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continued on page 3 Crawford said. “And I just remember her saying she didn’t care because then she would have lived life to the fullest.”
Editorials are written by the Collegiate Times editorial board, which is composed of the opinions editors, editor in chief and managing
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GIOVANNI ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
“I would like to sincerely apologize to ODU and Hokie Nation for my actions after last night’s game,” said Blumrick. “Following an emotional loss, in trying to get to the locker room safely, there was an incident including contact between myself and a fan, that I regret. This is not an accurate reflection of my character, and I am truly sorry to those I have let down including my coaches, teammates, andThefans.”game was marked by several other incidents, as the second half was delayed 20 minutes due to the assistant coaches becoming stuck in an elevator, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Items were also stolen from the Virginia Tech team locker room, as reported by the Virginian-Pilot. “The Virginia Tech athletic department confirmed there were items missing from the Virginia Tech locker room following the football game against Old Dominion in Norfolk Friday night,” read the statement. “The university is working with law enforcement and Old Dominion University on the matter, and will have no further comment.”
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Virginia Tech has yet to comment on any action taken in regards to Blumrick. Looking ahead, the team will face the Boston College Eagles Sept. 10 at Lane Stadium.
VICTORIA WEBER | NEWS EDITOR JANE PARK | ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
On Aug. 31, VTx reported that English Professor Nikki Giovanni is retiring after 35 years.Giovanni is a renowned poet and writer, having published numerous works focusing on social issues, such as race and gender.
The encounter occurred just after the second loss in four years to ODU.
Giovanni leaves behind a prolific, 35-year career at Virginia Tech.
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VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL PLAYER APOLOGIZES FOR HITTING ODU FAN AFTER GAME LOSS
Momiji
Giovanni’s career as a poet began during the Black Arts Movement when in 1968, she published her first poetry collection, “Black Feeling Black Talk.” The New York Times nick named her the “Princess of Black Poetry” the following year. Her work advocated for Black solidarity and revolutionary action. According to Giovanni’s Curriculum Vitae, she first arrived at Virginia Tech as a Commonwealth Visiting Professor in 1987 before becoming an English professor two years later. She was eventually given the title of Distinguished University Professor in 1999. Lillie Crawford, a senior majoring in inter national relations, took Giovanni’s “Fiction for Young People” last spring. She recalled Giovanni’s humorous personality and her tendency to tell stories in class. “There was one story she told us about how she wanted to go to Mars, and she was talking to somebody about hypothetically going to space, and they’re like ‘oh, you can’t go to space because of your age (and) your health; it would incredibly detrimental to your health,’”
cartoons do not reflect the views of the Collegiate Times.
DISTINGUISHED UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR NIKKI
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Virginia Tech tight-end Connor Blumrick apologized on Twitter for hitting an ODU fan after a 20–17 Followingloss.atumultuous game, ESPN cameras showed the football player hitting the fan while heading for the locker room.
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One of Giovanni’s highlighted moments at the university came the day after the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting. According to The Virginian-Pilot, then-President Charles Steger asked Giovanni to recite a poem at the memorial convocation in Cassell Coliseum. Former US President George Bush was in attendance.Giovanni’s televised chant-poem received a standing ovation from the crowd.
CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT FEEL GUILTY FOR PURCHASING THE NEW HARRY POTTER GAME
“Hogwarts Legacy”: the game people want and now feel shame for wanting. “Hogwarts Legacy”, despite the controversy revolving around J.K. Rowling, is still one of the hottest and most anticipated games this year. This game will be a love piece to the rich world Rowling has made, one that long-time Harry Potter fans have been angstily waiting for. However, as its release date of Feb. 10, 2023 comes closer, the hot issue of whether or not one should buy it becomes increasingly pressing to fans and gamers.Rowling’s thoughts on the transgender community have spread far and wide since her beliefs came to light. To no one’s surprise, this has also twisted the perception of her previous work as well. Despite coming out about her anti-trans views in summer of 2020, Harry Potter has become synonymous with that same belief, even though the last of her books had been released in 2007 and the movies in 2011.
