Corey Marshall Defends Frank Beamer, Travon McMillian on Kevin Jones, and Bud Foster Previews BC

At Tuesday evening's media availability, I asked senior defensive tackle Corey Marshall about the mood in the struggling Hokies' locker room. Never afraid to speak his mind, the passionate Marshall launched into a fiery defense of Frank Beamer, the man he says he came to Virginia Tech to play for.

"I think guys are in good spirits. One thing I can say is we have a lot of competitors," said Marshall. "When you keep taking losses like that, it eats at your pride. A lot of these guys come from winning programs and we don't wanna be the group that has to have our head down and know that we let that (bowl) streak get away. That streak's older than me. We take a lot of pride in putting that together every year, making this a great program for Coach Beamer, (because) he takes a lot of shit, excuse my language, that he shouldn't have to take. We feel for him and we wanna win for him. I came here five years ago (because) that was the guy I wanted to play for. And I feel like that and I feel like he is fully capable of leading this program."

Bud Foster Fields Questions

Bryan Stinespring Talks Bucky Hodges

Travon McMillian's New Mentor

From Lee Suggs to Ryan Williams to David Wilson, Virginia Tech has had its fair share of star running backs over the years. One of them, now back in Blacksburg working as a special assistant to athletic director Whit Babcock, has taken an interest in the Hokies' newest starting tailback.

"Definitely K.J. (Kevin Jones)," said McMillian when asked if any former Hokie running backs have given him guidance. "He gives me advice about things and everything. It's good to have his perspective on things because we're kind of similar running style and everything. He definitely calls me up after every game telling me what I should have done in certain situations and stuff like that. He's helping me out since I'm new to the position and everything."

One of Jones' biggest pointers for McMillian? Stay low to the ground.

"He said that I'm an upright runner," said McMillian. "He wants me to get a little bit lower...get my pads a little bit lower or get my knees up. Just small things that I can work on."

And despite a menacing Boston College defense awaiting him in Chestnut Hill, McMillian's individual rushing goals remain unchanged.

"They have a great defense and everything, but I'm just gonna try to rush for 100 yards against them just like I do every week. That's my goal," said McMillian.

And after amassing 337 yards on the ground in his first three collegiate starts, who can really blame the freshman for his confidence? One thing is certain — McMillian won't be moving back to quarterback anytime soon.

"Not anymore," laughed McMillian. "I'm on to bigger and better things."

Bud Foster and Corey Marshall on Boston College

Boston College freshman quarterback Jeff Smith suffered a concussion against Louisville last weekend, and his status for Saturday is still uncertain. If he's unable to go, Foster expects to see redshirt freshman Troy Flutie — nephew of Boston College great Doug Flutie — start for the Eagles.

"I know they do a little more quarterback runs with (Smith) as opposed to the Flutie kid, not to say that Flutie can't do it," said Foster. "But Flutie can throw the football. He's got good mobility."

Regardless of who is under center for the Eagles, Foster knows that Boston College will formulate a game plan and stubbornly stick to it.

"That's what BC does a nice job of," said Foster. "They're gonna do what they do and hope you bust. Whatever that plan is, they're gonna work it and work it and work it and be consistent at it."

Marshall, sitting just a few paces away from his defensive coordinator, agreed.

"They're that three yards and a cloud of dust offense," said Marshall. "And the funny thing about them is they don't get discouraged in what they do. You can shut it down all game, but like Coach (Foster) said, they're waiting on that one play that you're not in your gap and they're gonna hit it and make you pay for it. As long as we're fundamentally sound and we wrap up, it's not a problem."

Marshall, hampered of late by nagging lower body injuries, seems confident he's close to 100%.

"I'm definitely getting back up there," said Marshall. "From the end of the Pitt game, I felt like I was kinda, that two week stretch I was out and missed games, I felt like I was a liability. I didn't wanna be in there and take away from what we were trying to do defensively. But now I'm starting to turn the corner and everything is starting to click a little more. Getting that quickness back and I'm able to stabilize more on that leg."

Bucky Hodges Happy to Have Michael Brewer Back

On Monday, Michael Brewer talked about how he anticipated his return helping Bucky Hodges make more noise on offense. Hodges sang a similar tune this evening.

"Definitely with Brewer in there, we're going more in the air," said Hodges. "Obviously Motley brings a threat of running the ball, but with Michael, he's just a quarterback. He's a game-changer. He knows how to manage the game. That's what I like most about him."

And while Hodges certainly has a solid connection with backup quarterback Brenden Motley, he feels his comfort level with Brewer is a little higher.

