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   Welcome to TSLMail #293 - Friday, August 24, 2007    
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(More) Excerpts from the New VT Football Book Hokie Games

Rich Tandler attended Virginia Tech in the mid 1970's and was immediately hooked on Hokie football. Rich has written the definitive history of the Virginia Tech program, from the standpoint that matters the most: what happened on the field.

The name of the book is Hokie Games, and it recounts the score and key plays from every Virginia Tech football game played from the start of the 1945 season through the last game of the 2006 season. You can get old scores anywhere, but Hokie Games gives you the flow of the action and the important moments and players, not just a line with point totals and a date on it.

From the Hokie Games web site: Hokie Games is the most complete book ever written about any college sports team, ever. The first Hokie game you ever watched? It's in there. Forgotten classics? Got 'em all. Learn about or relive the '72 game when Don Strock lit up Houston for 527 yards in the air or the 1966 VMI game when Tommy Francisco got into the end zone six times. Remember watching a great game with your kid or your dad? You can relive it. Are the details of the '99 thriller at West Virginia, the one that featured Vick's jaw-dropping run and Graham's clutch kick that kept the national title chances alive a little fuzzy? Hokie Games brings back every detail.

** SPECIAL OFFER FOR TSL READERS **

For the next month in TSLMail, we'll be bringing you two excerpts a week from Hokie Games, enough to whet your appetite for this outstanding collection. Rich Tandler is also making a special offer for TSL readers: pre-order your copy now, and you'll get free shipping, and Rich will personally autograph your copy. To take advantage of this special offer, go to:

http://www.hokiegames.com/tsl.html

Note that when you're checking out, you need to enter the promo code "TSL" in the appropriate box.

Please allow six weeks for delivery, since this is a pre-order.

Now, on to the games ....


#21 Virginia Tech (8-1) 21, #18 Miami (6-3) 7
November 16, 1996, Miami, Florida

This was the Hokies' first win ever at Miami; they had just beaten them for the first time ever the year before.

Orange Bowl -- Keion Carpenter returned an interception 100 yards for the clinching touchdown in Virginia Tech's 21-7 win over Miami.

It was Tech's first win in the Orange Bowl in eight tries. The Hokies are now 2-12 all time against the Hurricanes but the good part is that the two wins have come in their last two contests.

Carpenter certainly was not the game's only hero. Jim Druckenmiller threw for 202 yards and a touchdown. His 13-yard touchdown pass to receiver Michael Stuewe late in the third quarter gave the Hokies the lead that Carpenter sealed with his interception return.

Druckenmiller had his list of stellar performers as well. "The offensive line just did a great job of blocking for me," he said. "I was really proud of our goal-line defense today. That was really the key to the game."

Tech scored to first time it had the ball, moving 86 yards in 12 plays. On fourth and goal at the one the Hokies made an early statement by going for the touchdown. Ken Oxendine got in and Tech had a 7-0 lead.

Miami stormed right back. They took 12 plays to move 92 yards and Ryan Clement capped the drive with a two-yard touchdown pass to Chris Jones.

The teams' respective defenses took over the game after that. The only serious scoring threat in the second quarter came right at the end of it. The Hurricanes drove down to the Tech one and, out of timeouts, they had to take a penalty to stop the clock for a field goal try. Andy Crosland missed the 22-yard attempt as time in the half ran out.

The game remained tied at seven until Druckenmiller threw to Stuewe in the end zone. The receiver made a diving catch for the touchdown to give Tech a 14-7 lead with 4:10 left in the third quarter.

Again the defenses stiffened until Miami's final, desperate drive. Clement had been knocked out of the game in the third quarter and it was up to backup Scott Covington to tie up the game. On fourth and four at the eight, Covington threw over the middle to the goal line. Carpenter picked it off, headed to the right sideline and he was gone, as was the Hokies' 0-for at the Orange Bowl.


Virginia Tech (5-1-1) 23, Florida State (3-3) 21
October 29, 1966, Blacksburg, Virginia

Frank Loria was an All-American due to both his coverage and ball hawking skills as a safety and his speed and elusiveness when he had the ball in his hands as a kick returner. This game is a demonstration of the latter. The Hokies finished 8-2-1 and got a Liberty Bowl bid.

