It’s 2:30 PM. Kickoff is just over an hour away, and the Hokies have taken the field to begin pre-game warm-ups. A large and rowdy contingent of West Virginia University students have gathered in the bottom few rows of the stadium to spew obscenities and juvenile chants at the Tech players. Other than Andre Kendrick smiling and shaking his head, the players do not acknowledge the derelicts.

The artificial surface at Mountaineer Field was bright green and appeared new. However, Coach Hite informed me the fake turf had been installed several years ago. I commented it certainly would be a nicer playing field than the atrocious and dangerous artificial surface we would play on in two weeks against Temple at Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium. Coach Hite nodded his head in agreement.

I paid particularly close attention to the kickers. Punter Jimmy Kibble appeared dissatisfied with his performance. On the other hand, place kicker Shayne Graham was booming the ball through the uprights from all distances. He easily made two 63 yarders through the goal posts in the scoreboard end zone. Little did I realize at the time, it was a preview of the most important field goal in the one hundred year history of Tech football.

The defensive secondary also caught my attention. After a shaky Pittsburgh outing, I wondered about the unit’s confidence. The injuries to Ike Charlton and Anthony Midget also concerned me. I thought the guys all looked good. It did not appear Ike or Anthony were favoring any injuries and all the DB's were wearing serious game faces.

I continued to mill around on the field taking in the sights, sounds and pageantry of big time college football. It was yet another absolutely gorgeous autumn Saturday . As you might imagine, being on the field so close to the players, coaches and officials is a thrilling experience. But quite honestly, as I would soon would learn, field level is a terrible place to watch the game.

I had a nice conversation with Associate Athletic Director Sharon McCloskey. Talk about a team player -- Sharon is one committed administrator. She could take it easy and watch the game comfortably from the press box or cheer the Hokies from the stands. Instead she chooses to be the "communications assistant." In other words, she is one if those people who keeps pace with an assistant coach, toting and dragging what seems to be the endless cord attached to headsets which keep the Tech mind-trust in constant contact. Sharon does not have an easy task. People running in all directions, stepping and tripping over the cords. She has to be alert at all times.

My favorite aspect of the on-field pre-game festivities was most certainly the Marching Virginians performance. Wow! The excitement and enthusiasm bands bring to college football is incredible. And our band is outstanding. I was quite proud of myself doing the Hokie Pokie on Mountaineer Field. As a Tech fan, you should never miss an opportunity to thank a member of the MV's for their contribution to our university.

Kickoff is only minutes away. The Tech captains come onto the field for the coin toss, followed several minutes behind by the entire squad. Our fans cheer wildly. Considering Hokie supporters make up maybe 10% of the crowd, they hold their own in measuring up with the WVU faithful. It's time for football.

Just prior to kickoff many non-players on the sideline are buzzing about with big news - "Penn State lost! Penn State lost!" Everyone seems concerned that the players not find out. Then two minutes into the game, the stadium public address announcer informs the crowd of the day’s big college football upset. The Tech players are absolutely expressionless. They do not smile or seem to even care. There are more important matters at hand. I do see Tech Athletic Director Jim Weaver (a former Nittany Lion player and coach) and I say with more than a hint of sarcasm, "Sorry to hear about your alma mater."

"Don’t be. I’m not," he responds coyly with a smile.

It is serious business on the sidelines. No joking around or idle chattering. Just a lot of encouragement for the guys on the field. Instructions are constantly being shouted by the coaches. Tech QB Michael Vick gets sacked. It's second and seventeen - " Punt team! Punt team! Be ready!! Be ready!!" Vick converts a third down and the Hokie drive continues. But on the sidelines the Hokies stand ready for the whatever formation or special team personnel that may be called upon.

I scurry back and forth between the thirty yard lines, trying to gain a vantage point and to stay out of the way. As I previously mentioned, it is really difficult to see the game from the sidelines. Big football players tend to obstruct one’s view. Watching a play develop while standing on the sideline directly at the line of scrimmage is amazing. Have you ever been watching a game on television and seen a photographer or spectator on the sideline get wiped out by the flow of a play? Did you ever think to yourself, "Why didn’t they just get the hell out of the way?"

I’ll enlighten you. Three hundred pound linemen move fast, and the skill players move even faster. Before you realize what may happen to you, it’s too late. I was able to stay clear of any sideline action, however, in my frantic efforts to get out of the way several times, I became entangled in the kicker’s net. I hope I didn’t make network television.

I have a perfect view of the game’s most controversial play: WVU’s forward pass on the kickoff following Kendrick’s touchdown gallop. I happened to be standing on about the five yard line next to the # 1 Hokie - University President Paul Torgersen.