September 7, 2022 PAGE 3editor@collegiatetimes.com collegiatetimes.com
@COLLEGIATETIMES continued from page 2
However, it is not enough to simply accept that art can be appreciated detached from the creator. It is a pivotal time in history for the US social justice system and marginalized LGBTQ+ communities. Many see cancel culture as the newest form of boycotting, a tried and true method of bringing about social change as seen during the civil rights movement. However, this has been contested by various groups and individuals including President Barack Obama in a New York Times Article. Simply punishing an artist or creator for having arguably morally reprehensible beliefs accomplishes little. As hopefully ethical consumers, it is important to understand how consumption of specified art will affect marginalized communities. This is especially true if the individual cares deeply for the issue being addressed. Josie O’Brien, president of the Ethics Bowl at Virginia Tech, addresses the dilemma facing consumers trying to be ethical. “Appreciate the art while knowing the context in which it was created,” O’Brien said. O’Brien also emphasized the importance of measuring the real world impacts consuming products will have on the communities or issues in question.Forprospective players of the new Hogwarts game, there is not much to worry about in terms of damage done to the LGBTQ+ community rest assured. Rowling’s charitable contributions are mainly found in disease research, which she has helped fund
LIAM COGHLAN | OPINIONS CONTRIBUTOR J.K Rowling and cancel culture pose a problem for consumers of “Hogwarts Legacy”.
OPINIONS
CNN reported that Giovanni was one of the first people on campus to raise awareness about the shooter, Seung-Hui Cho, a year and a half prior. When first hearing the news of the shooting, Giovanni immediately suspected Cho to be the perpetrator. According to the article, Cho was Giovanni’s student in the fall of 2005. However, Lucinda Roy, then head of the English department, removed him from the class at Giovanni’s behest. Cho’s disturbing poetry and behavior prompted students to stop attending class. As a result, Giovanni urged Roy to take action, otherwise she would resign from her position altogether.Crawford noted Giovanni’s devotion to students and her value at Virginia Tech. “Virginia Tech is mainly a science school; having somebody who is so committed to the arts and to literature teaching here is an incredible asset,” Crawford said. “She cares so deeply about students, to the student body and student well being.” During her interview with VTx, Giovanni said she will miss speaking with Virginia Tech students. One of her goals throughout her time was to help students learn to dig deeper. “I want my students to not accept what they are hearing, but to look and say ‘what kind of sense does this make?’ and ‘what is going to be the end result?’” Giovanni said.
James Kiscaden, a senior majoring in creative technologies working in 3D animation, shares his opinion as an artist. “With a lot of artistic practices there are design elements that go into them,” Kiscaden said. “You can look at the elements objectively and find value in them.”
If Harry Potter IP (intellectual property) has now become synonymous with Rowling’s anti-trans rhetoric, does consuming Harry Potter IP now make consumers sympathize with Rowling’s anti-trans rhetoric as well? Even though Harry Potter lore and content does not come from a place of hate, does consuming it associate people with hate speech? Books, movies, video games and everything in between are all in the entertainment industry and are arguably undeniably art. They are the product of an artist’s imagination being told to the world in ways the public can find aesthetic value in them. A dilemma then emerges: can one value the aesthetics of art separately from the values of the creator? The short answer is yes. It is undeniable that morally reprehensible people can make great pieces of art as an ED Times article illus trates. Among the list of people in the article are William Golding (author of Lord of the Flies), Roald Dahl (author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), and Bob Kane (co-creator of Batman) — all of whom still have IPs being produced and consumed to this day. “The Batman” was the highest-grossing movie worldwide the year it came out earning 752 million dollars, according to a Forbes article. That does not mean that the millions of movie goers condone Kane’s ruthless treatment of his partner, Batman co-creator Bill Finger. This also relates to Dahl’s 21st century adaptations despite controversy surrounding accusations of his anti-semitic, racist and misogynistic views.
continued on page 4 COURTESY OF VTX
Hokie Effect on Sept. 22 vs. West Virginia: Hokie Effect splits the stadium in half maroon and half orange. Similar to the Orange Effect Game, cropped T-shirts or orange tops can be layered over bodysuits, or bringing an orange Virginia Tech sweatshirt can help combat the incoming chill that late September ushers in.
