What is your favorite game between Virginia and Virginia Tech?
Darryl Slater
Nov 25, 2008
Was e-mailing today with Virginia Tech sports information czar Dave Smith about what could be considered some of the top games, from Tech’s perspective, in its rivalry with Virginia. Here are a few he mentioned (I’ll go in chronological order to make this easier to follow) ...
1983—A 48-0 Tech blowout in Charlottesville.
1990—Frank Beamer’s first win over Virginia, which had been ranked No. 1 in the nation earlier in the season.
1995—Jim Druckenmiller hit Jermaine Holmes for a 32-yard touchdown pass with 47 seconds left in the game, tying the game at 29. Atle Larsen’s conversion gave Tech a 30-29 lead. Then Antonio Banks sealed the 36-29 win in Charlottesville by returning a Mike Groh interception 65 yards for a touchdown on the game’s final play.
1996—A 26-9 victory in Blacksburg gave the Hokies their first 10-win season and clinched a spot in the Orange Bowl.
2000—The Hokies won 42-21 in Blacksburg as tailback Lee Suggs ran 116 yards and three touchdowns.
2007—The freshest game in most of your minds, this 33-21 Tech win in Charlottesville locked up a spot in the ACC championship game for the Hokies—as Saturday’s game in Blacksburg could.
So what say you, gang? What is your favorite game in this series? Feel free to pick any, not just the ones I listed here. And if you don’t have a favorite game, what are some of your favorite memories?
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The ‘83 48-0 blowout was a great one. I remember Bill Dooley running almost exclusively in the first half, and our wideouts getting crushing downfield blocks on UVA’s defensive backs. When it came time to “air it out” in the 2nd half, the UVA DBs would actually flinch when our wideouts got close to ‘em. Saw it with my own eyes. Of course, tearing down not one but TWO goalposts after the game was icing on the cake.
Lou King of Burke, VA
Dec. 2, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Favorite game (one of two)
I was in the Scott Stadium end zone stands in October, 1974 when Bruce Arians crossed the plane on the two point coversion attempt. The following day the headline in the Roanoke Times maintained: IT LOOKED LIKE ARIANS MADE IT . Bill Brill was very unpopular with VPI fans, but even he thought Arians had scored. He predicted in his column that Hokies and Hoos would long argue about the outcome of the game and they have to this day.
The Richmond Times Dispatch had a similar heading.
Honest Hoo partisans will acknowledge that the PAT was good. They take issue with the ruling on the Ricky Scales touchdown that set up the dramatic finale. My view was blocked by other fans when he caught the pass, but I understand that Ricky always claimed he dragged his foot in accordance with NCAA rules.
Favorite game (two of two)
In 1990, the Cavs had already accepted a bid to the Sugar Bowl. The Hokies vanquished our neighbors from Mr. Jefferson’s University, 38-13. I was the unidentified Virginia Tech fan characterized in the papers as “obviously intoxicated” who chortled “Sugar Bowl? UVa should be going to the Toilet Bowl because they played like——.“
At no time during the game or afterwards did I consume any alcoholic beverages.
I enjoy our rivalry with the University of Virginia but would like to make this clear: Without the assistance of Dr. John Casteen, the Hokies would never have joined the ACC. Perhaps there will be a Casteen Hall in Blacksburg one day.
In the dark days following the April 16,2007 shootings we Hokies received consolation from all over the world. From no other community did we receive greater support than that from our friends in the Hook (Charlottesville).
John Bartelloni of Fairfax VA
Nov. 26, 2008 at 04:04 PM
Darryl:
A favorite memory, the first 10 win season in 1995 not six. Went to the Sugar Bowl and came back to beat Texas 28-10 - lost first two of the season - won the next 10!
Dave DeCook
Dave DeCook of Richmond
Nov. 26, 2008 at 12:05 PM
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