Center Andrew Miller out for season with fractured fibula
Hokies center Andrew Miller will miss the rest of the season after fracturing his left fibula and severely spraining his ankle in the third quarter against Duke on Saturday.
Virginia Tech trainer Mike Goforth told Frank Beamer‘s website that Miller will undergo surgery and will have a 4-5 month recovery timetable.
“We’re expecting good things out of it,” Goforth said. “We just hate it for him.”
Follow me on Twitter and Facebook.
Miller, the only returning starter from last year’s line who has 21 career starts to his credit, stayed down at the end of a J.C. Coleman run at the 11:24 mark of the third quarter. Trainers came out and helped him off the field. He didn’t put any weight on his left foot.
The team announced Miller would not return late in the game because of a fractured ankle but didn’t give a full report on his status until re-evaluating him Sunday.
Michael Via slid over from left guard to play center with Caleb Farris out because of an ankle injury. Matt Arkema came in at left guard to form an interior trio of him, Via and Brent Benedict at right guard.
Goforth told Beamer’s site that he still thinks Farris is a few weeks away from being ready. He doesn’t expect the sophomore to be ready in time for Clemson next Saturday.
The Hokies are thin at center and guard. In addition to Farris being out, starting left guard David Wang did not dress because of an ankle/knee injury. Laurence Gibson, who moved back to guard from tackle after switching positions earlier this season, is the only other option on the interior line who has gotten serious reps.
October 14, 2012 - 10:09 AM
Regardless how one feels about this VT team, or any other team, for that matter, hate to hear of anyone being lost for the season due to an injury such as Miller has sustained. Best to him in his recovery.
That hurts, for him and the team.
I agree with you Ancient Bobcat. They are going to need everybody they have this weekend.
Did anyone catch the block Benedict threw on Coleman’s 80 yd. run? Not quite a pancake but close; very impressive. Blocking on both his long runs was excellent.
This team will suck even more! Is that even possible!!!
This team could have a losing record at the end of the season.
Coaching changes are needed, and badly needed.
Yeah, Scott, Eagle and Frank, I hate the injury to Miller but really don’t think it will affect the outcome of Saturday’s game. VT will need much more than him for a win.
Isn’t it neat? I get on here asking questions. I ask whether coaching changes may be prudent. However, I do know that a comeback effort, such as that seen Saturday, deserves respect. Now you listen, you give those boys and those coaches credit for finding what it was they needed. They may or may not win more games this season. That is neither here nor there. Are you fans of the team or not? I am a fan. I had concerns. I still have those concerns. However, it is time to give the torches and pitchforks a rest if only for a week. That is just my opinion. Do as you will, but I think you are showing things you may not wish to reveal. Things are shown such as your true status as a fan. Before you give me the load about it being about the coaches, industry would love to have a salesperson that succeeds like Beamer and his staff. I think 80% sales to contact ratio would be received with joyous rapture. Now, if you are going to blame the coaches for failure, then you must give them credit for success. You as fans and critics must have the consistency in your critiques that you want in performance from the coaching staff. If not, you are intellectually dishonest. Gentlemen, I am NOT intellectually dishonest. ( Which is why I am neither a Democrat nor Republican. I am a conservative leaning libertarian. I make my mind up on things from within my core values of individualism and my belief of a nation of laws not men. In other words, I make up my own dang mind.) Simply stated, if Beamer and his current staff salvage this season, then they need to be retained. I am more disposed to asking for changes on offense due to the historically demonstrative performances. Whatever the kids needed, they got it Saturday in the 2nd quarter. I think it is a real improvement and not just us beating the Duke of yesteryear. I think the team that roared back Saturday would beat Pittsburgh and Cincinnati and UNC. I believe that we will not lay down and die for any team we have left on the schedule. We may lose again, but I do not believe we will be blown out of the stadium. This next game is going to be rough.I will be supporting my team. Will you?
#6 Frank, I agree. It sure didn’t take Johnson long at GT to remove his DC. Of course I cannot imagine two more polar opposites than Beamer and Johnson, but it was a move that needed to be made. Frank would never do it mid season but we can only hope in the off season?
I hope this player feels better soon and has a full recovery. I make comments for fun really and because I live in this region and all I hear are VT is the greatest team and they can’t lose and we the fans must stop and give them praise. For this player he suffered a bad injury and life goes on and football isn’t everything. So may he get better and try again next year and if not go on to earn an education and make something of yourself after all playing football isn’t the first priority at colleges and yet it is because winning means more than an a good solid education which is a shame. I hope that this player recovers well and able to play again next season.
I watched the Miami/NC game. NC’s left offensive tackle holds on just about every passing play. The once got his fingers caught in the mask of Miami’s DE. No call. Why are they getting an obvious pass from officials?
Johnson is a slime. There is something about him I just do not like. His team will, more likely than not, tank the rest of the season. Mid season coaching changes are far often more damaging than they are beneficial
DinS, what exactly do you consider ‘salvaging’ the season? A 7-5 regular season, followed by getting crushed in the ACC CG & then winning a minor bowl where we’re favored by 15 against another mediocre team? Is 8-6 really a salvaged season?