Tailback remains Beamer's biggest worry

BLACKSBURG -- Virginia Tech finally got some game-speed snaps yesterday for two of its primary tailbacks, as the Hokies held their third and final preseason scrimmage at Lane Stadium.

But coach Frank Beamer said afterward that, nine days away from the season opener against Alabama, the position remains his biggest concern.

"The other things we kind of know, or we're getting to know," Beamer said. "I think that's the one thing right now that's kind of up in the air a little bit. Guys got hurt at the wrong time."

Two of them, sophomore Josh Oglesby and true freshman David Wilson, compiled solid numbers in the scrimmage, which was closed to the public and media. Oglesby ran nine times for 44 yards and a 4-yard touchdown. Wilson had 10 carries for 52 yards and a 1-yard touchdown. But Tech's first-team offense did not compete yesterday against the first-string defense.

Both players missed Tech's second scrimmage, on Saturday, and completely returned for Tuesday's practice -- Oglesby's first full-speed work in two weeks and Wilson's first since Aug. 15, the first preseason scrimmage.

Redshirt freshman Ryan Williams, who played in the first two scrimmages, carried twice for 3 yards, because running backs coach Billy Hite wanted to give Oglesby and Wilson more work.

"Right now, I've got to get somebody ready to play," Hite said. "And I think Ryan's the closest one right now."

The Hokies' tough backfield luck started when sophomore Darren Evans suffered a season-ending knee injury Aug. 11, six days into preseason practices. That left Oglesby, Wilson and Williams battling for his spot. Hite said all three will play against Alabama, and he believes all three will be ready. But because of more untimely injuries, he remains unsure about how he will divide carries.

The day Evans got hurt, Oglesby pulled his right hamstring. He was limited for the next four days, including the first scrimmage. The day after the scrimmage, he showed signs of a MRSA infection (a type of staph infection) in a blister on his left heel. His foot swelled to twice its normal size, and puss oozed from the wound. Since then, he didn't practice at all until Tuesday. Wilson sprained his left shoulder in the first scrimmage and was limited until Tuesday.

Oglesby said his hamstring is 80 percent healthy and that he "felt a lot closer to top speed" yesterday. "I wish I could have went against the first-team D," he said. "That would have felt a little bit better. But going against the other guys, it made me feel a little more confident."

Hite felt pleased with the scrimmage, but he is far from satisfied. He believes Oglesby is "in average shape right now" because of the time he missed. Hite was disappointed that Oglesby and Wilson botched one blocking assignment each. (Oglesby's led to a sack.) And Hite winced after Wilson shed three tackles near the line of scrimmage, broke free for about a 20-yard gain, but then fumbled the ball away.

Hite is beginning his 32nd season coaching Tech's tailbacks, and he has always ended position meetings by telling his players: "Protect the football." He had another message for Wilson after the fumble: "You're allowed one for the year. You got yours over with today."

Wilson had a half-inch-thick pad taped to his shoulder, which remains tender, though he believes he will be fine for the Alabama game.

"You say that you won't pay attention to your shoulder or an injury," he said. "But after you get a bang on it, and it stings, it's automatically in your head. There are a couple times I could have pushed a tackle off but hesitated because of my shoulder."

THIS AND THAT: Sophomore wide receiver Danny Coale played well in the scrimmage. He caught four passes for 72 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown from junior Tyrod Taylor in a two-minute-drill situation. Coale also blocked a punt.

Taylor's stats were average in the first two scrimmages combined (12-of-18 passing for 109 yards, no touchdowns and one interception). Yesterday he finished 15 of 24 for 218 yards, no interceptions and the touchdown -- though none of that came against the first-team defense.

The backup quarterbacks struggled. Redshirt freshman Joseph "Ju-Ju" Clayton (Hermitage High) was 3 of 10 for 27 yards, while true freshman Logan Thomas was 0 for 6 with an interception.

Contact Darryl Slater at (804) 649-6026 or dslater@timesdispatch.com.