1. It was great being the unranked team that upset a top-10 team and nationally recognized program. Remember the times that we either started in the top 10 or climbed our way back there only to lose to someone that we shouldn't and dash our hopes? The only time that I can remember it not being a total disaster was the ACCCG vs. BC when we got revenge on Matt Ryan and co.
This was was much more satisfying. And fun. And will live in VT lore for years to come. Call it what you want: a reversal of recent misfortunes, a statement game, etc. It was just awesome to see a complete game from a TEAM. And every facet contributed. Bravo.
2. All of the haters can now take a lesson from Frank and stay the course. VT Football is like your 401k plan--it's not always going to look great, but you also need to invest for the long haul. Frank made some necessary changes, but still kept most of his loyal staff intact, and pretty much told us all that "we're gonna fix this thing". One win won't do it, but this was a good swift kick in the right direction. It sure beats the hell out of any win the last 2 seasons.
Too many board posters and fair-weather fans got their voices heard too many times over the past few years. Luckily, we have some intelligent and educated minds on here that not only tell it like it is, they too have stayed the course. This is equally a sweet redemption in terms of faith.
3. Kirk Herbstreit and the rest of the talking heads can now shut their holes. Herbie in particular has had no love loss for Tech the past few years. I think this goes back to that game where some of our young men were not on their best behavior on the sideline and it made it on camera. (Someone can help me out with the details here??) He pretty much labeled Tech as a team of thugs at that point and never, EVER gave VT, Frank, or even Bud their due respect since. Coincidentally, not long after that, we started the Hokies Respect program, and things really made a 180 degree turn from an image perspective. Frank Beamer made sure of that. Yes, on the football field, we weren't all that good. But you weren't hearing about too many of OUR players getting into off-season problems or academic fraud were you?
The fact that Herbie is an tOSU alum is not lost on me, either. And as much as I would love to exalt in sheer joy on his pain alone, I too must show some class. Besides, this win was about VT, not about him.
4. Did I mention that this game was fun to watch? And the VT kids playing all looked like they were having fun. It was just great seeing the offense do something. Yes, we had stalled drives, yes, we had a lot of 3-and-outs, but we also had the LEAD for 3 quarters! When has that happened against a ranked opponent? Particularly telling for me was watching players come over to the stands after the game to say thanks to the traveling fans. And from everything that I've read and heard today, tOSU deserves credit for being classy in defeat. There's lessons to be learned here folks, and it happened in one single, magical game. Did it fix all of the issues? Is it the turnaround of the program? Was it a fluke? Time will answer all of those questions. But while enjoying that win, that wonderful, emotional win, remember what we have learned along the way. Good, bad, or otherwise, it's GREAT to be a Hokie. Ut Prosim!
Comments
I don't recall this. As far back as I can remember, Herbie has been fine
Me too. I'm no espn junkie, but outside of him being openly disappointed in some of the players antics during one game, I've never seen him be anything other than respectful to the Hokies and especially to Frank Beamer.
Other than that, great post!
Herbstreit went on a huge rant against us when we were picked for the Sugar Bowl after the 2011 season. I don't remember all of the contents of it, but he was basically yelling about how we didn't deserve it. It's one thing to debate the merits of a pick, but he went off that night and it was really awkward and weird. Seemed like he was taking VT to task for something over which they had no control. Other than that, I agree. He's generally had a very fair view of our program.
Who didn't rant & rail against us after that 2011 Sugar Bowl selection? Just a bunch of #hotsportstakes back then... like you, I don't really blame Herbie and he's been pretty fair and impartial towards us going way back.
That year, I can understand complaints about the BCS system/bowl selection in general. I'm good with that. But I thought his rant was very unprofessional, since it was directed at us (as I recall it - if I'm off-base someone please chime in). He was talking about how unworthy we were, but what he really should have been talking about was how ridiculous the selection system was. That's the only reason I got mad at Herbie, just seemed misdirected in that case.
yeah I was going to say the same thing. I think the only reason herbie even said something during the bc game that one time was because he had so much respect for our program he hated to see anything like that out of a tech team. He has always held Frank and VT with the utmost respect from what I have heard
I remember the rant, just can't recall the actual broadcast or game. He made a very public rant over live tv during one of our games about the way our guys were acting. Now just to remember which game it was..
