Virginia Tech Hokies football
Encyclopedia
The Virginia Tech Hokies football team is a college football
program that competes in NCAA Division I-FBS, in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference
. They have more wins in team history than any other program in the ACC. Their home games are played at Lane Stadium
which seats over 65,000 fans and has been dubbed as the most exciting entrance in college football. Lane Stadium is considered to be one of the loudest stadiums in the country, being voted number one in ESPN's "Top 20 Scariest Places to Play". Also, it was recognized in 2005 by Rivals.com
as having the best home-field advantage in the country.
With a career record of 240–118–4 following the 2010 season
, head coach
Frank Beamer
is the winningest active head coach in Division I-FBS.
The Hokies currently have the second-longest bowl game
streak in the country, having participated in the postseason every year since 1993. Only Florida State
has a longer current streak. In program history, the Hokies have finished with a Top-10 ranking six times, won eight conference championships (one Southern Conference
three Big East
and four ACC
), and played once for the national championship, losing to Florida State University
46–29 in the 2000 Sugar Bowl
. Tech currently holds the nation's longest streak of 10+ win seasons at 7 and have a combined record since the 2004 season of 65-16-0, 3rd best to only Boise State and LSU.
Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Virginia Tech) first played football on October 21, 1892 against St. Albans Lutheran Boys School (Radford
, VA
). The game took place on a plowed off wheat field that was "about as level as a side of Brush Mountain". The Hokies won their first game 14-10, but were defeated 10-0 eight days later on a return trip to Radford. The first several VAMC teams wore cadet gray and black, but in 1896 the colors were changed to Burnt Orange and Chicago Maroon
– a color combination that was unique among educational institutions at the time.
Virginia Tech's first post-season bowl appearance was in the 1947 Sun Bowl
against the University of Cincinnati
. Tech had a 3-3-3 record that year, and was the third choice after Border Conference champions Hardin-Simmins University and runner-up Texas Tech both declined the bowl invitation. Tech lost that game 18-6.
Another first for the Hokies came in 1954 when they had their first, and only, unbeaten season in school history. The team was 8-0-1 and finished ranked 16th in the Associated Press post-season football poll. The team's lone blemish was a 7-7 tie against William & Mary in Blacksburg, VA. Despite the team's success, it did not appear in a post-season bowl game.
The 13th ranked Hokies defeated the 9th ranked Texas Longhorns in the 1995 Sugar Bowl
.
Virginia Tech's most successful football season was in 1999
. The Hokies, led by redshirt freshman quarterback Michael Vick
went 11–0 through the regular season. On November 3, the Hokies came from behind to win over the West Virginia Mountaineers when Vick led a desperate last minute drive that culminated in a dramatic Shayne Graham
game winning field goal. The 22–20 victory has since become known as the "Miracle in Morgantown."
On January 4, the Hokies faced the Florida State Seminoles
in the 2000 Sugar Bowl
for the national championship. A back and forth game, the Hokies trailed 28–7 late in the second quarter but came back to take a 29–28 lead at the start of the fourth. However they were not able to hold on and the Seminoles won 46–29.
The following season the Hokies were again contenders for the national championship, but a loss to #3 Miami Hurricanes
in early November, in a game in which Michael Vick did not play because of an injury, cost them a trip to the Orange Bowl
. The Hokies later went on to defeat the Clemson Tigers
41–20 in the 2001 Gator Bowl
.
in the BCA Classic played at FedEx Field in Landover, MD. The Hokies kept the game close, but eventually lost 24–13. The regular season ended with the Hokies winning the ACC championship in their first year in the conference and a return to the Sugar Bowl and a match-up with the Auburn Tigers
. Auburn, the SEC champion and one of three undefeated teams (USC and Oklahoma being the other two) took a 16–0 lead into the fourth quarter. Led by senior quarterback Bryan Randall
, the Hokies scored 13 points but fell just short of the comeback when the Tigers recovered an onside kick and ran out the clock.
The 2005 season saw many ups and downs, but would end in disappointment. Taking over for Bryan Randall was Marcus Vick
, younger brother of Tech great Michael. The Hokies started off the season 8–0, including victories over West Virginia
and ACC rivals Georgia Tech
and Boston College
. Going into the tenth week of the season, the Hokies were ranked 3rd in the country behind USC and Texas and would face the 5th ranked Miami Hurricanes
at home. In anticipation of the match-up, ESPN
's College Gameday would broadcast from Blacksburg and the game would be broadcast nationally on ESPN. The Hurricanes controlled the game and limited Marcus Vick to only 90 yards passing to win 27–7.
Marcus Vick led the Hokies and went on to win the ACC coastal, but lost in the ACC Championship Game
to Florida State
. The Hokies again trailed the Seminoles by double digits at halftime, 27–3, but a Vick led comeback brought the score to 27–22 with 1:45 left in the fourth quarter. The Hokies were unable to recover the onside kick and lost their chance at a BCS Bowl berth.
