This Date in College Football History

Dec. 31, 1984: Virginia celebrates their first bowl invitation with a 27- 24 victory over Purdue with a trip to the Peach Bowl in Atlanta, Ga. Trailing 24-14 at the half, Cavaliers quarterback Don Majkowski runs the ball for the tying touchdown while Kenny Stadlin adds a field goal to take the lead. Late in the fourth quarter Ray Daly intercepts Boilermakers Jim Everett's pass to seal the win.

Credit: The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame

Senior Spotlight: Atlantic Coast Conference

VIRGINIA CAVALIERS @ WAKE FOREST DEMON DEACONS – 3:30 ON ESPNU

LB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
This Demon Deacon displayed his playmaking skills as a freshman, breaking into the backfield, knocking down passes and even blocking a punt. Aaron Curry has played in every game since his red-shirt freshman season, placing him among the most experienced players in the country with 45 career starts on his resume. At 6’3” and 247 pounds, Curry possesses prototypical size and length. His size and wingspan allow him to do battle on the line of scrimmage and while he hasn’t matched his three interception returns for touchdowns (226 return yards) of last season, this senior linebacker remains one of the nation’s top playmakers. The North Carolina native leads Wake Forest with 72 tackles, which ranks him third in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Demon Deacon’s nine tackles for a loss leads the team and ranks him among the league leaders in the conference. He has 1.5 sacks, one interception, two passes defended and one fumble recovery. Curry can cover and when asked, rush the passer. He is at his best with all of the action in front of him and when he is able to attack straight ahead, as he possesses exceptional straight-line speed. He has a good head on his shoulders, deciding to attend Wake Forest due in part to their academic prowess. Curry is the complete package.

2008: 72 Tackles, 1.5 Sacks, One Interception

OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia
The New Jersey product has prototypical length and bulk for a left tackle, checking in at 6’6” and 315 pounds, with a very strong base. His long arms allow him to excel in pass protection. He also regularly records knockdown blocks, displaying the ability to dominate the opposition. Monroe has excellent footwork and a great understanding of positioning, which allows him to maintain his balance. Monroe is known for playing hard and he is also an above average natural athlete. He does need to be a little bit more aggressive and attack defenders rather than waiting for them to come to him. He also must do a better job of maintaining his blocks. As a run blocker, there are some questions regarding his speed heading up-field and his agility when asked to go after linebackers, which is something to watch for this Saturday. Many wondered why 2007 first round pick Branden Albert (Kansas City Chiefs) played guard instead of tackle? The reason was Monroe, who was handling left tackle just fine, often grading out as the Cavs’ top lineman, which has carried over into his senior campaign. He possesses prototypical size and if he can improve his strength/technique, he could follow in Albert’s footsteps. Monroe is a surefire All-ACC selection and he should be an All-America candidate.

2008: Virginia 10 Sacks Against (Loss of 89 yards)

DT B. J. RAJI, BOSTON COLLEGE
Short and stout, he's the prototypical inside clogger who can eat up space. He has bulk, girth, and plays with a chip on his shoulder. With B. J. Raji manning the middle it should come as no surprise that the Boston College Eagles possess the ACC’s second best run defense, allowing a mere 106.2 yards game and 3.2 yards per carry. Despite his size (334 lbs), Raji is agile enough to get into the backfield and cause disruption, which is why he strengthened the Eagles’ defensive unit up front with his return. His strength is playing against the run but he has displayed some flashes as a pass rusher. Of his six tackles for a loss, four are sacks, to go along with two quarterback hurries. When he doesn’t get all the way to the quarterback, Raji gets his hands up (three pass breakups). Raji is a sure tackler and possesses good instincts and awareness.

BOSTON COLLEGE HOSTS NOTRE DAME THIS SATURDAY – 8:00 PM ON ESPN

Photo Credit: Brian Westerholt of Sports on Film (Wake Forest)

John Phillips of Virginia Named John Mackey Tight End of the Week

Manhasset, N.Y. (October 22, 2008) - John Phillips of Virginia was named John Mackey Tight End of the Week by the Nassau County Sports Commission. The Atlantic Coast Conference senior recorded five receptions for 38 yards including a huge play in overtime where his game changing 19-yard reception set up the winning score as Virginia rallied to beat North Carolina 16-13. Other candidates considered for this week's Mackey Tight End of the Week include Jermaine Gresham of Oklahoma and Chase Coffman of Missouri.

