Keys to the Game and Matchups to Watch: Miami at Virginia Tech September 24, 2009 The resurgent Miami Hurricanes come to Blacksburg on Saturday coming off two huge ACC wins over Florida State and Georgia Tech. The Hokies are coming off a dramatic last-minute victory over a very good Nebraska squad. The #9 Hurricanes have renewed confidence -- dare I say "swagger" -- and the #11 Hokies have to be optimistic after the improbable rally last weekend. So what should we expect from these long-time rivals in this critical ACC Coastal Division contest? more
Atlantic QB to Make Official Visit to VT September 24, 2009 Atlantic (Delray Beach, FL) quarterback Mark Leal is taking advantage of his bye week, as he plans to make an official visit to Virginia Tech this weekend. The 6-1, 185-pound Tech commitment called his first visit to Blacksburg "perfect," so what does he expect out of this weekend's experience? more
VT Fans Impress McCray September 23, 2009 Asked what he is most excited about in terms of playing football at Virginia Tech, Brookville (Lynchburg, VA) defensive end and Tech commitment Zack McCray said, "The fans. The number one thing right there is the fans. I've never found any fans like the fans at Virginia Tech. Especially this past week." more
Football Game Preview: #11 Virginia Tech vs. #9 Miami September 23, 2009 Presented by Kent Square Condominiums: Last week's win over Nebraska was big, but it wasn't nearly as important as the upcoming game against Miami. This is for bragging rights, and whichever team wins will hold an early advantage in the Coastal Division race. Not to mention that this is the continuation of a rivalry that has been dead even since Frank Beamer took over at Tech in 1987. more
2011 Profile: Harrisonburg's Star OL Landon Turner September 22, 2009 On one play, Landon Turner's once promising sophomore season came to an abrupt end. In the first quarter of Harrisonburg varsity football's first game of the 2008 season, Turner, a starter as a freshman in 2007, suffered a fractured left ankle that sidelined him for the rest of the season. The 6-5, 310-pound junior reflects on the injury as a blessing in disguise. more
Nebraska Game Analysis: Hokies Overcome Tough Day September 22, 2009 As usual, much of this article is going to focus on detailing specific plays - what went right, what went wrong. Yes, the offense was MIA for most of the game. Yes, the defense has some holes to plug. But the one point worth noting right at the top is that Tyrod Taylor is a winner. He had an off day for much of the game, but at the end he dug deep to find that extra something that most players simply do not have. Will the memorable finish springboard him to that next level as a college QB? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain - in those final two minutes, he carried the burden of a frustrating and very disappointing loss on his shoulders and somehow found a way to make two huge plays with Nebraska's monster DT breathing down his neck. And the winner pulled out an impossible win. more
Monday Thoughts: Nebraska September 21, 2009 I'm late delivering this article, because for almost 48 hours, I kept coming up dry in my attempts to figure out an angle. On the one hand, you have one of the more miraculous comebacks in Virginia Tech football history, but on the other hand, the only reason that comeback was necessary is because the offense that dominated Marshall disappeared, and the offense that has finished around #100 in the nation since 2006 returned. more
Around the ACC: September 21, 2009 September 21, 2009 This week was better for the ACC. Though Maryland was beaten by a Sun Belt team, Florida State and Virginia Tech came away with victories over two ranked non-conference teams. Miami's win over Georgia Tech is also getting the 'Canes some major play in the press, and the ACC needs teams like Miami and Florida State to get back to their old ways. more
Top Defensive End Prospect Visits VT September 21, 2009 In addition to First Colonial safety/linebacker Nick Dew, a second top uncommitted high school senior was in Blacksburg on Saturday. 6-6, 240-pound defensive end Kareem Martin, accompanied by his head coach and his father, made the trek to Blacksburg to see a Virginia Tech home game for the first time. more
Dew Has Great Visit, Will Return Next Week September 20, 2009 First Colonial (Virginia Beach, VA) safety/linebacker Nick Dew has had praise following each of the visits he has made to Virginia Tech this year. This past Saturday's trip for the Nebraska game was no different, but is the 6-2, 195-pound senior any closer to a decision? more
Taylor Leads Hokies in Late Comeback, Tech Wins 16-15 September 19, 2009 Blacksburg, VA - Tyrod Taylor hit Dyrell Roberts in the back of the endzone with 21 seconds remaining for the winning touchdown, as #13 Virginia Tech pulled off an improbable come from behind win to beat #19 Nebraska 16-15 on Saturday. The Hokies improved to 2-1 with the win, while Nebraska dropped to 2-1. more
Keys to the Game and Matchups to Watch: Nebraska September 17, 2009 In this week's only game between two ranked teams, #13 Virginia Tech will host the #19 Nebraska Cornhuskers Saturday afternoon. The Hokies won at Lincoln last year 35-30, and the Huskers will be looking for revenge in Blacksburg. Nebraska finished last season strong by winning their last four games, and six of the final seven, and started this season strong with decisive wins over two Sun Belt opponents. Bo Pelini's program is headed in the right direction, and Nebraska will be looking to make a statement against Virginia Tech. more
Leal's Five TD Passes Spark Atlantic September 17, 2009 Atlantic (Delray Beach, FL) rebounded from a season opening loss to Pahokee, pulling away from Jupiter High School for a 34-14 win last Friday night. Virginia Tech quarterback recruit Mark Leal turned in a big game for the Eagles, amassing 268 yards passing and five touchdown passes. more
