NEWS
AN UPDATE ON THE BOIL WATER NOTICE IN EFFECT FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Wilbert Ramirez | news writer
Residents of Montgomery County should plan to boil water through Oct.12-13.
The boil water notice is still in effect for Montgomery County residents in the towns of Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Montgomery County Public Service Authority Waterworks.
“Plan to boil water at least through next weekend, Oct. 12-13,” a university status stated.
“Water testing results available. Boil water notice remains in effect,” a statement on Montgomery County’s website said on Oct. 4.
The New River Regional Water Authority described in an update that extra steps are needed to ensure the safety of the water quality before the boil water notice can be lifted. “All water supply lines must be flushed, meaning existing water in the
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lines will be emptied through a variety of outlets to include fire hydrants and flushing valves,” the statement said.
The next course of action once the water authority completely flushes contaminated water includes two rounds of testing of the water supply systems; each round of testing can take up to 24 hours to complete
The Virginia Department of Health must then determine if the water is safe to consume before the water boil notice can be lifted.
While the water boil notice continues, students at Virginia Tech can use their student identification to receive two bottles of water at assigned locations as sent to their school email address according to an update by the university.
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On Sept. 30, the initial day of the boil water notice, students at Virginia Tech described how they were dealing with the emergency notice.
“I think it’s a good safety notice. I don’t know exactly what’s going on, but I believe we should adhere to it and follow the guidelines, just in case,” said Behailu Savall, a freshman majoring in cybersecurity, management and analytics.
Other students and residents were buying bottles of water at a Kroger on South Main Street in Blacksburg shortly after the boil water notice was issued over the VT alerts system and news outlets.
Places affected by the water boil notice include restaurants in downtown Blacksburg. One restaurant that remained open on the day the water boil notice was issued is Benny Marzano’s.
“As far as I know, we won’t be able to make our dough or our sauce, so we’ll just use what we have here and then when we run out, we’ll just have to close,” said
NEWSROOM
Ethan Van Dyke, a Virginia Tech alumnus and employee of Benny Marzano’s. Bull & Bones Brewhaus & Grill in Downtown Blacksburg is providing boiled water to those in need. The restaurant used their brewery system to boil 300 gallons of water to give out for free, with a limit of one gallon per person as stated in their Oct. 1 Facebook post.
For more information about boiling water during a water boil notice visit Boil Water FAQs - Drinking Water (virginia.gov)
For more information and updates on the water boil notice visit 10/01/24 - New River Valley Regional Water Authority Issues Boil Water Notice (montva.com)
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SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS HOSTS PANEL ON WOMEN IN POLITICS BEFORE OPENING NIGHT OF POTUS
Jonathan Mususa | news staff writer
The panel discussion centered on how being a woman has affected panelists’ experiences.
On Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m., the School of Performing Arts hosted a panel about women in politics at theatre101 at 200 College Avenue to mark the opening night of its first play of the season, Selina Fillinger’s “POTUS.” The panel was open to the public and featured women serving in local government roles in Montgomery County.
“I think pairing a moderated conversation with these local leaders will hopefully give the audience who chooses to go see the show an opportunity to think more deeply about what a woman’s experience in politics may be like,” said Liz Gray, a graduate marketing assistant with the School of Performing Arts.
The panelists were:
• Blacksburg mayor Leslie Hager-Smith
• Blacksburg town councilwoman Lauren Colliver
• Christiansburg town councilwoman Tanya Hockett
• Montgomery County Board of Supervisors chair Mary Biggs
Dr. Farida Jalalzai, a political science professor at Virginia Tech, served as moderator.
“Women’s political presence has been increasing and depending on the positions that you’re looking at, they may be experiencing
record highs,” Jalalzai said to open the panel.
“At the same time, we recognize that women are still underrepresented everywhere at all levels and our panelists tonight will share their insights about women in politics, given their own experiences as leaders of our local community.”
The discussion centered on how being a woman has affected the panelists’ experiences in local government and offered them unique challenges.
“I am a people pleaser and that has been really hard in this position because I’ve learned you’re doing it right when at least someone’s mad at you,” Colliver, who serves as the Southwest Virginia coordinator for Abigail Spanberger’s 2025 gubernatorial campaign, said. “No decision is going to make everyone happy and that’s been a huge thing for me to get over.”
