The buzz around Blacksburg is that senior quarterback Michael Brewer has looked exceptional throughout spring practices and workouts. The expectations are high for the Hokies in 2015 and especially for Brewer, who finished last season as anything but spectacular. Lane Stadium Brewer threw for 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 2014 with 2,692 passing yards and a mediocre 117.4 passer rating. He captured the starting role over Mark Leal for head coach Frank Beamer after transferring from Texas Tech, and Brewer led the Hokies to two consecutive wins to begin the 2014 season, defeating William & Mary 34-9 and impressively routing the eventual National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes 35-21. However, Virginia Tech and Brewer also dropped games against East Carolina, Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh, Miami, Boston College and Wake Forest, finishing the season with a 7-6 record. With a season under his belt and after performing well this spring, Brewer will be depended upon to lead the 2015 Virginia Tech offense. He will have offensive weapons around him, including running backs J.C. Coleman and Marshawn Williams, fullback Sam Rogers, tight end Bucky Hodges and star receiver Isaiah Ford. Ford finished last season with 56 receptions, 709 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. Brewer also has another element working in his favor: the Virginia Tech defense. The Hokies were ranked 21st in the country last season in total defense. Not only is Brewer able to compete on a daily basis in practice against Dadi Nicholas, Kendall Fuller, Chuck Clark, Deon Clarke, Luther Maddy and Corey Marshall, but the highly-ranked Virginia Tech defense will further take pressure off of Brewer during the 2015 season. Brewer has now had two seasons practicing against the schemes and defense of Bud Foster in practice. This season will be Brewer’s last chance to prove that he can effectively lead the Virginia Tech offense, but if he is unable to perform adequately, expect Frank Beamer to explore other options. The other quarterbacks listed on the roster are junior Brenden Motley and freshman Chris Durkin. The Hokies have appeared in a bowl game for 22 consecutive seasons and Beamer has had too many close calls in the past few seasons to be waiting for Brewer to come into his own. With the expectations high, Brewer must cut down on his interceptions and be more consistent. Virginia Tech will open the season at Lane Stadium on September 7 against the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Continue Reading: Virginia Tech Football: Expectations for Michael Brewer
