Even if Michael Vick didn't have a big-league, NFL-caliber arm with a lightning-quick release, you'd still consider him a terrific quarterback because of his speed.

And even if Vick didn't have breakaway speed - which he displayed twice on long touchdown runs in Tech's win over Temple - you'd still consider him a good quarterback because of his savvy and his poise.

And even if he didn't have the maturity of a fifth-year senior (ya sure he's only 19?), you'd still want him as your quarterback because of his guts and leadership ability. But the good news for Tech fans - and bad news for Hokies' opponents - is Vick has all of those attributes and he's only getting better.

"That's a pretty special player out there," his coach Frank Beamer said after the Temple game.

As Tech enters the final week of the 1999 regular season, Vick has developed into the Big East's best and perhaps the nation's hottest quarterback. He showed off his dazzling skills in Tech's 62-7 win over the Owls and then remarked following the game that he "can't wait to get back on the practice field because I didn't throw the ball well enough and I need to work on my release."

The more you hear from Vick, the more you've gotta love the guy. He's got a shot to sweep the Big East's top awards this season: First-team all-conference quarterback, rookie of the year, and offensive player of the year. But best of all, he's first-team, all-humble as well.

He thanks his receivers when asked to talk about his touchdown passes. He credits Tech's offensive line for the protection after every game. And he's always offering praise to Tech offensive coordinator Rickey Bustle for "helpin' me along and callin' good plays."

Vick threw 111 passes - over six games - without throwing an interception before making a couple of bad throws, which were picked off at Temple. But he took the Hokies through the heart of their 1999 schedule - Virginia, Rutgers, Syracuse, Pitt, WVU and Miami - without throwing an interception.

Not only is Vick having a great freshman season, he's having one of the best seasons for a freshman quarterback ever. Tech doesn't throw the ball as often as most teams, so Vick's numbers won't be as astounding as say those posted by Georgia's Quincy Carter during his freshman season last year. Carter threw for 2,484 yards, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions last year, while rushing for 284 yards and four scores.

Syracuse's Donovan McNabb was third in the nation in passing efficiency as a redshirt freshman in '95 when he completed 128 of 207 passes for 1,991 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions and ran 123 times for 261 yards and two touchdowns.

When Tech trailed in the fourth quarter at West Virginia and in the opening minutes at Temple, the seemingly self-assured Vick quickly marched the Hokies down the field for quick scores. WVU and Temple fans didn't have long to enjoy those leads much like opposing defenses don't have long to get to Tech's quarterback. If he has time to throw, Vick can throw the deep ball with precision. And when he gets time to scramble, he becomes even more dangerous.

"I'm not sure how fast he is, but he's faster than the guys chasing him," Beamer said after Vick had run for 53- and 75-yard touchdowns at Temple. He has a knack of avoiding the pass rush, finding a seam and then splitting defenders with a quick explosive step.

"That's fourth gear," Vick said with a grin after the Temple game.

Of all the things to like about Vick, it's what he's got upstairs that might be most impressive. He's got charisma and poise. He thrives under pressure. He's a cerebral, heady quarterback. Even if he didn't have amazing physical skills, he'd still be a darn good quarterback because of those intangibles. But when you put that arm and those legs and that quick release all together, you've got a sensational quarterback, who is going to win a lot of football games during his time at Virginia Tech.