Another theme that arose was mentorship and how the panelists have acted towards newer members of their respective bodies.
“I feel really proud of the diversity that the Blacksburg Town Council has had over the years and I feel like I am a successful mayor and a successful leader if I am a successful mentor to them,” Hager-Smith said. “They give hundreds of hours of service in a year and they want to
feel successful in it and each one of them will have a different sense for what success looks like. Some of them want to accomplish certain specific things, others are more involved in just good communications and relations in the community, but what they want, I want to know what it is and I want to help them feel successful in their roles.”
During the Q&A period, the panelists were asked how they have handled partisanship on their councils and the audience member called “members who have been elected to disrupt.”
“I try every avenue to connect and see, ‘can we change your mind about that opinion, that preconceived notion?’” Hockett said. “I want us to come to be very best decision but, if my influence is not strong enough to change that preconceived notion, I spend it with other people where we can have a better discussion and I don’t let those things disrupt our progress.”
The panelists ended by fielding an audience question about whether there was enough debate in local government bodies in Montgomery County.
“An unpopular word for a lot of people is ‘compromise,’ where I see it as a good thing,” Biggs, who is currently in her 29th year on the
Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, said. “So, when they want this, this person wants that, and there’s discussion like you’re talking about, the ability to be able to really listen to each other and maybe compromise, that’s really important in local government.”
Throughout the event, panelists encouraged those in the audience interested in running for public office to do so.
“If you can find a place of community, reach out to anyone of us if you’re interested in running for office and we will connect you with the right people and help you in any way we can in finding those groups that help train women and the logistics,” Hockett said.
“I think the main takeaway is that we need to encourage and support more women going into all levels of government,” said Stephanie Hentemann, a second-year master’s student in public administration present at the panel. “I think there’s a stereotype right now that men are only the ones that are competent enough to get the work done but women do bring their own unique experience and they’re more connected to individuals within the community.”
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UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT SENATE ELECTS VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE AMONG OTHER OFFICERS
Jacob Luckenbaugh | News writer
Henry Berger won the Vice President of Finance position and began his term on Oct. 1.
The elections for Undergraduate Student Senate positions for the 20242025 school year came to a close on Sept. 29. Henry Berger, a philosophy, politics and economics major, took the position of vice president of finance, one of the vacant positions during this election cycle. The vice president of finance oversees the Hokie Effect program and chairs the Student Activities Fee Allocation Board
(SAFAB), a collaborative committee between the USS and Graduate Student Budget Board (GSBB).
Berger hopes to “give back as much money as possible to the student body in a fair and equitable manner that benefits everyone,” given the costliness of college education.
Regarding policy, Berger stated that he wants to “be a part of solving the parking crisis.” Additionally, he shared his desire
to reverse, “the policy that forbids student organizations to be able to request funding for organization t-shirts.”
Berger also wants to focus on commuter students, stating that he hoped to “get more parking spots for commuter students” and “give commuter students better dining plan options.”
Part of the reason Berger decided to join was because of his “passion for student government.”
Beyond the vice president of finance role, candidates filled the Vice President of Shared Governance, Senator At-Large, College Senator and Residential Senator positions in the September elections. The new officers began their terms on Oct. 1.
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OPINIONS THE END OF “COMING OUT:” WHY GEN Z IS REDEFINING IDENTITY
Allie McBride | opinions contributor
With broadening acceptance, Gen Z pushes back on “coming out” and challenges heteronormativity.
Some moments in queer history are universally remembered. Moments like Jodie Foster’s Best Actress acceptance speech or Frank Ocean’s heartfelt Tumblr post. These events have one common denominator — they are about “coming out.” The act of declaring to the world, “I’m not straight!” was part of the LGBTQ+ experience since queer people gained visibility. Despite its historic pervasiveness, the tide is changing on this modern ritual; Gen Z treats sexuality differently. Here’s why the death of “coming out” might be for the best. Coming out changed a lot since its conception. In the early 20th century, gay men coined the term to describe entering gay society. The Stonewall riots of the ‘70s gave it a more political meaning, equating coming out with leaving the “closet” and rejecting shame. In the ‘90s and 2000s, it became a rite of passage for LGBTQ+ individuals. Coming out was an important part of queer history, but not anymore. What once represented defiance is now a method of assimilation.
