Photos by Matt Gentry | The Roanoke Times

Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor signals to Sean Glennon during the Virginia Tech-East Carolina game in Charlotte N.C., last Saturday. Plans to redshirt Taylor have been scrapped after the 27-22 loss to the Pirates.

Virginia Tech quarterbacks Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor (right) have been battling for the starting job for the last two years. Glennon threw two interceptions Saturday.

BLACKSBURG -- Tyrod Taylor didn't wear red for long.

One week after unveiling plans that senior Sean Glennon would be his No. 1 quarterback, Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer ran a sudden reverse Tuesday, announcing he had rescinded the redshirt season planned for sophomore Tyrod Taylor.

No one to had read any lips. Beamer couldn't say it any plainer.

"I think this football teams needs Tyrod Taylor," he said bluntly.

Seven days earlier, Beamer had proclaimed that Glennon was his guy and that Taylor would play only in an emergency situation. The situation changed, however, after the Hokies' offense produced a mediocre 243 total yards and 14 points in a 27-22 upset loss to East Carolina in last Saturday's season opener in Charlotte, N.C.

So what's the deal now? Beamer was vague about his immediate plans, other than saying both quarterbacks will play against Division I-AA Furman (1-0) in Tech's Saturday home opener.

"I'm not going to get into how much each is going to play or how we're going to do it," Beamer said. "It's about our football team and being the best football team we can be. And I think Tyrod, what he can do, helps us be the best football team that we can be."

After his club blew a 14-point lead and lost to ECU on a late-game blocked punt for a touchdown, Beamer said it became evident that immediate change was necessary. The Hokies ran for only 40 yards in the decisive second half and managed just five first downs in keeping the ball for only 11 minutes, a factor that helped quickly gas a depth-shy defense in 90-degree heat.

Beamer said it's imperative his young offense must run the football run effectively, at least until the nation's youngest receiving corps -- a group with a total of 15 combined snaps entering this season -- finds it way.

"I don't think with young receivers that you want to rely on throwing the ball 40 times a game," Beamer said. "I feel like we need what Tyrod brings to the game. I think we need another playmaker in our backfield."

"I think right now our defense is not as good as I think it's going to be. It's probably not as good as we've been in the past. So I think controlling the clock and limiting the number of plays that the other teams have is very important. Our offensive line is better, but we're still a work in progress. I think the launch point, where we throw the football to different places is a must. Those are the basic reasons we're going this route."

Glennon was 14-for-23 passing for 139 yards with two interceptions. He was picked on his first throw of the season for a second straight year, ending a Tech drive on the ECU 19 on the game's opening possession. Late in the first half with Tech leading 14-0, Glennon was intercepted at the Tech 20-yard line to set up a gift ECU touchdown.

"Sean played well except for a couple of plays. But it's not that. It's about our football team being its best," said Beamer, adding that he and his staff are hopeful that Glennon will have an NFL career after leaving Blacksburg.

Under Beamer's orders, Glennon and Taylor both were off limits to the media Tuesday and will remain so throughout the week.

Beamer said he informed the QBs of his decision in meetings with each Monday.

"Very disappointed," said Beamer, when asked about Glennon's reaction. "But again, as I explained to him, I think this is what's best for our football team."

As could be expected, Taylor's response was the opposite, Beamer said.

"Tyrod likes to play now," Beamer said. "When it's time to kick it off, he likes to play, no question. Both guys, they're very competitive, but that's one of the things that you certainly like about Tyrod."

A week ago, Taylor said he and his family weren't interested in him sharing QB duties this season. The two formed a tag-team duo for most of the second half of last season.

"Strictly a team decision right here," Beamer said. "I think Tyrod's ability and how he can help this team win is what's best for Virginia Tech."

None of the Tech players who showed up for Tech's weekly Tuesday afternoon news conference knew of the development until Beamer informed the media. Most confessed to be surprised. Not tailback Kenny Lewis Jr., though.

"I expected it to be both quarterbacks from Day 1," Lewis said. "They're both talented. It's too much talent to keep off the field.

"Tyrod is going to be on the field; Sean is going to be out there ... let's go Hokies."