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September 8, 2021
News
PAGE 2 September 8, 2021
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Over 130 students disenrolled for not following COVID-19 vaccine mandate
The students either did not provide proof of vaccination or an exemption form by the start of the fall semester. MOMIJI BARLOW news editor
One hundred and thirty-four students out of the approximately 37,000 enrolled at Virginia Tech were disenrolled for failing to follow the university’s COVID-19 vaccine requirements by Aug. 23, the first day of classes. This means that they did not submit a religious or medical exemption form or provide proof of vaccination. The university had announced June 8 that vaccines would be required for the fall 2021 semester. “The university does not know whether any of these students were not planning to return for reasons unrelated to the COVID-19 vaccine requirement,” the university said. Nat ionw id e, u n ive r sit ies have announced vaccine mandates starting
OUR CORE VALUES
I mpa r t ia l it y me a ns r ep or t i ng, editing and delivering the news honestly, fairly, objectively and without opinion or bias. Credibility is the greatest asset of any news medium, and impartiality is the greatest source of credibility. To provide the most complete report, a news organization must not just cover the news, but uncover it. It must follow the story wherever it leads, regardless of any preconceived ideas on what might be most newsworthy. The pursuit of truth is a noble goal of journalism. But the truth is not always apparent or known immediately. Journalists’ role is therefore not to determine what they believe at that
as early as March. The Chronicle of Higher Education found that 1,014 campuses have required at least some students or employees to be vaccinated. Virginia Tech is not the only school that has disenrolled students due to a vaccine mandate. Other state universities, such as the University of Virginia, have enforced their mandate and disenrolled students as well. While 238 students had not complied at the University of Virginia, only 49 had registered for fall classes, according to The Washington Post. Some universities have resorted to different methods, such as fining students who are not yet vaccinated. Accordi ng to CN N, Qui n n ipiac University in Connecticut announced it would be removing Wi-Fi access time to be the truth and reveal only that to their readers, but rather to report as completely and impartially as possible all verifiable facts so that readers can, based on their own knowledge and experience, determine what they believe to be the truth. When a news organization delivers both news and opinions, the impartiality and credibility of the news organization can be questioned. To minimize this as much as possible there needs to be a sharp and clear distinction between news and opinion, both to those providing and consuming the news.
Voice your opinion. Send letters to the Collegiate Times. All letters must include a name and phone number. Students 365 Squires Student Center must include year and major. Faculty and staff must include Blacksburg, VA, 24061 position and department. Other submissions must include opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com city of residence and relationship to Virginia Tech (i.e., alumni, parent, etc.). We reserve the right to edit for any reason. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Letters, commentaries and editorial cartoons do not reflect the views of the Collegiate Times. Editorials are written by the Collegiate Times editorial board, which is composed of the opinions editors, editor in chief and managing editors.
for unvaccinated students as well as a weekly and increasing fine. Currently, 95% of students have reported being vaccinated, according to Virginia Tech’s vaccination dashboard. “I think that we definitely had enough time, enough warning; we knew the consequences of not getting the vaccine, so I think it was appropriate just because of what we are currently in, our situation,” said Nicole Tuckman, a senior double majoring in
human development and English. “Everyone does need to get vaccinated, and if you don’t, you’re not allowed to go to Virginia Tech.”
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Taurus horoscope, Sept. 8
Capricorn horoscope, Sept. 8
You will be able to afford your rent and will not have to drop out and live in the Appalachian wilderness — even if you live at The Hub. “Never Gonna Give You Up” will not be stuck on repeat at the parties you go to. The Blacksburg Transit bus will be on time and you will not have to wait at a rainy bus stop.
You need to take some time to yourself to think deeply about your daily routine. Is waiting in the Starbucks drive-thru for 30 minutes a good use of your time? Try meditation this week. Angry emails do not do anyone good.
Editor’s note: These weekly horoscopes are written with satirical intent.