In 2021, singer Billie Eilish faced backlash for a music video she posted with sapphic themes. She was accused of “queerbaiting.” The term was initially used to criticize characters written with ambiguously queer
relationships. While its original definition is valid, it’s become a problematic term for real people who feign queerness to gain popularity. Two years after the queerbaiting controversy, Eilish casually remarked on her attraction to women in a Vanity Fair interview. Then came her album “Hit Me Hard and Soft,” filled with unabashedly queer songs.
When discussing the public shock at her “new” sexuality, Eilish commented on the surprise she received.
“Wasn’t it obvious? I didn’t realize people didn’t know. I just don’t believe in it (coming out). I’m just like, ‘Why can’t we just exist?’ I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I just didn’t talk about it. Whoops,” Eilish said.
In a similar case, Kit O’Conner of the hit Netflix show Heartstopper was forced “out of the closet” due to queerbaiting accusations. Social media harassment about Conner capitalizing off queerness prompted the actor to come out as bisexual. This problematic discourse around sexuality is directly because of “coming out.” Some feel they are owed an explanation as to why someone expresses queerness. In a world where there is no expectation to come out, there is no invasive speculation or “queerbaiting.” LGBTQ+ people can express love
without having to give warning.
The need for queer people to selfreport is othering. Only LGBTQ+ people are expected to clarify their identity which makes heterosexuality the societal default. By simply living authentically, Gen Z changed that perspective. Nearly a third of Gen Z adults in the United States identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, which is far more than previous generations. Online and offline, queer spaces are everywhere. Accepting environments and attitudes make coming out simply unnecessary.
Family may make the concept of coming out (more specifically the preliminary point of being “in the closet”) necessary for one’s own safety. However, as more parents begin raising children in compassionate and inclusive households, being “out” or “in” becomes irrelevant.
Pressure to make a dramatic or public coming-out statement can be overwhelming. Moving away from this expectation allows people to express their identity in ways that feel comfortable for them. Some may prefer not to make a formal statement, choosing instead to disclose their identity on their terms. Every queer person has the right to decide when and how to express themselves, based on their
LIFESTYLES WHY GRAD SCHOOL?
John Garlow | lifestyles contributor
personal preferences and safety.
In our ever-changing world, the spectrum of gender and sexual identities is vast. Who needs labels anyway? Gender and sexuality are fluid. The idea of “coming out” makes them seem like unchanging, rigid categories. Our identities aren’t stagnant. They may evolve as we do, in our lifelong journey of self-discovery. Moving beyond a singular “coming out moment” encourages ongoing conversation about identity and creates a more nuanced understanding of LGBTQ+ experiences and perspectives. Coming out was once important and necessary to the LGBTQ+ community. It symbolized self-acceptance and resistance. While we can acknowledge its historical impact, it’s time to leave the ritual behind. We regard gender and identity as a constantly changing and evolving spectrum. Straight is no longer the default. Therefore, the need to come out and stick with a specific label forever is obsolete. Individuals can present their true selves without adhering to a “coming out” narrative. Queer people don’t need to come out, we were never in.
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Lifestyles contributor John Garlow speaks with Caitlin Callaghan about why she’s pursuing her master’s.
In our ever-evolving educational journeys, a particular few see it necessary to go beyond their undergraduate knowledge and into a higher level of understanding with graduate school education. Recently, we had the opportunity to hear from Caitlin Callaghan, a second-year graduate student pursuing an M.A. in reputation management at Virginia Tech. Callaghan recounted some aspects of her grad school experience and provided some insight into the inner workings of the program in hopes of answering the burning
question: Why graduate school?
Differences From Undergrad Graduate school has a reputation for being extremely difficult and a program where only the keenest of minds excel. But how
is it different from undergrad? The largest difference between undergrad and graduate education is the style of class; classes are not usually lectures, but more of a conversation
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an analytical environment focused on critical thinking.
“It’s just discussion most of the class,” Callaghan said. “You get to talk about what you understood from (the reading) and get other people’s perspectives instead of someone just talking at you. It makes you think a lot harder than in undergrad.”
Most of the learning a graduate school student does is not for hastily dumping facts on an exam paper, but to have a truly deep understanding of the course’s topic. Not only does this give a deeper understanding of the course material, but it also provides a unique opportunity to become closer with your peers and professors.
