North Carolina State University Athletics
Tony Haynes: Getting a Handle on Randall
9/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 23, 2004
By Tony Haynes
Virginia Tech hasn't completely cornered the market on mobile quarterbacks who can also throw the football, but Frank Beamer and his Hokies have done about as well as anybody in that area. A few years ago, the electric Michael Vick set a new standard with his amazing combination of athleticism, arm strength and overall passing accuracy, attributes that continue to serve him well in the NFL. This season, the Virginia Tech assembly line has churned out another Houdini-like signal caller in senior Bryan Randall, who will challenge NC State's top-ranked defense this Saturday at noon.
Making comparisons between Randall and Vick is, of course, unfair. We've not seen the likeness of Vick before and probably won't in the foreseeable future. But there's no doubting the fact that Randall does many of the same things to drive defenses crazy, especially when he takes a play that appears to be headed nowhere and turns it into a touchdown. Just ask Duke, which missed a total of six tackles as the elusive Randall zigzagged his way to paydirt on a dazzling 30-yard touchdown run in Tech's 41-17 victory over the Blue Devils last Saturday.
"We just need to make sure that we are able to predict the play enough to contain him," said NC State head coach Chuck Amato. "He's going to get some yards. He probably gets more yards when he's improvising then he does on actual plays. A running quarterback drives you crazy. We're just going to have to put consistent pressure on him."
But if Amato wants a prediction on what Randall may do and where he may go on any given play, he might want to call the Amazing Kreskin. It probably wouldn't hurt to have a few tarot cards on the sidelines, too.
Quite often, neither his coach nor his teammates truly know what Randall is going to do when a play breaks down. They do have faith, however, in his ability to improvise and turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.
"You look at him football wise and he's worked hard to improve his throwing over the years," Beamer said. "He is a much better thrower than when he first came here. He's worked hard in the film room to know what to do on the field and get his team into good plays and out of bad ones. He's been a dedicated guy. I think the thing overall is that he just cares. His main concern about football is the Virginia Tech football team and not him."
A starter in Tech's last 28 games, the 6-0, 228-pound senior needs just 128 yards to become his school's all-time leader in total offense. Randall also needs just 1,222 yards through the air to slip past Don Strock as the Hokies' career passing leader. Still, Randall's legs are what really get the attention of opposing defensive coordinators. He currently leads all ACC quarterbacks with 1,190 career rushing yards.
"I think he's a little faster than he was last year and I think it goes back to his dedication and work in the weight room," said Beamer. "He's a bulked up, strong guy. On the touchdown run right before the half the other day, six guys had a chance to tackle him. That's very good running. He does smart things on the field. He's been very accurate for the most part and when he pulls the ball down he's a threat to run. That's the kind we like."
And the kind that defensive coaches like Amato dread. After handling a true pocket passer in Ohio State's Justin Zwick last week, the NC State defense will have a lot more to worry about this weekend.
"He's experienced, that's the big thing," Amato said. "He's very athletic, probably more mobile than the quarterback from Richmond with a better supporting cast. The linemen that they have do an outstanding job. On any play he can beat you with improvisation. You might have the play stopped, but.....Those quarterbacks are dangerous. We've had problems with those types of quarterbacks, and everybody does. He's a good one."
Through two games, NC State's defense has been plenty good as well. The Wolfpack is ranked No. 1 in the nation in total defense and passing defense. In order to preserve those rankings beyond this weekend, the Pack will have to come up with a stellar effort in order to bottle up Randall and the Hokies.
"They've got height," Beamer responded when asked about the NC State defense. "They've got some guys that are tall and can run. They can get in your throwing lanes and really cause a little havoc with your offense. That's certainly a factor in this ballgame. They really stuffed Ohio State. You're talking about a defense that got after a crowd and stuffed them."
"Stuffed" would be a good way of putting it. Though NC State fell to the Buckeyes 22-14, it yielded just 137 yards of total offense. But this week, with Randall at the controls, the Wolfpack will encounter a multifaceted attack that will employ runs from the `I' formation, option plays and a worthy passing game.
And the man running the show will be just as dangerous when the original plan goes astray.