COLL LLEG EGIA IAT TE TIMES
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September 8, 2021 PAGE 3
Post-pandemic anxiety is nothing to be ashamed of
Some folks are less excited than others for the relaxed COVID-19 regulations, and that should be respected.
W
ith the start of the fall semester, Hok ies have had their first taste of pre - COV I D -19 col lege nor ma lcy since March of 2020. With in-person classes, football games and other social activities in which to look forward, there is much to be excited about this school year. However, it is important to remember not all students share such excitement. While some may embrace this transition with open arms, other students may struggle to adapt as the world begins to reopen. Si nce t he b eg i n n i ng of t he COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of the world has spent their time sequestered at home in quarantine, distancing themselves from others in hopes to contain the spread of COVID-19. For college students, quarantine came with additional baggage such as online classes, recorded lectures and little to no social interaction with our classmates. Due to being sheltered at home and separated from others for so long, it can be hard to make the transition into pre-COVID-19 normalcy. With this transition can come anxiety as well as other mental health-related issues. Director of the Cook Counseling Center Dr. Ellie Sturgis describes why students may be feeling anxious as pre-COVID-19 life resumes. “We (Cook Counseling) are seeing a surge in students and among that, we’re seeing a real surge in anxiety … there is some COVID-related anxiety,” Sturgis said. “If, when (people) tended to be a little more introverted over the last year and a half and more isolated, that became much more comfortable and now that’s not the expectation of other people. Many people have just been waiting to be able to connect with others, but for some, being a little isolated was really very helpful.” While in-person classes allow for
a more collaborative and hands-on lea r ning environment that Zoom lacked, it may also mean sharing a crowded lecture room with your peers. This can come as an uncomfortable shock to students who found solace in the independence of Zoom. More social activities are also starting to resume, including athletic events and club meetings. According to the Virginia Tech vaccination dashboard, 95% of students at Virginia Tech are fully vaccinated. While this is reassuring, it may still take time for students to feel completely comfortable being around others at campus events. “We have a lot of people that are comfortable being back, and I think they are wanting their peers and their friends to be able to resume the level of activity that is most comfortable for them,” Sturgis said. “I think there is also that message that your college years are the best years of your life and we talked a lot about getting back to normal. I think the idea that we are more fully open this year gives the implicit message that ‘we want you to be out, connected, and in classes with each other.’” As with any mental illness, anxiety can be isolating. It can be hard to watch the rest of the world move forward after the COVID-19 pandemic when one’s anxiety may prevent them from doing the same. This can cause students to feel as though they are outsiders and question whether their feelings are justifiable. It is therefore essential that students take care of their mental health and check in on those who may be struggling. Just as eating well and regular exercise are essential to a healthy lifestyle, so is prioritizing mental health. In support of mental wellbeing, the Virginia Tech community must continue to recognize that students will adapt to this new environment at their
AMBER WILLIAMS / COLLEGIATE TIMES A birthday party for Moose, one of Virginia Tech’s therapy dogs, Feb. 13, 2020.
own pace and students shouldn’t be afraid to excuse themselves from something that makes them uncomfortable. “It is important to honor your anxiety,” Sturgis said. “It’s important to recognize, ‘This is where I am at right now and that’s normal. Maybe this isn’t where I want to stay, so how can I slowly start increasing things that feel comfortable and that are moving toward a more social aspect?’ Do it in small steps.” If a student is struggling with their mental health, the best thing they can do is honor themselves. Anxiety is not something that should be shameful or feared, but respected. Whether this means slowing down and taking time to prioritize oneself, or making small connections with those who feel similarly, we have a responsibility to take care of our mental wellbeing. Students
who do feel anxious about resuming pre-COVID-19 life should take baby steps and find ways to ease themselves into social activities and campus events at a comfortable pace. Although mental health issues have become less stigmatized throughout quarantine, according to Sturgis, society needs to acknowledge that there is no one right way to reintegrate into society after the pandemic. Individuals must do what’s best for themselves and prioritize their mental health despite pressures to resume pre-COVID-19 normalcy.