The Hokies closed off the season against the upstart Louisville Cardinals
in the 2006 Gator Bowl
. Virginia Tech won 35–24, but the game would become infamous for a play that would contribute to Vick's expulsion from the team. Late in the first half, with the Hokies trailing 17–10, Vick was tackled by Cardinals defensive end Elvis Dumervil
. After the play, Vick stomped on Dumervil's leg, apparently out of anger. Four days after the game, Virginia Tech officials learned of two misdemeanor charges of speeding and driving on a suspended or revoked driver's license that Vick received on December 17 of the previous year. Vick, who was forced to sit out the 2004 football season
by the university due to previous legal incidents in his college career, was dismissed from the team on January 6, 2006, with the university citing "a cumulative effect of legal infractions and unsportsmanlike play.".
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Sean Glennon
was set to take over for Vick in the 2006 season. Although consecutive losses to Georgia Tech and Boston College knocked the Hokies out of contention for the ACC Championship Game
, the Tech team finished the season strong, winning six in a row and being invited to the 2006 Chick-fil-A Bowl
in Atlanta, Georgia
. In the annual ACC vs SEC match-up, the Hokies played the Georgia Bulldogs
. At halftime the Hokies led 21–3, but four second half Glennon turnovers helped the Bulldogs in coming back and winning 31–24.
After the Virginia Tech shootings that stunned the campus and nation, the remainder of Tech's spring practice was canceled. The Hokies, led by running back Brandon Ore
on offense and linebackers Vince Hall
and Xavier Adibi
looked to be in contention for a berth in the national Championship. The 2007 home opener against the East Carolina Pirates
was the subject of College GameDay, and the Hokies prevailed in an emotional, albeit shaky game 17–7. They then traveled to Baton Rouge, LA to play the LSU Tigers
. In a game that saw Glennon replaced by true freshman quarterback Tyrod Taylor
, the Hokies were completely dominated, only managing 149 total yards against the Tigers' 598. Taylor scored the only touchdown of the night after an 8 play, 65 yard drive.
Taylor continued to start until an injury removed him from a 43–14 blowout of Duke
. In a Thursday night match-up with Boston College, Glennon reclaimed his starting position. In a game plagued by rain storms and wet conditions, the Hokies took a 10–0 lead late into the fourth quarter. Eagles quarterback Matt Ryan
spurred a late Boston College comeback, leading two TD drives in the final five minutes for a 14–10 win. Despite the devastating loss, Virginia Tech rebounded to win the remainder of its regular season games and claim the Coastal Division crown. A rematch with Boston College in the ACC Championship Game
saw Tech fall behind early, tie the game by halftime, then grind out a tense 30–16 win to advance to the Orange Bowl
.
{| border="0" width="100%"
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" width="80%"
!bgcolor="#660000"| Year
!bgcolor="#660000"| Conference
!bgcolor="#660000"| Overall Record
!bgcolor="#660000"| Conference Record
|- align="center"
| 1916 || South Atlantic || 7-2 || 0-0
|- align="center"
| 1918 || South Atlantic || 7-0 || 0-0
|- align="center"
| 1963 || Southern || 8-2 || 5-0
|- align="center"
| 1995† || Big East || 10-2 || 6-1
|- align="center"
| 1996† || Big East || 10-2 || 6-1
|- align="center"
| 1999 || Big East || 11-1 || 7-0
|- align="center"
| 2004 || ACC || 10-3 || 7-1
|- align="center"
| 2007* || ACC || 11-3 || 8-1
|- align="center"
| 2008* || ACC || 10-4 || 6-3
|- align="center"
| 2010* || ACC || 11-2 || 9-0
|- align="center"
| colspan=2 bgcolor="#FF6600"| Total conference championships
| colspan=2 bgcolor="#FF6600"| 8
|-
| colspan=4 | † Denotes co-champions * Conference record includes conference championship game
|}
as the winner of the Coastal Division four times. The 2005 team entered the inaugural ACC championship game
as heavy favorites but went on to lose to Atlantic Division winner Florida State
. During the 2007 season, the Hokies once again took the Coastal division to set up a rematch of their earlier loss to Boston College. Virginia Tech prevailed 30–16. History repeated itself in 2008, when the Hokies defeated Boston College
by a score of 30–12 after having lost to the Eagles during the regular season. Most recently, Virginia Tech went undefeated in league play in 2010, defeating Atlantic Division winner Florida State
in the league championship game in Charlotte, NC, 44-33.
{| border="0" width="100%"
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" width="80%"
!bgcolor="#660000"| Year
!bgcolor="#660000"| Division Championship
!bgcolor="#660000"| ACC CG Result
!bgcolor="#660000"| Opponent
!bgcolor="#660000"| PF
!bgcolor="#660000"| PA
|- align="center"
| 2005
|| ACC Coastal || L || Florida State
|| 22 || 27
|- align="center"
| 2007
|| ACC Coastal || W || Boston College
|| 30 || 16
|- align="center"
| 2008
|| ACC Coastal || W || Boston College
|| 30 || 12
|- align="center"
| 2010
|| ACC Coastal || W || Florida State
|| 44 || 33
|- align="center"
| colspan=1 bgcolor="#FF6600"| Totals
| colspan=1 bgcolor="#FF6600"| 4
| colspan=1 bgcolor="#FF6600"| 3-1
| colspan=1 bgcolor="#FF6600"| -
| colspan=1 bgcolor="#FF6600"| 126
| colspan=1 bgcolor="#FF6600"| 88
|}
, Peach
and Orange Bowl
s.
