Tech defense faces challenge stopping big plays

BLACKSBURG

Rashad Carmichael is sick of hearing about how Virginia Tech's defense has been effective in its first two games... but for a few plays.

The junior cornerback doesn't care that if you exclude seven snaps that accounted for 310 yards in the Alabama and Marshall games, opponents are averaging just 3.3 yards on the other 133 plays.

"We still gave up those few plays," Carmichael said. "Nothing takes that away. The misreads, the missed gaps.... Until we get all that down, we won't be a great defense."

All Carmichael can see is this cold, hard fact: After two weeks, Tech's defense, which ranked in the top 10 nationally each of the past five seasons, sits 80th in yards allowed.

"I believe in the tradition that the coaches have built here," he said, "so I don't want to give anybody anything. We put that as a chip on our shoulder. It's a long season, and we'll get back up there."

The climb begins Saturday against No. 19 Nebraska, which will bring with it a potent (on paper) offense. The Cornhuskers, who've had 23 plays of 10 yards or longer already in two games, provide a perfect opportunity for the No. 13 Hokies to prove this year's defense is as stingy as ever.

Nebraska ranks 10th nationally in points (43.5) and 19th in yards (492) per game, though they've come in wins over modest opposition: Florida Atlantic and Arkansas State.

"They've played two Sun Belt teams," Hokies corner Stephan Virgil said. "They're not Virginia Tech. This game is a chance for us to shine. "

Defensive coordinator Bud Foster hopes so. He said he saw improvement last week against the Thundering Herd, but still too many mistakes.

One of them came when Darius Marshall bounced outside for a 61-yard touchdown run thanks to a missed tackle up front and an out-of-position linebacker. Foster showed that play to the entire team on Monday as a reminder that this defense has hardly arrived.

"They can't feel good about themselves," Foster said. "We've got to always have an edge. We've got to let them know what our expectations are around here." One thing Foster expects to see Saturday is a stellar game from end Jason Worilds. He and the rest of the Hokies' defensive front will be battling one of the biggest and best offensive lines in the nation.

Coach Frank Beamer said his team hasn't seen a group this good in years. The Huskers' starting five average 6-foot-5, 300 pounds - 28 pounds more than Tech's starting four defensive linemen.

"Nebraska has had a tradition of big, physical, athletic linemen... and they're upholding their tradition," Foster said. "They want to hurt you."

But the Hokies hurt the Huskers up front last season in Lincoln and smothered Nebraska's running game. Tech gave up just 55 rushing yards on the way to a huge road win.

In that game, Worilds went to work on 6- 6, 295-pound tackle Mike Smith. Using his speed to beat the big blocker, Worilds finished with seven tackles, 2.5 for losses, and a sack. Five of his tackles resulted in no gain or negative yardage for Nebraska.

"He played one of the great football games last year that I've seen one of our ends play," Foster said. "He was relentless. We need for him to do that again."

What Tech can't do again is allow the Cornhuskers' quarterback to carve up the secondary. Last season, Joe Ganz completed 17 of 26 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns.

Ganz is gone, but he has been replaced by Zac Lee, a heavily recruited junior college star who has thrown for 553 yards, six touchdowns and only one interception in two games. Lee is completing just under 74 percent of his throws.

To make matters worse, the Hokies again might be without Virgil, their star corner. He bruised his knee in the opener and sat out last week's game. Virgil was limited in Monday and Tuesday's practices but hopes to return to full-speed, full-contact drills today.

If Virgil can't play, Carmichael - who would replace him again at boundary corner - won't use that as an excuse. He's tired of those.

"It's going to be a fight every week in the ACC and we need to be ready," he said. "We need this game. We need to play well."

Kyle Tucker, (757) 446-2374, kyle.tucker@pilotonline.com