bandk

David, on an earlier "Talking with Teal" podcast, you stated that you were disappointed in the roll out on the announced $220 mil NIL money and were skeptical that the money would become available. Do you have inside information suggesting that the money will not be available, or is it just a gut feeling? Regardless, the negative tone of your comment is alarming. Hope you are wrong.

I was a freshman at VT in 1966. (I know - I'm old) Tech opened its season against Duke in Charlotte. Duke was preseason ranked in the top 10 and had an all American named Bob Verga. The Hokies had Chris Ellis, Glen Combs, Ted Ware and others who were good players, but very much underrated. The Hokies beat Duke to begin the season. The next game was in the Cassell against Perdue. At that time, there were no individual seats and the fans sat on the concrete bases to which the individual seats are now attached. The announced attendance was 11,500. Toward the end of the game, the cheerleaders, then the entire student body started a chat - "Duke fell too, just like Perdue!" That team lost to Dayton in overtime in the regional finals. Ah, yes; I remember it well.

Twas the week before Thanksgiving -To Colandrea's chagrin When he announced to the world that the Wahoos would win. The Hokies had played poorly against NC State As the Hoos beat a Duke team which was not second rate. Hoo fans were ecstatic as their team took the field Knowing for sure that a victory was sealed. Odds makers had them a dog by just one, So with a home field advantage, this would surely be fun. But imagine their horror when the Hokies came forth To a more thunderous welcome - at Lane Stadium north. The Hokies took the ball and got yardage galore Leaving no doubt that ole VT would score. But an untimely call from the officiating crew Put the drive in Love's hands - he kicked it right through. The Hoos were all joyful, even filled with glee Cause instead of seven, the Hokies got three. The Hoos had the ball now - Colandrea at the wheel Was about to learn the Hokies were real Washington was open, he really can fly. But Colandrea was rattled - he threw it awry. That play was a harbinger - there is really no doubt The Hoos punted it away - a quick three and out. But Tuten and Drones had only begun to show to the Wahoos what was certain to come. Yardage galore - A cat pawing a mouse And a quick pass to Gosnell - he went to the house. A run for a loss and a sack which lost 10 And the Hoos mouthy quarterback had been hit once again. APR,and Fuga, and Pollard and Payne Put the hurts on the Wahoos - and controlled the game. The Hokies got the ball on their own 34 And Lane took a slant route - 66 for a score. But the refs - Oh my - they took it away With a bad holding call - one of several that day. But the Hokies didn't falter and converted 4th down Then Holloway reversed it and took it to town. Once again the Hoos were stymied and they punted once more. But the Hokies drove it to the one and fumbled - no score. Another sack, no gain, and a quick three and out As the VT defense was leading the route. Drones ran for 7, then Tuten added 10, And from 32 yards out Tuten took it right in. 24 - 0 the score board revealed. But the Hoos knew it was worse - They hadn't crossed mid field. The second half was really just more of the same With Felton for 84. But the play of the game Was Tuten on the KO after the Hoos had scored three Went 94 to the house for the Commonwealth to see. After he crossed the goal line he was in for a thrill In the arms of Tech students who'd taken over the Hill. Love from 47, Felton 34, and a short run from Thomas Ended the score. Colandrea couldn't help thinking as he lay on the grass; "I guess I was wrong - they kicked our ass." Tech 55 - Hoos 17 The Cup stays home! Go Hokies.

on getting injured as he is expected to be a top 5 NFL pick. UNC's luster vanished in the last part of the season, along with any Heisman chances.

Chip, first, thanks for being a contributor to this message board. You are a class act and the info you provide is always on point and enlightening. You are a gem and very much appreciated! Have you heard any comments from the players about the impact Coach Mata has on the team? Is he mostly providing instruction for pitching or is he providing input across the entire specter? How did he end up at Tech? Thanks Chip, and all the best for a wonderful Christmas.

Graham High - defending state champs Class 2 is playing Radford this weekend in the state semis. Is there any expectation that Tech will have someone there to evaluate Clements - already being highly recruited by others? Know Graham is Class 2, but still have produced some pretty good players and Clements falls into that category.

You are much appreciated. What are you looking for from VT to pick them? You have picked against VT in most of their games this year, including the last three. The content of your articles is not Bill Brill esque, but your picks are. Thanks again for your articles and hopefully you'll find enough from VT this week to pick them against the Hoos.

The Iowa team had 18 fouls called against them the entire night. Clark alone drew 16 fouls from us. Stars always get the benefit and she is truly a star. Never-the-less, thought some of the touch fouls should not have been called. They wouldn't have had it not been Clark with the ball. Liz and Georgia didn't get that same benefit.

typically requires the athlete to sit out a year. Therefore, should Alabama offer Tuten $1 million to transfer, he'd have to decide if losing a year would be worth it. I expect Tuten would stay with VT. It's the high school recruits who become stars that would be the most likely to go.