Healthy Patterson Showing Versatility, Athleticism September 16, 2009 Playing most of the 2008 season with a broken wrist demonstrated Dominique Patterson's toughness but also his ability, as he performed well despite the injury. The 6-1, 205-pound senior does not want to go through that experience again, though, and he has enjoyed being healthy so far this season. more
Football Game Preview: #13 Virginia Tech vs. #19 Nebraska September 16, 2009 Presented by Kent Square Condominiums: Just two weeks after playing Alabama, Virginia Tech will get the privilege of hosting another of the college football traditional powers: Nebraska. The Cornhuskers dropped off during the middle of this decade, but they are getting better under second year head coach Bo Pelini and find themselves ranked in the Top 25. In one of the biggest college football games of the weekend, the Hokies have a chance to gain some momentum before they enter conference play. more
Top Athlete Close to Setting Visit to VT September 15, 2009 Old Mill (Millersville, MD) athlete Josh Furman traveled to the University of Michigan last weekend, making what was his first official visit. The 6-2, 195-pound senior was impressed by the experience, but for now he doesn't appear close to making a verbal commitment. He discusses his first official visit as well as a possible visit to Virginia Tech. more
Marshall Game Analysis: Hokies Improve on Both Sides of the Ball September 15, 2009 After a tough, physical battle against Alabama, the doctor ordered up just the remedy the Hokies needed: a home opener against an overmatched opponent. The offense exploded behind two freshmen whiz kids, the defense was better and the special teams were more consistent. But it's dangerous to project too much from Saturday's performances. Last week, I reiterated a message that I had been preaching throughout the summer - do not get discouraged over the outcome of the Alabama game. In the interest of fairness, a similar statement can be made this week - do not peg the needle too far in the other direction over the results of the Marshall game. more
First Colonial Star Talks Visits September 14, 2009 First Colonial (Virginia Beach, VA) safety/linebacker Nick Dew plans to visit Virginia Tech, the program that has been his favorite throughout, this Saturday. But first, the 6-2, 195-pound senior traveled to Charlottesville this past Saturday for a look at the University of Virginia. more
Monday Thoughts: Marshall September 14, 2009 In last week's Monday Thoughts, I wrote that I thought the Tech running game had done some good things against Alabama and showed promise. Raleigh Hokie went one better in his game analysis and said Tech's rushing game had a chance to be "dynamic." On Saturday, the Hokies mauled Marshall on the ground, and the only question now is what this means for the rest of the season. more
Around the ACC: September 14, 2009 September 14, 2009 Another week of ACC football is in the books, and there were two more close calls against 1-AA teams. A big game between Clemson and Georgia Tech in Atlanta on Thursday night highlighted the week, and there is more ACC football coming up this Thursday. more
Tech Offense Dominates Marshall in 52-10 Victory September 12, 2009 Just a week after only gaining 155 total yards against Alabama, the Virginia Tech offense picked up 605 yards yards against Marshall, dominating the Thundering Herd on their way to a 52-10 victory in Lane Stadium. The Hokies moved to 1-1 on the season, with highly anticipated matchups with Nebraska and Miami coming up. more
TSL's PreSeason Top 30 September 11, 2009 The in-state 2010 class may not be as talented as the 2009 version, but at this point about 40 prospects have committed to FBS or FCS programs. More remain uncommitted but hold scholarship offers, so from an overall recruiting perspective this year is a solid one for college prospects. For the most part, the Pre-Summer list remains in tact with one significant change at the top of the list. more
Nickel Package Should Help Tech's Defense in 2009 September 11, 2009 Year after year, Bud Foster and his staff field one of the best defenses in college football. The scheme and structure stay the same with certain wrinkles added each year to take advantage of certain strengths in personnel. This season, one of those wrinkles is a new look nickel package. more
Leal, Atlantic Confident Following Loss September 11, 2009 Last Friday night's season opening loss was a disappointment, but quarterback Mark Leal says his team came out more encouraged than anything else. Atlantic battled 2A power Pahokee the entire night, taking the lead 6-0 just before halftime. Pahokee rallied for 13 unanswered points in the second half, coming away with a hard-fought victory. more
Football Game Preview: #14 Virginia Tech vs. Marshall September 9, 2009 Presented by Kent Square Condominiums: Virginia Tech will look to get their season back on track this Saturday when Marshall comes to town. Coming off a physical game against Alabama, and looking ahead to home matchups with Nebraska and Miami, this game with the Thundering Herd is a classic trap game. It will be up to the Hokies to show up focused and take care of business. more
The resurgent Miami Hurricanes come to Blacksburg on Saturday coming off two huge ACC wins over Florida State and Georgia Tech. The Hokies are coming off a dramatic last-minute victory over a very good Nebraska squad. The #9 Hurricanes have renewed confidence -- dare I say "swagger" -- and the #11 Hokies have to be optimistic after the improbable rally last weekend. So what should we expect from these long-time rivals in this critical ACC Coastal Division contest?
