Hokies to challenge Falcons in Blacksburg, Va.

9/21/2012

BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Frank Beamer understands the situation the Bowling Green State University football team faces.

"We lost to a team that played very well last Saturday, and [Bowling Green] lost to a team that played very well," the Virginia Tech coach said as both squads prepare to meet today in a noon kickoff at Lane Stadium.

The Falcons fell to 1-2 after a disappointing 27-15 loss to archrival Toledo, while the Hokies suffered a 35-17 loss at Pittsburgh. Not only was that the first loss of the season for Virginia Tech after two wins, it knocked the team ranked 13th in the country completely out of this week's Top 25 poll.

Beamer, who is the active leader among FBS coaches with 253 victories, said he knew of only one remedy to deal with the heartache of an emotional loss.

"We went back to work -- and I'm sure they went back to work, because that's the only thing you can do," he said. "[Football] is a game about disappointment. You have to go back and get things corrected."

For the Hokies, the "corrections" from their loss a week ago include eliminating four turnovers, three in Pittsburgh territory, and improving on the 59 yards their offense gained rushing, while the defense tries to bounce back after allowing the Panthers to pile up 537 yards of total offense.

"On offense they have been known to run the football and be physical," BG coach Dave Clawson said. "This year they have an added dimension in Logan Thomas, who is a very athletic quarterback. And they have some wide receivers who are pro prospects.

"On defense, [defensive coordinator] Bud Foster has one of the best reputations in the country. They have played the same eight-man front for years, but they do a great job of game-planning with it, and they're physical and talented."

Meanwhile the Falcons look to rebound from a slow start on offense and bolster a pass defense that gave up more than 300 yards for the second straight week.

"We knew going into the Toledo game it would be a tough game -- we didn't drive north thinking we had an easy one," Clawson said. "We knew they are talented and that we would have to play well.

"Ours is a bit of a psychology deal: We have to get our guys back and refocused. We have nine more opportunities, and whether we won or lost that [Toledo] game, Virginia Tech is next."

The game against the Hokies won't be easy, especially in Lane Stadium.

Virginia Tech has a 53-9-1 record against nonconference opponents on its home field since 1991, and Beamer has a 124-32-1 record at home since taking over at his alma mater in 1987.

"This opportunity is big because, growing up, I've seen teams like Virginia Tech on TV," BG offensive lineman Dominic Flewellyn said. "We have the opportunity to go to their place and play in front of their crowd, and everybody is embracing that opportunity.

"We have to keep working and take it one step at a time."

Contact John Wagner at: jwagner@theblade.com, 419-724-6481 or on Twitter @jwagnerblade.