OLIVIA NELSON • sophomore • biochemistry
PAGE 4 September 8, 2021
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Virtual office hours accommodate student burnout Virtual office hours give students more time to focus on tasks at hand rather than traveling to and from a professor’s office.
A
fter an entire school year of being online, we are slowly and cautiously returning to where we left off in March 2020. Students are figuring out bus routes, navigating campus and adjusting to life beyond the comfort of their own homes. One of the many benefits that came from the online school structure was the ability to attend office hours virtually. As with many public institutions, Virginia Tech’s campus is considerably large and holds roughly 36,000 students. Having the luxury of being able to meet with professors and advisors over Zoom was not only convenient for students, but more seemed to be willing to attend. Virtual office hours allowed people to schedule visits around their daily tasks and social lives while eliminating the intimidation of direct contact with whoever they wanted to speak to. Office hours are fixed around the schedule of the professor who assigns them; professors schedule a 2-to-3-hour window a few times a week for students to ask any questions they might have about class material, assignments or to seek advice about their future careers. They were designed to be an optimal opportunity for one-on-one instruction, but with a campus as spacious as Virginia Tech’s, timeliness is a priority. If students are in 15 or more credit hours while committing to other clubs and organizations, it’s not easy to find the time or energy to walk across campus for what might be a five-minute conversation. “I always have at least one professor that schedules their office hours during another class I’m in,” said Grace Wohlford, a senior majoring in civil engineering. “Thankfully, a couple of my professors adopted Zoom (office hours) this year — it’s better for me to just schedule a Zoom with them because of classes and my job.” The COVID-19 pandemic kept all students inside, and Virginia Tech made accommodations to allow for a successful school year, but the standard of responsibility has changed now that there is not unlimited access to school resources from the comfort of one’s bed. After a full school year of being online, the expectations from students are different now that they’re back
on campus, and transitioning back to the in-person school structure isn’t something many people have experienced before. Going to classes, practices and meetings day after day is physically and mentally taxing after 18 months of being cooped up in our rooms. “If you’re sitting in your dorm room or apartment with a question that I can answer, but you don’t want to come because my office is on the other side of campus, that’s not good,” said Jared Woolly, an instructor in the School of Communication. Having an in-person office hour structure would be essential for certain studies that involve hands-on practice or anything that involves an intricate visual demonstration, but not every question a student might have needs to be answered in a physical setting. Once professors provide both virtual and in-person meeting opportunities, students can then coordinate around what works best with their schedules and still be able to get the support they need. Virtual office hours have many advantages for both students and professors when it comes to efficiency and satisfaction. Professors want students to show up, and students want the process of going to office hours to be as effortless as possible. It would be beneficial to offer a Zoom option to those who have a schedule conflict or live far away from the office. This would support student engagement at office hours and increase students’ overall willingness to reach out to their professors when necessary. “Office hour attendance isn’t something that is necessarily measured,” Woolly said. “Once we meet some guidelines, we’re able to do things that are best for the students and if that means meeting on Zoom, so be it.” When students are struggling in class, it’s important they can get the help they need without setting aside the large chunk of time required to get to campus only to ask a professor a few questions. It’s unreasonable for professors to insist on operating the same way they did before the COVID-19 pandemic when the practicality of a virtual
meeting can work in both the student’s and professor’s favor. Zoom has become the primary means of communication for the virtual school experience, and it is only logical to continue to utilize it for something like office hours. The relationship between students and their instructors at school takes effort on both sides, but at a collegiate level, students are trusted to make extra time for necessary academic assistance. The flexibility of being able to meet with professors plays a crucial role in a student’s academic success, and we’ve learned through the COVID-19 pandemic that Zoom is a more attainable way to make that happen. Students are still making time for their academic needs and doing the best they can to stay on top of their in-person workload. With a platform like Zoom, the travel back and forth between a professor’s office isn’t necessary. Zoom office hours worked well for many students and professors during our virtual learning period, and course instructors continue to offer the option for one-on-one virtual meetings after the in-person transition. Virginia Tech should embrace this new way of offering and receiving academic help because it caters to everyone in terms of convenience, satisfaction and privacy.