"Me and Michael, we click a whole lot," said Hodges. "We went through all of last season together, all of summer workouts and all of camp together. It's great just having him back."

Deon Clarke's Class Conflict

Deon Clarke, a senior approaching graduation, has missed the Hokies' Wednesday practice all season due to a class conflict that was unavoidable. But fellow linebacker Andrew Motuapuaka thinks the absence of Clarke at Wednesday practices is a blessing in disguise.

"I think it's good because it gives the younger guys, the younger backers, a chance to step up and get some reps because everyone's a play away from being that guy," said Motuapuaka. "...Deon, he's at the meetings, so it's not like he's really missing anything except for actual reps that we go through on Thursday anyways."

And rest assured, Clarke promises he is doing great in his much-discussed "Middle age and Adulthood" class.

"That's the one class they strive for me to do good," laughed Clarke. "If I'm missing practice, you better get an "A" in that class."

Jon McLaughlin — The Birthday Boy

Starting left tackle Jon McLaughlin turned 22 today, but don't expect to see the hulking lineman downing rails at TOTS Tuesday. His plans are a little more subdued.

"Get to put on the pads again, I guess," McLaughlin joked.

McLaughlin was serenaded with a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" after practice, but it sounded like the musical careers for the football team are less than promising.

"Athletes, I'm not saying they're singers," laughed McLaughlin.

Additional Quotes

Corey Marshall

ON HIS REHAB AND THE MEDICAL STAFF:

"I have rehab two times a day during all that and I was really in tune with Mike (Goforth) and the medical staff. They talk to me. That's the great thing about this team. They wanna know how you feel and I just let them know there was no way I was going to be productive if they put me out there. They could have shut it down, but they know the timespan on all those type of injuries, that one to four week period, and it was just one of those things. I wasn't ready.

ON SIMPLIFYING THE GAME PLAN FOR THE YOUNG SECONDARY:

"It's just that. Simplifying the plan a little bit so their mind's not tying up their feet.They can go be ballers when they trust what they do and they can react quick. I've seen those guys make crazy plays. You can see down the line, they're gonna be nasty. But you just gotta take care of them, build their confidence and they'll return the favor soon enough."

ON IF HE BELIEVES THE HOKIES CAN REACH A BOWL GAME:

"Of course I believe it. But I think we get tripped up looking at the finish line and not taking care of the process leading up to that. Put one foot in front of the other and take care of business. I feel like we have the talent obviously to execute. We've just been under-achieving and we need to correct that."

ON BEING A SENIOR LEADER:

"I think it's time to lead by example. We got about three or four games left. What are you saving it for? What are you not going out there and giving everything for? There's no turning back after this point. Just cherish these moments and make them great moments. We can write the end of this story. It doesn't have to play out the way it's kinda falling right now. We can correct these things these last couple games and get it right."

Deon Clarke

ON HIS LATE PASS INTERFERENCE AGAINST DUKE:

"The pass interference on the little wheel route, they love that play. Only reason Coach Foster got mad at me, just a little bit, because they ran that same play last year and that's when I got the interception. The whole week we were like 'alright, we're gonna get you another pick.' So they ran that same play and I read it just a little slower than what I did last year, so I didn't bite on it. I jumped up a little too early."

Andrew Motuapuaka

ON DUKE'S GAME WINNING PLAY:

"I kinda took a bad angle on it and I just lost my feet. Slipped and he just cut it up inside. He started to slow down and I should have started to break down as well, but he just hit it inside me. I thought I had some help in there as well, it was history from there. I really just thought it was my fault after I slipped. It was my play to make."

Jon McLaughlin

ON IF HIS SEASON HAS BEEN UP-AND-DOWN:

"Personally, yes, it's been up-and-down. Pitt game was definitely my worst game, but it's over. It's behind us. Now we got Boston College."

ON OFFENSIVE LINE PLAYING BETTER AFTER PITT:

"I feel like we all have as a group. Like I said, playing together. That was something we stressed last week. I feel like the offensive line played together as a group last week."

ON BOSTON COLLEGE:

"It's gonna be a fistfight like Coach (Searles) says every game. It's gonna be a fistfight. They got a great defense. I feel like we've got a great offensive line."

Travon McMillian

ON WAITING TO GAIN THE STARTING RUNNING BACK SPOT:

"I knew my time was eventually gonna come. I was waiting for that time. Once my number was called, once they committed to me and told me they were gonna give me more carries, I was ready."

ON IF HE'S SURPRISED AT HOW EARLY/QUICK HIS SUCCESS HAS COME:

"I've been doing this all my life. That's what I expect. I don't expect anything else different."