The John Mackey Tight End of the Week is an honor distinct and different from the annual John Mackey Award. This weekly honor was started in 2004 to draw attention to individual play by Tight Ends during the active season. The Tight End of the Week acknowledgment does not have a direct bearing on the final John Mackey Award selection process.

The Nassau County Sports Commission, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization created to enhance quality of life of Nassau County residents through sports, is responsible for the administration of the John Mackey Award and the John Mackey Award Selection Committee. The 2008 recipient of "The Mackey" will be announced at the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show live December 11, 2008 on ESPN and presented at the Nassau County Sports Commission Annual Awards Dinner on April 27, 2009.

For additional information, please visit www.johnmackeyaward.org or www.nassausports.org.

Hokies win fourth straight over Virginia, 33-21

By HANK KURZ Jr.
AP Sports Writer

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - Sean Glennon threw for 260 yards and the other half of Virginia Tech's quarterback rotation, Tyrod Taylor, ran for two touchdowns, as the No. 8 Hokies won the biggest game in the history of its rivalry with Virginia 33-21 on Saturday to advance to the ACC championship game.

The Hokies (10-2, 7-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) also got a season-high 147 yards rushing from Branden Ore and six catches for 147 yards and a touchdown from Eddie Royal. They won their fourth straight in the series and eighth in the last nine meetings.

The victory earned Virginia Tech a rematch with No. 15 Boston College in next Saturday's conference title game in Jacksonville, Fla. The Eagles rallied with two touchdowns in the final 2:11 to stun the Hokies 14-10 in Blacksburg on Oct. 25.

No. 16 Virginia (9-3, 6-2) led late in the second quarter before an interception by Brandon Flowers with 40 seconds to go turned into a three-play, 65-yard touchdown drive that left the crowd of 61,711 stunned. Up 20-14, the Hokies never trailed again.

Taylor scored on runs of 9 and 5 yards, the second with 11:50 remaining to give Virginia Tech a 30-21 lead. After Virginia was forced to punt, the Hokies drove to the Cavaliers 9-yard line, and Jud Dunlevy's fourth field goal completed the scoring.

Dunlevy also kicked a 29-yarder early in the second half to make it 23-14, capping a short drive set up when Davon Morgan blocked Ryan Weigand's punt from the Cavaliers 38.

The stakes had never been so high in the previous 88 meetings between the teams. Late in the third quarter, Virginia seemed poised to make it go down to the wire.

Lombardi Award finalist Chris Long, quiet up to that point, sacked Taylor at the Hokies 28. The freshman fumbled, and Antonio Appleby recovered for the Cavaliers.

Jameel Sewell, who ran for two touchdowns, kept the ensuing drive alive with a 17-yard pass to a diving Jonathan Stupar on third-and-12 from the 19. He then ran it in on the next play to pull Virginia within 23-21 and fire up the home crowd. But the Cavaliers never got any closer

After an exchange of punts, the Hokies struck again.

Glennon hit Josh Morgan for 25 yards, and Ore went off left tackle for 25 more, putting the ball at the Cavaliers 16. Five plays later, Taylor replaced Glennon at quarterback and took off on a delay for the left corner of the end zone.

The Cavaliers appeared to have momentum late in the first half, leading 14-13 and driving into Virginia Tech territory. Then Flowers intercepted Sewell.

Glennon completed a pass to Josh Morgan for 26 yards on the next play, moving the ball to the Cavaliers 39. After an incompletion, he hit Royal in stride deep in Virginia territory. Royal silenced the crowd by beating a tackle and taking it into the end zone.

Virginia Tech scored on its first two possessions on a 9-yard run from Taylor and a 20-yard field goal by Dunlevy before Virginia got anything going.

Consecutive completions for 22 yards by Sewell finally got the Cavaliers into Hokies territory, and Mikell Simpson broke off a 27-yard TD run to make it 10-7.

