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• Stinespring said the offense isn't where they need to be yet, but they have the potential to get there. They are adding another scrimmage on Wednesday to help progress, and to take a harder look at some players.
  
  
• Part of the offense's problems in practice is the Tech defense. They are one of the top defenses in the country, and they are very tough up front. Tech's inexperience on offense makes that a tough matchup.
  
  

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• Stinespring said Branden Ore is really emerging this August. Sergio Render has been plugged into the starting lineup. He's still making mistakes, but they feel very good about him. Nick Marshman is better at tackle than at guard.
  
  
• Greg Boone would start at tight end if the Hokies played a game tomorrow. He's a big guy who is very agile, and he can catch the ball. He can push players around at the line of scrimmage. Sam Wheeler has been doing a good job, but a toe injury set him back.
  
  
• Cory Holt and Ike Whitaker are still competing for the #2 quarterback spot. The scrimmage on Wednesday will be huge for those guys.
  
  
• Stinespring said they have been exploring ways to get the ball to the people who can make a difference, such as the wide receivers. They'll also use more fullback sets this season.
  
  
• True freshman Zach Luckett is very talented. They'll know after Wednesday whether or not they will redshirt him. They would like to play him so he can get some valuable experience.
  
  

• Weaver mentioned that the athletic department will take greater security measures this season.
  
  
• The student gates at the north end of the stadium are being reconfigured, and there will be a brand new gate in the middle of the back of the East Stands.
  
  
• A security outfit has been hired to handle gate inspections rather than have the Lane Stadium ushers do that. There will be undercover police officers patrolling the stadium as well.
  
  
• Weaver spent more time talking about poor fan behavior, which he said occurs primarily because some fans "consume too much alcohol". He also said it doesn't happen as much with the students as some would like to believe, but rather regular fans.
  
  
• Northeastern is the first opponent because the Hokies needed an opponent and Northeastern agreed. It will be on ESPN360. Hokie Playback will also carry the game on Sunday on WDBJ7 and Comcast.
  
  
• Weaver was asked about teams that have turned down offers to play the Hokies. Since he arrived in Blacksburg, three teams have called him wanting to play Tech. All other games have been scheduled because the Hokies initiated contact. "They just don't want to get beat, I'll flat out tell you like it is," Weaver said. Nebraska and two D-1AA schools were the three that contacted Weaver.
  
  
• Weaver said he believes in scheduling for success. But when your program matures, you play at a different level. Tech was supposed to play Auburn (in 2010 and 2011) and Illionois (2012 and 2013), but they changed their minds. Wisconsin backed out of the deal with Tech in 2008 and 2009.
  
  

• Beamer described the team as a "work in progress". The defensive front is really good and the defense plays fast. The kickers are very good, and special teams has been a main focus of the preseason.
  
  
• Beamer wishes the NCAA would pass the five year eligibility rule. Tech has about five freshmen who are ready to play special teams, but not necessarily take snaps on offense or defense. Specifically, Beamer mentioned Zach Luckett, Jason Adjepong, John Graves, Kam Chancellor and Nekos Brown.
  
  
• The scrimmage on Wednesday is being held to give several backups a chance to step up, and to further evaluate some true freshmen.
  
  
• Ike Whitaker and Cory Holt are still competing for the #2 quarterback position. Whitaker really made some plays on Saturday, but the last two plays weren't very good, especially the interception for a touchdown. The Hokies need consistency.
  
  
• Xavier Adibi has played very well, and Chris Ellis was great in the scrimmage. Brandon Pace has been crushing his field goals, and has gotten really good on kickoffs. The first team secondary is very impressive.
  
  
• Beamer said the team is better at linebacker than they thought they would be at one point over the summer. Some backups have made some good progress.
  
  
• The ACC will not have a down year. There will be very good teams in the conference this year. They need to start winning the big games, like BCS bowls and premier out-of-conference matchups.
  
  
• True freshman tight end Andre Smith has been having some good practices. He is athletic and he can make plays. He could factor into the rotation at tight end. He could use some more strength, but he might be able to play.
  
  
• Since Darryl Tapp is now in the NFL, Aaron Rouse is now carrying the lunch pail, and doing a very good job with it. He's developed into a leader.
  
  
• Beamer said the Hokies are doing really well in recruiting. They definitely got on a roll over the summer. Their summer camp really helped things.
  
  
• Defensive tackle Cordarrow Thompson will play this year. He's really good at the point of attack. He needs to get a little more consistent, but he can be a very good player. He's a load inside.
  
  
• William Wall is capable of making plays as well. He had a great summer of preparation. He needs to maintain his focus. He made some big plays in the spring game. Orion Martin is really important to the team. He has been playing very well at defensive end, and he will also play on most of the special teams.
  
  
• Beamer noted that he is trying to get bigger and taller guys on his punt blocking team. They are going to keep working on it and try to find the right combination.

Monday was Day 632 of Virginia Tech's continuous possession of the Commonwealth Cup and day 688 of Virginia Tech's continuous possession of the Black Diamond Trophy. (Starting next week, we will no longer calculate the Black Diamond Trophy figure.)