Financial Dilemmas
Graduate school offers tremendous opportunities for students in the program wanting to learn and grow, but the cost of graduate school following the cost of undergrad can deter some students from applying. Virginia Tech realizes this is a difficult issue, so the university offers several scholarships and other financial assistance programs to help ease the added financial burden of graduate school.
Callaghan pays for her education by teaching public speaking at Virginia Tech as a member of the graduate teaching assistant program. Graduate TAs work roughly twenty hours a week alongside their studies, receiving a twice-monthly stipend from the university for their work, with the pay depending on what school they are a TA for. Along with this stipend, graduate TAs have their tuition completely paid for by the university, barring a comparatively small semesterly fee for campus services like the Schiffert Health Center and Student Activity fees.
This worked out quite nicely for Callaghan, as she also did her undergrad at Virginia Tech, her graduate school tuition is ineligible for in-state tuition rates.
“Fun fact, if you’ve done more than 150 credit hours with Virginia Tech, you then no longer get that in-state discount … (grad school tuition) is like $17,000 a semester for four semesters because it’s a two-year program,” Callaghan said.
In addition to graduate TAs having their education paid for by the university, they also receive valuable experience collaborating in an instructional setting.
The Best Part
A major part of the student experience at Virginia Tech is Blacksburg itself. Undergrad students typically only get to enjoy Blacksburg as a student for a brief, four-year blip. Callaghan explained a major part of her decision to pursue a graduate degree was that it would extend her time as a student in Blacksburg.
“I could stay in Blacksburg forever. I am in my little happy Blacksburg bubble right now,” Callaghan said.
She has more years to enjoy Blacksburg as a graduate student than her undergrad student counterparts, giving her a more complete Hokie experience.
However, for some, the best part of college is the flexibility of time. Prior to undergrad education, most of us were used to following the same monotonous schedule day-in, day-out. Studying at a university changes this custom, allowing students the chance to manage their own time accordingly. Callaghan revealed that graduate students mostly have classes in the evenings, allowing graduate students significantly greater time fluidity than undergrad students.
“One of the best things about grad school, I will say, is not having class during the day. I am free to do whatever I want, so I have a lot more flexibility,” Callaghan said.
She also emphasized that her enjoyment of classes has increased significantly since she became a graduate student, saying that the structure of class along with shared hardships of graduate school greatly unite its students.
“I look forward to going to class, which was not always the case in undergrad,” Callaghan said. “I really am excited to be there, and I’ve developed a lot of relationships with people that I obviously would not have met (otherwise) ... we’re struggling through the same things.”
The Worst Part
If you had to guess, what do you think the absolute hardest part of graduate school is? Time management? The workload? The looming threat of a thesis or final project?
All of these are frequently cited as sources of stress for grad school students, but according to Callaghan, the most difficult part of graduate school is transitioning from the undergrad lifestyle to the graduate lifestyle.
“I would say the hardest thing is making that shift from undergrad to graduate school,” Callaghan said. “(My) first semester of graduate school, I wasn’t prepared for the format of classes and the number of papers. That challenge of shifting expectations and knowing how to complete what’s expected of you.”
Callaghan reflected on the skill set necessary for a graduate student, and how they are different from the skills used by undergrad students.
“For undergrad, there weren’t weekly papers you had to write. If you had a paper,
there was a lot longer time to write the paper, so being able to turn around assignments quickly … getting yourself to sit down and do work every week,” Callaghan said.
Final Words and Advice
Throughout the interview, Callaghan highlighted her own thoughts on Virginia Tech’s graduate school program, citing that it was extremely valuable to her growth as a person and a blossoming industry professional.
“I don’t know if everyone shows the same sentiment as me, but I love grad school so much. I would say probably like a nine out of ten (or a) ten out of ten. It’s been a very valuable experience,”Callaghan said.
She also emphasized the importance of taking time for oneself. The stress of graduate school can be immense, but the first step to mitigating that stress is knowing when to step away from your work.
“At least a couple times of the week, I’m being social, I’m doing something physical, so that also helps bring stress levels down and not focusing 100% of my time on grad school. Cutting out a set chunk of time for yourself to just not think about it is the best thing,” Callaghan said.
