Associated Press
BLACKSBURG, Va. ó The words “true freshman quarterback” are usually enough to cause defensive players at No. 5 Virginia Tech to become gleefully restless.
They envision one early backfield introduction sparking panic that leads to an avalanche of mistakes.
The Hokies (4-1, 2-0 ACC) have caused the phenomenon many times, and only two weeks ago did it to Miami’s highly touted quarterback Jacory Harris.
Boston College freshman David Shinskie will see how he fares when he leads the Eagles (4-1, 2-1) into Lane Stadium today. But the Hokies have seen enough ó and been hurt enough the last five years ó to know better than to expect an easy afternoon.
Boston College has won three straight and four of its last five regular season games against its former Big East rival, and Shinskie has the Eagles soaring again this season.
“He looks good. He’s poised. He’s calm out there,” linebacker Cody Grimm said. “He knows what he’s doing. He’s a lot more mature than most freshman quarterbacks. I guess it shows.”
Shinskie also isn’t your average freshman. He 25 years old, only months removed from a six-year career in professional baseball and only two games into his role as the starter.
He was elevated to No. 1 after the Eagles managed four first downs and 54 total yards in a 25-7 loss at Clemson, and his two starts resulted in down-to-the-wire victories against Wake Forest (27-24 in overtime) and Florida State (28-21; winning TD in final minute).