Vick sharp on field, but sideline gesture draws Beamer's attention, too

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) He&#39;s in the spotlight as the famous, somewhat notorious, younger brother of an NFL star, and Virginia Tech junior quarterback Marcus Vick is playing for the 5-0, third-ranked Hokies like the blood line is undeniable.<br> <br> Through the first five starts of his career, the right-handed Vick has thrown nine touchdown passes and only one interception, completed better than 68 percent of his passes, run for 131 yards and is second in the nation in passing efficiency (179.8).<br> <br> But Vick was his best yet in the Hokies&#39; 34-17 victory at West Virginia last weekend, completing 15 of 17 for 177 yards and running for 74 yards and a touchdown.<br> <br> ``He played a very efficient ball game in a tough setting,&#39;&#39; coach Frank Beamer said. ``He threw the ball well, he made some great runs and he made some great decisions.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Well, most of the time, coach.<br> <br> Vick sat out last season while serving a suspension for off-the-field problems, including drinking with underage girls, marijuana possession and reckless driving, and the Hokies know his indiscretions will be used against him in opposing stadiums.<br> <br> At West Virginia, chants included ``Con-Vick&#39;&#39; and ``rapist,&#39;&#39; and when Vick scrambled out of bounds in the third quarter, he made an obscene gesture toward the crowd. Several other Hokies were seen making the same gesture leaving the field afterward.<br> <br> Beamer wasn&#39;t pleased, but handled it quickly.<br> <br> ``I talked to Marcus Sunday night. We talked to the team Monday. There were a lot of emotions around there. Marcus apologized. We&#39;re moving on,&#39;&#39; he said Tuesday.<br> <br> ``As a football team, we want to play the game the right way, respect the game ... be proud of our play and proud of how we represent the university,&#39;&#39; he added.<br> <br> Vick issued an apology Sunday, saying he let his emotions get the best of him, and declined to address it further Tuesday: ``I want to leave that in the past,&#39;&#39; he said.<br> <br> LONG DAY AT THE MOVIES: Cornerback Jimmy Williams was unusually subdued Tuesday, and said he&#39;s feeling a bit down after getting beat for touchdowns the last two weeks.<br> <br> Against Georgia Tech, Calvin Johnson caught an 11-yard scoring pass, and last week it was Michael Villagrana, who caught a 2-yarder to cut the Hokies&#39; lead to 10-7.<br> <br> Williams said expectations that teams would throw away from him have caused him to start looking for places to help out on defense, instead of shutting down his man.<br> <br> ``I&#39;m just really trying to go back to the basics, relax and have fun,&#39;&#39; he said.<br> <br> Teammates, however, got to have their fun during the review of the game tape, not only with Williams, but star defensive end Darryl Tapp, who missed a sack chance.<br> <br> When your error comes up, Tapp said, ``You just put your head down because you know the barrage is coming from all angles, from the coaches, the players, all angles.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> INJURIES: Virginia Tech announced on Sunday that tailback Mike Imoh, who shares the job with Cedric Humes, would not play this weekend&#39;s home game against Marshall.<br> <br> Beamer said while other coaches, including Virginia&#39;s Al Groh, decline to discuss injuries so as not to tip off the other team, he figures being up front is easier.<br> <br> ``I&#39;m not saying any route you take is wrong, let&#39;s get that straightened out,&#39;&#39; he said, ``but I&#39;d just as soon come in here and tell you guys Monday what the deal is rather than go all week keeping it from you.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Besides, he said, he always expects players who are ``questionable&#39;&#39; to play.<br> <br> ``Usually when they say this guy probably won&#39;t play, I figure he is going to play and prepare that way,&#39;&#39; he said. ``I&#39;d rather say, `This guy&#39;s going to play. You can count on it that he&#39;s getting ready to hammer our butts and prepare for him.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> In the long run, ``what it is is what it is and let&#39;s go play,&#39;&#39; he said.<br> <br> END RUN: Virginia Tech is 5-0 for the fifth time in seven years. ... The Hokies have won 19 home games in a row against non-conference opponents. ... The Hokies don&#39;t play for 12 days after Saturday&#39;s noon start, then return with the first of back-to-back Thursday night games (Oct. 20, at Maryland; Oct. 27, vs. Boston College).<br> <br> (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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