Aaron McFarling

Recent columns

• Tar Heels will come in mad vs. Virginia
• Cavs’ Zeglinski needs to break out of slump
• Loss to Oak Hill is one Galax will never forget
• Job recognition? Bet that Aiken doesn't want it

• Column archive

Aaron's blog

• Tuesday: Harris tests broken hand; New superconference not so super; A video you’ll love

BLACKSBURG — College football has changed a lot over the years, but one thing hasn’t: Teams don’t put scrubs on the cover of their media guides.

The cover is no place for backups or scout teamers or “emotional leaders.” It’s not a place for coaches’ wives or behind-the-scenes contributors.

We’re talking about a book that will be handed to every potential recruit and out-of-town reporter who walks through the door. The cover is essentially the gateway to the program, the attention-grabber, the first impression. Only the most important players need apply.

Virginia Tech knows this. And that’s why two of the four players on the cover of the 2006 Hokies media guide are kickers.

But wait, you say. What about the quarterback? The tailback? Hey, didn’t defensive coordinator Bud Foster say he’s got two of the best linebackers he’s ever had in Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi? So where are their pictures?

Inside. All of them.

That’s a credit to punter Nic Schmitt, a Playboy All-American, and place-kicker Brandon Pace, arguably the top field-goal marksman in the ACC. But more importantly, it signifies a priority shift for the Hokies.

They’re returning to their roots.

“As a group on special teams, we’ve got to get it back a little bit,” Tech coach Frank Beamer said.

In other words, rediscover the edge. If the Hokies can do that this season, they can turn a good team into a great one. They can win at Miami. They can reclaim the ACC. They can return to a BCS bowl game.

Because this defense, when healthy, will be as good as ever. That means Tech will be in every game, with field position and big, quick-strike plays likely deciding the match-ups with elite competition.

Enter special teams, a facet that has always been considered a Tech strength. It still is — Beamer has repeatedly said this is the most talented group of kickers he’s ever had — but the gap between the Hokies and everyone else has closed.

Remember last year’s ACC title game? The game didn’t turn on a fumble, interception or big offensive play. It turned on special teams, when Willie Reid ran a punt back 83 yards for a touchdown, sparking Florida State’s 24-point third quarter.

Beamer’s not sure whether his special teams have regressed a bit or everyone else’s have simply gotten better. No matter. He wants it — needs it — to change.

The Hokies ranked 10th out of the 12 ACC teams last year in average kickoff return yardage and did not place an individual in the top 10. Their punt return average ranked a pedestrian fifth in the league. And despite Schmitt’s big leg, Tech was eighth in net punting, a category that takes the opponent’s return yardage into account.

Beamer figures if Tech’s kick-blocking improves, some of the rest will follow. After all, opponents can’t tackle return men when they’re worried about protecting their punter.

And Tech’s certainly taken a step back in kick blocking. After averaging about one blocked kick every other game through the 1990s, the Hokies have deflected only 11 during the past three years.

Macho Harris is the only player on the roster who has blocked one — knocking down a punt attempt against North Carolina in the regular-season finale last year.

“I was doing what I was coached to do, you know?” Harris said. “Coach Beamer said to run off the outside guy’s leg, bend it hard, stay low and go get it, and that’s what I did.”

Much of this preseason has been spent refining those skills and rotating personnel, trying to determine the top candidates for kick-blocking. But Beamer’s made sure to visit those areas, too.

The players say they have embraced all aspects of special teams this summer because they’ve been reminded constantly how important it is.

In case they forget, they can always check that media-guide cover.

And if next year’s cover says “2006 ACC champions,” they’ll know one of the reasons why.