Another popular trend in the later fall season is bringing back cropped t-shirts and tank tops and layering them over fitted, long-sleeved bodysuits. A simple black or white bodysuit, like the ribbed black bodysuit from A New Day at Target, can be an easy addition to an outfit that looks sleek but can still highlight cute t-shirts or crop tops over it.
PAGE 4 September 7, 2022 editor@collegiatetimes.comcollegiatetimes.com
Maroon Effect on Oct. 15 vs. Miami: Everyone is in maroon, and it will be signifi cantly colder than the September games. Plan on bringing a fleece or styling a maroon jacket with an orange or white tank top or bodysuit underneath. The Forever 21 Corduroy High-Low Shacket is a cheap but trendy @COLLEGIATETIMES substantially. Moreover, she has been found to have supported the UK Labour party which actively supports the LGBTQ+ community. However, as an artist, Kriscaden is befuddled by Rowling’s tweets on trans women.
“As an artist, I am trying to establish emotional connections to people,” Kriscaden said. “When they find out that I am intolerant of continued from page 3 a demographic, it is no surprise that they would stop establishing an emotional connection with myFromwork.”this point, Rowling’s tweets are contra dictory to what artists should believe and do. People who are disenfranchised with Harry Potter IP have every reason to be as such. But for those still conflicted on playing the new Hogwarts game — purchasing the game will not make you a bad person, just as the artists working on this game are not bad people who do not share the same views as Rowling. In fact the team at Avalanche and Warner Bros. studios claim that “Hogwarts Legacy” will have trans-inclusive character creation after devel opers left distraught due to Rowling’s anti-trans tweets. Moreover, your decision on whether or not to buy the game should not hinge on social pressure. Your decision should simply come down to how much enjoyment you think you will get out of this game. For those who provoke a toxic cancel culture, there are better ways to advocate for a cause than hate.
Highlight your personal style and love for the Hokies with these outfit tips and tricks. Shopping for game day outfits can be as daunting as studying for an exam. Blacksburg weather changes constantly and often without warning, and the colder months in Lane Stadium have wreaked havoc on many a care fully planned outfit. Outfits must stand against the travel to the stadium, the long hike up to those far-up rows, and the constant jumping and screaming that comes with following along with Virginia Tech football. Even though we are below the MasonDixon line, the game day fashion trends we see tailgating are not as formal as Southeastern Conference schools like Alabama or Ole Miss. TikTok has shown us trends like #bamarushtok, where potential new members of sororities show off their outfits for the different stages of recruitment, and how dressy game days farther south can be in comparison to Blacksburg. Jeans, boots, sweatshirts and T-shirts are welcome and encouraged to weather a long day of jumping in Lane Stadium. While dressing up and putting your best foot forward are always good ideas, sometimes the best times come after throwing on an orange T-shirt and your favorite pair of ripped jeans and running out the door. Follow along for a guide to leveling up your next game day look. Colder Weather Tips Cropped sweaters by Knitlo, especially the maroon style with “Gokies” on it, took Center Street by storm last year. The company is continuing to release new pieces that are perfect for looking stylish yet comfortable during the coldest of games.
LIFESTYLES
Oversized flannels, like the microfleece Aeropostale flannel, are a quick accessory that can be styled in so many different ways.
One of the best Hokie football traditions is the color Effect Games, a way for every fan to unite under one color and intimidate the competition. There are four games that are “themed” for fans to wear a specific color. One of the best ways to fit in with the crowd is to purchase the Hokie Effect shirts, as they can be reworn year after year. However, these are also opportunities to coordinate and fully embrace wearing one color or a day to save your favorite top to match friends. Knowing when the games are in advance will make the planning process easier, so here are some ideas for each game.