(quarterback)
Bronko Nagurski Trophy
(defense)
Dave Rimington Trophy
(center)
Lombardi Award
(lineman or linebacker)
Outland Trophy
(interior lineman)
George Munger Award
Joseph V. Paterno Award
Broyles Award
(assistant coaches)
Bobby Dodd Award
Bear Bryant Award
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
program that competes in NCAA Division I-FBS, in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
. They have more wins in team history than any other program in the ACC. Their home games are played at Lane Stadium
Lane Stadium
Lane Stadium/Worsham Field is a stadium located in Blacksburg, Virginia. It is the home field of the Virginia Tech Hokies. It was rated the number one home field advantage in all of college football in 2005 by Rivals.com...
which seats over 65,000 fans and has been dubbed as the most exciting entrance in college football. Lane Stadium is considered to be one of the loudest stadiums in the country, being voted number one in ESPN's "Top 20 Scariest Places to Play". Also, it was recognized in 2005 by Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
as having the best home-field advantage in the country.
With a career record of 240–118–4 following the 2010 season
2010 Virginia Tech Hokies football team
The 2010 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS college football season. The Hokies were led by 24th-year head coach Frank Beamer and played their home games at Lane Stadium...
, head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
Frank Beamer
Frank Beamer
Frank Beamer is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , a position he has held since 1987. From 1981 to 1986, Beamer served as the head coach at Murray State University...
is the winningest active head coach in Division I-FBS.
The Hokies currently have the second-longest bowl game
Bowl game
In North America, a bowl game is commonly considered to refer to one of a number of post-season college football games. Prior to 2002, bowl game statistics were not included in players' career totals and the games were mostly considered to be exhibition games involving a payout to participating...
streak in the country, having participated in the postseason every year since 1993. Only Florida State
Florida State Seminoles football
The Florida State Seminoles football team represents Florida State University in college football. The Florida State Seminoles compete in NCAA Division I-FBS and are members of the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
has a longer current streak. In program history, the Hokies have finished with a Top-10 ranking six times, won eight conference championships (one Southern Conference
Southern Conference
The Southern Conference is a Division I college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision . Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North...
three Big East
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
and four ACC
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
), and played once for the national championship, losing to Florida State University
1999 Florida State Seminoles football team
The 1999 Florida State Seminoles football team was the national champion of the 1999 college football season. The team finished with a perfect 12-0 record, and was the first in NCAA history to go "wire-to-wire," being ranked continuously as the nation's #1 team from the preseason through the bowl...
46–29 in the 2000 Sugar Bowl
2000 Sugar Bowl
The 2000 Sugar Bowl was the designated Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game for the United States 1999 college football season and was played on January 4, 2000, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana...
. Tech currently holds the nation's longest streak of 10+ win seasons at 7 and have a combined record since the 2004 season of 65-16-0, 3rd best to only Boise State and LSU.
History
Radford, Virginia
Radford is a city in Virginia, United States. The population was 16,408 in 2010. For statistical purposes, the Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Radford with neighboring Montgomery County, including the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg, calling the combination the...
, VA
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
). The game took place on a plowed off wheat field that was "about as level as a side of Brush Mountain". The Hokies won their first game 14-10, but were defeated 10-0 eight days later on a return trip to Radford. The first several VAMC teams wore cadet gray and black, but in 1896 the colors were changed to Burnt Orange and Chicago Maroon
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
– a color combination that was unique among educational institutions at the time.
Virginia Tech's first post-season bowl appearance was in the 1947 Sun Bowl
1947 Sun Bowl
The 1947 Sun Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game between the Virginia Tech Hokies of the Southern Conference and the Cincinnati Bearcats. It took place on January 1, 1947 at Kidd Field in El Paso, Texas. Cincinnati defeated Virginia Tech 18–6 in cold and icy conditions that...
against the University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati Bearcats football
The Cincinnati Bearcats football program represents the University of Cincinnati in a college football. They compete at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level as members of the Big East Conference. The Bearcat football program is one of the nation's oldest, having fielded a team as...
. Tech had a 3-3-3 record that year, and was the third choice after Border Conference champions Hardin-Simmins University and runner-up Texas Tech both declined the bowl invitation. Tech lost that game 18-6.
Another first for the Hokies came in 1954 when they had their first, and only, unbeaten season in school history. The team was 8-0-1 and finished ranked 16th in the Associated Press post-season football poll. The team's lone blemish was a 7-7 tie against William & Mary in Blacksburg, VA. Despite the team's success, it did not appear in a post-season bowl game.
Big East years
Virginia Tech joined the Big East Conference for football play in 1991.The 13th ranked Hokies defeated the 9th ranked Texas Longhorns in the 1995 Sugar Bowl
1995 Sugar Bowl (December)
The 1995 Sugar Bowl was the 62nd edition of the post-season American college football Sugar Bowl bowl game. It featured the Virginia Tech Hokies and the and was held at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on December 31, 1995...
.
Virginia Tech's most successful football season was in 1999
1999 Virginia Tech Hokies football team
-Regular season:Michael Vick led the Hokies to an 11–1 season and to the Bowl Championship Series national title game in the 2000 Nokia Sugar Bowl against Florida State. Although Virginia Tech lost 46–29, Vick was able to bring the team back from a 21 point deficit to take a 29-28 lead into the...