Glennon's 56-yard pass to Royal set up another field goal by Dunlevy from 37 yards. The Cavaliers went three-and-out before a trick play backfired for Virginia Tech.

On second-and-3 from the Virginia 45, Royal took a lateral from Taylor and had tight end Greg Boone open deep downfield. But his pass was intercepted by Chris Cook. Seven plays later, Sewell ran it in from the 7.

The Hokies didn't get another first down until the big one just before halftime.

Source: ncaafootball.com; Photo Credit: Virginia Tech Athletics Communications

Va. Tech embraces opportunity; Virginia sees it as another game

By HANK KURZ Jr.
AP Sports Writer

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - Virginia coach Al Groh was meeting with the media Tuesday, talking about the No. 16 Cavaliers' game against No. 8 Virginia Tech, when two students who looked like they'd been in a rousing Cheetos fight walked in with an envelope.

``Hi, fellas,'' Groh said cheerily, taking the envelope from the orange-painted students and reading an appeal that Cavaliers fans wear orange for the big game.

Groh and his captains also penned a letter to the school newspaper making a similar request. But amid their own efforts and much other hype for the game, the coach and the Cavaliers tried all week to insist they can't afford to consider its magnitude.

``Obviously it's the biggest game of the year,'' tight end Tom Santi said with a wry smile, ``because it's the only one we have this week. We're excited about it.''

The Hokies, meanwhile, take an entirely different approach, even celebrating the fact that an improved Virginia program could give them a stiff test after Virginia Tech has dominated the series in recent years.

``That's the whole point of having an in-state rivalry,'' Hokies linebacker Vince Hall said. ``The whole rivalry thing doesn't really go good if only one team wins the whole time and the other team's not winning.''

The Hokies have won three in a row in the series and seven of the last eight. But the rivals are playing for much more than bragging rights. The winner moves on to face Boston College for the Atlantic Coast Conference championship and a BCS bowl berth.

The Cavaliers still insist that the game has no special meaning.

``We're not even thinking about what's at stake,'' right guard Ian-Yates Cunningham said. ``We're just thinking about winning a game. It's just one extra game. It was on our schedule at the beginning of the season.''

Groh noted that coaches and players aren't the ones who tailgate and cheer.

``We're the ones who play, and ... this is a different event for the participants than the other people. ... Everybody's got a role to play, and ours is to prepare to play and to play well, so if something helps us, then we embrace it,'' he said. ``If it doesn't, then we try to keep it at arm's length.''

Virginia Tech was an overwhelming favorite to win the ACC's Coastal Division and has three straight victories to put it in position to do so after a stunning loss to Boston College. In that game, the Eagles scored two touchdowns in the final 2:11 to win 14-10.

Now the Hokies can force a rematch with Boston College.

``We've been talking about it since (a 27-3 victory against) Georgia Tech,'' Hokies left tackle Duane Brown said. ``Since that game, we've gone out and practiced our tails off, went out and executed and now we're at this point. Our last game of the season, our in-state rival. It doesn't get any better than this, really.''

Source: ncaafootball; Photo Credit: Virginia Tech Athletics Communications

Hurricanes' run at Orange Bowl ends with visit by No. 23 Virginia

By TIM REYNOLDS
AP Sports Writer

MIAMI (AP) -- More than a few Miami players wish they could smuggle their lockers from the Orange Bowl as souvenirs. Some will sneak onto the turf after this farewell game to pluck some blades of grass as
keepsake items.

Randy Shannon wants to take something away, too. "A win," the first-year Miami coach said. "Simple." That truly is what the Hurricanes need most from their matchup with
No. 23 Virginia on Saturday night, when Miami's 70-year run of calling the historic Orange Bowl home comes to an end.

A loss would further jeopardize Miami's chances of reaching a bowl game, and end whatever hope might remain of winning the Atlantic Coast Conference. After losses in their last two home games, the 'Canes (5-4, 2-3) sound desperate to close this era with a victory.

"It's real important and it's kind of a motivating factor knowing that this is going to be the last game ever played in the Orange Bowl," Miami center John Rochford said.

