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Let the Games Begin!

Welcome to The Colosseum � Virginia�s first Luxury Sports Condominium Hotel. Professionally managed by world renowned Salamander Hospitality, The Colosseum is an unparalleled combination of the finest amenities and services you want and expect in a luxury hotel. Located in Blacksburg, the Heart of the Hokie Nation, The Colosseum is just a couple of miles from Lane Stadium and Cassell Coliseum with easy access to the 460 By-pass and Interstate 81.

Choose your suite from many different plans and layouts ranging from basic studios to elaborate penthouses then relax in style and comfort. All suites include:

• Lavish beds with fine linens and lush pillows
• Luxury bathrooms with granite counter tops and beautiful ceramic tile floors
• Ceramic tile entry ways and plush carpet throughout
• Efficiency kitchens featuring beverage centers, wine racks, & stainless steel appliances
• Large flat-screen televisions
• State-of-the-art connectivity for Internet, phone and digital cable TV
• Private balcony or terrace

Enjoy a vigorous work out in the fitness center, a relaxing spa treatment, and or a refreshing dip in the pool. Meet up with old friends and family for causal drinks at the full service bar and a spectacular meal in our top rated restaurant or perhaps just call in room service and rest as you prepare for the festivities of the weekend.

When game day arrives, don�t stress. We will take care of all the details. Enjoy pre and post game parties, complimentary stadium transportation, and scrumptious pre-made gourmet tailgate packages ready and waiting for you to take to the game.

The Colosseum is a proud sponsor of Virginia Tech Athletics and the only residential development providing educational scholarships and internships to students at Virginia Tech.

To find out more about The Colosseum, click here.

Now accepting reservations; please contact us for more information at [email protected] or call (800) 846-8324.

Coming Back from a Crushing Loss
by Chris Coleman, TechSideline.com

Last night Virginia Tech dropped a very tough game to Boston College in Lane Stadium. The Hokies had the game firmly in control, leading 10-0 with the ball at BC's 31 yard line with 6:01 remaining in the game. BC's offense and talented quarterback Matt Ryan had been completely shut down all night, and it looked like Tech had the game in the bag.

Obviously it didn't turn out that way, as Matt Ryan led the Eagles on two late touchdown drives, aided by a recovered onside kick. Ryan's winning touchdown pass to Andre Callender came with 11 seconds remaining in the game, and served as a dagger into the hearts of the Tech team, as well as the shocked Hokie Nation in attendance.

It certainly wasn't the only heartbreaking loss in recent memory, although it was possibly the most heartbreaking.

Back in 2001, Virginia Tech hosted #1 Miami in the final regular season game. That Miami team is considered by many to be the most talented college football team in history, and the Hokies played them down to the wire.

Miami jumped out to a 20-3 halftime lead, and it certainly looked like they had Tech dead in the water at Lane Stadium. However, the Hokies rallied in the second half, led by true freshman running back Kevin Jones, who finished the game with 160 yards on the ground. Tech cut the lead to 20-10, but then fell behind 26-10 after two Miami field goals.

However, the Hokies gradually whittled away at that lead, and Eric Green's blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown by Brandon Manning in the fourth quarter made the score 26-24. However, Ernest Wilford dropped a wide open pass in the end zone on the two-point conversion attempt, and Tech couldn't gut out the victory.

The Hokies had three tough losses in 2002. Pitt came to down and knocked off the undefeated Hokies 28-21. It was a tough loss to swallow, because Tech had a 21-7 lead. However a personal foul penalty on Ronyell Whitaker after the Hokies had stopped Pitt on third down gave the Panthers new life, and they completed the comeback.

Unfortunately for Tech, that was just the beginning. The next week, the Hokies traveled to the Carrier Dome where they lost to a bad Syracuse team 50-42 in triple overtime. The loss was particularly depressing because Bryan Randall threw for 504 yards and Ernest Wilford had 279 receiving yards and four touchdowns. However, the defense couldn't stop Syracuse all night, and Randall threw an interception in the end zone to end the game.

Tech got West Virginia at home on a Wednesday night the next week, but lost yet again, this time 21-18. The Hokies were driving at the end of the game, and could have settled for a field goal attempt to force overtime, but Randall threw an interception in the end zone to end the game for the second straight week.

Tech responded to the WVU loss by beating Virginia, and after losing to Miami, won their bowl game against Air Force. The Hokies kept playing hard in 2002, but injuries on defense and an inexperienced quarterback limited them down the stretch.

The 31-28 loss to Pitt in 2003 derailed the team down the stretch. After a huge win over #2 Miami, the Hokies lost to Pitt on the road with less than a minute to play. Kevin Jones set the school record (at the time) with 241 yard rushing at four touchdowns, but Marcus Vick threw two interceptions, and the quarterback controversy between him and Bryan Randall was in full swing.

The Hokies responded poorly to the loss. The next week they traveled to lowly Temple and escaped with a 24-23 overtime win, thanks to a missed extra point. They closed out the regular season with losses to Boston College and Virginia, and then lost to Cal 52-49 in the Insight Bowl. That team totally tanked down the stretch, with the defense playing selfish football.

The 2004 Hokies had an early setback to NC State, losing 17-16 in Blacksburg. Bryan Randall was sacked 10 times, but managed to lead the Hokies on a potential game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter. However, Brandon Pace's 43-yard field goal attempt was just a few feet wide right as time expired.

That 2004 Tech team was the polar opposite of the 2003 team. The 2004 Hokies, led by senior quarterback Bryan Randall and a suffocating defense, did not lose for the remainder of the regular season. They went on to win the ACC in their inaugural season, and earned a berth in the Sugar Bowl.

It takes a lucky and talented football team to go undefeated, and almost every team has to deal with at least one loss a season, even the really good ones. How they deal with the tough losses is generally the difference between a good season (2004) and a not-so-good season (2003).