. The Hokies, led by redshirt freshman quarterback Michael Vick
Michael Vick
Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...
went 11–0 through the regular season. On November 3, the Hokies came from behind to win over the West Virginia Mountaineers when Vick led a desperate last minute drive that culminated in a dramatic Shayne Graham
Shayne Graham
Michael Shayne Graham is an American football placekicker. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2000, and most recently played with the New England Patriots...
game winning field goal. The 22–20 victory has since become known as the "Miracle in Morgantown."
On January 4, the Hokies faced the Florida State Seminoles
1999 Florida State Seminoles football team
The 1999 Florida State Seminoles football team was the national champion of the 1999 college football season. The team finished with a perfect 12-0 record, and was the first in NCAA history to go "wire-to-wire," being ranked continuously as the nation's #1 team from the preseason through the bowl...
in the 2000 Sugar Bowl
2000 Sugar Bowl
The 2000 Sugar Bowl was the designated Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game for the United States 1999 college football season and was played on January 4, 2000, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana...
for the national championship. A back and forth game, the Hokies trailed 28–7 late in the second quarter but came back to take a 29–28 lead at the start of the fourth. However they were not able to hold on and the Seminoles won 46–29.
The following season the Hokies were again contenders for the national championship, but a loss to #3 Miami Hurricanes
Miami Hurricanes football
The Miami Hurricanes football program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the University of Miami. The program began in 1926 and has won five AP national championships...
in early November, in a game in which Michael Vick did not play because of an injury, cost them a trip to the Orange Bowl
2001 Orange Bowl
The 2001 FedEx Orange Bowl game was a post-season college football bowl game and BCS National Championship match between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Florida State Seminoles on January 3, 2001, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida...
. The Hokies later went on to defeat the Clemson Tigers
Clemson Tigers football
The Clemson Tigers football team is an American football team from Clemson University in South Carolina. It competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
41–20 in the 2001 Gator Bowl
2001 Gator Bowl
The 2001 Gator Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Clemson Tigers at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida on January 1, 2001...
.
ACC years
At the start of the 2004 season, the Hokies faced the #1 and eventual national champion USC Trojans2004 USC Trojans football team
The 2004 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the 2004-2005 NCAA Division I-A college football season. Although now vacated for breaking NCAA rules, the team won the 2004 BCS National Championship by winning the 2005 Orange Bowl, that year's BCS National...
in the BCA Classic played at FedEx Field in Landover, MD. The Hokies kept the game close, but eventually lost 24–13. The regular season ended with the Hokies winning the ACC championship in their first year in the conference and a return to the Sugar Bowl and a match-up with the Auburn Tigers
2004 Auburn Tigers football team
The 2004 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season. Auburn compiled a record of 13–0, winning the Southeastern Conference championship and finishing the season ranked #2 in both the AP Poll and the Coaches' Poll...
. Auburn, the SEC champion and one of three undefeated teams (USC and Oklahoma being the other two) took a 16–0 lead into the fourth quarter. Led by senior quarterback Bryan Randall
Bryan Randall
Bryan Randall is a professional gridiron football quarterback who currently plays for the Richmond Raiders of the Southern Indoor Football League. He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
, the Hokies scored 13 points but fell just short of the comeback when the Tigers recovered an onside kick and ran out the clock.
The 2005 season saw many ups and downs, but would end in disappointment. Taking over for Bryan Randall was Marcus Vick
Marcus Vick
Marcus Vick is a former college and professional football player. He is the younger brother of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, who also began playing high school football in Newport News Public Schools. After accepting a full scholarship to attend Virginia Tech, Marcus played...
, younger brother of Tech great Michael. The Hokies started off the season 8–0, including victories over West Virginia
2005 West Virginia Mountaineers football team
The 2005 West Virginia Mountaineers football team completed the season with an 11–1 record. The Mountaineers won their third consecutive Big East Title with a conference record of 7–0...
and ACC rivals Georgia Tech
2005 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team
The 2005 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represented the Georgia Institute of Technology in the college football season of 2005-2006. The team's coach is former Dallas Cowboys, Samford Bulldogs, and Troy Trojans coach Chan Gailey...
and Boston College
Boston College Eagles football
The Boston College Eagles football team is the collegiate football program of Boston College. The team is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, a Division I Bowl Subdivision league governed by the NCAA. Within the ACC, the Eagles are one of six teams in the Atlantic Division...
. Going into the tenth week of the season, the Hokies were ranked 3rd in the country behind USC and Texas and would face the 5th ranked Miami Hurricanes
Miami Hurricanes
The Miami Hurricanes, of Coral Gables, Florida, are the varsity sports teams of the University of Miami. They compete in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference . The university fields 15 athletic teams for 17 varsity sports...
at home. In anticipation of the match-up, ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
's College Gameday would broadcast from Blacksburg and the game would be broadcast nationally on ESPN. The Hurricanes controlled the game and limited Marcus Vick to only 90 yards passing to win 27–7.
Marcus Vick led the Hokies and went on to win the ACC coastal, but lost in the ACC Championship Game
2005 ACC Championship Game
The 2005 Dr. Pepper Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game was the inaugural contest of the game. It was a regular-season ending American college football contest at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Florida State Seminoles. The...
to Florida State
2005 Florida State Seminoles football team
The 2005 Florida State Seminoles football team won the 2005 ACC Championship Game over the Virginia Tech Hokies by a score of 27-22. With the victory, they were a selection to go to the 2006 Orange Bowl as the ACC representative in the BCS.-Schedule:...