Dr. Torgersen is a serious fan who has an excellent grasp of the game. He has a coach's demeanor, very intent and business-like. Tech scooped up the loose ball and headed into the end zone, and I screamed "Touchdown!! Touchdown!!"

Dr Torgersen quickly quells my enthusiasm for six more Hokie points, though. "Dean, it’s their ball. The ball belongs to West Virginia", he says calmly.

"What? No way! It’s at least our ball, isn’t it?" I respond meekly and hopefully.

He is right. The ball remains in the Mountaineers' possession.

A few moments later, an incredible 78-yard punt erases the Hokies' field position advantage. I am crushed. Dr. Torgersen, though, isn't shaken. Great leaders remain cool and collective in such situations, and President Torgersen is a great leader. We will miss him at the helm of our ship.

Halftime. It’s seven a side. The players and coaches run off the field to the locker room. Hokie fans are unusually subdued. Although the Hokies have outplayed WVU, we couldn’t wrestle control of the game. The 78-yard punt still stuck painfully in my craw.

It is time for the second half kickoff. The Hokies manage a third quarter field goal and safety. The five point lead is tenuous. The mood on the sideline remains confident. The Hokie offense can’t seem to click, but the defense stifles the ‘Eer’s backup QB.

West Virginia does complete a thirty yard sideline pass directly in front of me. This time I am standing next to Jim Weaver. Weaver immediately begins frantically shoving his arms outward simulating a pass interference call against West Virginia. He’s right - boy, our administrators are on top of everything! The referee throws a flag and the Mountaineer offense marches back fifteen yards.

Everyone knows Jim Weaver as a shaker and mover. Under his direction, Tech athletics has soared to great heights. What you may not know about Weaver is his genuine love for football and Virginia Tech. Certainly, as AD, he has more at stake during a game than the average fan. But what impressed me the most about him was his passion for the Hokies. As we all know, it is more than just a game. But Weaver is significantly invested in the Hokies both professionally and emotionally. Our university is a fortunate beneficiary of his hard work and dedication.

The fourth quarter arrives and the Hokies are in control 12 - 7, but by no means is the game in the bag. Vick launches a perfect spiral to Andre Davis at the five yard line. But Andre can not hold on. Again, I am crushed - no, this time I am devastated. I grab Jim Weaver in disbelief, bemoaning the dropped pass. I realize what I have done, compose myself and apologize to Weaver. I was embarrassed, but Weaver is unfazed by my amateurish sideline behavior. The former coach is plotting strategy in his mind for the next play.

We do score later in the quarter. At last the game appears totally controlled by Tech. Some of the players dance a premature victory jig in front of the Mountaineer fans. Then things get interesting - too interesting.

Following the immaculate fumble return on the ensuing kickoff, West Virginia hits pay dirt. The Hokies are still in control, but must run out the clock to win. I am standing on the bench watching the Tech offense. I look down the bench about ten feet and see Corey Moore doing the same. RB Shyrone Stith gets rocked and the ball pops loose - Mountaineer football! Corey jumps down off the bench, puts on his helmet and runs on the field.

20 - 19. Hokies trail for the first time in the ‘99 season. 1:15 remains on the clock. The Hokies know what they must do and approach the task confidently. I must admit, I was scared to death. But the coaches and players remained completely composed. I stake out a viewing position from the WVU 35 yard line. Shayne Graham warms up by powerfully pounding footballs with his foot into the practice net. Shayne was cool. I prayed for him to get the opportunity every Hokie so desperately wanted. After a few plays, Michael Vick works his magic.

Vick’s incredible scamper to set up the game winning field goal was surreal - almost slow motion. I look down the sideline, thought I saw him run out of bounds, bow my head for another prayer and then all the sudden Vick is standing right next to me! "Where did he come from?" I thought to myself. Then I thought "Who cares? We’re in field goal range!"

You know the end to this story. As I joyously ran out on the field to celebrate the Hokies incredible victory, I was overcome with emotion - a strange combination of tears, cheers and delirious amazement. High fives and hugs were abundant. Talk about one big happy family- WOW!

Then I realized I've been standing for five hours straight. My knees are weak. I can't stand any longer. I fall to Mountaineer Field and wallow in sweet victory. I'm tired, but it's a good tired.

As I write this today, it already seems like a long time ago. It seems, with a game like this one, that time should just stop, and the Hokies should never have to play again, but it's not that way. Already, the ‘Canes loom. # 9 is almost here.

-- Dean Farmer