No mention of Frank Beamer or Bud Foster here, Virginia Tech football fans.
The Internet Web site Bodog.com released odds Thursday night on prospective candidates to replace Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis, whose current seat in South Bend, Ind., may be the hottest item this side of the planet Mercury.
Junior center Beau Warren was listed as probable Thursday for 16th-ranked Virginia Tech's home finale against North Carolina State on Saturday at Lane Stadium.
Warren has missed the past two games with a sprained MCL, which he sustained midway in the third quarter of Tech's 20-17 home loss to North Carolina on Oct. 29.
If Warren can't go, redshirt freshman Michael Via will make his third consecutive start.
Saturday's game starts at 3:30 p.m., and will be televised by ESPNU.
-- RANDY KING
Bolstered by its 36-9 shellacking of Maryland and losses by some other teams, Virginia Tech jumped from 20th to 16th in the new Associated Press Top 25 college football poll released Sunday.
The Hokies (7-3 overall, 4-2 ACC) also are 16th in the coaches' poll.
Virginia Tech's Hokies take on the University of Maryland's Terrapins Saturday, November 14 at 1 p.m. in College Park, Md.
Virginia Tech tailback Ryan Williams was announced as one of the 10 semifinalists today for the 2009 Doak Walker Award.
OK, I didn't talk to Virginia Tech defensive czar Bud Foster following Tuesday's practice. I had a long-booked appointment with my cardiologist in Roanoke.
Sorry, pilgrims. In my mind, it was sorta more of a pressing assignment to cover.
Then, on Wednesday eve, after enjoying the Country Music Awards -- I've gone big-time country lately, by the way -- plus enjoying several cold adult beverages -- I said let's check out what transpired in Blacksburg as I was running my version of a 4.4 40 on the heart doc's treadmill.
Then, I find this "Hokies Journal" blog, authored by first-year Tech football beatman Mark Viera, titled: "Foster interested in Memphis job."
BLACKSBURG -- Nobody's perfect. Just ask Virginia Tech standout tailback Ryan Williams.
Williams, who was beating himself up severely after losing a late-game fumble that led to UNC's 20-17 upset of Virginia Tech last Thursday at Lane Stadium, said Sunday that he's moving forward in the wake of the miscue.
BLACKSBURG -- After watching his defense being stung for 490 rushing yards in consecutive losses to Georgia Tech and North Carolina, Virginia Tech coordinator Bud Foster has decided to stir the pot a bit.
Following the Hokies' practice Saturday, Foster said redshirt freshman Lyndell Gibson will start at inside linebacker when Tech travels to East Carolina on Thursday.
POSTGAME: Ryan Williams was clearly devastated after this one, but there was much more to this 20-17 loss to North Carolina than just his fumble. Missed opportunities by the offense, too many third- (and fourth-) down conversions by UNC and a general lack of execution when it mattered doomed the Hokies. If you're itching for details, simply scroll down to the in-game posts. Read more »