Virtual office hours were helpful for the time of online learning and should still be accessible for all in-person semesters in the future.
LILYA FENJIRO • senior • multimedia journalism
VICTORIA CARTER / COLLEGIATE TIMES A Virginia Tech student checking their email, April 25, 2019.
Lifestyles editor@collegiatetimes.com
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September 8, 2021 PAGE 5
‘Donda’ review: Kanye West does not care what you think Read Elise McCue’s deep dive into ‘Donda,’ one of the biggest album releases of 2021. ELISE MCCUE lifestyles writer
As the world woke up on the morning of Sunday, Aug. 29, it was greeted with an overnight gift in their music libraries from one of the most controversial names in the industry: Kanye West’s highly anticipated album “Donda.” Whoever said that “the best gifts come in small packages” obviously spoke too soon before the “Donda” drop. This 27-track album is chock full of motifs, features, styles and emotions –– an amalgamation of everything that makes Kanye a musical and cultural icon. Regardless of your fan status of the eccentric artist, there is no denying that the release of “Donda” is hard to ignore. “Donda” explores a variety of themes across its nearly two-hour run time. Grief is, perhaps, the most obvious motif that appears and reappears consistently across many tracks in the album. It is no surprise that this is a prevalent theme, since the album is named after West’s late mother. From the opening track, “Donda Chant,” which is 52 seconds of West’s late mother’s name being spoken over and over again, to a snippet of Donda West talking about her son in the song “Donda,” “Donda” is an album that manifests West’s grief at his mother’s passing. Aiding the grief, guilt and regrets that ate at Kanye West following the death of his mother was his faith; Christianity and religion were an important theme in “Donda.” Following his previous release, the Christian album “Jesus is King,” West introduced the world to a brand new, deeply faithful side of himself, and he has not let us forget. Titles like “Praise God,” “Jonah” and “Lord I Need You” remind listeners of West’s reliance upon his faith to get him through the many trials and tribulations that seem to find him. Listening through the extensive run time of the LP is a daunting task for new and avid fans alike, so here are some of
the standout tracks to help ease into the album. “Jail” is a guitar-heavy, classic-rock-sounding song to kick off the album. “Ly r ica l ly, Ka nye shows bot h attitude and vulnerability,” said Sam Quesenberry, a junior majoring in public relations. “Not to mention, I could listen to Jay-Z’s word play on Jail’s beat all day.” Another stand-out track is “Heaven and Hell.” Starting out with a simple beat, Kanye tries to empathize with the human race and make a point that faith is the way to inner peace as he commands listeners to “Burn false idols, Jesus’ disciples / I can feel your pain now, I done bled my vein out.” In addition to the obvious lyrics about faith, the instrumentals on this song prove the same point and are a musical treat. After a beat of Kanye rapping a capella, commanding the devil down, the instrumentals kick back in triumphantly. The musical swell can be described as jubilant, exultant, and enveloping — the feeling Kanye says his faith has given him. The simple-to-extravagant sound and passionately faithful lyrics pair wonderfully together to make this one of the best songs on the album. A hallmark of Kanye West’s music has been sampling –– from his most famous sampling of Ray Charles on “Gold Digger” to the catchy sample of the Ponderosa Twins’ “Plus One” on “Bound 2.” “Donda” was no exception to this cornerstone of West’s music, but perhaps the best sample on the album can be found in the track “Believe What I Say.” The song samples the intro to Lauryn Hill’s “Doo-Wop (That Thing),” but adds a groovy and electrified bass line under it. Kanye raps about freeing himself from society’s conventions, and encourages his audience to not “let the lifestyle drag you down.” The subject matter of this song, in addition to the
