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September 28, 2021
News
PAGE 2 September 28, 2021
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Former Virginia Tech football player appears in court on second-degree murder charge The charge will go to a Montgomery County grand jury to decide if Isimemen Etute will be indicted. ELISE MCCUE news contributor
A Montgomery County judge certified on Sept. 23 a charge of second-degree murder of Blacksburg resident Jerry Paul Smith against Isimemen David Etute, suspended Virginia Tech football player. According to Detective Heather RoseSemple, the first witness, Etute and Smith had first established contact over the dating app Tinder in April 2021. Smith, who allegedly claimed to be a woman named “Angie Renee,” offered oral sex to Etute, who agreed and met up with Smith under these pretenses for the first time on April 10, 2021. It was during their second encounter on May 31, 2021, that Etute discovered Smith’s identity and allegedly killed him in his apartment on North Main Street in Blacksburg. As the courtroom stood, the families of both the defendant and victim entered and were seated on opposite sides of the aisle. The judge called upon three detectives as witnesses to share details of the encounter between Etute and Smith. Rose-Semple, who works in the crime scene processing unit of the Blacksburg Police Department, said that she was called in to check on Smith at his home by his family. When she arrived, she described “bloody footwear” tracked throughout the halls and down the stairs. Smith was found on the floor beside his bed with severe trauma to the face and head and blood splattered on the wall behind him. The second witness was Detective Mike
Czernicki, who conducted part of the investigation at the scene of the crime and attended the victim’s autopsy. Czernicki said that he was able to confirm Smith’s identity upon first seeing him because of having at least four previous encounters with him through Czernicki’s work. Detective Ryan Hite, the third witness, reiterated the facts stated by the previous two witnesses and delved into the timeline of events in more detail. The following three paragraphs are from Hite’s testimony. According to Hite, Etute and Smith met up for the first time on April 10, 2021. The two had been communicating via Tinder direct messages, Smith presenting himself as “Angie Renee’’ on his profile. On the night of April 10, Etute went to Smith’s apartment which was very dimly lit and engaged in an act of sexual nature. The following days, Etute cut off all communication with Smith, suspicious if “Angie” really was a woman. Etute then decided to meet with “Angie” once more to determine this, Hite alleged, and the two met up on the night of May 31, 2021, in Smith’s apartment. With Smith’s apartment only illuminated by one dim light, Etute used his cell phone flashlight to make his way up the stairs to Smith’s bedroom. Smith was described to be wearing a dress and a coat. Etute told “Angie” to lay over the side of the bed to feel around and determine if she was a woman. Once Etute shined his phone’s flashlight on continued on page 3
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COURTESY OF MATT GENTRY FROM THE ROANOKE TIMES Isimemen Etute stands at his preliminary hearing at Montgomery County Courthouse, Sept. 24, 2021.
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Smith’s face which revealed facial hair and his identity as a man, Etute punched Smith in the face five times and stomped on his head with his foot before leaving. Hite testified that as Etute left, he claimed to hear gurgling noises coming from Smith, who was left lying unconscious on his frontside on the floor space between his wall and bed. A knife was found sandwiched between the boxspring and mattress on the side of the bed where Smith was found. Etute wiped the blood
collegiatetimes.com off the bottom of his shoes before meeting his two friends who were waiting outside Smith’s apartment for Etute. He did not attempt to check in on Smith the next day or call 911. In the middle of Hite’s testimony, a member of Smith’s family left the courtroom, appearing agitated, and said, “That was full of s---.” Jimmy Turk, Etute’s defense attorney, stated that Etute was not aware of Smith’s death until the next day when he was called in by the police to talk. When confronted by police, Etute was compliant and even
said he knew what they wanted to talk about. Etute was emotionally distraught and started crying upon hearing the news of Smith’s death. Turk described Etute as quiet and soft-spoken. Outside the courthouse, members of Smith’s family gathered, some of whom were wearing T-shirts with Smith’s face on them and text that read “#Justice4JerryPaul.” Doris May, Smith’s aunt, claimed that Smith “wouldn’t hurt a flea” and that he was always “open about being gay.” This fact was reiterated by another one of Smith’s family members,
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Rebecca Snavely, who was appalled that Smith’s 13-year-old nephew and Smith’s brother were the first to find Smith after his death. Etute’s family exited out the back of the courthouse and declined to comment. Turk also refused to comment. The charge for second-degree murder will now go to a Montgomery County grand jury to decide if Etute will be indicted.