"So you want to bring your best effort out there. You're going to see guys really laying it on the line."

Virginia (8-2, 5-1) will do the same. The Cavaliers hit the eight-win mark earlier on the calendar than ever before. And a team that wasn't even bowl-eligible last season has eyes on a Bowl Championship Series spot -- the one bestowed to the ACC champion -- after a mindboggling string of nailbiting wins.

Virginia has three wins by one point, two wins by two points. No team in major college football history has ever won so many games in the same season by such a slim margin.

"Sometimes you have to have what they call luck," Shannon said. "But they create their own luck."

A play here, a play there, and Virginia could be in far worse shape. The reverse can be said for Miami. There's some statistical eeriness between the teams in everything but their won-loss record. Virginia has scored 220 points, Miami 219. Both teams have allowed exactly 192 points. But it's the Cavaliers sitting atop the ACC's Coastal Division, while the Hurricanes are sputtering and on the cusp of missing the postseason.

"It's a different feeling than we've had around here in a while. You can't deny that," standout defensive lineman Chris Long said. "We're in a place that we haven't been before."

Still, Virginia coach Al Groh, whose alma mater is 0-15 all-time in Florida, doesn't expect this one to be easy.

"To this point, Miami is overall the most athletically gifted team that we've played," Groh said.

And Groh knows the Hurricanes will get an emotional lift from the Orange Bowl farewell, so he's concerned.

"When you have a highly talented team such as Miami, that maybe isn't accomplishing quite what they want, sometimes a really galvanizing event like this brings out the very best in them," Groh said. "That's what we are assuming is going to be the case and we will have to have our team ready play at that particular level."

He's right on this count: Saturday's game will be an event. The Hurricanes began playing at what's now known at the Orange Bowl in 1937 and won three of their five national titles on that field. Miami will move to Dolphin Stadium next season to begin a planned 25-year stay there, and the Orange Bowl will soon be demolished.

To commemorate the occasion and all that history, Miami has invited all former players back to form the pregame tunnel for players to run through as they emerge from the locker room. Grammy award winner Jon Secada, a Miami grad, will sing the national anthem. A special halftime ceremony is planned, and there'll be postgame events as well.

Winning would make the sendoff even sweeter. "We're playing for all the millions of people who've walked through that Orange Bowl and saw a game and all the old players, whether they're still here or not," said Miami quarterback Kyle Wright, who'll
start despite a nagging left ankle sprain. "We're playing for a lot.

It's going to be a special night."

Source: A.P. Wire; Photo Credit: University of Miami Sports Media Relations Office

CFI: THE ACC REPORT

BY CHRISTOPHER J. KRESGE
ACC COASTAL INSIDER

MIAMI 37 FLORIDA STATE 29
Not since 1977 has this game been played where both teams were NOT ranked in the top 25. And to make matters worse, South Florida was ranked number two heading into the week. College football is definitely in a state of change needless to say. Ugly Betty could best describe this game. Five combined interceptions and it wasn’t because the defenses were playing at such a high level -- both quarterbacks were just really bad. As a side note -- Xavier Lee might have the legs of Michael Vick, but has the arm and quarterback sense of someone not worthy of a starting position. Lee was literally skipping passes to his receivers on ten yard out patterns. Jimbo Fisher almost had a cardiac arrest on some plays wishing he still had JaMarcus Russell. Bobby Bowden might start reconsidering how much longer he can go at it in an increasingly improving ACC. For The Canes, it was a lot of the same, running hard with Graig Cooper and Javarris James, inconsistent quarterback play and a high-octane effort on defense. Game ball goes to backup quarterback Kirby Freeman after standing tall in the pocket and delivering the winning touchdown throw to the corner of the end zone. Both teams are mediocre but it will be interesting to see how they end the season.
NEXT WEEK: November 3 MIAMI vs. NC STATE