sound, is not too heavy and makes for easy listening. In a word, this song is the epitome of a “vibe.” I would be remiss to ignore the pitfalls of “Donda,” however. While the themes of Kanye’s faith, self-realization and rejection of conventional norms are in line with Kanye’s image, the songs off this album tend to come off as preachy and, at times, it almost becomes hypocritical. For example, one of the themes heavily focused upon in the album is the toxicity of cancel culture, a movement that West has fallen victim to. While he rejects cancel culture for wrongfully painting a bad image of himself and many creators alike, he promotes Marilyn Manson, who has been accused of domestically abusing his former partner Evan Rachel Wood, on his features as a misunderstood artist who has fallen victim to cancel culture himself. Perhaps the biggest way in which “Donda” fa iled was st r uct u ra lly. Twenty-seven songs is a lot to try to string together. Combine that fact with the numerous motifs that Kanye West tries to touch on throughout, and the listener is left with one large playlist of his songs that are incohesive, disorganized and lacking in greater meaning due to the messiness of it all. “It felt like a few songs were thrown together, forced, or left incomplete,” Quesenberry said. “I go back and revisit old Ye albums, but I don’t see myself sitting down for 1 hour and 48 minutes again. Donda truly exceeded my expectations, yet I feel the album was good, not great.” Despite the places where it was lacking, “Donda” makes for a creative departure from mainstream rap music. If there’s one thing Kanye West does well, it is harnessing the power that comes from his personal style time and time again, and he does that exceptionally well on “Donda.” The biggest way in which he
was able to achieve this on his latest release was by integrating gospel music and carrying over Christian themes from his previous release into this new album. Additionally, the numerous features on “Donda” allowed for a more unique listening experience as the individual styles of different artists, from newcomers like Baby Keem to veterans like Jay-Z, contribute to the sound of the album. “In ‘Donda,’ it feels like he’s finally opening up to the new age of rappers by incorporating them into his album,” said Vanessa Scola, a sophomore in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “For example, DaBaby and Playboi Carti, very new, up and coming artists are featured.” Lastly, Kanye West’s embrace of his public image — the good, the bad and the ugly — and owning up to his past failures contributed heavily to what made “Donda” unlike any other recent release. Some may consider this to be a sign of surrender, but Kanye West waving a white flag on “Donda” made for a refreshing listening experience as we got to see the vulnerable side of the world’s favorite egotist. Whether or not you consider “Donda” to be a masterful mixtape of songs representing Kanye’s personality, or just a cacophony of sound indicating that the artist is past his prime, that is a choice the listener must make themselves. Regardless, “Donda” is one of the biggest releases of this year. It is choral, it is vulnerable, it is bold and it is the perfect representation of the artist: chaotic, subtly genius and impossible to ignore.
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Sports
PAGE 6 September 8, 2021
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GRADING THE HOKIES VS. UNC Hokie defense shines as Virginia Tech upset UNC in first top 10 win at home since 2009.
GLEN RORIE AND STEVEN ROWEN sports staff writers
Offense Quarterback: C+ The Virginia Tech Hokies got their first win of the season against the No. 10 North Carolina Tar Heels led by redshirt junior quarterback Braxton Burmeister. Burmeister completed 12 out of 19 attempted passes for 169 yards, with one passing touchdown, an interception, 42 rushing yards, and a rushing touchdown. After playing essentially half of last season, the former Oregon Duck officially holds the reins as the starting quarterback for the Hokies this year and in his first showing of the new season he played well enough. Burmeister brings a new element to the running game as he was the second leading rusher of the game for the Hokies. However, there were times he felt more committed
to running than making throws downfield. This issue led him to miss some open receivers for big gains. By no means did Burmeister play badly — there were bright spots like last year — but it felt like he could have performed better in this game than he did. Running Back: C+ Last year’s leading rusher, Khalil Herbert, was in attendance at Friday night’s game, but there was no Khalil Herbert on the field for the Hokies. In all fairness, Herbert was an outstanding talent who is now in the NFL. But the run game itself was not too impressive with redshirt junior Jalen Holston leading the team with 49 rushing yards. Redshirt junior running back Raheem Blackshear struggled with 11 carries for 15 rushing yards and sophomore running back Keshawn King didn’t add anything with three carries, two rushing yards, and one fumble lost.