. The Hokies again trailed the Seminoles by double digits at halftime, 27–3, but a Vick led comeback brought the score to 27–22 with 1:45 left in the fourth quarter. The Hokies were unable to recover the onside kick and lost their chance at a BCS Bowl berth.
The Hokies closed off the season against the upstart Louisville Cardinals
2005 Louisville Cardinals football team
The 2005 Louisville Cardinals football team represented the University of Louisville in the 2005 college football season. The team, led by Bobby Petrino in his third year at the school, played their home games in Papa John's Cardinal Stadium...
in the 2006 Gator Bowl
2006 Gator Bowl
The 2006 Gator Bowl was a college football bowl game between the Louisville Cardinals and the Virginia Tech Hokies at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida on January 2, 2006. The game was the final contest of the 2005 football season for each team and resulted in a 35–24 Virginia Tech...
. Virginia Tech won 35–24, but the game would become infamous for a play that would contribute to Vick's expulsion from the team. Late in the first half, with the Hokies trailing 17–10, Vick was tackled by Cardinals defensive end Elvis Dumervil
Elvis Dumervil
-Denver Broncos:Dumervil was drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan stated that he planned to keep Dumervil at defensive end....
. After the play, Vick stomped on Dumervil's leg, apparently out of anger. Four days after the game, Virginia Tech officials learned of two misdemeanor charges of speeding and driving on a suspended or revoked driver's license that Vick received on December 17 of the previous year. Vick, who was forced to sit out the 2004 football season
2004 Virginia Tech Hokies football team
The 2004 Virginia Tech Hokies football team won the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship in its inaugural year in the conference, running off a streak of eight straight wins to end the regular season after a 2-2 start. Tech finished 10th in the final Associated Press poll with a 10-3 record...
by the university due to previous legal incidents in his college career, was dismissed from the team on January 6, 2006, with the university citing "a cumulative effect of legal infractions and unsportsmanlike play.".
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Sean Glennon
Sean Glennon
Sean Glennon is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent in the National Football League....
was set to take over for Vick in the 2006 season. Although consecutive losses to Georgia Tech and Boston College knocked the Hokies out of contention for the ACC Championship Game
2006 ACC Championship Game
The Dr. Pepper 2006 Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game featured the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in a regular-season American football game to determine the champion of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Wake Forest defeated Georgia Tech by a 9–6 score...
, the Tech team finished the season strong, winning six in a row and being invited to the 2006 Chick-fil-A Bowl
2006 Chick-fil-A Bowl
The 2006 Chick-fil-A Bowl was a postseason college football match between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Virginia Tech Hokies at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The University of Georgia represented the Southeastern Conference and Virginia Tech represented the Atlantic Coast Conference in the...
in Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. In the annual ACC vs SEC match-up, the Hokies played the Georgia Bulldogs
2006 Georgia Bulldogs football team
The 2006 Georgia Bulldogs football team completed the season with a 9-4 record. The Bulldogs had an SEC record of 4-4. Despite losses to unranked Kentucky and Vanderbilt, Georgia salvaged its season by beating two ranked teams in the last two games of the season: #5 Auburn and #15 Georgia Tech...
. At halftime the Hokies led 21–3, but four second half Glennon turnovers helped the Bulldogs in coming back and winning 31–24.
After the Virginia Tech shootings that stunned the campus and nation, the remainder of Tech's spring practice was canceled. The Hokies, led by running back Brandon Ore
Brandon Ore
Branden Ore is a college football running back for West Liberty University. He had originally declared for the 2008 NFL Draft, but subsequently withdrew his name....
on offense and linebackers Vince Hall
Vince Hall
Vincent Larry Hall is an American football linebacker who is currently playing for the Richmond Revolution of the Indoor Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
and Xavier Adibi
Xavier Adibi
Xavier Oyekola Adibi is an American football linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
looked to be in contention for a berth in the national Championship. The 2007 home opener against the East Carolina Pirates
2007 East Carolina Pirates football team
The 2007 East Carolina Pirates football team represented East Carolina University in the college football season of 2007-08 and playws their home games in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium...
was the subject of College GameDay, and the Hokies prevailed in an emotional, albeit shaky game 17–7. They then traveled to Baton Rouge, LA to play the LSU Tigers
2007 LSU Tigers football team
The 2007 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University during the college football season of 2007–2008, winning the Southeastern Conference championship and the national championship. The team's Head Coach was Les Miles who entered his third year at the helm of LSU Football...
. In a game that saw Glennon replaced by true freshman quarterback Tyrod Taylor
Tyrod Taylor
Tyrod Taylor is an American football quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was the starting quarterback for the Virginia Tech Hokies football team from the start of the 2008 college football season until the 2011 Orange Bowl, the final game of the 2010 college...
, the Hokies were completely dominated, only managing 149 total yards against the Tigers' 598. Taylor scored the only touchdown of the night after an 8 play, 65 yard drive.
Taylor continued to start until an injury removed him from a 43–14 blowout of Duke
Duke Blue Devils football
The Duke Blue Devils football program is a college football team that represents Duke University . The team is currently a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference , which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The Blue Devils compete in the Coastal...