Lane Stadium -- Frank Loria's 80-yard punt return for a touchdown gave Virginia Tech a third-quarter lead and the Gobblers held on for a 23-21 win over Florida State.

Loria was one of a number of heroes on display for the Hokies. Defensive end Dan Mooney got Tech on the board with an end zone sack of reserve quarterback Kim Hammond to give Tech its first two points of the game.

Tech expanded its lead after taking the ensuing free kick at the FSU 43. A 30-yard pass from Tommy Stafford to Tommy Francisco got the Gobblers down to the 13 and from there, Stafford fired to Ken Barefoot for a touchdown. Jon Utin kicked the first of his three conversions and Tech led 9-0 with 2:45 left in the first quarter.

The Seminoles responded, with Bill Moreman scoring a touchdown on a three-yard run with just under four minutes left in the second quarter to cut the Tech lead to 9-7. It looked like FSU would take the lead into the locker room when they drove deep into Gobbler territory as halftime approached, but Frank Beamer came up with an end zone interception to kill the threat.

After intermission Florida State took to the air on almost every snap. Seminole quarterback Gary Pajcic would set a school record with 53 pass attempts (29 completions, 338 yards). With four and a half minutes gone in the opening quarter, Pajcic connected with Hammond for seven yards and a score. FSU had the lead a 14-9.

But the edge was short lived. Two and a half minutes later Loria fielded John Hosack's booming 54-yard punt at the 20 and followed excellent blocking to take it to the house. Utin converted for a 16-14 Tech lead.

Wanting to go for the kill, Gobbler coach Jerry Claiborne called for an onside kick after Loria's big play. It worked perfectly as Tech recovered at the Seminole 47 and drove in for a touchdown. The score came on a 10-yard pass from Stafford to Francisco and Tech was back up by nine at 23-14.

FSU stormed back behind the passing of Pajcic, moving 86 yards in just seven plays. Moreman again scored the six, this time on a seven-yard run, making it 23-21 late in the third period.

The fourth quarter was scoreless but the Seminoles put a couple of scares into the homecoming crowd of 31,000 at Lane Stadium. Tech stopped FSU just inches from the goal line the next time the Seminoles had the ball. Then, with time running out, linebacker Ken Whitley picked off a Pajcic pass at the Tech 15.


** SPECIAL OFFER FOR TSL READERS **

Again, to take advantage of Rich's special offer to TSL readers (free shipping and an autographed copy of Hokie Games), go to:

http://www.hokiegames.com/tsl.html

Note that when you're checking out, you need to enter the promo code "TSL" in the appropriate box.

Please allow six weeks for delivery, since this is a pre-order.

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   TechSideline.com Updates From the Past Week

Hargrave Report: Tech Signees Arrive

August 24, 2007
This year's edition of the Hargrave Military Academy postgraduate football squad contains three Virginia Tech 2007 class signees - former Osbourn Park (Manassas, VA) LB Quillie Odom, former Sumter (S.C.) ATH Kendrick Pressley and former Patrick Henry (Ashland, VA) RB/DB D.J. Thomas. All three players are in good spirits just two weeks into the Hargrave experience and all three are determined to get to Virginia Tech.
more

Virginia Tech Releases Men's Basketball Schedule
August 23, 2007
Virginia Tech's 2007-08 men's basketball schedule was announced on Thursday, and it features perhaps the toughest out-of-conference slate in school history. In addition to the 16-game ACC schedule, the 2007-08 season should be a fun and exciting one for Tech's young team.
more

TSL Audio: The Len Martez Show, 8/22/07
August 23, 2007
During Chris Coleman's session with Len Wednesday evening, they talked about the hot story of the week: Tyrod Taylor's promotion to the #2 QB spot and Ike Whitaker's move to receiver. Will TT redshirt? Chris and Len also talked about the left guard position and where the leadership is going to come from. (WMA format, compatible with Windows Media Player and MP3 players, 2.8 MB, 12:07).
more

Marcus Davis Ready to Start Season
August 23, 2007
6-5, 215-pound athlete Marcus Davis, one of the top remaining uncommitted prospects in the state of Virginia, is anxious for the start of his senior season. He does not have to wait too much longer as Ocean Lakes' (Virginia Beach, VA) season opener is tomorrow, when the Dolphins take on Princess Anne.
more