Aeropostale, L.L. Bean and Wrangler all carry maroon flannels that will keep you comfortable even at the top of the stands in November. Especially if they are maroon or orange, they can be thrown over a t-shirt or bodysuit to add some more color and warmth.
STYLIN’ IN LANE STADIUM: YOUR GAME DAY OUTFIT GUIDE
Dressing for Effect Games
Hokie fans show off their “Orange Effect” shirts, Lane Stadium, Sep. 14, 2019. continued on page 5
TROY CLARK / COLLEGIATE TIMES
OLIVIA FERRARE | LIFESTYLES EDITOR
Orange Effect on Sept. 10 vs. Boston College: Pull out that classic orange top you’ve been waiting to wear on game days! Pair with a white tennis skirt or your favorite pair of jean shorts.White Effect on Sept.17 vs. Wofford College: This game is also a Military Appreciation Game. White Effect presents a perfect opportunity to take a classic, basic white T-shirt and dress it up with Hokie-themed accessories or a fun pair of orange pants (like the Collusion 90s baggy jeans in neon orange from ASOS).
Besides my go-to hype music for Virginia Tech games which consist of songs geared towards victory and are perfect for parties;
Luckily, the Collegiate Times editorial team has your back. Listen to our broad range of song recommendations that are sure to give you a boost of school spirit. Also, these songs can be found on the Collegiate Times Spotify profile, so be sure to check us out to listen to these quality tunes! Momiji Barlow, editor-in-chief I’m not picky when it comes to my music — anything with a good beat makes me want to drop what I’m doing and start dancing. Game days are no exception, and my friends and I love to blast music while we don our orange and maroon. I do need a little bit of build-up before I can listen to more “hype” music, so I like to start the night with some groovier tunes before I move onto the pop and EDM that gets my blood pumping before the trek over to Lane.
- Manic by Wage War - No Sleep Tonight by Shinedown - PYRO by Shinedown - Trouble’s Coming by Royal Blood Olivia Nelson, opinions section editor
While my music taste typically gravitates towards alternative and indie, on game days, I’ll be blasting a mix of pop, rock and rap to get pumped up. Especially for those early morning and late night games during the season, these songs will be your caffeine equivalent.
While my all-time favorite genre of music is R&B, I actually find myself listening to other genres before game-day. Desperately in need of energy before game time, rap, Latin and throwback music from the early 2000s always seems to get the job done. Whether you’re in need of the same or just need to get into the competitive game-day mindset, these songs are sure to get your blood pumping before battling your way into the student section of Lane Stadium.
- September by Earth, Wind & Fire - Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) by ABBA - Lush Life by Zara Larsson - Runaway (U & I) by Galantis - Hotel Room Service by Pitbull Colleen Henneberry, managing editor People say this a lot, but my music taste is truly all over the place. My playlist is filled with songs from the Beatles, The Doors, Rex Orange County and even random songs from Ariana Grande mixed in with the bunch. When it comes to game day, though, I can assure you that I listen to some of the most reliable hype up songs that are guar anteed to make you start jumping — even before you enter Lane Studium.
Our staff crafted a playlist that will get you in the mood for game day, no matter your favorite music genre.
Collegiate times editorial staff
- Flashing Lights by Kanye West - Hey Ya! by Outkast - Fire Burning by Sean Kingston - DÁKITI by Bad Bunny and Jhay Cortez Emily Burch, copy editor
@COLLEGIATETIMES
- Work Hard, Play Hard by Wiz Khalifa - Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses - Ball If I Want To by DaBaby - Born in the U.S.A by Bruce Springsteen - POWER by Kanye West - Tongue Tied by Grouplove Andrew Rodgers, photo editor Andrew’s favorite genre of music is rap, so it is only fitting that his pre-game hype songs include artists like 21 Savage and Quavo.-Runnin by 21 Savage and Metro Boomin - Hotel Lobby (Unc & Phew) by Quavo and Takeoff - EA (feat. 21 Savage) by Young Nudy and 21 Savage Margaret Allocca, sports section editor
Getting ready for a classic Hokie football game is a process, needless to say. There’s the process of matching your outfit to the school colors, coordinating where to sit with friends, and the most important — what music you’re listening to before the game.