. In a Thursday night match-up with Boston College, Glennon reclaimed his starting position. In a game plagued by rain storms and wet conditions, the Hokies took a 10–0 lead late into the fourth quarter. Eagles quarterback Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan (American football)
Matthew Thomas "Matt" Ryan , nicknamed "Matty Ice," is the starting American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted in the first round as the third overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft...
spurred a late Boston College comeback, leading two TD drives in the final five minutes for a 14–10 win. Despite the devastating loss, Virginia Tech rebounded to win the remainder of its regular season games and claim the Coastal Division crown. A rematch with Boston College in the ACC Championship Game
2007 ACC Championship Game
The 2007 Dr. Pepper Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game featured the Boston College Eagles and the Virginia Tech Hokies in a regular-season college football game that determined the conference's champion for the 2007 season. Virginia Tech defeated Boston College 30–16 to win the ACC...
saw Tech fall behind early, tie the game by halftime, then grind out a tense 30–16 win to advance to the Orange Bowl
2008 Orange Bowl
The 2008 FedEx Orange Bowl game was a post-season college football bowl game between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Kansas Jayhawks on January 3, 2008, at Dolphins Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Spread bettors favored Virginia Tech by three points, but in a game dominated by defensive and...
.
Current Coaching Staff
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Frank Beamer Frank Beamer Frank Beamer is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , a position he has held since 1987. From 1981 to 1986, Beamer served as the head coach at Murray State University... |
Head Coach |
| Shane Beamer Shane Beamer Shane Beamer is the associate head coach and running backs coach for the Virginia Tech Hokies football team and the son of long-time Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer.-College playing career:... |
Running Backs Coach |
| Bryan Stinespring Bryan Stinespring Bryan Stinespring is the offensive coordinator and tight ends coach for the Virginia Tech Hokies football team in Blacksburg, Virginia. Stinespring replaced Rickey Bustle as offensive coordinator and has been relieved of his play calling duties on February, 21 2011... |
Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach |
| Bud Foster Bud Foster Bud Foster is a college football assistant coach. He went to high school in Nokomis, Illinois. He is the current defensive coordinator for the Virginia Tech Hokies football team. Following the 2006 season, he received the Frank Broyles Award, which is annually given to the top assistant coach in... |
Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers Coach |
| Jim Cavanaugh | Recruiting Coordinator/Outside Linebackers Coach |
| Curt Newsome | Offensive Line Coach |
| Kevin Sherman | Wide Receivers Coach |
| Mike O'Cain Mike O'Cain -External links:* *... |
Quarterbacks Coach |
| Torrian Gray Torrian Gray Torrian Gray is a college football assistant coach. He currently coaches defensive backs for his alma mater, Virginia Tech.-College career:Gray was three times an all-Big East selection for the Virginia Tech Hokies... |
Defensive Backfield Coach |
| Charley Wiles | Defensive Line Coach |
Conference championships
Conference Affiliations- 1892-97: IndependentNCAA Division I-A independent schoolsNCAA Football Bowl Subdivision independent schools are four-year institutions whose football programs are not part of an NCAA-affiliated conference. This means that FBS independents are not required to schedule each other for competition like conference schools do...
- 1898: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic AssociationSouthern Intercollegiate Athletic AssociationThe Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association was one of the first collegiate athletic conferences in the United States. Twenty-seven of the current Division I FBS football programs were members of this conference at some point, as were at least 19 other schools...
- 1899-1906: Independent
- 1907-21: South Atlantic Intercollegiate Athletic AssociationSouth Atlantic Intercollegiate Athletic AssociationThe South Atlantic Intercollegiate Athletic Association was an intercollegiate athletic conference. The SAIAA was first formed in 1907 and remained active until 1921...
- 1922-64: Southern ConferenceSouthern ConferenceThe Southern Conference is a Division I college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision . Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North...
- 1965-90: Independent
- 1991-2003: Big East
- 2004–present: ACCAtlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
{| border="0" width="100%"
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" width="80%"
!bgcolor="#660000"| Year
!bgcolor="#660000"| Conference
!bgcolor="#660000"| Overall Record
!bgcolor="#660000"| Conference Record
|- align="center"
| 1916 || South Atlantic || 7-2 || 0-0
|- align="center"
| 1918 || South Atlantic || 7-0 || 0-0
|- align="center"
| 1963 || Southern || 8-2 || 5-0
|- align="center"
| 1995† || Big East || 10-2 || 6-1
|- align="center"
| 1996† || Big East || 10-2 || 6-1
|- align="center"
| 1999 || Big East || 11-1 || 7-0
|- align="center"
| 2004 || ACC || 10-3 || 7-1
|- align="center"
| 2007* || ACC || 11-3 || 8-1
|- align="center"
| 2008* || ACC || 10-4 || 6-3
|- align="center"
| 2010* || ACC || 11-2 || 9-0
|- align="center"
| colspan=2 bgcolor="#FF6600"| Total conference championships
| colspan=2 bgcolor="#FF6600"| 8
|-
| colspan=4 | † Denotes co-champions * Conference record includes conference championship game
|}
Divisional championships
Virginia Tech has appeared in the ACC Championship GameACC Championship Game
The Dr Pepper ACC Championship Game is an American college football game held on the first Saturday in December by the Atlantic Coast Conference each year to determine its football champion. The game pits the champion of the Coastal Division against the champion of the Atlantic Division in a game...
as the winner of the Coastal Division four times. The 2005 team entered the inaugural ACC championship game
2005 ACC Championship Game
The 2005 Dr. Pepper Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game was the inaugural contest of the game. It was a regular-season ending American college football contest at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Florida State Seminoles. The...
as heavy favorites but went on to lose to Atlantic Division winner Florida State
2005 Florida State Seminoles football team
The 2005 Florida State Seminoles football team won the 2005 ACC Championship Game over the Virginia Tech Hokies by a score of 27-22. With the victory, they were a selection to go to the 2006 Orange Bowl as the ACC representative in the BCS.-Schedule:...