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COVID-19 update: In-classroom mask mandate to continue past September President Sands announced that masks are still required in the classroom until further notice.
KAVYA SUNDARAPANDIAN news writer
There has been recent deliberation within university administration on the in-classroom mask mandate and whether or not the mandate should still be required within the classroom or any indoor environment. From the start of January to Sept. 22, there have been 20,495 cases of COVID-19 and a weekly average of 97 new cases every day, according to the New River Health District COVID-19 dashboard. These high numbers have caused university administrators to look more closely into the
mask mandate. On Sept. 20, President Tim Sands announced in a letter to the community that masks will still be required to be worn in the classroom and in any close-quarter spaces. This letter was a follow-up to the announcement on Aug. 5 that declared the original plans of the indoor mask mandate for the upcoming semester. Although COVID-19 cases are decreasing campus-wide, “we must remain vigilant,” as Sands said in the letter. However, the spread of COVID-19 has decreased with the measures previously set
A Virginia Tech student holds up their mask in McComas Hall, Sept. 26, 2021.
forth by Virginia Tech. “From the first day of classes on Aug. 23 through Sept. 17, the total number of positive tests recorded by Schiffert Health Center on Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg campus was 158. This is 19 percent of the 823 cases recorded over the same period in fall 2020,” Sands said in the letter. According to the Virginia Tech COVID-19 dashboard, which is updated daily, there have only been a total of 177 positive cases among the students and staff starting from Aug. 2. Although campus life is returning
ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES
to normal for students and staff, there are still precautions to be followed on campus. COVID-19 testing is available for students who think they may have contracted or been in contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus, and as the university stated on Aug. 19, vaccines are still required for students and professors before they are allowed to return back to in-person settings, unless there is a religious or medical exemption that has been approved by the university. Kait Hosmer, a senior studying biological systems engineering, agreed with the extended mask mandate, saying that it is not doing any harm to students and instead prevents harm. “It makes sense considering you’re protecting not really ourselves but the people who couldn’t get vaccinated or those who chose not to be vaccinated from us getting breakthrough infection,” Hosmer said. Even with the mask mandate extended, Sands is still hopeful that the campus will be back to “normal” days soon since the data is showing better results. “We look forward to the day when we can relax the remaining restrictions and ease back toward a more comfortable and ‘normal’ experience on our campuses and in our communities,” Sands said. “We will continue to monitor the data and adapt to the evolving guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
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Opinions
PAGE 4 September 28, 2021
A section of Draper Road in downtown Blacksburg closed to make room for outdoor seating, Apr. 21, 2021.
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ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES
Closing off Draper Road was a success, so let’s keep the momentum going Draper Road is the perfect pedestrian area and the city of Blacksburg should have more just like it.
OVID-19 was a harsh blow to the service industry across the country and small college towns like Blacksburg were dealt one even harsher. Seemingly overnight, Virginia Tech students were returning home, and many restaurants who thrived on their indoor dining had to make do with take out only, so many of Blacksburg’s cherished restaurants were struggling. To combat these issues, Blacksburg — like many other places — chose to close off part of Draper Road to through traffic. City officials put seating outside and changed the end of Draper Road into a place for the community to gather. Now that many more students and Blacksburg residents are vaccinated and the pandemic is lifting, the space has become an outdoor gathering spot for people and a pillar of the community that Blacksburg would be wise to replicate in more places. Many cities and towns in the United
States face a fundamental problem: They are car-centric. This means that main parts of the downtown area are taken up by infrastructure used for automobiles. Even walkable places like Blacksburg’s downtown area are not immune to this. Main Street rumbles with traffic from early in the morning to late in the afternoon; meanwhile, on side streets, cars zip past pedestrians — often at unsafe speeds — which is a problem that is echoed in perhaps every other city in the country. According to the Old Urbanist, cities in America dedicate a large portion of their downtown to parking or roadways, valuable real estate that could instead be used for people, restaurants and other businesses. In an effort to combat this effect during the pandemic when vehicle traffic decreased, many cities opted to close downtown streets to traffic. They made room for outdoor dining and safe places for the community