VIRGINIA 18 MARYLAND 17
Virginia is in first place? Mikkel Simpson had 271 all-purpose yards against Maryland and two touchdowns? Al Groh has not been fired yet? Yes, yes and yes. Again, it is one of those college football seasons. Oh, I also forgot to add that quarterback Jameel Sewell threw NO interceptions. Simpson was listed on the depth chart as a backup tight end, now he can be listed as superman after last Saturday's performance. Simpson was thrown into duty due to injuries and I do not think he is ready to go back to the bench anytime soon. Virginia's defense played well against the run all day, which is Maryland's strong point. Also what was impressive was Virginia's no quit attitude. Down three at half, they came out in the second half and laid the wood. Virginia vs. Boston College in the ACC Championship game? As Lee Corso says, "Not so fast my friend!" There is whole lot of games to be played. Stay tuned...........
NEXT WEEK: Virginia vs. NC STATE

GEORGIA TECH 34 – ARMY 10
If you missed this game, don’t worry, you didn’t miss much. A lot of the same from Georgia Tech -- a very conservative offense, a young quarterback that only throws out patterns and a solid, well-disciplined defense. The biggest news out of this game was the knee injury sustained by running back Tashard Choice. He opted for knee surgery this week but no substantial damage was done to his ligaments and he could be back for the Virginia Tech game on November 1. Overall, Georgia Tech is a well-coached team but they do not have the playmakers to make a push to the ACC Championship game. I am predicting they will play the spoiler role towards the end of the season if teams do not take them seriously.
NEXT WEEK: November 1 Georgia Tech vs. Virginia Tech

PHOTO CREDIT: University of Miami Sports Media Relations Office

CFI: THE ACC MID-SEASON REPORT

BY ARTHUS DiCESARE
ACC INSIDER

The ACC has been up and down with no team other than Boston College establishing themselves as a consistent team. The Eagles, who currently sit in third place in the BCS standings has been great on both sides of the ball, while traditional powers like Miami and Florida State have continued to struggle both due in large part to new coaching changes that have altered each program. The ‘Noles under new offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher have had their inconsistencies at the quarterback position and on the offensive line -- issues that proceeded his arrival. While ‘Canes with new head coach Randy Shannon, who has tried to install his philosophy and winning ways at “The U”, has had some bums in the road most notably a road loss at North Carolina. Both Georgia Tech and Clemson, who were suppose to contend in their divisions, have also been disappointing leaving both sitting in third place.

Surprise Team- Virginia: The Cavaliers who started the season with a loss to Wyoming have rallied to win six straight games. Al Groh who always seems to be on the hot seat in Charlottesville has finally brought his NFL background and defensive strategy to the table. Virginia has already won as many games as they did last year, and sit tied atop the Coastal standings. Virginia has very winnable games remaining on their schedule and might have a Coastal showdown the last week of the season at home against Virginia Tech.

Disappointing Team- Clemson: The Tigers started the season with a big win over Florida State and rolled to 4-0 have, but have since dropped two straight games, the last an embarrassing home loss to Virginia Teach. Clemson, who not only has the most talented backfield in the ACC and possibly the country, has had two terrible offensive weeks in a row. With a young and very raw defense, Clemson has to lean on their offense to produce for them. Death Valley is still waiting for Tommy Bowden to bring it all together one of these seasons.

Offensive MVP- Matt Ryan QB Boston College: This is a no brainier -- Matt Ryan is hands-down the best and most important player on the offensive side of the ball in the ACC. He has lead BC to a 7-0 record and the highest ranking in school history. Ryan is on pace to throw for 3600 yards and 30 touchdowns and should BC continue to win, Ryan can book his flight to New York for a shot to win the Heisman Trophy.

Defensive MVP- Xavier Adibi LB Virginia Tech: This race is much closer with deserving candidates like Virginia’s Chris Long and Boston College’s Dejaun Tribble. My vote goes to Virginia Tech linebacker Xavier Adibi. Adibi is the catalyst of the top-scoring defense in the ACC. Not to mention he is their leading tackler and is the spark plug -- a true emotional leader of the Hookies defense. Adibi is also a semifinalist for the Butkus Award given to the nations top linebacker.