. During the 2007 season, the Hokies once again took the Coastal division to set up a rematch of their earlier loss to Boston College. Virginia Tech prevailed 30–16. History repeated itself in 2008, when the Hokies defeated Boston College
2008 Boston College Eagles football team
The 2008 Boston College Eagles football team represented Boston College during the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was Boston College's fourth season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference . The Eagles were led by...
by a score of 30–12 after having lost to the Eagles during the regular season. Most recently, Virginia Tech went undefeated in league play in 2010, defeating Atlantic Division winner Florida State
2010 Florida State Seminoles football team
The 2010 Florida State Seminoles football team represented Florida State University in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS college football season. The Seminoles were led by 1st year head coach Jimbo Fisher and played their home games at Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium. They were members of...
in the league championship game in Charlotte, NC, 44-33.
{| border="0" width="100%"
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" width="80%"
!bgcolor="#660000"| Year
!bgcolor="#660000"| Division Championship
!bgcolor="#660000"| ACC CG Result
!bgcolor="#660000"| Opponent
!bgcolor="#660000"| PF
!bgcolor="#660000"| PA
|- align="center"
| 2005
2005 Virginia Tech Hokies football team
The 2005 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University during the 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season...
|| ACC Coastal || L || Florida State
Florida State Seminoles football
The Florida State Seminoles football team represents Florida State University in college football. The Florida State Seminoles compete in NCAA Division I-FBS and are members of the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
|| 22 || 27
|- align="center"
| 2007
2007 Virginia Tech Hokies football team
The 2007 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season...
|| ACC Coastal || W || Boston College
Boston College Eagles football
The Boston College Eagles football team is the collegiate football program of Boston College. The team is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, a Division I Bowl Subdivision league governed by the NCAA. Within the ACC, the Eagles are one of six teams in the Atlantic Division...
|| 30 || 16
|- align="center"
| 2008
2008 Virginia Tech Hokies football team
The 2008 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represents Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach is Frank Beamer. Prior to the season, the Hokies were expected to be in a rebuilding mode, recovering after the...
|| ACC Coastal || W || Boston College
Boston College Eagles football
The Boston College Eagles football team is the collegiate football program of Boston College. The team is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, a Division I Bowl Subdivision league governed by the NCAA. Within the ACC, the Eagles are one of six teams in the Atlantic Division...
|| 30 || 12
|- align="center"
| 2010
2010 Virginia Tech Hokies football team
The 2010 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS college football season. The Hokies were led by 24th-year head coach Frank Beamer and played their home games at Lane Stadium...
|| ACC Coastal || W || Florida State
Florida State Seminoles football
The Florida State Seminoles football team represents Florida State University in college football. The Florida State Seminoles compete in NCAA Division I-FBS and are members of the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
|| 44 || 33
|- align="center"
| colspan=1 bgcolor="#FF6600"| Totals
| colspan=1 bgcolor="#FF6600"| 4
| colspan=1 bgcolor="#FF6600"| 3-1
| colspan=1 bgcolor="#FF6600"| -
| colspan=1 bgcolor="#FF6600"| 126
| colspan=1 bgcolor="#FF6600"| 88
|}
Bowl games
Virginia Tech has played in 24 bowl games. The Hokies have appeared in several GatorGator Bowl
The Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. Held continuously since 1946, it is the sixth oldest college bowl, as well as the first one ever televised nationally...
, Peach
Chick-fil-A Bowl
The Chick-fil-A Bowl, formerly called the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and before that simply called the Peach Bowl, is an annual college football bowl game played in Atlanta, Georgia since December 1968. The first three Peach Bowls were played at Grant Field on the Georgia Tech campus in Atlanta....
and Orange Bowl
Orange Bowl
The Orange Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It has been played annually since January 1, 1935 and celebrated its 75th playing on January 1, 2009...
s.
Trophy games
- Black Diamond TrophyBlack Diamond TrophyThe Black Diamond Trophy was a college football trophy that annually went to the winner of the West Virginia University and Virginia Tech football game...
- West Virginia MountaineersWest Virginia MountaineersThe West Virginia Mountaineers are the athletic teams of West Virginia University. The school is a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Big East Conference. On July 1, 2012 the Mountaineers will switch conferences, moving from the Big East to the Big 12, becoming... - Commonwealth CupCommonwealth CupThe Commonwealth Cup is an American college football rivalry game played between the Virginia Cavaliers football team of the University of Virginia and the Virginia Tech Hokies football team of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Typically, this series is played on a Saturday...
