Hokies Journal - The Washington Post's blog covering sports at Virginia Tech. - September 6, 2009

Beating Marshall, Hokies Regain Their Footing

With a rambling rushing offense, the No. 14 Virginia Tech crushed Marshall, 52-10, before a sell out crowd of 66,223 at Lane Stadium. The Hokies romped for 605 yards of offense, 444 on the ground. David Wilson rushed for 165...

By Mark Viera | September 12, 2009; 6:39 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Marshall-Virginia Tech Halftime Notes

The No. 14 Hokies are crushing Marshall, 35-7, at halftime. Virginia Tech has racked up 346 yards of offense, 234 on the ground. Marshall has 142 yards of offense and has punted eight times. Here are some other notes from...

By Mark Viera | September 12, 2009; 3:20 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Boone and Virgil Not in Starting Lineup

Tight end Greg Boone and boundary cornerback Stephan Virgil are both not listed in the starting line up for when No. 14 Virginia Tech (0-1) takes on Marshall (1-0). Both were listed as doubtful before the game. André Smith, a...

By Mark Viera | September 12, 2009; 11:43 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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A Word on the White Out

Driving to campus, there were plenty of people wearing white T-shirts. A white out has been declared for No. 14 Virginia Tech's game against Marshall. Virginia Tech asked its fans to wear white and to bring a book to support...

By Mark Viera | September 12, 2009; 11:09 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Hello, Saturday

Welcome to the first fall Saturday in Blacksburg. It is a gorgeous morning, and it looks like it is going to be a great day for football. No. 14 Virginia Tech (0-1) hosts Marshall (1-0). Worsham Field is well manicured...

By Mark Viera | September 12, 2009; 10:18 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Marshall-Virginia Tech Preview

Records: Thundering Herd 1-0; No. 14 Hokies 0-1. Coaches: Mark Snyder (16-31, fifth season); Frank Beamer (177-90-2, 23rd season). When the Hokies Have the Ball Against Alabama’s stalwart defense last Saturday, Virginia Tech had a tough time moving the chains....

By Mark Viera | September 11, 2009; 12:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Known as Returner, Roberts Growing as Receiver

Dyrell Roberts has already proved what a special teams weapon he could be for Virginia Tech. But this week he said he was hoping to make a difference in the Hokies’ offense. In the past two years, Roberts, a sophomore,...

By Mark Viera | September 11, 2009; 12:11 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Marshall’s Mixed Defensive Fronts

Marshall can play with three, four or five defensive linemen. In Conference USA, it is a necessity. “We’re pretty versatile and multiple,” Coach Mark Snyder said. “Just because of the league we play in, we have to have the variety.”...

By Mark Viera | September 11, 2009; 10:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Herd's Special Teams May Look Familiar

In the late 1990s, when Mark Snyder was an assistant coach at Minnesota, Coach Glenn Mason sent him to Blacksburg to learn special teams from a guru named Frank Beamer. Twenty years later, Synder is Marshall’s coach but still emulating...

By Mark Viera | September 11, 2009; 8:01 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Boone and Virgil Are ‘Doubtful’ for Marshall

Virginia Tech tight end Greg Boone and boundary cornerback Stephan Virgil are both listed as doubtful to play in Saturday’s game against Marshall. The announcement Thursday means the Hokies will likely be without two of their best players on each...

By Mark Viera | September 10, 2009; 6:58 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Marshall Excited About Opportunity to Play Hokies

In the weeks leading up to Virginia Tech’s game against Alabama last Saturday, there was a buzz about the Hokies' opportunity to knock off a ranked opponent and make a statement about the program. Now it's Marshall’s turn. The Thundering...

By Mark Viera | September 10, 2009; 12:08 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Marshall’s Slate a Playmaker at Tight End

With Cody Slate at tight end, Marshall has a dangerous option in its offense. At 6 feet 4 and with speed and sure hands, Slate is considered one of the nation’s top players at the position. On Saturday, when Marshall...

By Mark Viera | September 10, 2009; 11:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign

When Stephan Virgil was asked how many hand signals Virginia Tech’s defense uses, he needed to pause to think. Virgil, the Hokies’ boundary cornerback, gave up and said he could not even fathom a number. Suffice it to say there...

By Mark Viera | September 10, 2009; 9:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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College Football Chat, 1:30 p.m.

Have a question about Virginia Tech? Maryland? Virginia? Navy? Do you want to discuss the impact of Sam Bradford's shoulder injury on Oklahoma's season or debate what it may take for Ohio State to knock off Southern California? Washingtonpost.com is...

By Mark Viera | September 10, 2009; 8:05 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Boyce vs. Referees

Wide receiver Xavier Boyce did not have an easy introduction to college football last weekend. Boyce, a redshirt freshman, had to make his debut against Alabama’s stingy defense. Although the ball was thrown his way, he did not catch any...

By Mark Viera | September 9, 2009; 5:43 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Talking (Wild) Turkey

As Alabama trampled Virginia Tech for 268 rushing yards, it used a steady dose of Mark Ingram out of the Wildcat formation. Ingram had 150 rushing yards on 26 carries. In the past the Hokies have also used their own...

By Mark Viera | September 9, 2009; 10:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)

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Notebook: Hokies Thinking Offensive

Last Saturday against Alabama, Virginia Tech had the opportunity to entrench itself among the national contenders. That opportunity slipped away with a 34-24 loss. This Saturday, the Hokies have the opportunity to find its offensive footing. As No. 14 Virginia...

By Mark Viera | September 9, 2009; 7:54 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)

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Hokies Journal: September 6, 2009 - September 12, 2009