to gather during the pandemic. Cities are discovering that these public spaces offer much more than simply a place to sit. This sentiment was echoed by Stephanie Davis, a collegiate assistant professor for the Center for Public Administration & Policy (CPAP). “I absolutely think it’s a great idea to utilize public spaces for other types of uses as opposed to vehicle traffic,” Davis said. “With the pandemic, there weren’t a lot of people, so that gave restaurants the opportunity to offer safer ways to dine. If you look at small college towns, they were hit the hardest by the pandemic because the students left. Those restaurants rely on students so any way they can encourage people to partake is ideal.” Walkability is a measure of how accessible or friendly a given area is to pedestrians. Blacksburg scores high in this regard, having a score of 88/100 on the walkability
index. Both students and regular citizens benefit from a more walkable downtown area. “It’s something that cities large and small can benefit from,” Davis said. “I hope to see that sort of thing continue. I would also like to see walkability increase in other cities.” Blacksburg should follow its own example; by closing Draper Road, Blacksburg has created a beautiful space that allows the community to gather safely. Likewise, it increases the economic activity of the small shops and cafes around the road closure. One thing can ultimately be said: cities are for people, not cars. It would be wise of Blacksburg to make more changes like this to make our town an even better place to live, work and study. MARCUS LEWIS • senior • national security & foreign affairs
Lifestyles
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September 28, 2021 PAGE 5
Food, festivals and farms: Things to do in the NRV Explore the beauty and culture of Southwest Virginia through these attractions and events.
OLIVIA FERRARE lifestyles editor
The New River Valley (NRV) is always alive and bustling, even when school is not in session. The area offers beautiful hiking trails, mountain biking, amazing food and a rich history. While Virginia Tech can sometimes seem like a “bubble” around Blacksburg, there are so many more hidden treasures if one ventures a little further beyond Interstate 81. Through every season, there is something special for everyone, but here are a few suggestions to get your adventures started. These destinations and events might just be the perfect thing to get through the next exam season or summer spent on a seemingly empty campus. The New River Valley during the fall is perfect for anyone looking to spruce up their Instagram; the leaves change colors and transform the Appalachian Mountains. Apple picking is extremely popular here, with multiple
locations in the area. Doe Creek Farm offers a stunning venue, pick-your-own apples and even wine tastings on Sundays to get everyone in the mood this fall season. The farm also has a restaurant on-site that specializes in crafted cocktails. Sinkland Farms is a popular destination for students any time of the year. In the fall, their Pumpkin Festival brings community members of all ages to pick their perfect pumpkin and enjoy tractor rides, games, axe throwing, great food and more. This year, Sinkland Farms is adding a Friday Fall Concert Series, where local artists will be performing 7-10 p.m. while guests can enjoy food trucks, a beer and a wine terrace. Just a hop, skip and a jump away is Jamisons’ Orchard in Roanoke, Virginia. The farm and store create the perfect atmosphere representing the New River Valley. Visitors can buy fresh
(when in season) apples, nectarines, vegetables, peaches and more. Their store on the grounds sells homemade apple butter, peach butter, mountain honey, hard candy, Amish country cheese and candy made right in front of your eyes. While some attractions are available all year round, there are many festivals that bring tourists and locals together to enjoy new and exciting events. These festivals also get to highlight the artistry and culture of the community while bringing in talent from across the country. During the end of July, FloydFest attracts all to hear music of all types in Patrick County, Virginia. This past year, artists like The Avett Brothers, Billy Strings and Old Crow Medicine Show played while attendees hammocked, camped and drank at the beer and wine gardens. The nine-stage setup provides entertainment for all who come. If you’re in a hungrier mood, the Blacksburg
Chocolate Festival is on the horizon. Sponsored by the Rotary Club, the Chocolate Festival is taking over downtown Blacksburg 12-4 p.m. on Oct. 17. Proceeds from the festival will go to local and international charities the Rotary Club partners with. There will also be live music from Off Our Rockers during most of the festival. No matter where you go or what you want to see, the New River Valley offers a stunning array of attractions and events to cater to every crowd. For more information on local businesses and events, check out the New River Valley website, newrivervalleyva.org.