All in all, there are many reasons to pursue graduate school and the possibilities are endless; a graduate-level degree in any field will assuredly give you an edge in a job application versus another applicant with an undergrad-level degree. Alongside the obvious, you get to spend more time as a Hokie, honing soft and hard skills used every single day in the workplace. If you are further interested, visit Virginia Tech’s graduate school website on offered programs and its associated opportunities.
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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A GRAD STUDENT
Riley Thompson | lifestyles writer
Grad student Alyssa Kuhl walks readers through the typical day of a grad student.
Being an undergraduate student working towards a degree is an experience every Virginia Tech student knows. Everyone knows the challenge of trying to balance schoolwork, social life and spare time activities. But what about beyond those four years?
For those unaware, there are options to further one’s education by attending graduate school. Graduate school is a way to get advanced training in a certain academic discipline. Students attending grad school aim to earn a Master of Arts, Master of Science or a Ph.D. Programs usually take one to two years
for M.A.’s and M.S.’s, while Ph.D.’s can take upwards of eight years to complete. Many students choose to only focus on earning a four-year degree, so knowledge of what grad school is like at Tech is limited. Alyssa Kuhl, a first-year grad student studying communication, was able to provide some insight into what the grad school experience is like at Tech.
“I really like the grad community,” Kuhl said.“I loved the undergrad community as well, but it was just interesting because I didn’t think that there would be such a shift in
mindset and a shift in the way you view school and the way it views you.”
Life as a grad student is a very different experience from the undergraduate program, especially in terms of school itself and the community. It can be a lot harder for grad students to manage all the things they need to do to be successful, like classes, homework and personal recovery time. Plus, as one of the highest levels of education attainable, a master’s degree requires a serious workload, especially with its high-level grad classes.
“Right now, I’m taking 12 credits,” Kuhl
said. “I’m taking organizational communication, communication theory and qualitative methods and communication and then I’m also a public speaking instructor here at Virginia Tech. I teach Comm 2004.”
On top of managing all her grad school work, Kuhl also balances teaching a public speaking course to undergrad students, making her daily life even more involved.
“It’s a tough challenge, but I like it,” Kuhl said.
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Even so, Kuhl’s schedule will get even busier as her time in grad school goes on.
“I haven’t started my thesis research. So, I think when that starts, the workload is going to get even more chaotic,” Kuhl said.
Workload is one thing a grad student can lose a lot of sleep over. It can be incredibly stressful trying to manage multiple advanced classes with lots of assigned reading. Fortunately, classes get more interesting the higher students progress in their education.
“I like how the classes are specialized,” Kuhl said. “It’s more directed at your
interests and at your research and with real world applications to them helping you do research and learn things that are going to help you continue that research.”
If workload is a big concern for grad students, then boring classes certainly aren’t, especially if students are invested in what they’re studying. Plus, research opportunities are abundant in grad school, providing another great way to learn and build up a resume. Beyond just stimulating classes, grad school also has a great community of like-minded people.
“That community with those other
students that are with me has been really incredible,” Kuhl said.“Everyone relates to your workload. You really get to know your classmates better than you get to know your undergraduate classmates, because you’re in that tight-knit community.”
At Virginia Tech, students are never alone in grad school and having a community of people to fall back on and relate with at the end of the day can be extremely helpful.
From just a peek into what grad school life is like as a Hokie, it’s clear that it’s a great program and a great community
for anyone who wishes to continue their education after undergrad.
Kuhl will assist with a grad workshop for the communication department Nov. 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in room 31 in Pamplin Hall, where she and other grad students will discuss the application process and grad education. For those interested in grad school, this is a great opportunity to get a deep dive into what it is like here at Tech.
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DR. MYER’S ADVICE TO GRAD STUDENTS
Aidan Mason | lifestyles writer
Cayce Myers (Ph.D.) from the School of Communication offers tips for success to current grad students.
Graduate school is one of the many possibilities a student can take after graduating with their undergraduate degree. However, more work often comes with this advancement. It can be difficult for many jumping into the program to figure out what to do next and how it all relates to their future.
One of the best resources Virginia Tech has to offer is its staff and among their ranks is Dr. Cayce Myers, who has a treasure trove of advice to give to graduate students.
Who is Dr. Cayce Myers?
