Graves gets another block

In his first year as a starter, Virginia Tech sophomore defensive tackle John Graves (Meadowbrook High) quickly is developing a reputation for blocking kicks.

Graves blocked Matthew Cesari's 33-yard field goal attempt with 2:07 left in the third quarter of Tech's 24-7 win yesterday over Division I-AA Furman. Graves blocked an extra point in last weekend's season opener against East Carolina.

Last season, left tackle Duane Brown (Hermitage) blocked a field goal and extra point in the ACC championship game against Boston College. Those were the only field goals or extra points the Hokies blocked in 2007.

The last Tech player to block kicks in back-to-back games was defensive end John Engelberger in 1997. He blocked an extra point against Pittsburgh, then a field goal against Virginia.

Two Tech defenders injured

After the game, Tech coach Frank Beamer shook his head in frustration when talking about injuries to two defensive starters. He also might be keeping his fingers crossed, hoping neither player misses Saturday's ACC opener against Georgia Tech.

Sophomore defensive end Jason Worilds sprained his left shoulder early in the game and did not return. Junior Nekos Brown replaced him. Junior whip linebacker Cam Martin strained his left groin in the third quarter and did not return. Junior Cody Grimm replaced him. Worilds and Martin will be re-evaluated today.

Tech's defense missed fewer tackles yesterday than it did against East Carolina, but the Hokies had just one sack. They had none against East Carolina.

Tech increases tailback stable

Tech running backs coach Billy Hite said before the season that he likely would use a tailback-by-committee approach this season.

Though junior Kenny Lewis Jr. and redshirt freshman Darren Evans got most of the carries again yesterday, two other backs also found their way into the mix for the first time.

Redshirt freshman Josh Oglesby got his first carry on the second drive. He finished with four carries for 7 yards. Junior Jahre Cheeseman got his first carry in the fourth quarter. He was Tech's most experienced back, along with Lewis, heading into this season. Cheeseman finished with four carries for 21 yards.

Lewis and Evans were the only tailbacks with carries in the season opener against East Carolina. Both had 12. Lewis had 13 yesterday, Evans 11.

For the second consecutive game, true freshman tailback Ryan Williams did not play. He was Tech's top recruit, and the coaches told him while recruiting him that he would play this season if he were ready. Beamer said he will decide within the next week or two whether to redshirt Williams.

"He's got to get good enough to get in there and get the reps," Beamer said. "With the ball in his hands, I don't think there's any question that he is. When the ball is not in his hands is when the question becomes."

This and that

True freshman Justin Myer kicked off in the second quarter, making him Tech's ninth true freshman to play this season. . . . As expected, senior cornerback Victor "Macho" Harris (Highland Springs) started after missing the opener because of a sprained left foot. He said he felt some nagging pain. "Hopefully, by next week, I shouldn't be feeling nothing," he said. He had three sacks, broke up a pass and returned four punts for 30 yards. - Darryl Slater