My two most commonly played genres of music would be a blend of rap, hip hop, R&B and house and EDM music. When I find myself getting ready for a football game, these two satisfy my musical cravings. My favorite thing to do is dance, so anything with a good tempo and beat can make me happy, but these songs especially will get me excited for a game.
THE CT STAFF’S FAVORITE GAME DAY SONGS
I enjoy listening to heavier music prior to kickoff. To get the energy going some of my favorites are:
September 7, 2022 PAGE 5editor@collegiatetimes.com collegiatetimes.com
example that can be worn outside of game day, too. Shoes Shoes can make or break the entire day. I’ve spent many game days wincing in pain walking out of the stands. The two things to consider when buying your classic tailgate shoes are comfort and cost. At the end of the season, the shoes will probably be caked in mud and have footprint marks from getting stomped on. Buying a cheap but comfortable pair of sneakers or boots that can stand up to hours of walking and standing is key. Target’s Mad Love Fran black-and-white platform sneaker is modeled after Converse sneakers but at a fraction of the price. At the end of football season, I end up tossing out my shoes or spending hours hand washing them, so investing in a cheap but comfortable pair of shoes that fit your personal style will be a necessity before the first home game. Accessories The finishing touches to your next tail gate-ready outfit are themed accessories. Adding your own personal style can elevate your confidence in the outfit and look amazing on your Instagram feed. Jewelry can bring together any look no matter the weather. The maroon and orange lightning bolt earring stack set by Stacked by Susie can be customized and pairs perfectly with many styles throughout the season. The shop also has a variety of necklaces and bracelets in all colors to pair with the earrings. Sunglasses can be a functional fashion choice or just a fun one. A classic pair of orange sunglasses add a touch of spirit to any outfit and make any picture you take pop. Chunky Basic Burnt Orange sunglasses by Urban Outfitters are cheap and perfect for taking pictures with your friends in the stands. Vintage Aviator Frame Orange Glasses from Amazon are a different style but still highlight the face and bring in a pop of orange. No matter what you wear to see the Hokies play in Lane Stadium, make sure it has some maroon and orange in it. Use these Saturdays in Blacksburg to express yourself and your love for Virginia Tech. Go Hokies! continued from page 4 continued on page 6
- Afraid To Feel by LF SYSTEM - I Follow Rivers (The Magician remix) by Lykee Li and The Magician - This Girl (Kungs Vs. Cookin’ On 3 Burners) by Kungs and Cookin’ On 3 Burners - Sin by Young Thug and Jaden Smith - Need It by Migos and YoungBoy Never Broke Again - Remember by Pop Smoke and Nigo Amber Williams, sports section editor
SPORTS EDITOR
AMBER WILLIAMS |
The optimism of a successful debut of the new Pry era was quickly dashed as the Hokies began making serious errors, consisting most notably of Wells throwing interceptions.Aplaywith three missed tackles and another featuring a miscalculated throw by Wells eventually transpired to ODU having the opportunity for a field goal, which Ethan Sanchez scored. With the game sitting at 7–3 early in the second quarter, the tension was thick in S.B. Ballard Stadium. The momentum of the game was already leaning towards the Monarchs following the Hokies seemingly uncalculated performance, but the energy completely shifted in favor of ODU when they scored their first touchdown of the game.Abad snap from Hokies long snapper on a field goal attempt resulted in the ball rolling on the ground and being kicked further towards ODU’s scoring territory.
In an unprecedented turn of events, to open scoring in the third quarter. Williams Ross tied the game 10–10 on a field goal. Keshawn King put the Hokies up for the second time of the night off a six-yard touchdown pass from Wells, moving the score to King’s17–10.performance on the field was the only shining light of the night for the Hokies.