Dr. Myers is the Director of Graduate Studies and a professor in the School of Communication, and has been running the graduate school for communication for five out of his 11 years at Virginia Tech. He runs admissions for the communication certificate programs, working directly with students during their journey while chairing the admissions committee. Around 12-14 funded graduate teaching positions are under his watch as well. He also acts
as a major advisor leading them to their graduation.
“I’m bringing in students at the beginning of the year and I’m making sure students are graduating at the end of the year and in between serving as their primary advisor,” Myers said.
What do you see graduate students struggling with the most?
“I think students struggle with trying to find their path,” Myers said. A major point he notes is students figuring out what they want to do with their degree and even if they do have a plan, it can change throughout their career.
He emphasizes this isn’t something “bad,” noting it shows that graduate students are committed to a vision of how their education will benefit them in the future. In particular, he states the time in the program dwarfs the time spent in a career and how important it is to the program for grad students to succeed in their futures.
“We’re here as a program to get you where you want to be, knowing that the program is not the end in and of itself,” Myers said.
What is the best strategy to help graduate students figure out their path in life?
Myers suggests taking a broad view about a student’s life and where they want to end up in the next decade, then to work back from that goal to determine their place in the current time.
“A lot of times, if you don’t have a clearly articulated goal for the future, it makes it very difficult to make decisions,” Myers said. Myers also explains to graduates that are
overwhelmed with choosing a path that even if they change direction, their current path can still provide valuable lessons for their new direction.
How can friends support grad students?
Grad students are often under high levels of stress. Many of Virginia Tech’s students are underclassmen and it can be difficult to understand how to support them.
“I would say that you have to understand that they’re on a different schedule than you,” Myers said.
December and May are two focal points Myers urges students to keep in mind, due to the large amount of work graduates are under during those periods. He points out that grad students can often feel overwhelmed or demotivated and good listening is a major asset for any friend to be there during those tough times.
Graduate communities are also something Myers wants graduates to keep in mind. He states that he knows graduate school can be lonely due to the specificity of the studies, but that community is important and talking with other grad students can make one feel less alone. Communicating with faculty is also high on his list.
“I’ve been at other institutions as a graduate student and Virginia Tech is probably one of the most supportive graduate environments that is out there,” Myers said.
Overall, he notes that while the experience may be challenging, the end result will be worth it.
PHOTO COURTESY OF VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND HUMAN SCIENCES
Dr. Cayce Myers is the director of graduate studies and a professor in the School of Communication.
SPORTS A DEEP BREATH OF PACIFIC AIR: VIRGINIA TECH DOMINATES STANFORD 31–7
Dylan Tefft | Sports editor
Unshaken by last week’s loss to Miami, Virginia Tech cruises past Stanford.
For the first time this season, Virginia Tech players and fans had a day of anxiety-free football. And it happened 2,600 miles away from Blacksburg as the Hokies (3–3, 1–1 ACC) walloped Stanford (2–3, 1–2 ACC) in Palo Alto, 31–7.
Coming into the game, Tech had one thing was more critical than offense or defense: the ability to shut out memories of a harrowing loss last week at No. 8 Miami, highlighted by a controversial final play that saw a last-second Hokies’ Hail Mary touchdown — that was initially ruled complete — reversed by officials.
But by the time the Tech entered Stanford Stadium, not only had they shaken the frustrations of narrowly losing to a top 10 opponent, but they also hadn’t lost a single step since doing so.
“Coming off that one last week, this is a test of our character, our fortitude,” said Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry
following the game. “I thought our team really persevered.”
That fortitude paid off in the first-ever west coast ACC bout, as the Hokies totaled 337 yards and won by their largest margin this season.
Star quarterback Kyron Drones finally lived up to his billing, throwing for 201 precise yards with a pair of passing touchdowns and a ground score. The win marks the first time in almost a month that Drones didn’t throw an interception.
Wide receiver Da’Quan Felton had a don’t-count-me-out performance of his own, totaling 84 yards and a touchdown to give promising prospects of a QB-towideout connection that has disappointed so far this season.
That chemistry was on display during Felton’s 55-yard score, a crossing route that saw Drones fit a tight ball a touch behind Felton, who hauled it in and dusted
defenders up the sideline and into the end zone.
