BLACKSBURG, Va. – Exactly how Michael Vick ended up at Virginia Tech remains somewhat baffling. Although he grew up in Newport News, Va., he didn’t care much for the Hokies. And the player he tried to emulate every time he stepped on the field was former Syracuse quarterback Donovan McNabb.
“The total game,” Vick said when asked what he admired about McNabb. “The master.”
There’s a new master blaster in the Big East Conference this season and his name is Michael Vick.
In high school, Vick watched one series of a Tech-Syracuse game and decided he wasn’t impressed. But then he started to realize that Tech was becoming big time and last night was arguably the biggest game in school history.
The Hokies (8-0, 4-0 in the Big East and ranked second by The Post) went into last night’s home game against 20th-ranked Miami (5-3, 3-0) with a chance to play for the national championship this season. If the Hokies defeat the Hurricanes (for a fifth straight time, no less), all that is left to complete a perfect regular season are games against Temple and Boston College.
With McNabb now trying to learn the nuances of the pro game, Vick, a redshirt freshman, has quickly emerged as one of college football’s best young quarterbacks.
“This Vick guy has given them a new dimension on offense,” West Virginia coach Don Nehlen said after Vick led a last-minute, breathtaking drive that set up Shayne Graham’s 44-yard, game-winning field goal against the Mountaineers. “That’s why they’re ranked where they are. I’m not sure they shouldn’t be ranked higher.”
One of the nation’s other top young quarterbacks is a big reason why the Hurricanes are in contention for the Big East crown. Kenny Kelly, a sophomore, went into the Tech game as the league leader in passing yardage (221.9) and total offense (229.9). Vick was first in passing efficiency (171.0 rating) and was second in total offense (221.7).
“He’s similar to Kenny in that they can both make plays,” said Miami coach Butch Davis. “And they both are leaders.”
The Hokies almost surely won’t leapfrog Florida State in both polls with a win over Miami, but they could overtake Tennessee, which lost to Arkansas, in the BCS rating. The top two teams, of course, in the final BCS standings will meet for the national championship on Jan. 4 in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.
Vick already has produced McNabb-like highlights and finishes. His somersault leap over two James Madison defenders in the season opener reminded many of Arizona quarterback Ortege Jenkins’ play against Washington last season.
And the poise Vick showed on that last-minute drive against West Virginia was the work of a player executing beyond his years. The big play was a second-and-1 from his 38. Vick rolled to his right, looking for a receiver. When no one was open, he started up the sidelines. A pair of Mountaineer defenders came over, expecting Vick to dash out of bounds and stop the clock.
Vick realized that the West Virginia defenders had eased up. So he turned on the jets and bolted for a 26-yard gain. He said he has worked on that play in practice. And he always has been prepared for those kinds of late-game heroics.
“I live for moments like that,’ Vick said. “It’s in my blood. When I came out on the field for the last drive, I knew everybody was watching.”
This much is clear. If Vick stays healthy and continues to improve, he could be Tech’s first-ever Heisman Trophy winner. That, along with playing for the national championship, is all that stands between Tech and complete national recognition.