Though the running out of the backfield was not great, the pass-catching out of the backfield was. Blackshear was the main contributor in the passing game, leading the team in receiving with 66 yards. Blackshear will most likely be the Hokies’ third-down back for the season as pass-catching is his strong suit. By the looks of the first game, the team may go for a running back by committee to get the most out of their backfield. Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: B+ Tré Turner, aka “Big Play Tré,” lived up to his nickname as he reeled in 64 receiving yards on four catches and had a rush for 12 yards. Turner made a statement play in the second quarter, catching a 34-yard sideline pass which led to a touchdown that put the Hokies up 14–0. Junior tight end James Mitchell had three catches for 36 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown to go along with that. Whenever the ball was in his hands, he made plays, whether it was a first down catch, making guys miss, or a touchdown. Mitchell and Turner shined as they combined for 100 of the team’s 169 receiving yards. Offensive Line: C The offensive line struggled to create holes for the running backs, making the rushing game stagnate. The pass blocking was not great either, causing Burmeister to scramble a lot throughout the game instead of staying in the pocket. The line did not allow for many sacks or tackles for loss, but they did not create opportunities for many long runs or enough time in the pocket for deep passes either. Redshirt junior center Brock Hoffman snapped the ball low a handful of times as well.
ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES
Defense
Defensive Line: A Virginia Tech’s defensive line dominated the game early and set the tone for the rest of the night. There was non-stop pressure on UNC quarterback Sam Howell, forcing rushed throws and bad reads all game. The pass rush was unstoppable, totaling six sacks and nine tackles-for-loss. Linemen TyJuan Garbutt and Amaré Barno led the way with two and 1.5 sacks respectively. Sophomore Norell Pollard had a big play in the fourth quarter, tipping a pass which allowed Dax Hollifield to dive for the interception. The defensive line put suffocating pressure on UNC all game, exposing the Tar Heels’ offensive line and shutting down opportunities for them to get their offense going. Linebackers: B+ The Hokie linebackers played a great game overall. They put pressure on UNC’s offensive line in the pass rush and did a solid job containing the run game. Alan Tisdale and Hollifield combined for 11 tackles. Other than letting the Tar Heels break off a couple of long runs, they limited the run game and played well in coverage. Defensive Backs: A The secondary stepped up big against North Carolina on Friday night. The defensive backs took advantage of North Carolina’s bad throws forced by the defensive line’s quarterback pressure. Howell ended the game with three interceptions, the most he has ever thrown in a game. Chamarri Conner had a standout performance, leading the team with eight tackles and recording a game-saving pick. His interception late in the fourth quarter snuffed out UNC’s comeback hopes and sealed the Hokies’ game. @CTSportsTalk
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HOKIES GO 1–1 AT MARRIOTT INVITATIONAL Tech tops JMU but falls to No. 9 Santa Clara.
ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES Emily Gray (4) goes for a kick, Sept. 5, 2021.
AMBER WILLIAMS sports editor
The Virginia Tech women’s soccer team (4–1–0) started the weekend strong with a 3–2 win over James Madison University (1–3–0), but ended the tournament with a 2–0 loss to No. 9 Santa Clara University. Emily Gray was once again the star of the match against the Dukes on Thursday and secured a hat trick — the first for the Hokies since 2009. Gray has now scored a goal in the last three matches, in which she has found the back of the net six times. The Hokies did have pushback from the Dukes, with the Dukes tying up the match in the 31st minute when Lexi Vanderlinden of JMU hit one over Hokie keeper Alia Skinner, bringing the match to 1–1. Virginia Tech came back strong and grabbed the 2–1 lead as the first half was winding down to the final 30 minutes to head into the break on top. Virginia Tech and JMU each notched one in during the latter half of the match, with the Hokies ultimately coming away with the win. The Hokies outshot JMU 16–12 and had 10 to the Dukes’ five shots on target. On Sunday, the Hokies dropped the ball against No. 9 Santa Clara and were unable to
September 8, 2021 PAGE 7
find their rhythm, ultimately never getting a point. The Broncos’ two goals were netted in the 24th minute by Izzy D’Aquila and in the 51st minute by Skylar Smith. Both kicks went in the bottom right of the goal, which seemed to be the weak spot for Skinner in the matchup. Tech will return home on Sept. 9 to face Villanova at 5 p.m.