PAGE 6 September 7, 2022 editor@collegiatetimes.com SPORTS
Girl (Shake It For Me) by Luke Bryan - Summer of ‘69 by Bryan Adams - Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond - Arkansas by Chris Stapleton Emanda Seifu, lifestyles assistant editor
My favorite genre of music would have to be pop, but I love listening to a mix of rap, pop and R&B to get ready for the thrill of game day.
- Can’t Hold Us by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis - Eye of the Tiger by Survivor - Time of Our Lives by Pitbull and Ne-Yo Nanami Nishimoto, assistant design editor
FALL 20-17 TO ODU IN DEJA VU SHOWING IN NORFOLK
The ball was picked up by Robert Kennedy on the 25-yard line and carried into the end zone to put ODU up 10–7.
“He played fantastic,” said Grant Wells on King. “He showed how hard he is to tackle. He’s hard to beat.” With six minutes left on the clock, Jalen Stroman hit the Monarch’s quarterback, Hayden Wolff, causing him to lose the ball.
HOKIES
@COLLEGIATETIMES
VT football loses a heartbreaker to Old Dominion.
continued on page 7
ALEX NAGELI / COLLEGIATE TIMES
continued from page 5 My favorite genres are K-pop, 2013 pop, and throwback rock music. If you want to listen to different genres at once before a football game, here are my recommendations:-FearbySEVENTEEN-StillIntoYoubyParamore-WalkThisWay(feat.Aerosmith) by Run D.M.C. - Never Walk Away by Journey And finally, we can’t forget to include the classic, must-have song on your pre-game hype playlist … Enter Sandman by Metallica. Happy listening, and go Hokies!
The Hokies run out of the tunnel before their game against Old Dominion, Sept. 7, 2019.
An ODU performance highlighted by capitalizing on Virginia Tech mistakes paired with a Hokie team that was unable to establish a rhythm resulted in Tech opening the season by going 0-1.
The fumble was overturned and ODU kept the ball, ending on the ten yard line.
In a flashback to the fateful 2018 upset, Virginia Tech was defeated by Old Dominion University 20–17 in Norfolk, VA on Friday in the first game under head coach Brent Pry.
The Hokies started out looking as if they had things under control, with Grant Wells showing promise with his first touchdown in a Tech uniform. A 39-yard pass from Wells to Kaleb Smith set the Hokies up for the score and Wells rushed the ball for an 18-yard touchdown carry.
- Into You by Ariana Grande - Semi-Charmed Life by Third Eye Blind - Ramble On by Led Zeppelin - Touch The Sky by Kanye West feat. Lupe Fiasco Victoria Weber, news section editor I have a hard time categorizing my music taste, because I feel like saying it falls under “alternative” doesn’t explain much. I mix in just about every kind of music in all my play lists. I will say that I prefer music with a lot of bass to it that I can hear over the sounds of Lane Stadium. One of my favorites is of course Enter Sandman, but the Alessia Cara and The Warning version, because I like to save the real thing for when it’s time to start jumping.
“There’s so many things we did that represent a good football team, but then there’s these things we did that you can’t win when you do these things,” said head coach Brent Pry.
- Champion by Fall Out Boy - What’s Up Danger by Blackway and Black Caviar - Enter Sandman (the Alessia Cara and The Warning version) by Metallica Olivia Ferrare, lifestyles section editor I’m a country girl at heart, and you will probably find me in cowboy boots at least one game this year. Certain country songs just put me in a tailgating mood, but I will dance to just about anything with a good beat. These are my favorite songs to sing at the top of my lungs on a crisp game day in Blacksburg.-Country
One of those two instances came late in the game where the first pick came during the Hokies’ penultimate offensive possession, setting up the Monarchs’ game-winning drive. The next pick Wells threw essentially ended the game. There was some good to be found in Wells’ stat line, specifically the Hokies’ first scoring drive where he found wide receiver Kaleb Smith for a 39-yard completion and broke out an 18-yard run for a touchdown.
