The Roanoke Times | File April

Frank Beamer is hoping Tyrod Taylor, who had his redshirt removed after the Hokies lost last week's season opener, can improve Tech's offense on the ground and in the air.

During Virginia Tech's Tuesday news conference, a reporter jokingly asked a couple of Hokie players if they knew where today's Lane Stadium visitor, Furman, was from.

Offensive tackle Ed Wang was blank-faced. He had no clue. Cornerback Stephan Virgil shook his head from side to side. He had no idea.

The answer to this little quiz is Greenville, S.C., but it's no big deal. Shoot, the Hokies don't even know where they're coming from in the wake of their breakdown-filled performance in a 27-22 loss to East Carolina last Saturday in Charlotte, N.C.

Perfect time to find out, though. If Tech can't clean up its act against I-AA Furman (1-0), things won't get any easier the next three weeks against Georgia Tech at Lane, followed by trips to North Carolina and Nebraska.

"This week is all about us ... about us getting better across the board," junior tailback Kenny Lewis Jr. said. "Nobody expected that last week. We've got to come out [today] and turn things up."

Of course, the lead story today will involve the ongoing saga of Tech's quarterback position. A week ago, senior Sean Glennon had a vise grip on the spot after Frank Beamer's decision to redshirt sophomore Tyrod Taylor.

So much for locks. In view of his offense's sputtering show against ECU, Beamer surprisingly summoned Taylor from the bullpen for help. He said Tuesday that both QBs will play today, but didn't name his starter.

Considering all the buzz created by Tuesday's announcement to yank Taylor's redshirt, one has to figure Beamer will start No. 5 behind center today. If things go well -- Tech has beaten the five I-AA foes it has faced the past 10 years by a combined 234-3 score -- it may very well be the official uninterrupted start of the Tyrod Taylor era in Blacksburg.

Taylor, who like Glennon has been off-limits to the media since Tuesday, was 5-0 as the starter last season after taking over for Glennon in a 48-7 blowout at LSU in Week 2. He injured an ankle against Duke and missed two games before returning to join Glennon. Tech then went with a dual-QB system the rest of the season.

After watching the ECU video, Beamer said he saw an offense that desperately needs a spark.

Tech's line, playing without right tackle Blake DeChristopher who was injured four snaps into the game, struggled to keep the heat off pocket-passer Glennon. The Hokies' young wide receivers had trouble getting open, plus dropped some passes. The running game mustered only 104 yards. Too many short offensive drives kept Tech's inexperienced and depth-shy defense on the field too long to remain at top effectiveness.

"I think it's just a fact that we need to be able to run the football, and I think putting another guy in the game that can help you run the football is in our best interests," said Beamer, referring to Taylor and his well-advertised athleticism.

"I like our receiving crowd and all those things, but I think what it gets down to is that running is what needs to be the foundation of our offense right now."

Beamer also noted that Taylor brings much more to the table besides his legs.

"Tyrod is certainly athletic, but I think his throwing is further advanced that it was a year ago, as far as reading coverages and being able to throw the football. I think he brings that element to the game," Beamer said.

On the other side of the ball, Bud Foster's bunch hopes to show fans they can tackle some people. The Hokies tackled like their hands and arms were coated with Vaseline against ECU.

"We knew after the ECU game that that wasn't the way Virginia Tech plays defense," junior cornerback Stephan Virgil said. "We're great tacklers. We knew we slacked a lot. We're going to perform this week."

Senior cornerback Macho Harris, who said he expects to play after missing the ECU game with a sprained left foot, said all the youth showed in the opener.

"First game, we young, lot of jitters and whatnot," said Harris, who watched the game on television in his Blacksburg apartment. "It's the opener and that's going to happen. But if we keep repeating the mistakes, Coach [Foster] is going to have to do something."