hhhT> j eMA9Y. n S> hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhY@hhhhPhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Ƞhh(@CIt`@ q 8Qt`@<^iX> <> v> sɟwɟw FҤ <='=_䈰 @=x3D> P )0 4'>1 Ў؎ H"QPSRZ[YY1ɎَѼ| <}r,g|uu <ƀ <rIL}R1҉ 5w ޿))0duddu` ûDL \> s!G}Q} 0uÉRZr?tfFRff1fC0fZf=>  wņ@ <(f8r^P[s Ot0Fs> F ^(FwReadBoot error +H/U   hhhT> j eMA9Y. n S> hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhY@hhhhPhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Ƞhh(@CIt`@ q 8Qt`@<^iX> <> v> sɟwɟw FҤ <='=_䈰 @=x3D> P )0 4'>1 Ў؎ H"QPSRZ[YY1ɎَѼ| <}r,g|uu <ƀ <rIL}R1҉ 5w ޿))0duddu` ûDL \> s!G}Q} 0uÉRZr?tfFRff1fC0fZf=>  wņ@ <(f8r^P[s Ot0Fs> F ^(FwReadBoot error +H/U   in the 1989 Sugar Bowl.

A caller asked if there was any concern over the fact that the toughest games of the season seem to have been the West Virginia and Pittsburgh games, which were both on turf. Coach Foster said that he didnt think that it had been the turf, but that there had been several injuries and that some of the back-ups may not have been mentally prepared to play as much as they had to play. Also, he said, many of the teams played their best games against Tech all year long, and that had a lot to do with it. In general, the coaches feel good about playing on the turf and feel that it gives them a chance to showcase their team speed.

Finally, Bill Roth asked how the team would handle giving up a big play should Florida States "big play offense" come up with one against Virginia Techs "big play defense." The coaching staff has told the players to focus on each play. Its the only thing that they can control. The defense will put the game on the Florida State quarterback and try to make plays from there.

PLAYERS

When asked about the seniors that may be drafted, Coach Foster said that he was very proud of this years seniors and that he was very happy that they were able to end their college careers in this kind of situation. It will be both an exciting and a sad time, since it will mean the last game for so many of the players. On the defense, he thought that many of the players had a chance to make it to NFL teams, mentioning Moore, Engelberger, Williams, Bradley, Smith, Hawkes, Midget and Charlton (if he does enter the draft).

The next question concerned who would step up to fill the gaps left by so many seniors. Coach Foster commented that the defense played a lot of players as back-ups and that the team would field a solid starting eleven players. The key would be to develop the young players to fill in the second group.

Bill Roth and the coaches discussed several players individually. For Virginia Tech, they discussed Reggie Samuels and Brian Welsh, who were both injured prior to the season. Samuels tore his ACL while trying to avoid contact with Michael Vick in pre-season practice. Both players were expected to contribute to the team and both were missed as the season began. For Florida State, they discussed Dan Kendra, a quarterback-turned-fullback, who Coach Foster compared to Nick Sorensen. Both are unselfish players who switched positions to help their teams.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL/MEDIA

A caller asked about Coach Fosters decision to stay with Virginia Tech after the situation with Florida and whether he had anticipated that VT would be as good as they are this soon. He said he thought that the team would be good, and that the secondary was the one question mark for the team. Everyone felt that they had very good athletes in the defensive secondary and they had a chance to improve. In the end, he enjoys his job and enjoys working with the players. He feels like he made the best choice for himself and his family, and it has turned out to be good for everyone concerned.

Bill Roth mentioned an article that compared this seasons Virginia Tech team with the Florida State team after Bobby Bowdens twelfth year. It had several quotes from Coach Bowden himself, and the general tone was that they were very similar. Coach Foster said he sees the same similarities.

Bill Roth also mentioned that Tech was somewhat carrying the banner for the other non-traditional football powers around the country. Coach Foster said that the move to 85 scholarships has really evened the playing field and that that has allowed some other teams to enter the scene, but that Tech wasnt the new kid on the block. Theyve played in three BCS bowls in the past five years, and the 1995 Sugar Bowl may actually have been the coming-out party when they showed that they could play and beat a quality team like Texas.

Several reporters for the Richmond newspaper were in attendance, and they discussed the coverage that they will have for the game. There will be quite a few reporters and photographers present, and the paper will have wrap-around sections with coverage on the game. One of them said that it may be the biggest project that they had ever attempted. Coach Foster commented afterward that they cant buy the kind of coverage that they are receiving now from all over the place.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
  • Beginning Thursday, special editions of Hokie Hotline will air every day from New Orleans, beginning at 7:00 each evening.
  • Fridays broadcast will focus on the offense, and the guests will be Rickey Bustle and some of his position coaches. Saturdays guest will be Frank Beamer for the whole 90 minute show.
  • Bill Roth announced that their broadcast of the game will be available live in the Dome. The station has not been determined, but it will be high on the FM dial.
  • The Sugar Bowl is now less than five days away!

-- Apex Hokie

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