Offensive Line: A For a unit that came into the season being seen as a weakness by many in the media, the Hokies’ offensive linemen came to play in Norfolk. Aside from a few holding and false start penalties, the line played a very clean game giving up no sacks and only allowing five tackles for loss. Hopefully, this performance can be replicated against stronger Power Five defenses.
COURTESY OF HOKIESPORTS Sept. 10 for their first home game of the season.
Quarterbacks:Offense
Receivers: BIn spite of the disappointing perfor mance at quarterback, the Hokies receiving core flashed some potential. Wideout Kaleb Smith caught three passes for 45 yards before getting knocked out of the game with an injury late in the second quarter, tight end Nick Gallo caught seven passes for 49 yards and Da’Wain Lofton showed some big play ability at wide receiver with three catches and 42 yards of hisTheown.main hurdle for this core to overcome is the lack of a true star. While the aforementioned players posted solid performances, none of them could be considered extraordinary. The most likely candidate to fill this role is Smith, but only time will tell whether or not he can stay healthy and play at such a level.
D Marshall transfer Grant Wells’ first game as the Hokies’ starting quarterback was likely one he will want to forget. There were two instances in which Wells threw two interceptions on consecutive drives.
ODU’s Blake Watson scored a touchdown, which was called back, but Keshawn King ran another one in to seal another Hokie loss to ODU on their opponent’s home turf. Wells in his first start for the Hokies had four picks, which contributed to the unstable performance by Virginia Tech. “Grant threw some nice balls, but obvi ously ball security has got to be super important,” Pry said. “We’ll get those cleaned up.” The 20–17 final is a concerning start to the Virginia Tech football season, with five turnovers and 14 penalties, and brings back a sense of deja vu for Hokie fans. “This is a big game and we would have liked to win this one,” Wells said. The Hokies will face Boston College @CTSPORTSTALK
The Hokies’ defense was good, but choked at the end of the game.
The offense’s top performer of the night was redshirt junior running back Keshawn King who made his presence known with 111 rushing yards on 19 carries and 45 receiving yards on three catches. Right behind King was redshirt freshman Chance Black who picked up 33 yards on just seven carries, good for a solid average rushing distance of 4.7 yards per carry. If this game was any indicator, then the running back core is shaping up to be a strength for the Hokies. Even more prom ising is the potential return of Malachi Thomas, the sophomore halfback who turned heads last season as a true freshman. Once Thomas returns from injury, he could potentially form a dynamic backfield duo with King.
Linebackers: A Senior linebacker Dax Hollifield recorded what was easily the best stat line of the night with 11 total tackles, one and a half tackles for loss and two passes defended. Right behind Hollifield was Keonta Jenkins, who tallied seven tackles of his own and Jaden Keller, who recorded the only sack of the night for the Hokie defense. This linebacker core looks very strong. continued on page 8
Running Backs: B+
The ball was sitting on the Hokies one yard line with one minute left in the game.
VIRGINIA TECH VS. OLD DOMINION: GAME GRADES
September 7, 2022 PAGE 7editor@collegiatetimes.com collegiatetimes.com continued from page 6
COlby Talley | SPORTS EDITOR
The start of Virginia Tech’s season got off to a rough start last Friday as they took a 20–17 loss to Old Dominion in Norfolk for the second time in five years. As a Power Five school, losing to a team picked to finish near the bottom of the Sun Belt Conference is certainly a bad sign, but that isn’t to say the Hokies’ performance was completely devoid of positives. Taking this into account, let’s grade what we saw from the Hokies in week one.
It’s undeniable that Wells has talent, and hopefully, more time in a new system will help him, but this game has currently sent the fanbase’s optimism for his season into a downswing.
DefensiveDefense Line: B The Hokies came into the season knowing their defensive line play would need some work and Friday showed us just how much they have progressed. On one hand, the line held the Monarchs to just 80 rushing yards, but they also only registered one tackle for loss, failed to record a single sack and had one particu larly sobering play on fourth and one late in the game where they had Monarch running back Blake Watson all but wrapped up and still gave up the first down. The Monarchs scored the game-winning touchdown a few plays later. Such inconsistencies will have to be expelled if the line wants to become an asset for this team.