- Virginia CavaliersVirginia CavaliersThe Virginia Cavaliers, also known as Wahoos or Hoos, are the athletic teams officially representing the University of Virginia in college sports. The Cavaliers compete in 25 NCAA Division I varsity sports and are members of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
Players
Sammy Baugh TrophySammy Baugh Trophy
The Sammy Baugh Trophy is awarded annually to the nation's top college passer. The award is named in honor of former Texas Christian University and Washington Redskins quarterback "Slingin' Sammy" Baugh. The trophy has been given out by the Touchdown Club of Columbus since 1959...
(quarterback)
- Don StrockDon StrockDon Strock is a former professional football player who was the head coach of the Florida International University football team from 2002–2006.-College:Strock played college football at Virginia Tech, and graduated in 1973...
- 1972
Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Bronko Nagurski Trophy
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been awarded annually since 1993 to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the membership of the Football Writers Association of America to be the best defensively in the National Collegiate Athletic Association; the award is presented by the Charlotte...
(defense)
- Corey MooreCorey MooreCorey Antonio Moore is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins.-College career:...
- 19991999 NCAA Division I-A football seasonThe 1999 NCAA Division I-A football season saw Florida State named national champions, defeating Virginia Tech in the BCS Sugar Bowl.Florida State became the first team in history to start out preseason #1 and remain there through the entire season. Their 12-0 season gave them 109 victories in the...
Dave Rimington Trophy
Dave Rimington Trophy
The Dave Rimington Trophy is awarded to the player considered to be the best center in college football. Dave Rimington was a center who played at the University of Nebraska from 1979-1982....
(center)
- Jake GroveJake GroveCharles Jacob Grove is a retired American football center, most recently for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
- 20032003 NCAA Division I-A football seasonThe 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with an abundance of controversy, resulting in a split national championship. This was the first split title since the inception of the BCS, something the BCS intended to eliminate....
Lombardi Award
Lombardi Award
The Rotary Lombardi Award is awarded annually to the best college football lineman or linebacker. The Lombardi Award program was approved by the Rotary Club in Houston in 1970 shortly after the death of Vince Lombardi. The committee outlined the criteria for eligibility for the award, which...
(lineman or linebacker)
- Corey MooreCorey MooreCorey Antonio Moore is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins.-College career:...
- 19991999 NCAA Division I-A football seasonThe 1999 NCAA Division I-A football season saw Florida State named national champions, defeating Virginia Tech in the BCS Sugar Bowl.Florida State became the first team in history to start out preseason #1 and remain there through the entire season. Their 12-0 season gave them 109 victories in the...
Outland Trophy
Outland Trophy
The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best United States college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named All-America at two positions, Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in...
(interior lineman)
- Bruce Smith - 19841984 NCAA Division I-A football seasonThe 1984 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with Brigham Young University winning their first national championship by beating an unranked Michigan team in the Holiday Bowl...
Coaches
Paul "Bear" Bryant Award- Frank BeamerFrank BeamerFrank Beamer is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , a position he has held since 1987. From 1981 to 1986, Beamer served as the head coach at Murray State University...
- 19991999 NCAA Division I-A football seasonThe 1999 NCAA Division I-A football season saw Florida State named national champions, defeating Virginia Tech in the BCS Sugar Bowl.Florida State became the first team in history to start out preseason #1 and remain there through the entire season. Their 12-0 season gave them 109 victories in the...
George Munger Award
George Munger Award
The George Munger Award was presented to the NCAA Division I college football coach of the year by the Maxwell Football Club from 1989 to 2009. The award was named after former University of Pennsylvania head coach George Munger...
- Frank Beamer - 1999
Joseph V. Paterno Award
Joseph V. Paterno Award
The Joseph V. Paterno Award is an award that was established in 2010 and is given annually to the college football head coach who best exemplifies Penn State head coach Joe Paterno’s dedication to the development of student-athletes and the advancement of the university beyond just athletics.The...
- Frank Beamer - 2010
Broyles Award
Broyles Award
The Broyles Award is an annual award given to honor the best assistant coach in college football. First awarded in 1996, it was named after former University of Arkansas men's athletic director Frank Broyles...
(assistant coaches)
- Bud FosterBud FosterBud Foster is a college football assistant coach. He went to high school in Nokomis, Illinois. He is the current defensive coordinator for the Virginia Tech Hokies football team. Following the 2006 season, he received the Frank Broyles Award, which is annually given to the top assistant coach in...
- 2006
Bobby Dodd Award
- Frank Beamer 1999
Bear Bryant Award
- Frank Beamer 1999
First overall selections in the NFL Draft
- 19851985 NFL DraftThe 1985 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 30 and May 1, 1985...
- Bruce Smith, Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - 20012001 NFL DraftThe 2001 NFL Draft took place on April 21–22, 2001 at the theater at Madison Square Garden, in New York City. This was the 66th National Football League draft in league history. The draft was broadcast on ESPN both days and eventually moved to ESPN2. No teams elected to claim any players in the...
- Michael VickMichael VickMichael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...
, Atlanta Falcons, now at Philadelphia Eagles
See also
- List of Virginia Tech Hokies bowl games
- Virginia Tech Hokies football seasonsVirginia Tech Hokies football seasonsThis is a list of seasons completed by the Virginia Tech Hokies football team of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision . Since the team's creation in 1891 by professor Ellison A...