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Our managing editors’ favorite Hokie hikes Abbigale Evans and Lexi Solomon give a comprehensive guide to hiking in the New River Valley and beyond.
ABBIGALE EVANS AND LEXI SOLOMON managing editors
As Hokies enjoy their time on campus at Virginia Tech, they shouldn’t forget about the wonders waiting for them if they choose to venture into the mountains. Several of our favorite spots are located close to Blacksburg, and if you’re willing to make the hike — pun intended — some spectacular views are waiting a few hours away as well. Before beginning your journey into the wilderness, make sure to let your roommates or close friends know where you’re going, especially if you are more experienced and tend to hike alone. Popular spots like the Appalachian Trail are generally
a safe place, but you should always take precautions to make sure your daytime hike does not turn into an unexpected overnight stay. Regardless of which hike you choose to go on, any of the ones listed below are sure to take your breath away — literally and metaphorically. And above all else, make sure to bring plenty of food and water to keep your energy up! Nearby hikes McAfee Knob, Catawba, Virginia Just a little over a half an hour’s drive from campus, McAfee Knob (often referred to as “McAfee’s Knob”) is featured on the Hokie Bucket List as a must-do before you graduate — and for good reason! This hike features a beautiful panoramic
view of the Catawba Valley and is one of the most popular spots on the Appalachian Trail. Hikers can opt to take the less steep (but still heart-pounding) fire road or the traditional white-blazed Appalachian Trail route, which features plenty of stairs to get your blood pumping. According to the Roanoke Outside Foundation, the hike is about 7.5 miles round trip, but most hikers agree that the pain is well worth the gain — McAfee Knob is the “most photographed site” on the Appalachian Trail. Though it’s always good to bring more water than you think you’ll need, having had our own bouts with dehydration on this trail, we recommend investing in a water bladder that can carry two or three times as much water as you usually drink, as McAfee
Knob does not offer access to any natural water sources. Get an early start, too — this hike takes at least four hours, not including time spent taking pictures and enjoying a relaxing lunch at the top. And be mindful of the infamous knob — many hikers have injured themselves, some fatally, after getting too close to the edge. Want to really challenge yourself for an epic payoff? Grab a flashlight and start well before dawn so you can see the sunrise at the summit! Dragon’s Tooth, Catawba, Virginia Located not far from McAfee Knob, Dragon’s Tooth is surely not for the faint of heart. Although it may seem like a mere continued on page 6
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4.5-mile out-and-back trail, the last three-fourths of a mile brings hikers up rocky ascents to a massive boulder jutting out from the top of the mountain. This rock is a perfect spot to sit and relax in the sunshine after the strenuous hike. Dragon’s Tooth is ideal for sunrise and sunset hikes with a 360-degree view from the peak. Hikers can watch the sun paint the sky behind the Blue Ridge Mountains in fiery hues of auburn and amber. Sometimes hikers will find themselves perched atop the clouds at this lofty peak. The views along this climb may as well be from a dragon’s back with a 1,400-foot elevation gain throughout the hike. There are several small streams along the trek up to the top where hikers can dip their feet in and cool off. This hike will take just under four hours. It is also connected to McAfee Knob, and is located on the Triple Crown Loop, a 38.8-mile backpacking trail that features McAfee Knob, Dragon’s Tooth and Tinker Cliffs. Tinker Cliffs, Catawba, Virginia Located four miles from McAfee Knob on the Triple Crown Loop, Tinker Cliffs is a 7-mile out-and-back hike. While this hike is a little longer than the other two hikes on the Triple Crown, it does not disappoint! The summit is actually visible from McAfee Knob as a bleached white strip of rocks crowning the top of the mountain. Hikers can walk along this ledge and enjoy views every step of the way; it just takes a little effort to get there. First, hikers pass over a burbling brook on a wooden bridge leading into an open pasture. If hikers look up, they will see the summit ahead of them that they’ll soon climb. This hike also passes through private property owned by Roanoke Cement Company, which hikers can hear in the distance as they walk. Further along the trail, hikers will encounter a long set of wooden stairs molded into the dirt — so make sure your thighs are ready for a workout! Huckleberry Trail The Huckleberry Trail is a pleasant option for those who want a leisurely stroll or a beautiful bike ride. This 15-mile trail is easily accessible from campus. If students continue walking past the Duck Pond and past the Corps of Cadets’ obstacle course, they will be met with a scenic stretch of the paved trail that extends by the local farms on campus. Horses and cows are usually grazing in the pastures — but don’t touch the electric fence! The trail passes below Route 460 and winds all the way to
