The 1998 Virginia Tech football team was a force to be reckoned with, led by the incomparable Frank Beamer. As we take a closer look at the roster breakdown, we'll analyze the key players, positions, and statistics that contributed to their impressive season.
Offense
The offense was led by quarterback Al Clark, who threw for 1,434 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. The rushing attack was spearheaded by Lamont Pegues, who carried the ball 216 times for 934 yards and 4 touchdowns. The receiving corps was anchored by Ricky Hall, who caught 44 passes for 641 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Quarterbacks
- Al Clark (6-2, 200) - 1,434 passing yards, 10 TDs, 8 INTs
- Dave Meyer (6-2, 220) - 333 passing yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Running Backs
- Lamont Pegues (5-11, 215) - 934 rushing yards, 4 TDs
- Jarrett Ferguson (6-0, 210) - 525 rushing yards, 2 TDs
- Ken Oxendine (5-11, 210) - 443 rushing yards, 2 TDs
Wide Receivers
- Ricky Hall (6-1, 195) - 44 receptions, 641 yards, 4 TDs
- Sean Baul (6-0, 185) - 33 receptions, 456 yards, 2 TDs
- Ronney Daniels (6-2, 205) - 24 receptions, 349 yards, 2 TDs
Defense
The defense was the backbone of the team, allowing just 13.4 points per game. The unit was led by linebacker Jamel Smith, who recorded 123 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. The secondary was anchored by safety Cory Bird, who picked off 5 passes and recorded 74 tackles.
Defensive Linemen
- Corey Moore (6-2, 270) - 54 tackles, 10 TFL, 5 sacks
- John Engelberger (6-4, 265) - 45 tackles, 8 TFL, 3 sacks
- Chris Cyrus (6-2, 255) - 34 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 sacks
Linebackers
- Jamel Smith (6-1, 235) - 123 tackles, 10 TFL, 3 sacks
- Michael Hawkes (6-1, 225) - 91 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 sacks
- Lorenzo Ferguson (6-1, 220) - 73 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 sack
Defensive Backs
- Cory Bird (6-1, 195) - 74 tackles, 5 INTs, 1 TD
- Anthony Midget (5-10, 185) - 53 tackles, 3 INTs, 1 TD
- Ike Charlton (5-11, 190) - 42 tackles, 2 INTs, 1 TD
Special Teams
The special teams unit was led by kicker Shayne Graham, who connected on 14 of 22 field goal attempts and 34 of 35 extra points. The punt return unit was anchored by Ricky Hall, who averaged 12.1 yards per return.
Kickers
- Shayne Graham (5-11, 185) - 14/22 FGs, 34/35 XPs
- Ethan Albright (6-5, 265) - 40.4 yards per punt
Punt Returners
- Ricky Hall (6-1, 195) - 12.1 yards per return
- Ronney Daniels (6-2, 205) - 9.5 yards per return
Season Review
The 1998 Virginia Tech football team finished with a 9-3 overall record and a 5-2 mark in the Big East. They appeared in the Music City Bowl, where they defeated Alabama 38-7.
Gallery of 1998 Virginia Tech Football Team
Who was the quarterback for the 1998 Virginia Tech football team?
+Al Clark was the quarterback for the 1998 Virginia Tech football team.
Who was the leading rusher for the 1998 Virginia Tech football team?
+Lamont Pegues was the leading rusher for the 1998 Virginia Tech football team, carrying the ball 216 times for 934 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Who was the kicker for the 1998 Virginia Tech football team?
+Shayne Graham was the kicker for the 1998 Virginia Tech football team, connecting on 14 of 22 field goal attempts and 34 of 35 extra points.
As we look back on the 1998 Virginia Tech football team, it's clear that they had a talented roster with a strong defense, a potent offense, and solid special teams. If you're a Hokie fan or just a football enthusiast, we hope you enjoyed this breakdown of the team. Let us know in the comments if you have any questions or memories of the 1998 Virginia Tech football team!