Just got back to the La Quinta from Memorial Stadium, where Nebraska’s sports information department runs a first-class operation. Such professionalism—combined, of course, with the Cornhuskers’ success—is why this place is regarded as one of college football’s great temples.

A few stats to consider as you eat your Grape Nuts tomorrow morning—or burn the midnight oil tonight—and digest Virginia Tech’s 35-30 win over Nebraska ...

- This a ridiculous number, so make sure you’re sitting down. First, all credit to Noted ACC Bard David Teel of the Daily Press, long one of the finest numbers guys I know (and no, I don’t mean that he’s a bookie). He, and he alone, came up with this, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t share it in this corner of the Interweb—while noting his exhaustive research, of course. Ready? Tech has won the past three games by five, three and three points, marking the first time in the program’s history that it has won three consecutive games by less than a touchdown.

- Before tonight, Nebraska had won 46 of its past 48 non-conference home games since 1991 and was 166-21 overall at home since 1981.

- Also before tonight, the Cornhuskers were 26-3 in night games at home since their first night game at Memorial Stadium in 1986. Twenty-three of those 26 wins had come by at least 14 points.

- Tonight’s crowd of 85,831—the biggest ever at Memorial Stadium, which opened in 1923 and was expanded most recently in 2006—was the third-largest crowd the Hokies have ever played in front of. And remember that this is not an experienced team. It has 12 new starters. The two bigger crowds that saw Tech were last year at Louisiana State (92,739) and in 2004 at FedEx Field against Southern California (91,665).

Will have more tomorrow, including a follow-up story for Monday’s print edition. Tech appears in darn fine shape—something few could have predicted after that season-opening heart-wrencher of a loss to East Carolina. If not for the Pirates blocking a punt and running it back for a touchdown with 1:52 in that game—the difference in a 27-22 ECU win—the Hokies likely would be 6-0.

They almost certainly will be 5-1—assuming Saturday’s homecoming opponent, Western Kentucky, doesn’t pull of a miracle—heading into an off week, after which they travel to Boston College and Florida State the next two Saturdays.

The fall rolls on.

Posted by Darryl Slater in • College Sports • Virginia Tech
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