Virginia Tech Mid-Week News Brief
By Ty Hodges
Good afternoon Hokies! We’ve been a little quiet this week on the posting front, and my apologies about that. Since we have been a bit quiet this week, I decided to put together a mid-week news brief to get you updated on the biggest news as it pertains to Virginia Tech sports. So sit down, grab a brew (assuming your place of employment/school/wife/husband/child/etc…allows that), and get caught up on what you might have missed this week!
These are the “Maroon Effect” uniforms
FOOTBALL
-Virginia Tech unveiled the uniforms for this week’s game against Duke, which also is serving as the “Maroon Effect” game for the year. I have to say, the uniforms don’t scream “Maroon Effect” to me though. If you haven’t already noticed, you can see the uniform off to the right of your screen right now.
-Wide receiver Demitri Knowles, who had a breakout game against UNC last week, is likely going to be out this week against Duke. At most, Knowles will likely see limited game action. In his place will be Kevin Asante and Willie Byrn. Also on the wide receiver front, don’t expect to see Dyrell Roberts this week either after sustaining a concussion last week.
-Virginia Tech has been practicing extra physically this week, including an emphasis on tackling drills. The coaches have also been trying to curb some ego on the part of the players by not referring to them by name, but rather by which high school they attended. I’m not sure you can question the sense of urgency around the program. Bud Foster has especially been working his players hard, making them do sprints or up-downs after “loafs” during practice.
-Tony Gregory has been practicing in full all week and running backs coach Shane Beamer says that he should be good to go this week. I expect him to get some decent playing time.
-From the players and coaches, the emphasis this week seems to be on the concept of a clean slate for the program. The Hokies can still control their own destiny within the ACC Coastal Division.
-Backup fullback Riley Beiro will miss the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury and had surgery on it today. We certainly wish him the best and a swift recovery.
-This weekend’s game will see a ton of recruits from both the 2013 and 2014 classes alike. Current commits and other prospects alike will be in attendance, though the Hokies’ biggest target for 2014, Da’Shawn Hand won’t be in attendance to go to his high school homecoming. He was originally slated to take an official visit this week. Holland Fisher will also be in attendance this week for an official visit, which is huge following a very positive visit to Alabama. Fisher is still considered a VT lean (though by how much is in question) despite having already verbally committed.
BASKETBALL
-Virginia Tech guard Robert Brown has been cleared to resume all basketball activities and is fully healthy after undergoing off-season foot surgery.
-The basketball team will be holding an open practice this Saturday at 8 A.M. before the football game for any fans that want to see the team for the first time this season. I don’t know how much substance you’ll get if you go, but it might be interesting to see James Johnson in action.
-Point guard prospect Frank Mason from Massanutten Military Academy has committed to the Kansas Jayhawks. That was a tough recruiting battle for Virginia Tech to win over a historically good Kansas team, but it’s still disappointing to lose a great in-state prospect to an outside school.
BASEBALL
-The baseball team shaved their heads for the third straight year in their annual “Shave for the Brave” event. The event was held in support of children’s cancer research. So far the team has raised more than $35,000 – and they’re still going. If you want to make a donation to the cause, click here. You’ve got to respect the team for doing this, and it truly is a great cause. Awesome job, guys!
Well, that seems to cover it folks. Hopefully you’re now in the know! If I missed anything, leave a comment below and let me know!