Stephen Gosnell also impressed as Tech was once again without standout wide receiver Ali Jennings. For the first touchdown of the game, Gosnell beat Cardinal cornerback Collin Wright with a double-move at the line of scrimmage, opening him up for a 9-yard score.
Defensively, the Hokies allowed Stanford — which was without starting quarterback Ashton Daniels — to march down the field more times than they would’ve liked. But as many times as Tech’s defense bent, it never broke.
Twice the Hokies stopped Stanford just as it threatened to score — first an Aeneas Peebles sack on third-and-8 at Tech’s 35-yard line, pushing the ensuing field goal try to a 53-yarder that Stanford kicker Emmet Kenney couldn’t hit.
Next Cardinals’ possession, Antwaun
Powell-Ryland forced and picked up a fumble at the Hokies’ 3-yard line, halting a drive that would have tied the game early.
Dominating a bottom-five ACC team without its starting quarterback doesn’t mean Tech is now the team of preseason discussions, but the last two weeks have been — at the very least — encouraging for the Hokies.
The Hokies will get a 13-day break before heading back to Lane Stadium for a match with Boston College on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 7:30 p.m.
GRADING THE HOKIES: VIRGINIA TECH VS. STANFORD
Robbie Ackerly | Sports staff writer
Virginia Tech passed with flying colors against the Cardinals.
The Virginia Tech Hokies (3–3) took care of business in their first Atlantic Coast Conference matchup on the west coast. Virginia Tech dominated Stanford (2–3) in this one, 31–7 being the final from the farm.
Offense Quarterbacks: A
At his weekly press conference this week, Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry expressed faith that quarterback Kyron Drones was undergoing a resurgence. If the game against Stanford was any indication, he was correct. Drones completed 73% of his passes and tossed 201 yards in Palo Alto, providing
precisely what the Hokies needed as soon as the opening drive. His biggest highlight came in the form of a third quarter 55-yard catch and run touchdown to Da’Quan Felton. Drones also punched in a 2-yard rushing touchdown, making the win his first three touchdown performance.His performance was a great sign for Virginia Tech as it prepares for the remainder of its conference bouts.
Running Backs: B
Facing the best run defense in the ACC, superstar running back Bhayshul Tuten had his work cut out for him. This contest was Tuten’s weakest performance since a Week 1 loss to Vanderbilt. However, when that
“weak” performance contains over 70 yards and a touchdown, it’s an indication of Tuten’s supreme value rather than a knock on his play. Still, Tuten’s 3.5 yards per play wasn’t entirely efficient. His touchdown came as a 7-yard score in the second quarter. An underrated facet of Tuten’s game was his pass protection, with his chip block helping give Drones enough time to fire his 55-yard downfield missile to Felton. The Hokies offense was less reliant on Tuten than is typical, but the NFL-hopeful halfback still managed a solid outing.
Receivers: B+
The Virginia Tech receiving core was above
average on a day where the game script didn’t favor it. This group’s highlight was undoubtedly Felton’s electric 55-yard catchand-run to put the Hokies up 21–0 in the third quarter. There wasn’t much to complain about from Tech’s pass catchers in a game where a sizable lead meant that the Hokies weren’t aggressive through the air. The passing attack was spread — five receivers had a catch against Stanford — with Tech still missing star wideout Ali Jennings due to injury. It was Felton’s burners that made him the leading receiver with 84 yards. Like the other offensive positions, it was a quality outing for the Tech’s
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receivers.
Offensive Line: A
The Hokies offensive line has struggled in past contests, but protected Drones and made holes for Tuten against the Cardinals. The Hokies weren’t unbelievably efficient in the run game, totaling 3.8 team yards per carry, but the Hokies’ big boys did more than enough facing a multitude of injuries. It was a well-needed good outing against a very tough Stanford front that puts this group on the right foot heading into more conference play.
Defense
Defensive Line: A+
Virginia Tech’s defensive line had a starstudded performance against Stanford,
finishing as the Hokies’ highest-graded group. The D-line accounted for four sacks and five and half tackles for loss. What makes this showing even more impressive is that superstar defensive end Antwaun PowellRyland did not have a sack or TFL, showing excellent prospects for the line’s depth. The defensive big fellas put extensive pressure on quarterback Justin Lamson and made it a chore for the Cardinals to run the ball. Saturday’s performance provided fans with shades of Bud Foster and his defensive crews.