Football Update: Big Questions to be Answered This Week
August 22, 2007
The big news is that Tyrod Taylor has been elevated to the #2 quarterback spot for the time being, and Ike Whitaker is working at wide receiver only. The coaching staff wants to evaluate Taylor with the #2 offense instead of the #3 offense, to better determine whether or not he should play this season.
more

Evans Hoping for Breakout Senior Season
August 22, 2007
Phoebus (Hampton, VA) CB/WR Reid Evans is one rising senior to watch this season. Though he has yet to land a major Division 1A offer, the 5-11, 170-pound prospect feels primed for a big 2007 campaign. He is coming off a junior year performance where he made 9 interceptions including 7 over the last five games. He added three touchdown receptions.
more

2007 ACC Football Season Preview: Preseason All-ACC
August 22, 2007
TSL's 2007 ACC football preview continues with the Preseason All-ACC team. There are plenty of good players in the ACC, and it's tough leaving some guys off the list. As usual, the postseason list will look a lot different than the preseason list, but having said that, here are our picks before the season starts.
more

4-Star OL Looking to Narrow List
August 22, 2007
4-star offensive line recruit Dalton Freeman has yet to narrow down his list of over 20 Division 1A scholarships, but that could change very soon. According to Pelion (S.C.) head coach Ben Freeman, his son is looking to narrow the list of schools within the next week-and-a-half.
more

Taylor Elevated to #2 Quarterback
August 22, 2007
True freshman quarterback Tyrod Taylor has been elevated to #2 on the depth chart, and Ike Whitaker has been moved to wide receiver full time, beginning with yesterday's practice. The next two weeks will be spent evaluating Taylor and determining whether or not he needs to redshirt.
Also: Friday's Scrimmage Open to the Public
more

Hokie Hotline Notes for 8/20/07
August 21, 2007
TechSideline.com's Hokie Hotline Notes enter their tenth year of publication this fall, and we begin with last night's show, the first of the 2007-2008 academic year. Last night's guests were defensive coordinator Bud Foster, athletic director Jim Weaver, and head football coach Frank Beamer.
more

4-Star WR/DB Updates Recruitment
August 21, 2007
Five schools sit atop the list of Kathleen Senior (Lakeland, FL) star athlete T.J. Lawrence, who has received over 20 scholarship offers. The 6-2, 190-pound prospect, rated a 4-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com, listed his current top five and answers whether or not he has a clear favorite among the group.
more

2007 ACC Football Season Preview: Unit Rankings
August 20, 2007
The ACC was stacked with good defensive units in 2006, and 2007 looks to be more of the same. Offenses should be better and more experienced. Almost every team in the conference returns at least half of its starting lineup. We should see better football in the ACC than we saw last season.
more

Springers Star Focused on Season
August 20, 2007
Highland Springs (VA) 3-star defensive end Antoine Hopkins remains in no rush to make a decision and appears set to take his recruitment into the fall and possibly beyond. The talented recruit is considering the four Division 1A programs that have offered and does not name a favorite.
more

Hokies Ranked 9th in AP Poll
August 19, 2007
The Associated Press preseason college football rankings were released on Saturday afternoon, and the Hokies are ranked ninth, the same ranking they received from the coaches two weeks ago.
more

Scrimmage Report: Glennon Impresses at QB, Martin Emerges at Whip
August 18, 2007
Good play from the #1 offense and #1 defense highlighted Saturday afternoon's scrimmage in Lane Stadium. Sean Glennon had a very good performance in front of a big crowd that took up a good portion of the West Stands, and Cam Martin was a standout on the defensive side of the ball.
more

Ruff Commits to Virginia
August 18, 2007
The University of Virginia staff knocked out two birds with one stone this morning, when 6-4, 290-pound Norview (Norfolk, VA) defensive lineman Klinton "Buddy" Ruff verbally committed to the 'Hoos. Ruff is Virginia's first defensive line recruit as well as its first in-state recruit of the 2008 recruiting class.
more

2007 ACC Football Season Preview: Virginia Tech
August 17, 2007
Virginia Tech returns eight starters on each side of the ball from a team that finished 10-3 and went to the Chick-fil-A Bowl. The Hokies should have a good team as usual this year, and the defense will be attempting to finish #1 in the nation in total defense for the third year in a row.
more
 
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