BLACKSBURG -- If Ike Whitaker does nothing else in his Virginia Tech football career, he will have one spectacular touchdown to replay.

That is, if somebody makes a copy for him of the game tape of Saturday's Maroon-White spring game.

In a play so sensational it truly deserves immediate residence on YouTube, Whitaker made a diving catch for the final touchdown of the White squad's 24-3 victory.

Whitaker, who has changed positions -- quarterback to wide receiver -- and battled alcoholism in his first three years at Tech, had dropped a pass right in his hands with room to run earlier in the game.

"Ike redeemed himself," said quarterback Sean Glennon, who rolled right and lofted a high floating pass in which a stretched-out Whitaker snared the ball just off the top of the grass.

"He dropped a ball earlier in game and he said, 'I'm going to make up for it.' And he sure did, times 10.

"It was heck of a catch. When I threw it up, I was like 'maybe, maybe.' Then I heard the crowd starting cheering, so I knew he came down with it. I watched the replay and it looked like he was parallel to the ground."

Whitaker entered the day as the Hokies' No. 3 split end behind Zach Luckett and Danny Coale.

Don't call me that

Tyrod Taylor heard some of the talk about him possibly being "injury prone" after he sprained his left foot recently in spring drills. The sophomore quarterback missed two games and was slowed in another game by ankle and rib injuries.

"Naw, I'm not injury prone," Taylor said. "A foot sprain can happen anytime. When you're a mobile quarterback, your feet do get twisted up some time. But, no, I'm not injury prone.

"In high school, I played both ways my whole career. I laugh when people bring up that stuff. I haven't had any injuries."

Spring awards

The Hokies presented their 2008 spring awards at halftime of Saturday's game. The winners are:

Paul Torgersen Award (top offensive and defensive newcomer): Blake DeChristopher on offense and Barqell Rivers on defense; Dr. Richard Bullock Award (most improved): Ike Whitaker on offense and Demetrius Taylor on defense; Frank O. Moseley Award (most hustle): Dustin Pickle on offense and John Graves on defense.

Don Williams Award (team-first mentality): Devin Perez on offense and Cam Martin on defense; the Coaches Award (outstanding spring player): Nick Marshman on offense and Brett Warren on defense; President's Award (leadership): Orion Martin and Kam Chancellor, both on defense.

George Preas Award (most valuable spring performers): Greg Boone on offense and Jason Worilds on defense. Biggest Loser Award (most weight loss): Cordarrow Thompson, defense.