It was the Boston College game...2006. The Hokies were losing like 20-3, and Boston College's band was playing music and Brenden Hill was dancing on the field. Herbie took offense and went on a tirade. There was also a Hokie on Hokie sideline fight that game...Vince Hall and somebody, maybe Chris Ellis.
It was an ugly night. Coach Foster took the lunch pail away from the defense the next day. Said they had to earn it back. They went on after that to post like three shutouts.
I don't remember the sideline fight, but I do remember the dancing on the field when we were getting pummeled. I think Jimmy Williams may have been a dancer, too.
I think we deserved a tirade for that. I was p*ssed about it too.
Now as for the Sugar Bowl, as was mentioned above, I think that fell into the category of fair criticism. I think an impartial observer to that selection could have rightly questioned our inclusion in that game, as well as Michigan's. Of all the games in the BCS era, that one may have been the best example of a game being played where the teams' histories and fan bases got the nod, as opposed to other teams that may have deserved it. I don't remember who else could have been considered, but I do remember thinking that there weren't a lot of teams deserving of a big bowl game that year.
I agree that criticism is fair, but back then I don't remember hearing the Michigan selection criticized as much, and I felt they didn't have anymore legs to stand on than we did.
The "Sweet Caroline" game in BC. Very bad image hit that day.
How funny is it that our first reaction to that sentence is "Oooh, that's serious!"
Herbstreit was absolutely correct in calling out the VT players that were 'thugging it up' in that (BC?) game. Ever since then, some have always looked for an excuse to say he hates us. I think he's been quite fair to us overall. He is a touch of a homer for his alma mater & their conference, as is every other announcer out there. I remember him saying we didn't deserve to be in the Sugar Bowl, but that was his opinion. It would help perspective if folks looked at the circumstances of who was available for that bowl. He might have thought some other team deserved it more. Even if he didn't, I really doubt he's given it any thought since then.
I don't understand the paranoia some have about people/networks 'hating' us just because they issue any comment that is critical. UVa & WVU? Yeah, I can be convinced they hate us - their fan bases, at least.
Herbie used to live in Ohio but had to move to Tennessee. From what I heard, it was because he was getting a lot of hate from the OSU faithful because he wasn't willing to homer it up.
That was part of his decision, but in fairness, it's kind of like being a former Bama player living in Tuscaloosa and not complimenting them on ESPN. The expectations are unrealistic. I don't think Herbstreit is a homer in the vein of Lou Holtz-type blind allegiance, not at all. But he doesn't hide the fact he's justalittlebit partial to OhState. About like Scott Van Pelt & UMd.
As for Herbie's actual reason for leaving to Tennessee? Financial - no income tax in Tennessee, and Herbstreit was having some empty wallet issues. That was about the same time that his mansion in Ohio burned to the ground and arson charges were discussed.
Dude, Herbie always give VT and Beamer mad Props. Herbie even picked us in the Orange Bowl when Luck and that damn TE tore up or D in 2nd half.
Why do so many people seem to want nothing more than to prove something ESPN says critically about us wrong? Can we not just be happy to beat a good team on the road and recognize what it does for us as a program? This win did much more for us than cotradict a few "analysts". Perspective, guys.
Well enough ESPiN, back to the Hokies. We talked a lot about Brewer's drive after his fumble, but remember the 2nd INT? I was watching Phreak's offense highlights and heard the TV announcers say this shortly thereafter: "He's completed his last 7 passes." Doesn't matter what, he comes back and gets it done. And owns it.
Sweet.
Thanks for all of the responses. The game in question was the BC game, and it wasn't pretty, both in score and for PR. I don't know that I ever saw Herbie and his comments on the Sugar Bowl, but thanks for the enlightenment.
@ Skipper, your comment was the entire basis behind my post--so many good things came out of Saturday's win!
Let's go get another one this weekend! Go Hokies!!