The Roanoke Times

File January Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) runs against the Cincinnati defense during the Orange Bowl game on Jan. 1.

BLACKSBURG --Good news for Virginia Tech's football team: The Hokies won't have to venture to Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium in 2012.

In a deal announced by the Washington Redskins on Monday, Tech and Cincinnati have agreed to play at FedEx Field in Landover, Md., in 2012. The game was originally scheduled to be played at Nippert Stadium, the Bearcats' cozy 35,000-seat stadium that was built in 1902 and ranks as the fourth-oldest playing site in college football.

While the Bearcats will officially be the host team, the Hokies will enjoy a home-field edge in the neutral site of FedEx Field, a 92,000-seat facility that sits in Tech's geographic footprint. Thanks to a huge turnout by Hokie fans, Tech and Southern California drew a crowd of 91,665 in the 2004 season opener at the Redskins' stadium.

After seeing a horde of Hokies show up last Saturday in College Park, Md., where Tech drilled Maryland 36-9, Tech coach Frank Beamer knows the change of the game site helps his side's chances.

"We've got a lot of fans up in that area and a lot of people that support the Hokies can get there. I think that's a good thing for us," Beamer said Monday.

The Tech-UC game was originally scheduled to be this season's opener. The contest was pushed back to 2012 so the Hokies could play Alabama in Atlanta on Sept. 5.

It will mark Tech's third game at FedEx Field. The Hokies will play there a second time Oct. 2, when they face Boise State. It will the Bearcats' first visit to FedEx.

Cincinnati (10-0) is currently ranked fifth in the polls. Brian Kelly's Bearcats have won 16 of their past 17 games, with their only loss coming to Tech in the Orange Bowl Jan. 1.

No time or date has been set for the game. Information on ticket sales will be released at a later date.

No change after all

Tech athletic director Jim Weaver and ESPN had wanted to move next season's Boise State-Tech game at FedEx to Labor Day (Sept. 6). However, Boise State balked at that request because it didn't want to play on a Monday night, travel, and then turn around and play its home opener five days later against Toledo.

Weaver said the Hokies are still looking to fill an opening in next season's schedule that was created when Western Michigan asked out of its game in Blacksburg, so it could play at Notre Dame. The opponent will likely be a Division I-AA foe.

Shakers and movers

The Maryland game marked the second straight game in which Tech's defense had a new starter. It was inside linebacker Lyndell Gibson at East Carolina, and last Saturday it was Davon Morgan at rover. Both performed well enough to earn another start, leaving former starters Jake Johnson and Dorian Porch in backup roles.

"I think competition makes everyone better," Beamer said. "Whoever's playing the best, that's who's going to play the most. That's how we operate around here. They understand that, too. It's all about production."

Special teams maven

Redshirt freshman linebacker Alonzo Tweedy continues to shine on the Hokies' kicking units. Tweedy's 19 tackles on kickoff and punt coverage teams top the squad.

"He's a guy that's really done well on special teams, and usually if you can do well there, you're a good football player," Beamer said. "Just like Cody Grimm. He used to be a special teams player and you'd say, 'Man, he's making all these plays.'

"If you've got good football sense, it shows on special teams, because it's open-field stuff; it's fast; you've got to make quick decisions. I think football players show up on special teams. Tweedy's doing the exact same thing. He's making all these plays and I think it tells you he's going to be a good defensive football player, too."

Tech tidbits

Tech's three losses have come to teams that are a combined 27-4. ... Tech's schedule is ranked third toughest in the nation this week by the Sargarin Ratings. ... A limited number of tickets for Saturday's game against North Carolina State will go on sale today at 10 a.m. The tickets became available when the Wolfpack returned a portion of its ticket allotment.