The Return of Beamerball

Homecoming is an opportunity for alumni to be welcomed back into their universities and appreciate the present while reminiscing on the past. In the homecoming game against the East Carolina Pirates, many Virginia Tech football fans were able to do just that with the return of "Beamer Ball".

The legendary Coach Frank Beamer established the Virginia Tech brand and made this program what it is today through a style many know as "Beamer Ball". This was a unique brand of football that put a major emphasis on defense and special teams.

Under Coach Beamer, the Virginia Tech Hokies blocked 136 kicks and scored 55 touchdowns on special teams. Coach Bud Foster has always been able to field a tough defense just about every year. To me, "Beamer Ball" was about doing all of the little things that don't get emphasized in order to win football games. "Beamer Ball" is the reason I grew to love Virginia Tech football.

Coach Justin Fuente has found success so far at Virginia Tech and he has done it by adding his own flavor to "Beamer Ball". Coach Fuente preaches "Hard. Smart. Tough." football. In a way, this is his own adaptation of "Beamer Ball".

2 weeks ago against Boston College, Virginia Tech had an outstanding defensive performance in a 49-0 win over the Boston College Eagles. Last week, Virginia Tech was able to beat the East Carolina Pirates 54-17 in a game many thought would be a tough one. The Hokies were able to put a troublesome Pirates team away with a special teams and defensive performance that would leave any true fan of "Beamer Ball" beaming with joy.

The number 25 is worn by a different special teams player every week to honor the style of football coached by the legendary Frank Beamer. Against the East Carolina Pirates, Greg Stroman honored that jersey number with an 87 yard punt return for a touchdown. Tim Settle blocked a field goal and Cam Phillips blocked a punt to complete an incredible hat trick for the specials teams unit. On defense, Ken Ekanem and Tremaine Edmunds were able to score points off of a safety.

Watching the defense and special teams performance on Saturday was a joyful sight for Hokie fans who haven't seen true "Beamer Ball" in a while. And even though Frank Beamer might be retired, Coach Justin Fuente is bringing that old school "Beamer Ball" back with "Hard. Smart. Tough." football. And that mix of styles is why Coach Fuente has this Virginia Tech team in position to win the ACC Coastal Division.