2005: strong playing, more incidents
Head coach
Frank Beamer initially announced that Vick would enter the 2005 season as the team's third-string quarterback, but he quickly won the starting role after impressive spring practices and scrimmages. All in all, it was Vick's most successful season which saw the Hokies contending for a national championship and culminating in an impressive 11-2 record, an
ACC Coastal Division title, an appearance in the inaugural
ACC Championship Game in the 2005 season, and a win in the 2006
Gator Bowl.
The 2005 season, however, saw more controversy surrounding Vick. On
October 1, 2005, Vick angered fans and press in
Morgantown, West Virginia with a display of his middle finger to the crowd during the game at
West Virginia University. Vick later apologized and made no further comments. He also pushed a West Virginia University assistant coach while coming back onto the playing field after being run out of bounds. This incident was caught on film and played on
ESPN later.
During the 2006
Gator Bowl on
January 2, 2006, Vick once again courted controversy when he violently stomped on the leg of
University of Louisville defensive end
Elvis Dumervil with his foot. Following the game Vick claimed the incident was accidental and asserted he apologized to Dumervil after the game. However, Dumervil and Louisville coaches all said that Vick didn't even talk to Dumervil after the game. Virginia Tech Athletic Director
Jim Weaver issued a statement from the university on the incident:
The unsportsmanlike conduct of quarterback Marcus Vick in yesterday's Gator Bowl game against Louisville is unacceptable behavior and contrary to the Hokies Respect Campaign. Such on-field action is not reflective of Virginia Tech football nor of the values we hold at Virginia Tech. I and my colleagues in central administration are embarrassed and this athletic administration will not condone such acts of unsportsmanlike conduct. We will review and assess this incident further and deal with it accordingly.