collegiatetimes.com Walmart in Christiansburg. Most of the trail overlooks the mountains surrounding Blacksburg and is a relaxing place to go to watch sunsets and escape the daily humdrum of classes. Cascades This is one of the most popular hikes for Hokies! This hike is 3.8 miles long and winds along a mossy river. The hike ends at a 66-foot tall waterfall with a pool at the base deep enough to cool off in. The refreshing mountain water will revive you after this moderate trek. The whimsical hike features several wooden bridges crossing the river as well as a wooden deck to view the waterfall. Be careful on the slippery rocks; a twisted ankle does not bode well for students trying to make it to class on time! Even if you don’t choose to swim in the water, the spray from the falls can be just as cooling. In the winter, sometimes the waterfall freezes and forms massive icicles along the cliff face, making for a spectacular view — but in any season, the Cascades is sure to get your love for nature flowing. Stiles Falls, Shawsville, Virginia A relatively short 3.2-mile hike, this is a pleasant forest trek that culminates in a gorgeous waterfall. You’ll encounter a winding river with multiple required crossings throughout, so either bring an extra pair of shoes or hiking shoes that can handle a soak — we also recommend a hiking stick to help you keep your balance. Be mindful that this hike is located on the Alta Mons summer camp property of a local Methodist church, so you must sign in when you arrive and depart before sunset; due to camps, the hike won’t be accessible during the summer. This is a good hike for those who want practice with river crossings or who want waterfall views without a steep ascent. Bald Knob, Newport, Virginia Located near the Mountain Lake Lodge property where “Dirty Dancing” was filmed, this short but steep hike is just under a mile long. While a 0.8 mile trail might seem like a breeze, don’t be deceived — with a little over 400 feet of elevation gain in such a short time, your heart will be racing by the time you get to the summit! The bravest Hokies might even opt to take graduation photos at the top. This is a great pick for a quick after-class hike, though you’ll definitely want to get in a shower afterwards. Falls Ridge Preserve, Elliston, Virginia Another classic waterfall hike, Falls
Ridge Preserve features an 80-foot waterfall and some cool cavern-like formations to explore. The waterfall is very close to the parking lot, so it’s not a long trek to see the star of the show — however, those interested in some lovely forest views can wander the Chamberlain Trail, which takes hikers through the woods for just under three miles. The parking lot for the preserve is very small and requires driving over a tiny bridge to get there, so don’t bring your biggest car and be mindful of the time and day you’re visiting. If you don’t mind a bit of a drive Buffalo Mountain, Willis, Virginia A little over an hour’s drive from campus, Buffalo Mountain offers unparalleled views at the summit and the opportunity to explore a unique spot where 15 rare plants can be found. At the panoramic summit of this 2.2-mile hike, find a comfortable rock to perch on and enjoy your lunch from 3,971 feet in the sky. We particularly recommend this hike in the fall for awesome views of the fall foliage. New River Gorge National Park, Glen Jean, West Virginia America’s newest national park, the spectacular sights at the New River Gorge should feature on every Hokie’s bucket list. Not only does the over 70,000-acre park offer amazing views of the gorge, but it also features the New River Gorge Bridge, described by the National Park Service as the “longest steel span (bridge) in the western hemisphere.” The hikes are, of course, incredible — we recommend the Endless Wall Trail for easy access to gorgeous overlooks and the Kaymoor Trail for a strenuous exploration of the abandoned ruins of the coal mine once located at Kaymoor. However, if you’d also like to try your hand at other types of outdoor adventures, the whitewater rafting and rock climbing opportunities in the park
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are world-class. The park is about an hour and a half’s drive from campus, but we recommend leaving early so you have plenty of time to explore. Linville Falls, near Boone, North Carolina A perfect destination for a long weekend or spring break trip, this stunning waterfall is located near many of North Carolina’s premier hiking destinations. According to Visit North Carolina, Linville Falls is “the most popular waterfall in the Blue Ridge Mountains” thanks to its proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the views certainly don’t hurt, either. There are multiple trails to choose from, ranging from the moderate one-mile Plunge Basin Trail to the easy 1.6-mile Falls Trail — and if none of these satisfy, exciting destinations like Grandfather Mountain, Hawksbill Mountain and the scenic fellow college town of Boone are all in close proximity. Keep in mind that the drive to Linville Falls is a little under three and a half hours from campus, so we recommend only attempting this hike on weekends or breaks. Grayson Highlands State Park, Mouth of Wilson, Virginia Roughly two hours from campus, Grayson Highlands State Park offers perhaps the easiest attention-grabber to prospective hikers of all ages — wild ponies! The park has all sorts of trails to choose from, but for a winter wonderland experience, we recommend going in the winter after a decent snowfall (with the proper gear, of course) and snapping photos of the ponies trudging through the snow. The view is incredible in all seasons, of course — just remember to keep 50 feet of distance from the ponies at all times, since they are wild! @CollegiateTimes
ABBIGALE EVANS / COLLEGIATE TIMES Cascade Falls located in Pembroke, Virginia, Sept. 26, 2021.
