Dave Knachel | Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech rover Davon Morgan (2) made 24 tackles in the Hokies' final four games last season.

Davon Morgan won the starting rover job in 2008, but was lost for the season in the fifth game with a knee injury.

BLACKSBURG -- Following a practice last week in steamy Rector Field House, Davon Morgan was breathing hard and dripping wet with sweat.

The Hokies' senior rover had just completed every football player's nightmare, being part of post-workout punishment drills that included a couple extra wind sprints, followed by an energy-sapping series of 10 up-downs.

''Yeah, I missed a meeting this morning, or breakfast check, you might say,'' said Morgan, catching his breath.

"It don't hurt, though. Hey, I would rather put in the hard work now, so when it comes to September 6th, it's going to be easy.''

Yes, Labor Day night at FedEx Field., where 10th-ranked Tech collides with No. 3 Boise State in the headline matchup of college football's opening weekend.

"I've been looking forward to this date since it was announced,'' Morgan said.

"We're talking huge game here ... huge game!

''Just to go in there to FedEx Field and lay it all on the line with my teammates. I couldn't ask for nothing better. I couldn't be in a better place. Man, I feel like it's the greatest show on earth!''

Morgan can hardly wait. The 6-foot, 196-pound Richmond native has paid his dues. His career was put on hold in 2008 when he sustained a torn ACL on a kickoff return during the Hokies' 35-30 win at Nebraska.

Morgan, who backed up Kam Chancellor at free safety as a freshman, won the starting rover job in 2008 fall camp and started the first five games before he was carried off the field in Lincoln, Neb. Because Morgan played in 4 ¹₂ games, he didn't qualify for a medical redshirt.

''It was a great win for Virginia Tech, but it was really tough losing Dav,'' Hokies coach Frank Beamer said.

"Davon has a great personality. He's a real positive guy that can kind of make the day for you. We knew he would come back strong, and that's exactly what he's done.''

While he watched Dorian Porch take his spot for the final nine games of 2008, Morgan worked hard to rehabilitate his knee and kept his head up. He was a frequent visitor to practice, where his infectious persona served as a pick-me-up for his teammates.

''I missed football badly,'' he said. "Football has been my life, you know. But I had to be there to support my teammates.''

Last season, Porch started the first nine games, with Morgan getting significant time in the backup role. Coming down the stretch, though, Morgan bumped Porch as the starter and registered 24 tackles in the final four games.

''I'm a hell of a lot better now,'' a grinning Morgan said.

"It was a coach's call. My thing is I try to bring everything I possibly can to the game. I watched what Porch was doing wrong and the things that he did well, and it added to my game. I fused it together and I just made myself a total football player.''

Morgan has reason to grin even more as he revs up for his final season in a Tech uniform. He said a defense that will include seven new starters in the season opener will be ready for Boise State's high-powered offense.

''We're together as a unit and I feel like we're together as brothers,'' he said.

"There's going to be no dropoff in this defense, I promise you. We've got players. Virginia Tech does a good job of recruiting every year. Some outsiders simply don't know some of these guys' names.

''I know what we've got to bring to the table. The defense is only lacking some experience, and it's going to come real fast. But once this ball gets started, ain't no one stopping us.''

Tech tidbits

Redshirt sophomore Lorenzo Williams, who figured to be No. 3 behind starter Jeron Gouveia-Winslow and backup Alonzo Tweedy at whip linebacker, is done for the season. Williams tested positive Tuesday for a Lisfranc sprain in his right foot sustained in last Saturday's second preseason scrimmage. Williams is tentatively set for surgery next Thursday. ...

Redshirt sophomore split end Xavier Boyce, who sustained a MCL sprain in his left knee in the same scrimmage, will not require surgery. Boyce is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. ...

Tech tailbacks Ryan Williams and Darren Evans each were listed Wednesday among the current list of nominees for the Doak Walker Award, presented annually to the nation's top running back.

Tech was the only school in the nation to have two players on the list.