Top Newcomer- Tyrod Taylor QB Virginia Tech: Tyrod Taylor the true freshmen who replaced Sean Gleadon in week three is 5-0 as a starter. He has Tech tied in first place and has the team poised to make another ACC title game appearance in Jacksonville. With his growth at the quarterback position getting better week in a week out, look forward to watching Taylor in the upcoming years -- he has the physical ability to become a serious duel threat and possible Heisman candidate down the road.

Prediction- I see the teams in both the Atlantic and Coastal divisions staying were they are and that would set up a match-up between Boston College and Virginia Tech December 1st in Jacksonville.

CFI: THE ACC REPORT

BY CHRISTOPHER J. KRESGE
ACC COASTAL INSIDER

VIRGINIA TECH 43 – DUKE 14
Well, “Air” Lewis for Duke finally had a defense clip his wings as the 12th ranked Hokies limited the aerial attack for the Blue Devils to only 119 yards on 13 completions and 24 attempts. All the experts have actually been waiting for Virginia Tech to lay the wood to a lesser opponent all year and this performance following the big game in Clemson could have Tech starting to look like the top ten team they were projected as in many pre-season polls. Sean Glennon was back under center after freshman Tyrod Taylor was injured. Glennon finished the game with two touchdowns and 258 passing yards. Tech’s kicker, Jud Denlevy, showed NFL ability with two long field goals, one at 42 and the other from 44 yards respectively. But once again, the rushing game for the Hokies was pathetic. A total of only 99 yards, as Branden Ore is single handily playing himself out of the NFL draft. The No. 3 ranked Boston College Eagles come to town on October 25, 2007 and we’ll see which team is a pretender or contender for a BCS bowl.
NEXT WEEK: October 25 Virginia Tech vs. Boston College
NEXT WEEK: October 27 Duke vs. FSU

USC 21 – UNC 15
The young guns down in Chapel Hill lost another game by fewer than seven points -- this makes four all together, as they continue to show improvement and the ability to play with the best of the best as USC came in ranked No. 7 in the polls and is SEC battle tested. Another interesting point, Kenan Stadium for the Tar Heels was sold out to capacity at 61,000…so kudos to Butch Davis and his marketing team for getting the Carolinas sold on his agenda and young team. Some notables for the Tar Heels -- T.J. Yates continued to throw it all over the field totaling 285 yards but still at times forces things and this was obvious with two interceptions. Freshman Greg Little is starting get more and more time on offense as both a fullback and wide receiver. He is such a great athlete; you have to have him on the field somewhere. Lastly, Hakeem Nicks continues to torch secondaries as he totaled eight catches for 114 yards, channeling Terrell Owens (body makeup) and Randy Moss (speed).
NEXT WEEK: Oct. 27 UNC vs. Wake Forest

GEORGIA TECH 17 – MIAMI 14
It is official; the University of Miami is a mediocre team -- no playmakers…no intensity…just an all around boring team. Georgia Tech on the other hand plays to its strengths, Tashard Choice and their running game and a stingy defense, which is anchored by NFL ready linebacker Wheeler. Choice rushed for 204 yards on 37 carries and is projecting as a third or fourth round pick depending on his combine times. He is showing the durability and consistency that is needed to be productive on the next level. Randy Shannon is saying all the right things about the level of talent not being where it needs to be in order to return to the glory days, but only time and his recruiting classes will determine that. Right now, this is a just a bad team. Remember when the Miami/FSU game actually meant something??
NEXT WEEK: Miami vs. FSU
NEXT WEEK: Georgia Tech vs. Army

VIRGINIA 17 - CONNECTICUT 16
Is this Virginia team going to be the 2006 version of Wake Forest? It is starting to shape up that way, but the there are still plenty of big games left on the board so let’s not put the glass cleat on them just yet. Jameel Sewell still is the starting quarterback and he continues to make dumb plays at the most inopportune times. He threw two interceptions again. This has to improve immediately. Tight end Tom Santi once again was impressive and All-American Chris Long has doubled all statistical numbers from last year. Wake Forest 2006? Or just another .500 Virginia team?
NEXT WEEK: Virginia vs. Maryland

