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Wire servicesThe Hokies let the Knights within 28-21 then pull away to win 49-28.
BLACKSBURG, Va. - Bryan Randall knew Marcus Vick's debut as his backup would get lots of attention Sunday. He also felt ready to leave no doubt about his status as the starter for No.9 Virginia Tech.
Randall gave Vick a tension-free stage by leading the Hokies to touchdowns on their first three drives and later threw a clutch scoring pass as Virginia Tech beat Central Florida 49-28 in the season opener for both.
"I probably felt the most comfortable since I've been here for this game," Randall said after completing 22 of 28 passes for 278 yards.
"I realize the situation that I'm in. I've got a good backup in Marcus and he's here to push me, trying to take my job," he said. "At the same time, I know I've got to keep improving. I can't look back or worry about what people are saying out there because I've got a game to play myself."
Randall's fast start and an 80-yard scoring drive led by Vick in his first series gave the Hokies a 28-0 lead.
Then the Golden Knights changed strategy from throwing long to "trying to dink 'em to death," coach Mike Kruczek said, and scored the next three touchdowns.
Randall then drove the Hokies 67 yards in seven plays and found DeAngelo Hall for a 29-yard score to make the margin 35-21. Defensive tackle Jason Lallis intercepted a pass from UCF's Ryan Schneider and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown 39 seconds later.
Hall caught two passes for 41 yards, adding spot duty as a wide receiver to his cornerback and return jobs.
By the time Vick trotted onto the field to a rousing welcome from the largest crowd in Hokies history (65,115), Randall was 12-for-14 for 169 yards and Tech led 21-0. Vick finished 7-of-10 for 102 yards and a late touchdown.
Even in defeat, Kruczek said he learned about his squad.
"You have to find out early if your team is going to fight or fold," he said. "It was nice to find out these guys are going to fight."
Schneider, who has broken or taken aim at most of Daunte Culpepper's records at UCF, was 23-for-35 for 203 yards. He hit Tavaris Capers for touchdowns of 11 and 7 yards, and Brandon Johnson for one of 11 yards.
It was Schneider's 22nd consecutive game with a scoring pass.