Monday Afternoon Press Conference Recap: Georgia Tech

After an excruciating loss to East Carolina, all eyes are looking forward to Virginia Tech's ACC opener against Georgia Tech this Saturday. Safety Kyshoen Jarrett, receiver Isaiah Ford, quarterback Michael Brewer and Frank Beamer spoke with the media this afternoon.

The 24-hour rule is something that Brewer harped on last week, not getting too high after a win or too low after a loss. After experiencing both the highs and the lows of the emotional roller coaster that is Hokie football, which game was harder to move on from?

"For me personally, I would say probably ECU," Brewer said. "Just because, you know, that loss hurt a lot more than the joy of that win at Ohio State. But it's kind of the same deal that I talked about the previous week with the 24-hour rule, same thing applies.

"We can't hang our head and feel sorry for ourselves and let it affect this next week, this week of practice. We're going to come out today, that's done with, it's over, we've already watched all the film, we're starting on Georgia Tech and that's the main focus now."

The defensive backs are one unit in particular that needs to move on from last week, after they gave up a litany of big plays to the ECU receivers.

"It's definitely frustrating, but a lot to learn from," Jarrett said. "We have very high expectations for ourselves, within our defensive back room. [We're] not so much worried about what everybody on the outside says, so for us it was very disappointing and frustrating to see. But you know, you give props to a team like ECU. They came out and executed very well, but there's a lot for us to learn from.

"Obviously you don't want to take the loss, but it wasn't a conference game so we still have a lot ahead of us, and [we're] playing a lot more other teams who are spread offense type teams that's going to want to attack us the same way. So, from a positive note, just lucky we got it out early, because as a senior it's unacceptable and as a senior defensive back it's unacceptable."

Tech now moves ahead to play the Yellow Jackets, one of several teams capable of winning the Coastal Division. Is there any more urgency going into a conference game that can really impact this team down the line?

"Well I think what's important is you better go out and play the same every week," said Frank Beamer. "Don't put a name with it, whether it's Ohio State or East Carolina or William and Mary, you better get ready to play the same.

"That's where we try to get to I don't think we're there right now, we weren't there this past weekend, but usually in the past we've gotten there and that's what I'm hoping this football team will do."
After the win in Columbus the expectations of the Hokies skyrocketed for many, and were subsequently deflated the very next game. For a young team it may be easy to listen to the ever-changing expectations from media and fans, but Jarrett let it be known that he doesn't know (or care) how people should think of his team.

"Everybody is entitled to their own opinion about us," said Jarrett. "They're just going to have to keep coming to the games and watch us play ball, because honestly I'm not too sure. I don't get too caught up with what people outside say about us and what we're doing within our own team.

"We have to worry about what we have to do, and performing on Saturday. So if we get caught up with what everybody else is saying, then we're not going to be worried about the game so much. Like I said, everybody's entitled to their own opinion, so I guess I can just leave it at that."

It seems that the team is relatively insulated from voices and expectations of the team. After last week, that doesn't necessarily seem like a bad thing.

It was a disappointing loss, but Tech doesn't have time to pout with Georgia Tech coming to town. Brewer was asked about the message that he wanted to send to his teammates going into this week of practice before the conference opener.

"Starting ACC play this week, the message was simple," Brewer said. "We expect to win every game. Obviously that didn't happen this past week, and there are some things that we need to correct, some mistakes we need to correct, and we'll do that. And now the big picture, we want to win our side and make it to the ACC Championship, and this is the first step to do that."

Hokie fans may be upset that their team is 2-1 going into week four, but if Tech can reach their quarterback's goals, odds are that the fans will be pretty pleased come December.