THE ACC COASTAL REPORT

BY CHRISTOPHER J. KRESGE
ACC INSIDER

Miami 13 – Oklahoma 51: Somewhere Barry Switzer was smiling on Saturday after Oklahoma embarrassed Miami 51-13. Randy Phillips and freshman DeMarcus Van Dyke were burned all day long. The defensive line was pushed around most of the afternoon by a bigger, stronger Oklahoma offensive line. Calais Campbell was able to record a sack and linebackers Colin McCarthy and Tavares Gooden were all over the field making tackles. However, Miami’s offense could not get their passing game in order to compliment Javarris James and Graig Cooper, who are both productive every time they run the ball. Miami is still missing that big time playmaker at wide receiver. Lance Leggett did not play physically enough and didn’t go for the ball in the air. Kyle Wright was called in to replace Kirby Freeman and drove the offense to an 18-play, 52-yard scoring drive. He looked poised, threw sharp passes but was pulled for Freeman. This is still unexplainable? Don’t give up on Miami yet, they are still a very good team and will be competitive all year in the ACC. They were just overmatched this week against Oklahoma whom is a very good team that will make a run for the National Championship.
NEXT WEEK: Florida International

Georgia Tech 69 – Samford 14: So much for a letdown week after Georgia Tech’s beat down of the Irish in South Bend. Georgia Tech performed the way most good teams do against lesser opponents, by beating them handily. (Take notes Michigan) The offense continued their impressive show of strength and senior leadership compiling 380 rushing yards, 110 of which were gained by workhorse Tashard Choice, which came all in the first quarter. Choice also scored two touchdowns. Boston College heads down to Atlanta next week for their first ACC game of the year.
NEXT WEEK: Boston College

Virginia Tech 7 – LSU 48: The Hokies thought they were at a NASCAR event and not Death Valley after watching one of the fastest teams in the nation run past them for a 48-7 blowout Saturday night. Without a doubt, one of the toughest places to play in college football, but it wasn’t so much the crowd intimidation, but LSU’s overall team quickness on both sides of the ball. Sean Glennon was 2/10 with one interception before being replaced by former high school All-American and true freshman Tyrod Taylor, whom was not much better, but showed flashes of Michael Vick with his ability to improvise and move outside the pocket. Taylor finished 7/18 for 62 yards and one rushing touchdown. The Hokie offensive line was overmatched by LSU’s defensive front led by All-American Glenn Dorsey. T he Hokie defense could not keep up with the plethora of weapons LSU threw at them. Missed tackles and blown assignments sum up the team defense as a whole. Virginia Tech is a good team, but obviously not ready to be discussed in the National Championship picture this year.
NEXT WEEK: OHIO

VIRGINIA 24 – DUKE 13What an ugly game, which was mired in turnovers and bad plays. The only bright spot was the running of Cedric Peerman whom rushed for 137 yards and one touchdown. Al Groh knows his job is on the line so his patience is thin when it comes to Jameel Sewell. Sewell was replaced by freshmen Peter Lalich and don’t be surprised if this becomes a permanent. Lalich finished the day 13/18 131 yards and one touchdown. Tight end Tom Santi had and good game and started living up to his pre-season All ACC hype with two touchdown catches and 54 reception yards. Duke’s only bright spot was quarterback Thaddeus Young who finished the day 14/30 for 130 yards and one touchdown and one interception.
NEXT WEEK: VIRGINIA at North Carolina; DUKE at Northwestern

NORTH CAROLINA 31 – EAST CAROLINA 34: UNC suffered it first lost of the season to a much improved ECU team that proved its performance against Virginia Tech was no fluke. It seems that the Butch Davis era will not be scared to air it out, red shirt freshman T.J. Yates threw for 344 yards (20/32) and three touchdowns, one interception. There is no number one running back but Johnny White is the clear cut favorite to win this position battle as the season goes on. He catches the ball well out of the backfield and has true “halfback” speed. Watch him to get the majority of the carries. Freshman All-American Greg Little did not catch a pass but had one kickoff return. Another highly touted freshman, Marvin Austin is the real deal at defensive tackle, in on every play and is now demanding double teams. UNC’s turnovers kept ECU in this game. Butch Davis teams do not turn the ball over, and this will change immediately.
NEXT WEEK: VIRGINIA