Linebackers: A
Much like the defensive line, the Tech linebackers also showed out. Sophomore Kaleb Spencer had a career day, gathering a sack and three tackles for loss. The Hokies linebackers matched the D-Line’s five and a half TFLs.
Senior Sam Brumfield and Sophomore Caleb Woodson led in total tackles with seven and six, respectively. The linebackers helped the D-line limit the run while lending a hand to the passing defense.
Defensive Backs: A
It was a no-fly zone in Cali. The Hokies DBs limited an injured passing offense led by backup quarterback Lamson. The junior completed just over 50% of his passes, failed to throw a touchdown and tossed a late interception — Tech’s corners and safeties blanketed the Stanford defense. The Cardinals’ lone passing highlight was a 19-yard trick play touchdown as running back Micah Ford completed a touchdown pass to wideout Elic Ayomanor. Safety Mose Phillips forced a massive fumble on the 3-yard line, and not a
single Stanford receiver had over 33 yards.
Overall: A
With the Hokies holding a lead from the opening moments of the game, Pry’s philosophy of balanced football was effectively executed against Stanford. All three defensive levels dominated, and the offense finally clicked. Entering the game as seven and a half point favorites, this was the kind of performance Virginia Tech hoped for following last week’s loss to Miami. The Hokies should have their heads held high heading into a bye week.
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VIRGINIA TECH VOLLEYBALL FALLS TO UMIAMI IN THREE SETS
Lindsey Kudriavetz | sports staff writer
The formerly ranked Hurricanes swept the Hokies in the early stages of ACC play.
Virginia Tech volleyball lost to the University of Miami 3–0 on Friday, Oct. 4 at Cassell Coliseum. Despite efforts led by freshman Belle Patrick, sophomore Hailey Pearce and red-shirt junior Jasmine Robinson, the Hokies were unable to keep up with the power of the Hurricanes.
The first set began and the court was dominated by errors. The Hokies tallied most of their points from failed serves or missed hits. Patrick began to take control early in the first set, executing big kills to keep Miami on their toes.
Miami was a powerful and put-together team who took advantage of the Hokies weak points and pounded them. They put pressure on the Hokies, forcing them to make errors and slow down as they became more frustrated.
However, Robinson and Pearce were able to gather momentum with big kills, which helped the Hokies take control of the court.
However, it was not enough, as the Hurricanes continued to capitalize on errors and won the first set 25–22.
The Hokies were discouraged at the start of the second set, quickly losing energy. Despite offensive highlights from Patrick, the Hokies could not keep up with the Hurricanes’ intensity. This led to repeated errors and a large lead for Miami.
Miami was able to cleverly attack the Hokies defense; the Hurricanes had strength and confidence in every hit. The Hokies fell
behind by a measure of over 10 points, with a 0% hitting percentage throughout the set.
Towards the end of the set, Virginia Tech was able to put pressure back on Miami. Patrick capitalized on mistakes and Robinson pounded the Hurricanes with kills. This pressure late in the set forced Miami to make errors and switched the energy back to the Hokies.
Virginia Tech was able to go on an impressive 7–1 run late in the set, but it was not enough. Miami won the set with a dominant kill, winning 25–16.
As the third set began, sophomore Elizabeth Aylward began pounding Miami’s defense with spikes and two aces. However, they were able to keep up and hold the Hokies to an even score.
The Hokies came back and with energy, led by Pearce, they were able to read Miami’s mistakes. Robinson continued with big kills to make the Hurricanes uncomfortable.
Virginia Tech had trouble defensively however and struggled to receive the hard hits of Miami. Despite rallies and efforts, Virginia Tech lost the third set 25-18.
The team was led in kills by Patrick (9), Pearce (6) and Robinson (5), out of a team total of 27 kills. Junior Viktoria Wahlgren totaled 24 assists.
Defensively, Patrick led the team with four total blocks and three digs. Graduate student Leandra Mangual Duran also had an impressive day with 9 digs, which helped the
Virgnia Tech Hokies defense specialist Sierra Cates (9) recieves the ball from Miami, Oct. 10, 2024.
libero reach 1000 career digs.
The Hokies hope to come back as they play Florida State in Cassell Coliseum on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 1 p.m.
RILEY THOMPSON / COLLEGIATE TIMES