Sports
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September 28, 2021 PAGE 7
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VIRGINIA TECH PULLS OUT WIN AGAINST RICHMOND Despite the slow day on offense, the Hokies went home with the win.
DEVIN SHEPARD sports editor
In a game in which the Hokies were supposed to win handily, the Virginia Tech offense struggled to show up against the Richmond Spiders this Saturday. With a Vegas spread of 29 points in favor of the Hokies, and an over/under of 50, the Hokies were expected to put up about 40 points. Instead, the offense struggled throughout the day, only putting up 14 points themselves (the other points coming on a punt return touchdown) and 318 yards of total offense. Fortunately for Virginia Tech, the defense showed up in a big way as it has all season, holding Richmond to only 10 points and 77 passing yards, with Richmond starting quarterback Joe Mancuso getting injured in the first quarter. The Hokies’ stoppers continue to prove they are a strong unit, and their
continued success will prove key to team success, especially if the offense continues to struggle. The scoring unit didn’t look bad on the first drive, driving down the field quickly with a 5 play 65 yard touchdown drive, finished off by an unbelievable touchdown grab by wide receiver Tré Turner in the back of the end zone. After that, neither offense did much throughout the game, with the Spiders punting 9 times and going 3 for 14 on third down and the Hokies punting 6 times and going 6 for 13 on third. Three different quarterbacks saw action in the game for Virginia Tech. Starter Braxton Burmeister had a pedestrian game, completing 17 of 27 passes for 212 yards and a touchdown; he also carried the ball 11 times for 35 yards. The redshirt junior continues to show an ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs, but his lack of
consistency has kept the offense from taking the next step all season. Redshirt freshman Knox Kadum saw action on one drive in the second quarter, set up inside his own 10-yard line. Kadum’s time in the game was short lived, though, as he threw an interception on his first passing attempt. Junior quarterback Connor Blumrick found his way onto the field in the third quarter in a red zone situation. The Texas A&M transfer showed his chops as a rusher, carrying the ball three times for four yards, running one in for a touchdown on a quarterback draw play. Besides the Hokies’ defense, the bright spot of the game was the continued success of the Hokies’ offensive weapons, specifically receivers Turner and Tayvion Robinson, despite Burmeister’s inconsistency. “Big Play” Tré Turner finished the game with six catches for 102 yards, including two spectacular catches in the matchup, one of them
for a touchdown. Slot receiver Robinson was also impressive, catching six passes for 76 yards, and returning a punt for a touchdown. Virginia Tech has a bye this week before they will face off against an extremely tough opponent in No. 12 Notre Dame next week. The Hokies will have to figure something out on offense before they take on a Fighting Irish team that boasts one of the best defenses in the country. The game is scheduled to take place in Lane Stadium on Oct. 9.
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GRADING THE HOKIES: VIRGINIA TECH VS. RICHMOND
Braxton Burmeister was left to do a lot of the work himself and was not able to make big plays on the spot. ANANYA KANUPARTHY AND THOMAS BRAY sports staff writers
Offense Quarterbacks: C The Virginia Tech Hokies were able to pull through with a win against the Richmond Spiders the week after their 21–27 loss to the West Virginia Mountaineers. Braxton Burmeister seemed like he was setting the Hokies up for a good start with the confident, opening drive touchdown. That soon went downhill, seeing as the next two scores were made off of a punt return and Connor Blumrick as QB much later in the game.