Atlantic (Delray Beach, FL) quarterback Mark Leal is taking advantage of his bye week, as he plans to make an official visit to Virginia Tech this weekend. The 6-1, 185-pound Tech commitment called his first visit to Blacksburg "perfect," so what does he expect out of this weekend's experience?
Asked what he is most excited about in terms of playing football at Virginia Tech, Brookville (Lynchburg, VA) defensive end and Tech commitment Zack McCray said, "The fans. The number one thing right there is the fans. I've never found any fans like the fans at Virginia Tech. Especially this past week."
On one play, Landon Turner's once promising sophomore season came to an abrupt end. In the first quarter of Harrisonburg varsity football's first game of the 2008 season, Turner, a starter as a freshman in 2007, suffered a fractured left ankle that sidelined him for the rest of the season. The 6-5, 310-pound junior reflects on the injury as a blessing in disguise.
As usual, much of this article is going to focus on detailing specific plays - what went right, what went wrong. Yes, the offense was MIA for most of the game. Yes, the defense has some holes to plug. But the one point worth noting right at the top is that Tyrod Taylor is a winner. He had an off day for much of the game, but at the end he dug deep to find that extra something that most players simply do not have. Will the memorable finish springboard him to that next level as a college QB? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain - in those final two minutes, he carried the burden of a frustrating and very disappointing loss on his shoulders and somehow found a way to make two huge plays with Nebraska's monster DT breathing down his neck. And the winner pulled out an impossible win.
I'm late delivering this article, because for almost 48 hours, I kept coming up dry in my attempts to figure out an angle. On the one hand, you have one of the more miraculous comebacks in Virginia Tech football history, but on the other hand, the only reason that comeback was necessary is because the offense that dominated Marshall disappeared, and the offense that has finished around #100 in the nation since 2006 returned.
This week was better for the ACC. Though Maryland was beaten by a Sun Belt team, Florida State and Virginia Tech came away with victories over two ranked non-conference teams. Miami's win over Georgia Tech is also getting the 'Canes some major play in the press, and the ACC needs teams like Miami and Florida State to get back to their old ways.
In addition to First Colonial safety/linebacker Nick Dew, a second top uncommitted high school senior was in Blacksburg on Saturday. 6-6, 240-pound defensive end Kareem Martin, accompanied by his head coach and his father, made the trek to Blacksburg to see a Virginia Tech home game for the first time.
Blacksburg, VA - Tyrod Taylor hit Dyrell Roberts in the back of the endzone with 21 seconds remaining for the winning touchdown, as #13 Virginia Tech pulled off an improbable come from behind win to beat #19 Nebraska 16-15 on Saturday. The Hokies improved to 2-1 with the win, while Nebraska dropped to 2-1.
In this week's only game between two ranked teams, #13 Virginia Tech will host the #19 Nebraska Cornhuskers Saturday afternoon. The Hokies won at Lincoln last year 35-30, and the Huskers will be looking for revenge in Blacksburg. Nebraska finished last season strong by winning their last four games, and six of the final seven, and started this season strong with decisive wins over two Sun Belt opponents. Bo Pelini's program is headed in the right direction, and Nebraska will be looking to make a statement against Virginia Tech.
Playing most of the 2008 season with a broken wrist demonstrated Dominique Patterson's toughness but also his ability, as he performed well despite the injury. The 6-1, 205-pound senior does not want to go through that experience again, though, and he has enjoyed being healthy so far this season.
After a tough, physical battle against Alabama, the doctor ordered up just the remedy the Hokies needed: a home opener against an overmatched opponent. The offense exploded behind two freshmen whiz kids, the defense was better and the special teams were more consistent. But it's dangerous to project too much from Saturday's performances. Last week, I reiterated a message that I had been preaching throughout the summer - do not get discouraged over the outcome of the Alabama game. In the interest of fairness, a similar statement can be made this week - do not peg the needle too far in the other direction over the results of the Marshall game.
In last week's Monday Thoughts, I wrote that I thought the Tech running game had done some good things against Alabama and showed promise. Raleigh Hokie went one better in his game analysis and said Tech's rushing game had a chance to be "dynamic." On Saturday, the Hokies mauled Marshall on the ground, and the only question now is what this means for the rest of the season.
Just a week after only gaining 155 total yards against Alabama, the Virginia Tech offense picked up 605 yards yards against Marshall, dominating the Thundering Herd on their way to a 52-10 victory in Lane Stadium. The Hokies moved to 1-1 on the season, with highly anticipated matchups with Nebraska and Miami coming up.
