# 2007 Virginia Tech Hokies football team

The 2007 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Frank Beamer. Tech finished the season with an 11-3 record and won its second ACC football championship in its first four years in the league. The team jumped to as high as number 5 in the BCS football rankings and lost 24-21 in the 2008 Orange Bowl.
Tech lost an early season game to number 2 LSU in Death Valley 48-7 and then won five games in a row, jumping up to the eight spot in the Associated Press poll. In the following game, Tech held a 10-0 lead late in the fourth quarter before Matt Ryan led the Eagles to two touchdowns, aided by a recovered onside kick, and beat the home team 13-10. The Hokies then won four more straight games, including a battle with UVA for the Coastal Division title, before taking on Boston College for a rematch in the ACC Championship. Tech won the championship and earned a trip to the Orange Bowl.
The Hokies entered the season returning nine starters on offense and eight on defense, including All-American cornerback Brandon Flowers, from a 2006 team that went 10-3 and finished second in the ACC's Coastal Division behind Georgia Tech.
After the April 16 shooting on the Virginia Tech campus claimed the lives of 32 students and faculty members, the remainder of spring practice was canceled. The Hokies had been scheduled to hold two more practices in addition to a spring game on Saturday following the Monday tragedy. As a special tribute, ESPN's College GameDay program broadcast from Blacksburg for the Hokies' opening game against East Carolina.

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 1 | 12:00 p.m. | East Carolina* | No. 9 | Lane StadiumBlacksburg, VA (College GameDay) | ESPN Mike Tirico, Todd Blackledge, Bill Curry, Erin Andrews | W 17–7 | 66,233 |
| September 8 | 9:15 p.m. | at No. 2 LSU* | No. 9 | Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA (College GameDay) | ESPN Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit, Lisa Salters | L 7–48 | 92,739 |
| September 15 | 1:30 p.m. | Ohio* | No. 18 | Lane StadiumBlacksburg, VA | ESPN360 Frank Giardina, Sonny Randle | W 28–7 | 66,233 |
| September 22 | 1:30 pm | William & Mary* | No. 17 | Lane StadiumBlacksburg, VA | ACC Select | W 44–3 | 66,233 |
| September 29 | 12:00 p.m. | North Carolina | No. 17 | Lane StadiumBlacksburg, VA | LFS Steve Martin, Rick Walker, Scott Pryzwansky | W 17–10 | 66,233 |
| October 6 | 6:00 p.m. | at No. 22 Clemson | No. 15 | Memorial StadiumClemson, SC | ESPN Mike Patrick, Todd Blackledge, Holly Rowe | W 41–23 | 82,047 |
| October 13 | 12:00 pm | at Duke | No. 12 | Wallace Wade StadiumDurham, NC | LFS Steve Martin, Rick Walker, Scott Pryzwansky | W 43–14 | 23,691 |
| October 25 | 7:45 p.m. | No. 2 Boston College | No. 8 | Lane StadiumBlacksburg, VA (rivalry) | ESPN Chris Fowler, Todd Blackledge, Craig James, Erin Andrews | L 10–14 | 66,233 |
| November 1 | 7:45 p.m. | at Georgia Tech | No. 11 | Bobby Dodd StadiumAtlanta, GA (rivalry) | ESPN Chris Fowler, Doug Flutie, Craig James, Erin Andrews | W 27–3 | 52,202 |
| November 10 | 3:30 p.m. | Florida State | No. 11 | Lane StadiumBlacksburg, VA | ABC/ESPN Gary Thorne, Bill Curry, Joe Schad | W 40–21 | 66,233 |
| November 17 | 3:30 p.m. | Miami (FL) | No. 10 | Lane StadiumBlacksburg, VA (rivalry) | ABC/ESPN Bob Wischusen, Bill Curry, Quint Kessenich | W 44–14 | 66,233 |
| November 24 | 12:00 p.m. | at No. 16 Virginia | No. 8 | Scott StadiumCharlottesville, VA (rivalry) | ESPN2 Dave Pasch, Andre Ware, Erin Andrews | W 33–21 | 61,711 |
| December 1 | 1:00 p.m. | vs. No. 12 Boston College | No. 6 | Jacksonville Municipal StadiumJacksonville, FL (ACC Championship Game) | ABC Brad Nessler, Bob Griese, Paul Maguire, Bonnie Bernstein | W 30–16 | 53,212 |
| January 3, 2008 | 8:00 p.m. | vs. No. 8 Kansas* | No. 5 | Dolphin StadiumMiami Gardens, FL (Orange Bowl) | FOX Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Barry Alvarez, Jeanne Zelasko | L 21–24 | 74,111 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Eastern time |||||||||

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking т = Tied with team above or below :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
| AP | 9 | 9 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 9 |
| Coaches | 9 | 9 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 5T | 5 | 9 |
| Harris | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 16 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | Not released |
| BCS | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 11 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 3 | Not released |