Here are some tips to turn a Saturday night game with family and friends into a weekend affair.
With the weather projected to be overcast and 76 degrees, this would be a great day to go for a hike with a scenic view of the waterfall once you reach the destination. If you prefer to stay close to the action, the Blacksburg Farmers Market is on West Roanoke Street every Saturday morning from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. You can purchase fresh ingredients, flowers and homemadeSharkey’sgoods.onMain Street is a great place to enjoy lunch and watch the football games that begin earlier in the day. It’s important to fill up before tailgating at either Center Street or Lane Stadium because once the game begins at 8 p.m., it’ll be difficult to eat after. It is purely preference-based for choosing where to tailgate, but if you are looking for Hokie spirit and a place to connect with alumni or family, Lane Stadium might be a good place. You can’t go wrong with wherever you choose to be, because all of Blacksburg will be dressed to orange effect.
Defensive Backs: B+
The secondary also looked good in spite of a few negative points. Safety Nasir Peoples, who recorded ten tackles with one and a half tackles for loss, led a Hokies defensive back unit that made life very hard for Monarch quarterback Hayden Wolff. A completion percentage of 40% with 165 yards and a low quarterback rating of 24.5 was all Wolff could manage as he consistently struggled to find open men downfield. Despite the good overall performance, one receiver the Hokies consistently failed to contain was Ali Jennings III, who finished with five catches and 122 yards, including a 38-yard catch during the Monarchs’ final drive which helped set up the gamewinning touchdown. The secondary has shown us how good they can be, but they need to figure out how to guard a team’s top receiver and improve their play late in games. @CTSPORTSTALK continued from page 7 @COLLEGIATETIMES
Our first home football game is rapidly approaching. This weekend, we host Boston College with hopes of redeeming ourselves after a tough defeat to Old Dominion University. If your family or friends plan on trav eling to Blacksburg for the first home game of the season, here’s how you can make it a weekendWhethertrip.or not you have classes on Fridays, this is the typical day of travel for Hokie football game day weekends. The game begins at 8 p.m. on a Saturday, providing ample time to reconnect with family or friends that may be visiting for the weekend. To kick the festivities off, a filling dinner is crucial. While Main Street has the most congestion from foot and vehicular traffic, it’s a personal favorite spot to be at on the eve of a game day. My restaurant pick would be The Cellar or The Maroon Door. The weather as of now is forecasted to be cloudy with a high of 76 degrees, which makes it enjoyable to sit outside at either restaurant. Following dinner, dessert is never a bad idea. While there are a few strong options in Blacksburg, Gardner’s Frozen Treats & Grill in Christiansburg is a fami ly-run ice cream shop with endless ice cream flavors at a reasonable price. Saturday will be a busy day, so it’s important to get a full eight hours and get to sleep at a sensible time. Although there is much anticipation for the night game and a lot of time of build-up before kick-off at 8, there are a lot of options you can do beforehand. If you love to be outdoors, the Cascades hike is a four-mile walk you can do.
EVERYONE’S INVITED FOR THE FIRST HOME GAME OF THE SEASON
margaret allocca | SPORTS EDITOR
TAYO OLADELE / COLLEGIATE TIMES
Since the game begins late, it’s estimated for the game to end around midnight, meaning that sleeping in Sunday morning will be vital for those who have to travel home. Once you rest up, I recommend enjoying brunch before saying goodbye to your weekend visitors. Joe’s Diner is a local spot on Main Street that is quick, close by and decorated inside with Hokie pride. If you are looking for a wider range of options depending on dietary needs, Gillie’s, which is also on Main Street, is versatile and inclusive.Game day weekends go by quickly, so make sure to enjoy every second whether or not you have weekend visitors. Have fun, be safe and let’s go Hokies!
Hokies clench Orange Effect game victory against Furman, Sept. 14, 2019
PAGE 8 September 7, 2022 editor@collegiatetimes.comcollegiatetimes.com
