First off I'd like to say thank you to everyone who posted pictures of their memorabilia. This crazy idea for a contest would have fallen on its face if it wasn't for y'all, so kudos. Every piece submitted was marvelous and it shows just how much we treasure not only Hokie football, but Virginia Tech.

Originally I said I'd break up the submissions into the following categories: oldest, rarest, funniest, maroon-est, and most obnoxious (those making fun of UVa or other rivals). Well I'm throwing those out the window. Based on the entries received I've made the new categories: most commemorative, most unique and flashiest gear. I'm also doing away with best in show voiting. Instead, the top two vote getters in the most commemorative and unique categories will each win a shirt. I'll quickly summarize the effects of the changes. Before we had 4 category winners plus a best in show for five total winners. Now we have 3 categories and five total winners. See, not much has changed.

Today I'll open up the polls for most commemorative. You'll have a week to vote. The voting for most unique and flashiest gear will follow over the next two-three weeks leading up to kickoff.

Since I'm not a member of the "media" I wasn't in Blacksburg for the Hokies' 2010 Media Day, but thanks to the magic of the Interwebs and excellent coverage from talented writers and reporters I felt like I was. As always, I do have opinions...

The calendar tells me New Year's Day is in January, and the top of the schedule reads September. But for we the college football-crazed, the real beginning of the year comes in August, when official practices start, tickets arrive and a randomly cool Sunday morning fills the air with the scent of FOOTBALL.

And as most major world religions would tell you, when making a new beginning, it's important to own up to your failings. Hokie fandom is no different. So, meet The Key Play's contributors as we offer our confessions and humbly request the Hokie Bird's forgiveness, then share your own in the comments. Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery, you know.

via: http://spec.lib.vt.edu

Under first year head coach, and former VT fullback H.B. "Puss" Redd, the 1932 Hokies went 8-1. May I ask at what point in history fantastic nicknames like Puss finally ceased to exist? Their lone loss came at Alabama (angry fist shake) 6-9, the two teams first meeting ever.

So sometimes when I have writers block I like to drink a couple of beers and see where it takes me. What happened next tonight is I arrived at the metaphorical red light. Well that never happens to Hank Moody. So I ran it. I drank a couple more beers, mixed in some bourbon, some conversation with Mrs. TKP, good tunes and a little chit chat with y'all on the Twitter. Now normally by that time I'm speeding. I'm able to find a voice, some perspective or an interesting point of view. Tonight I've got nothing interesting to say. Only this, I want Hokie football now.

via: http://spec.lib.vt.edu

Trivia*:

1. Name the Hokie pictured above.

If anyone has pictures of general Hokie awesomeness that they'd like featured on the countdown email them to me (thekeyplay [at] gmail [dot] com). I'd appreciate it.

*The first person to leave a comment with the correct answer(s) gets a point. Each correct answer is worth a point. At the end of the season the most points wins a free tee from GameDay Passion.

Oh look, Ryan Williams just dragged another corpse into the end zone.

1. In ____ Don Strock threw 53 passes completing 34 of them against _________.
2. Who did the Hokies beat 34-6 to win their 100^th game in Lane Stadium?

*The first person to leave a comment with the correct answer(s) gets a point. Each correct answer is worth a point. At the end of the season the most points wins a free tee from GameDay Passion.

I mentioned a little while ago that the team was taking their summer workouts very seriously. Eighty players have been on campus this summer getting bigger, faster and stronger on Dr. Mike Gentry's watch. The BeamerBlog has been posing results of the top performers and it's evident they've been training hard.

Hello, I'm Eric (@BeerControl) and as Joe noted in a previous post, I'm the newest writer for the TKP. This is my 4th try to write this post. I've had more stops and starts than UVa football has had intentions to become relevant. Anyways, how best to introduce me to you... Oh I know, a question and answer session with myself.

Michael Cole the soon to be senior at Cave Spring High in Roanoke committed to Virginia Tech this evening. Coles stock shot up after impressive performances at camps and he ultimately selected VT over Penn State. He's 6'3" tall and weighs 198 pounds. Depending on how he matures he'll most likely play whip, backer or rover. Like most of the 2010 commitments he's an under the radar kid with high potential.