randy.king@roanoke.com 981-3126

All last season and through spring practice, Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer repeatedly said that the Hokies had the best situation at quarterback a team could have.

"A lot of teams have trouble finding one guy who can do the job and we've got two guys," said Beamer, referring to starter Bryan Randall and talented backup Marcus Vick.

Well, two became one Tuesday.

In a development that guaranteed Tech of opening its first season in the ACC with only one proven QB, Vick was suspended indefinitely from competition by the school in the wake of his charge for reckless driving and possession of marijuana early Saturday morning in New Kent County.

Beamer also suspended Vick from participation in all team activities, meaning the redshirt sophomore won't be allowed to practice or train with the Hokies for the rest of the summer leading up to the club's Aug.28 opener against co-national champion Southern California in Landover, Md.

Without Vick, who was expected to give senior Bryan Randall a strong run for the starting job in August's preseason camp, the Hokies' No.2 QB job now falls in the lap of newcomer Cory Holt.

The 6-foot-4 Holt enrolled at Tech last January, a move that enabled him to go through spring practice with the Hokies. He saw action in the spring game, completing 2 of 4 passes for 9 yards.

"Like any kid, Cory came in and found out there's so much you have to learn to play quarterback in college," Tech quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers said in April. "I will tell you this: Cory has an excellent arm and he has almost an uncanny knack to throw the ball accurately."

Sean Glennon, a highly rated recruit out of Westfield High, could challenge Holt for the backup position.