Virginia Tech defensive end Orion Martin is normally a laidback guy, quiet and measured in interviews. After today’s 27-13 win over Western Kentucky, he was as angry as I’ve ever seen him.

“That’s the dirtiest team I’ve ever played,“ he said. “They were grabbing our [crotches]. I was telling the ref. I was like, ‘How would you react if you were getting your [crotch] grabbed?’“

Martin noted that “we wear jock straps, but nobody wears a cup.“ He said the Hilltoppers concentrated their efforts on defensive tackle John Graves, a Meadowbrook High graduate. “They were going after him a lot,“ Martin said. “They were going after me, too. All day, that’s all they did. They hit me harder after the play when the guy was on the ground than they did coming off the ball.“

***

Well, now. How to top that?

I guess I’ll just hit (above the belt, of course) on a few quick items ...

- When wide receiver Brandon Dillard ruptured his Achilles tendon over the summer, team trainer Mike Goforth, in his 10th year at Tech, said he couldn’t recall a single football player blowing out his Achilles. Now, the Hokies have two this season. Tailback Kenny Lewis Jr. ruptured his Achilles in the third quarter today.

- A look at the Tech players who are out with season-ending injuries that have required or will require surgery ...

WR Brandon Dillard (Achilles)* 
TB Kenny Lewis Jr. (Achilles)*
ROV Davon Morgan (ACL)*
FB Kenny Younger (knee)
FS Ron Cooper (ACL)
DE Joe Jones (shoulder)
WR Xavier Boyce (knee)
OT Aaron Brown (shoulder)
WR Marcus Davis (shoulder)

* Denotes starter or likely starter

Also, reserve center Barrett Mears (Mills Godwin High) has been out with an ankle injury and true freshman defensive end Bruce Taylor has a shoulder injury that may require surgery.

- Tech gained 293 yards today against Western Kentucky, which was sliced and diced by its three previous Division I-A opponents this season. Alabama gained 557 yards, Indiana 450 and Kentucky 398.