The Monday morning meeting of Virginia Tech’s offensive players and coaches proceeded as usual last week. Coordinator Bryan Stinespring stood at the front of the room, talking about several plays from the previous Saturday’s game against Nebraska that flashed across a projection screen.

This time last year, Virginia Tech’s wide receivers still were learning the basics of their position. Now they say they’re ready to become a key part of the Hokies attack.

BLACKSBURG Speaking in a calm and steady tone, Kevin Sherman sounds like a patient man. He likes to think of himself as one, too. This season, more than any of his 13 others as a wide receivers coach, required him to draw on his patience, to understand that for every eyebrow-raising catch his players made, one of their drops might leave him shaking his head.