On the VT football roster page, some players' position is listed as Star. Is this a designation for "To be determined," special teams, athlete, or what? Thanks

There is generally agreement that being short is a liability for college quarterbacks. With offensive and defensive linemen typically being pretty tall, this makes sense. However, the recruiting services say he is 5'10" tall. I don't know if this is correct, but there are currently two NFL quarterbacks who are 5-10. There are a couple of old timers who are in the NFL Hall of Fame who were shorter than 5-8. He probably didn't drop due to his height, but due to the "committable" offers (or lack thereof) he received. Also, as others have stated, changing schools has likely hurt him. Tech is getting a good player in Belfort. Whether he becomes the starter remains to be seen. I'm glad he's coming to Tech. ** Edited by bandk at 7/21/2023, 2:56:39 PM

Sounds like he thinks Bradshaw has the speed and skills needed to help the team both as a receiver and on special teams. Bradshaw is from Graham, a small southwest Virginia school. There are many on this board who criticized Pry for taking players from SW Virginia thinking that the level of competition for these small schools doesn't provide an accurate opportunity to assess talent. It's good that Pry and company are able to assess talent - regardless of the size of the school.

Chris/Will, what percentage of our commits have reneged before signing day over the past few years? Would we expect any in this class?

ESPN free site lists the seven ACC schools as Florida State, Miami, Virginia Tech, Virginia, NC State, UNC, and Clemson. They report FSU, NC State, and Clemson as probable for the SEC. They believe VT and Miami are more likely destined for the Big10, with no mention as to a destination for UNC and UVA. While I personally prefer the SEC as a destination for VT based on athletics alone, there is no question that the Big10's standing on academics is better than the SEC. Unfortunately, with but few exceptions, travel to away games - regardless of the conference destination, would be more taxing. Don't know what the revenue sharing would be for SEC vs Big 10, but either would be better than the ACC. I hope VT will attract an offer, but ND, Pitt, BC etc. will not sit by without a fight.

Eighteen games this season, the Hokie ladies have held their opponent to 3 runs or fewer. They won 17 of them. Appears that they are very capable. Having said that, there is no doubt that we miss KR and that our pitching isn't as strong as it has been in past seasons.

For the most part, Grant Wells will do as well as his supporting players allow him. Tech's number of wins and losses is determined by the team, not by any single individual. Without a good line and receivers, no quarterback will excel. I hope that whoever earns the starting QB job will do well and that the Hokies will win. Grant Wells will be that QB if he is determined by the coaches to be the best option. Nothing good for VT football comes from negativity.

Dabo, by his own admission, is a Christian. Some may find that to be offensive, others, an attribute. To have strong faith and exhibit it in one's life is not always well received, and such people are often belittled or criticized by those who don't share that same level of faith. Obviously, many parents, along with their talented sons, want a football atmosphere in which Godly traits are instilled and embellished. Seemingly, Dabo is doing this. Is he doing so only because it helps recruiting, or because he believes it will help these young men be better people? None of us are in a position to make that determination. Sadly, it sometimes seems more fashionable to criticize a person of faith that to complement them. I am a VT graduate and hope the good/great players come to Tech to play. But if they go to Clemson instead, I won't belittle them nor will I suggest that Dabo is not sincere in his faith. Dabo believes God is helping him and Clemson in being successful and is thankful for it. What is wrong with that?

play. He was a skilled at controlling the ball/dribble and there was no shot clock. We were ahead by two at the time. The refs took the game away from us. I believe Dayton lost to UCLA in the national championship game that year. Dayton had an all American named Don May. We had Glen Combs- who should have been All American.

In a close game vs UNC or Duke, perhaps even Syracuse and Louisville (especially at their places) it would be called walking.

even though it may benefit many other pitchers besides Emma.

It was suggested during this past season that a rule change would be likely where in it would be legal for a pitcher to have both feet off the ground simultaneously. Has that happened? Is it still expected? Thanks

has entered the portal. He either believes he will be a better fit for another program or doesn't see his role at VT meeting his expectations. Fully understandable. However, by entering the portal, one is saying they have some level of discontent at their current location. Discontent leads to dissention in the locker room and disrupts team chemistry. While he may be a physical benefit to VT, he may also be a liability relative to relationships. I believe when a player enters the portal, he/she should not be allowed to "come back." If you don't truly want to be at VT, go somewhere else - we're both better off.

there is a subjective factor required. Official scorer deems one pitcher more effective than another. Kinda like reviewing whether Danny Coale made a catch.

there is a subjective factor required. Official scorer deems one pitcher more effective than another. Kinda like reviewing whether Danny Coale made a catch.

had changed pitchers every inning, who is the winning pitcher?

had changed pitchers every inning, who is the winning pitcher?