## Personnel
### Coaching staff

| Position | Name | First year at VT | First year in current position |
| Head coach | Frank Beamer | 1987 | 1987 |
| Associate head coach and running backs coach | Billy Hite | 1978 | 2001 |
| Offensive coordinator and tight ends | Bryan Stinespring | 1990 | 2006 (offensive coordinator since 2002) |
| Defensive coordinator and inside linebackers | Bud Foster | 1987 | 1995 |
| Offensive Line | Curt Newsome | 2006 | 2006 |
| Wide Receivers | Kevin Sherman | 2006 | 2006 |
| Strong Safety, Outside Linebackers, and Recruiting Coordinator | Jim Cavanaugh | 1996 | 2002 |
| Quarterbacks | Mike O'Cain | 2006 | 2006 |
| Defensive backs | Torrian Gray | 2006 | 2006 |
| Defensive Line | Charley Wiles | 1996 | 1996 |
| Source: hokiesports.com Archived 2013-11-02 at the Wayback Machine ||||

### Recruiting

National Signing Day was on 2007-02-07. The Hokies' recruiting class was highlighted by Tyrod Taylor, who was rated the #1 dual threat quarterback in the country. Taylor was announced as the Hokies' #2 quarterback on August 21.
Below is a list of the recruits that signed their letter of intent with Virginia Tech:
College recruiting information :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | 40$^‡$ | Commit date |
| Will Alvarez OL | Woodbridge, Virginia | C. D. Hylton | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 315 lb (143 kg) | 5.6 | Jun 15, 2006 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 77 |||||||
| Brandon Barden TE | Lincolnton, Georgia | Lincoln County | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 211 lb (96 kg) | 4.6 | Jan 1, 2006 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 71 |||||||
| Kwamaine Battle DT | Bailey, North Carolina | Southern Nash | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 260 lb (120 kg) | 4.9 | Jul 8, 2006 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 71 |||||||
| Jaymes Brooks OL | Newport News, Virginia | Denbigh | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 290 lb (130 kg) | 4.93 | Jul 28, 2007 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 40 |||||||
| Collin Carroll LS/C | Hopkins, Minnesota | Edina | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 260 lb (120 kg) | - | Jan 29, 2007 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 40 |||||||
| Danny Coale WR | Lexington, Virginia | Episcopal | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 4.42 | Jun 14, 2006 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 69 |||||||
| Blake DeChristopher OL | Midlothian, Virginia | Clover Hill | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 310 lb (140 kg) | 5 | Jul 5, 2005 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 79 |||||||
| Chris Drager TE | Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania | Thomas Jefferson | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 234 lb (106 kg) | 4.8 | Jul 9, 2006 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 74 |||||||
| Darren Evans RB | Indianapolis | Warren Central | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 217 lb (98 kg) | 4.71 | Jul 15, 2006 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 79 |||||||
| Cris Hill DB | Highland Springs, Virginia | Highland Springs | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 4.4 | Dec 14, 2006 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 78 |||||||
| Andrew Lanier TE | Spartanburg, South Carolina | Dorman | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 250 lb (110 kg) | 4.7 | Jul 6, 2006 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 40 |||||||
| Ibn Latif OL | Midlothian, Virginia | Manchester | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 290 lb (130 kg) | 4.92 | Jul 31, 2006 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 74 |||||||
| Davon Morgan ATH | Richmond, Virginia | Varina | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 186 lb (84 kg) | 4.58 | Jul 26, 2006 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 77 |||||||
| Greg Nosal TE | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Kellam | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | 255 lb (116 kg) | 5 | Jul 25, 2007 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 40 |||||||
| Quillie Odom LB | Potomac, Virginia | Osbourn Park | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 4.6 | May 31, 2006 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 71 |||||||
| Josh Oglesby RB | Garner, North Carolina | Garner | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 4.43 | Jul 15, 2006 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 77 |||||||
| Hunter Ovens LB | Sarasota, Florida | Cardinal Mooney | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | 4.5 | Aug 21, 2006 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 74 |||||||
| Kendrick Pressley ATH | Sumter, South Carolina | Sumter | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 168 lb (76 kg) | 4.62 | Oct 20, 2006 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 40 |||||||
| Courtney Prince DT | Brandywine, Maryland | Gwynn Park | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 253 lb (115 kg) | 5 | Jul 31, 2006 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 69 |||||||
| Barquell Rivers LB | Wadesboro, North Carolina | Anson | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 208 lb (94 kg) | 4.5 | Aug 1, 2006 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 78 |||||||
| Tyrod Taylor QB | Hampton, Virginia | Hampton | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 4.55 | Jul 21, 2006 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 84 |||||||
| Patrick Terry WR | South Boston, Virginia | Halifax County | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 4.5 | Jul 8, 2006 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 40 |||||||
| D.J. Thomas ATH | Ashland, Virginia | Patrick Henry | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 4.56 | Aug 15, 2006 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 78 |||||||
| Alonzo Tweedy ATH | Richmond, Virginia | Hermitage | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 173 lb (78 kg) | 4.5 | Jul 31, 2006 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 74 |||||||
| Justin Young DE | Germantown, Maryland | Northwest | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 255 lb (116 kg) | 4.8 | Jul 25, 2006 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 40 |||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 24 Rivals: 29 |||||||
| ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Virginia Tech 2007 Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 5, 2007. "2007 Virginia Tech Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved March 5, 2007. "2007 Player Commitments – Virginia Tech". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 5, 2007. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved March 5, 2007. "2007 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 5, 2007. |||||||

### Post-season awards

Following the Hokies' victory over Virginia, which clinched the division title, Xavier Adibi, Chris Ellis, Victor Harris, and Eddie Royal were honored as first team all-ACC, while Barry Booker, Duane Brown and Brandon Flowers were recognized on the second team.