they made the Hokies the overwhelming favorites to win the ACC in the preseason. An offensive line that can block well enough, a defense that can dominate and an experienced quarterback who can make good decisions and accurate throws.
And this is how a quarterback reacts when he's won his job back: He grants a postgame interview to Erin Andrews, then circles around the end zone stands, Cal Ripken-style, to celebrate with lingering Virginia Tech fans.
Then he heads to the locker room, his leadership restored, his outlook more idealistic than ever.
