Glennon continues to search for respect from Tech fans

BY ALLEN GREGORY

BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

BLACKSBURG – Sean Glennon has earned respect and praise from his coaches and teammates at Virginia Tech. The junior quarterback is still searching for acceptance among all parts of the Hokie Nation, however.

Dynamic true freshman Tyrod Taylor was swarmed by fans and reporters following Saturday’s landmark 40-21 victory over Atlantic Coast Conference heavyweight Florida State.

Media types were eager to know how Taylor was able to manufacture so many big plays against the speedy Seminole defense.

Meanwhile, Glennon was simply trying to recall the game after suffering a concussion in the first half.

"To be honest, I don’t really remember the play and I don’t remember going to the sideline," said Glennon, referring to thunderous hit delivered by 6-foot-4, 280-pound defensive tackle Andre Fluellen. "I kind of tuned back in on the bench, but I don’t remember that little 5-to-10 minute span."

All Tech fans will certainly remember how the Hokies were able to snap the 12-game jinx against the Seminoles.

As the Hokies were scoring 14 points in the second quarter, Glennon was being examined by the Tech training staff.

"They were asking me questions and giving me math problems to see if my brain was working okay," Glennon said. "I could tell them what happened earlier in the game, but I couldn’t remember that play where I got hurt or the series after that. That’s when the trainers figured something was wrong."

After undergoing more tests just after halftime, Glennon was cleared to re-enter the game. By that time, the Tyrod Show was in full swing as the former Hampton prep all-American created three touchdowns and nearly 300 total yards with his arm and legs.

Glennon actually started the game, then shared the first quarter snaps with Taylor.

The two-quarterback system backfired on Tech head coach Frank Beamer during the 2003 season when Bryan Randall and Marcus Vick shared time. According to Glennon, Beamer’s new time-sharing plan is smartly crafted.

"I think the coaches are handling it in a good way," Glennon said. "With Marcus and Bryan, [the Tech coaches] said that they made a mistake by saying that whichever guy was playing better was going to stay in.

"All that did was force each guy to try to make as many plays as possible early so they could stay in the rest of the game."

Under the new arrangement, the expectations of the coaches are more of the big-picture variety.

"They told us that how we’re playing is going to have nothing to do with who is in the game," Glennon said. "Me and Tyrod know that no matter how good or how bad we play, that we’re both going to get our snaps."

Glennon passed for over 2,000 yards last season, plus led the Hokies to 10 wins and the Chick-fil-A Bowl. And he accomplished all that with an inexperienced offensive line and new tight ends.

Though Taylor continues to earn the headlines, Glennon said he understands the current situation. Glennon began the 2007 season as the starting quarterback, then was replaced in the second quarter of the 48-7 loss at top-ranked LSU in week two.

"As long as I’m out on the field, contributing to the win and being able to throw the ball around a little bit, then I’m fine with Tryod coming in and doing his thing," Glennon said.

"Obviously you would like to be the guy, but this is a lot better than the situation I was in a month ago."

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