Ugh. I’m still soaked, and have a nasty cold. Thanks a lot, Isabel. It was nice knowing you. Really. I mean that. *snort*

Hero: Kevin Jones. On national TV, against a big time opponent, KJ turns it up a notch, rushing 30 times for 188 yards, an impressive 6.2 ypc. He showed power, speed, and elusiveness, carrying tacklers, hitting the hole fast, and often making the first tackler miss. This is the kind of game that Hokie fans have been waiting for since he was signed as the #1 recruit in the country, and he sure didn’t let us down.

Goat: DeAngelo Hall. DLo didn’t really have a bad game, but one play really sticks out in my mind. On 2^nd and 7 from the VT 24 yard line, McNeal throws left to Terence Murphy, but DLo instead of playing the man, goes for the ball, giving up a 22 yard gain to the 2 yard line, leading to an (almost) game-tying score. Granted, had he gotten the ball, he would’ve taken it the distance, but he didn’t, and we’re left to wonder if, considering the conditions, he shouldn’t have played a bit more conservatively. Oh, and a muffed punt return? Yes, I know the wind took it, but back away, DLo, back away!

Hero: Michael Crawford. 18 tackles. That’s not a misprint. 18 tackles. Crawford was all over the field on Thursday, by far the best defender on the team. And get this: nobody has gotten more tackles for Tech in one game since 1995.

Hero: Bud Foster. Again, Coach Foster makes the Heroes list, this time for the defensive adjustments at halftime that led to A&M garnering only 56 yards from the start of the 3^rd quarter until they got the ball with 1:32 left in the game, when the outcome was decided. A lot of this came from containment on McNeal’s scrambling, forcing him to throw, as well as some other good adjustments to take away the Aggies’ strengths.

Hero: A&M WR Tim Van Zant. A walkon senior, who just got a scholarship last week, so what does he do in is first start ever? 7 catches, 103 yards (more than doubling both career statistics, BTW), and his first career TD reception. Way to go, Tim, looks like the coaches made the right call there.

Goat: Kansas State, Pittsburgh, and Alabama. For overlooking those pesky MAC teams. Well, not Alabama, they can’t help it, they really stink.

Hero: Oklahoma State WR Rashaun Woods. Seven, count them, seven touchdown catches against Southern Methodist, an NCAA single-game record. Now that’s what I call a good day at the office!

Goat: ESPN analyst Terry Bowden. Sure, he’s a lousy analyst. But that’s not why he gets a Goat this week. Back in 2001, he says that he knew players were getting paid when he started as head coach at Auburn. Well, it turns out that saying that violates an agreement that he had with Auburn, and he’s going to lose something to the tune of $600,000 for running off at the mouth. Way to go, Terry. Oh, and BTW, have you noticed that Craig James is getting more face time at ESPN? Terry might be on his way out.

Hero: Ohio State CB Will Allen. Another day, another game-saving interception. His interception to end the game against a suddenly resurgent Bowling Green team saved the day for the Buckeyes, and that’s not his first of the year. As a matter of fact, he did it at least once last year that I know of. This guy’s got a habit of saving OSU’s bacon.

Goat: Freddyburg Hokie. For getting slammed in beerpong by 12thManFactor of the A&M boards. Not once. Not twice, but 3 times. Ugh.

Goat. Isabel. One person in the stands was chanting, "Go to [heck], Isabel, go to [heck]! *clap* *clap*" I heartily agree. And I’m sure that the thousands of Hokie fans across the state that lost power right before the game would agree.

The Hokies play at noon this weekend, but there are a few other good games to watch. Here’s the best one to watch at each time slot…

(#11) Nebraska @ Southern Mississippi, Thursday @ 7:30pm, ESPN
Is this the Nebraska of old? Or are they just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Take a look at this game, and I guess we may find out.

(#19) Pittsburgh @ Texas A&M, Saturday @ 3:30pm, ABC/ESPN Gameplan
Can the Panthers overcome their inevitable early season loss to a weak team and get up for Texas A&M? Are we that good or is A&M just not that good? This will be a good barometer to show how we’re doing this year, comparing how Pitt does against A&M compared to how we did.

Honestly, the rest of the games Saturday evening are dogs. South Carolina @ Tennessee? Blowout. Arizona State @ Oregon State? Who cares. Watch those if you want, but there’s really nothing interesting to see. (Well, according to me there’s not.)

Have fun, enjoy the Hokie win over Connecticut, and drink a few for me. GO HOKIES!

Voice of the Fan Archives