With 212 passing yards and a touchdown within the first three minutes, Burmeister proved he could bring the team back from the hard loss the previous week in Morgantown, West Virginia. Being second in rushing yards, it was evident that Burmeister was more focused on running downfield than finding open players to throw to. Some plays were exceptional — long passes, clean throws and fast scoring drives — but most were merely mediocre. Burmeister was able to prove that he could bring victory in Blacksburg, but there is definitely room for improvement. Running Backs: CThe running backs did not have much opportunity during this game, with the offensive line unable to create openings for
them to run through. Raheem Blackshear was third in regards to rushing, with 28 yards and seven carries. In order for this position to shine this season, the offensive line will have to up its game to ensure that there are ways for players like Jalen Holston and Blackshear to get through the rigid defenses of the opposing teams. Wide Receivers & Tight Ends: B Tré Turner lit up Lane Stadium with the first touchdown catch of the game. With 102 receiving yards, six receptions and one touchdown, Turner was key in giving the Hokies an early lead against the Spiders. As the leading receiver for this matchup, Turner made it very clear he is only getting better with each game. Tayvion Robinson returned for 60 yards
and scored a touchdown, bringing the score up to a 14–7 lead towards the end of the first half. This ultimately set the Hokies up for a win, with Richmond unable to match the score. Offensive Line: C Burmeister was forced to run several plays because the offensive line could not block the Spiders’ defense. Running backs were unable to spot holes to run through, leading to a game highly reliant on the quarterback running, making very risky throws, and small rushes. The line was not at its best, most easily proven when it forced Burmeister to constantly think on the top of his head and make sudden throws or run downfield.
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Defense Defensive Line: BWhile the defensive line’s impact does not necessarily appear on the box score, the Hokies’ front four controlled the line of scrimmage, limiting the opportunities for Richmond’s playmakers to get out in open space. In the second half, however, the Hokie defensive front struggled to create penetration at times, leading to a string of unfavorable runs from the Spiders. Linebackers: A Dax Hollifield continued his strong start to the season against Richmond, finishing with eight tackles and one sack. Redshirt sophomore Keshon Artis also contributed to the pass-rush, finishing with a sack. Overall, the Virginia Tech linebacking core held Richmond’s rushing tandem in check, limiting running backs Savon Smith and Aaron Dykes to a combined 126 yards from scrimmage. Defensive Backs: A+ The Hokie secondary never missed a beat on Saturday. After not allowing a single third down conversion in the first half, the disciplined defensive backs continued to neutralize Richmond’s receiving core, only surrendering 77 receiving yards.
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ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES
VIRGINIA TECH FINISHES GAME 2–2 AGAINST UNC Women’s soccer blows a late two-goal lead, but manages a draw against No. 4 UNC.
RIDGE WILSON sports staff writer
The Virginia Tech women’s soccer team (7–2–1, 1–0–1 ACC) lost a 2–0 lead in a span of five minutes late in regulation, but managed a 2–2 draw against No. 4 North Carolina (7–1–1, 0–1–1 ACC) in double overtime, earning a meaningful point against one of the top teams in the country. Tori Powell’s fourth goal of the season in the 31st minute gave the Hokies a 1–0 lead at halftime. Forward Nicole Kozlova netted her sixth goal of the season in the 80th minute, giving Virginia Tech a 2–0 lead and a shot at a major upset. However, in the 82nd minute UNC player Avery Patterson scored, and then Emily Colton put one in in the 85th,
quickly erasing the two-goal deficit to force overtime. On a night where the Hokies were outshot 32–10 and 16–5 on goal, standout goalie Alia Skinner came up with 14 saves, including multiple ones late into the second overtime. This marked the Hokies’ first point against a top-five team since 2015, as well as the third time that the Hokies have ever recorded a point against the Tar Heels. The schedule does not get any easier for the Hokies any time soon, as No. 2 Duke travels to Blacksburg on Sunday night for a critical ACC showdown. @CTSportsTalk
ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES Virginia Tech women’s soccer versus UNC, Sept. 26, 2021.