Whit Babcock

Babcock thanked the fans who have attended games this year.  The William & Mary game was very special for him, as that was his first game as AD and the team gave him a game ball afterwards.

Babcock has been impressed with Tech fans so far.  He has gotten a lot of great compliments from visiting ADs about the Tech fanbase.

Babcock generally gets better feedback on the gameday experience after a win.  The biggest complaint has been about music, and the staff is still trying to find their sweet spot there.  They try to listen to everyone's opinions.  He's gotten a lot of positive feedback on the gameday atmosphere from Cheryl Beamer.

Tech has lobbied, and will continue to lobby, for later kickoff times.  However, it's really out of the hands of athletic directors.  Hopefully all the ADs can come together in the offseason and try to come up with a better agreement with the networks.  Babcock seemed to not like the fact that there were three straight kickoffs at noon or 12:30.  He agrees with the sentiment of Tech fans, and he doesn't like those early kickoffs either.

Kevin Jones has been mentoring Shai McKenzie, and Babcock told him after the game that he really has to kick it in now.  Babcock plans to visit McKenzie too.  Tech is counting on him to bounce back, and Babcock is praying that he does.

Tech has reached out to Metallica to try to get them to play at Lane Stadium.  The reply was that they are booked up for a year.

Tech is making a concerted effort to break their own news.  Tech's hits on HokieSports.com are way up.  They are making use of video, and they aren't waiting for the traditional media to cover the Olympic sports teams.  They are doing it themselves.

Babcock doesn't know of any flyovers planned this year.  He'll check on it.  (Note from CC: Flyovers are very unlikely to impossible this year, thanks to Federal budget cuts.)

The loser of Saturday's game is 0-2 in the ACC.  That's what makes college football great, the fact that each week is a big game.  Babcock looks forward to going down to Chapel Hill and getting a win.

Babcock does something different each game.  He has gone by tailgates, he has met with the staff, he has met with the officials, the corps, etc.  It gives him a feel for the fanbase and it shortens his learning curve.  The pregames have been great.  Selfishly, he tries to be on the field for Enter Sandman.

Babcock thinks there should be more TVs around the concession stands so fans can watch the game while they get food.  Hopefully that's something they can fix for next season.

Tech wants to sell out every game, but he wasn't disappointed in the crowds over the last three weeks.  It's really tough to make three straight games, and the early time slots hurt as well.  He thinks everybody will be anxious for a home game by the time Miami comes to town.

ESPN requested that the kickoff time of the Miami game moved back for 27 minutes.  Babcock said yes, because he wanted to make sure kickoff was seen and not preempted by ESPN for the baseball playoffs.  Babcock politely requested fewer noon games in the future as a return, or at least not three noon games in a row.

Babock wakes up around 4:45 or 5am every morning.  He likes to have quiet time before his wife and kids get up.  He takes his kids to school, and then goes to work.  He had meetings this morning at 9am about naming rights and donations, he had a conference call with the ACC, they had a senior staff meeting in the afternoon, and then he and Kevin Jones went to watch the softball practice.  After such a long day, he did Tech Talk Live, and then he's going home.

Frank Beamer

Beamer thought the year would be up and down to a certain extent.  Every touchdown scored on Saturday was by a freshman.  They aren't where they need to be, but the important thing is for them to keep working and become a more consistent football team.

The kickoff coverage team has been very good this year.  However, they have to make sure they don't kick the ball out of bounds.  That has happened a couple of times this year.  It's a part of maturing as a football team.

Tech is getting too many penalties.  The players have to use better judgement.  Don't hit defenders in the back, etc.  Youth has something to do with it.  The coaches are now making the team do up-downs on Sundays for every penalty yard during the previous game.  Tech had a substitution penalty on Sunday, but that was Beamer's fault.  He was trying to take a guy out of the game who had just gotten called for a personal foul.

Tech is trying to get their best five offensive linemen on the field.  They did some experimenting in the Western Michigan game.  Stacy Searels has a good mindset, and they're going to keep getting after it.

Beamer thinks the fans have been tremendous during the games this year.  The Orange Effect was great on Saturday, and he has also gotten compliments from opposing fans about Tech fans.  He's happy about that.

Shai McKenzie was in the team meeting on Sunday.  He's a very popular player, and he works so hard.  Everybody hates it for him.  Tech will support him as much as they can, and hopefully there will be a better time for him.

Tech would like to get Wyatt Teller in the lineup.  He looks the part, and he plays the part for part of the time.  They want him to do it all the time.  He's working very hard.

Michael Brewer is a guy who hasn't played a lot.  He does a lot of good things.  Beamer is banking on his turnovers improving.  He thinks that's what will happen.  He gives you some things on the field that you really like.

North Carolina has given up too many long plays on defense, like the Hokies.  Those long plays are killers.  They certainly have the talent.  They'll make two or three good plays in a row, and then give up a big play.  They are a good team.  They are very athletic.

Marquise Williams is a very talented quarterback.  They have a couple of quarterbacks they feel very good about.  UNC has moved the ball very well.

Ryan Switzer returned five punts for touchdowns a year ago.  He led the country in return yardage.  He's a real talent.  They do a great job with their special teams at UNC.  The Hokies have to have a good game plan for Switzer.