BLACKSBURG -- Fortunately for Virginia Tech outside linebackers coach Jim Cavanaugh, Cody Grimm and Cam Martin really like each other.

If not, Cavanaugh's hair, if possible, might be even whiter than it is now.

"Oh, I think there are some personalities that couldn't do what these two guys do," said Cavanaugh, when asked about the pair of seniors who share reps at the Hokies' play-making whip linebacker's spot.

"I know they both want to start and both want to play, and I wouldn't expect anything less. But they get along and they cooperate. This is Virginia Tech and we do things a certain way, and I think they handle that pretty well. They're two redshirt seniors who are at the stage of their lives when they want to be team players."

The results are evident. Through the season's first two games, Grimm and Martin have combined for 21 tackles, the most stops by any one position on the defense.

Martin, who started all but two games over the past two seasons, has been slowed by a rash of injuries in his career.

He has been plagued by a right knee injury since late 2008, which has robbed him of some of his speed and mobility.

Grimm has taken the opportunity and ran with it, finishing third on the team in tackles (71), second in tackles for loss (14) and tying for second in sacks (7.5) last season, despite starting only one game.

"If Cody was a bad guy, if he was a cocky guy, I might not be able to accept it as well," Martin said. "But me and Cody, we're friends. We hang out outside of football. I like Cody. It makes it a whole lot easier knowing that he's your friend outside of football, as opposed to some jerk who is trying to take your job."

Grimm agrees.

"It would be one thing if one of us thought we deserved more time, or one of us thought we were better than the other person," Grimm said. "But we're tight. Plus, we're both similar type players. I would like to say we're pretty smart guys who just do our job and try not to make mistakes."

Tip for Huskers

When asked by a Nebraska writer about what the Cornhuskers can expect to find on their first trip to Lane Stadium, longtime Florida State coach Bobby Bowden offered some words of advice Wednesday on the ACC coaches' teleconference:

"You have a very real, avid, loud crowd, so tell them to get ready for the crowd noise," Bowden said. "Ain't nobody going to be for you; it's going to be all them. They might give you [4,300] seats. It'll be a heck of a football game because Virginia Tech will fight you like mad up there in Blacksburg."

Tech tidbits

Tight end Greg Boone (SC joint) was listed as probable and cornerback Stephan Virgil (left knee) was labeled as doubtful in Tech's injury report released late Thursday afternoon. The two senior starters, injured in the Sept. 5 season opener vs. Alabama, sat out last Saturday's 52-10 romp over Marshall. ... All 10 of Tech's touchdowns this season have been scored by freshmen or sophomores. ... Redshirt freshman tailback Ryan Williams' five TDs is tied with seven other players for the national lead. ... Tech has won 31 straight home games against nonconference foes. The Hokies' last loss to a nonleague opponent in Lane Stadium was a 36-32 setback to Virginia in 1998, when Tech was still a member of the Big East.