Hokies shine on Thursday nights

By Nate Crossman  |   Tuesday, October 10, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Virginia Tech Hokies
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The Virginia Tech Hokies are hoping they can conjure up a little of that Thursday night ESPN magic they've become known for, when they travel to play the Boston College Eagles for what is must-win game for both teams.

The Hokies are 12-1 in Thursday night ESPN games, dating back to 1994 when they beat West Virginia 34-6. They lost the next year to none other than the Eagles, but since then have won 11 in a row, including three straight over BC.

Although the statistic appears inexplicable, it's really not. Virginia Tech has been one of the most successful programs since the late 1990s, winning many more games than its lost whether it was playing on Thursday, Saturday or any other day of the week.

Also, head coach Frank Beamer showed a willingness to play on Thursday nights before it was vogue. So when it became popular, ESPN continued to go back to the Hokies because it knew that not only did they play well, but if the game was at Lane Stadium the fans would put on a good show for the viewing audience.

Thursday night lights alone, however, are not going to be enough to carry the Hokies. The only way the they are going to get back on track is to play better defense, specifically in the passing game. Despite their poor showing against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, the Hokies still have the best passing defense in the conference, allowing 140 yards per game. It, however, will be put to the test against the Eagles, who sport the top-rated passing offense in the ACC, led by quarterback Matt Ryan and receivers Kevin Challenger and Tony Gonzales.

Georgia Tech quarterback Reggie Ball did not expose the secondary as much as he did the defensive line. Ball is a small, quick signal caller who needs his mobility to be effective. And mobile he was against Virginia Tech, putting himself in advantageous positions to find his receivers. Although Ryan isn't quite the scrambler that Ball is, he isn't exactly stationary. The pressure will be on linemen Carlton Powell and Barry Booker, and defensive ends Noland Burchette and Chris Ellis.

Virginia Tech has no margin for error in the ACC's Coastal Division after losing to the Yellow Jackets. Not only must the Hokies win the rest of their league games, which after the Eagles includes Clemson, Miami, Wake Forest and Virginia, but they must hope the Coastal-leading Yellow Jackets stumble against either Clemson, Miami, N.C. State, North Carolina or Duke. Win all those games and get a little help from Georgia Tech, and the Hokies could still find themselves in the ACC Championship Game in Jacksonville. Lose one or more and it will be a long two months in Blacksburg.

Get more Virginia Tech Hokies info at Realfootball365.com
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