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HOKIES UPSET NO. 10 UNC IN ELECTRIFYING SEASON OPENER Tech wins its first game of the season 17-10.
AMBER WILLIAMS sports editor
Virginia Tech has pulled off the unthinkable in a magical season opener and, after 265 days without Tech football, have defeated the No. 10 University of North Carolina in a 17–10 win. Tech Head Coach Justin Fuente summed up what a lot of people around the college football world were thinking heading into this game. “. . . No one thought we could win,” Fuente said. The Hokies proved everyone wrong. Almost an hour before kickoff, Lane Stadium was already transformed into a sea of orange, with fans eager to experience the first full-capacity home football game since Nov. 23, 2019. The sold-out game against the UNC Tar Heels had Blacksburg buzzing since it was
announced by Whit Babcock, the director of athletics for Virginia Tech, that Virginia Tech would allow all fans back in Lane to cheer on the Hokies for the 2021 season. The Hokies faced a fierce opponent to open the season, with the Tar Heels ranked No. 10, leaving some uncertainty about the outcome in the minds of Tech fans, which was dashed almost immediately as the Hokies showed they were not to be underestimated. The reality of this Friday night game was that the final score didn’t matter. What was important was that Blacksburg was awakened again. “Enter Sandman” had the stands rocking as always, but it was special to see everyone jumping in unison together. This started what would be an eventful welcome back game. Virginia Tech came out with a strong first quarter, starting on receiving following a deferred coin toss win from UNC. The Tech offense seemed to have good control
over the ball, with the first big play coming from Braxton Burmeister, the Virginia Tech starting quarterback, who passed to Raheem Blackshear for 33 yards, which was caught at Tech’s 45-yard line. Tayvion Robinson followed this up with a big hustle to gain another 16 yards for Tech to get another first down. The play was subjected to review, but was confirmed. The rush was tied up nicely for the Hokies after eight plays with a 4-yard run by Burmeister for the first touchdown of the game. After a good kick, the Hokies lead the first game of their season 7–0 to ultimately end scoring for the first quarter. Throughout the first quarter the Hokies seemed to have control with their offensive line, but started making little mistakes, especially in the fumbling category. Despite this, the Hokies had no problem dominating the field by making up for mistakes with big plays. On the opposite side, UNC seemed
to struggle with completing passes, which helped cover up Tech’s flaws. The second quarter started with a bang as a UNC player went down on the field, forcing a timeout. The Tar Heels bounced back from this and applied pressure to Tech for the first time in the game. Tech held its own and “Sacksburg” was revitalized after Alan Tisdale, who is from North Carolina, registered his first career sack against UNC’s quarterback Sam Howell. Continuing to counter back from the Tar Heels, who seemed to finally be showing up to play, Tré Turner caught an incredible pass from Burmeister for a 34-yard pass completion. The Hokies had a chance for a touchdown following this, but their ball handling problems continued and they missed out on the opportunity, much to the crowd’s disappointment. There wasn’t time to grieve the missed chance, however, as James Mitchell caught a
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an 11-yard pass for another Tech touchdown to bring the Hokies to a 14–0 lead with 3:07 remaining in the first half. The Tar Heels reminded the Hokies why they were ranked in the third quarter as they seemed to finally find their footing on the Blacksburg turf. The second half started off rough for Tech after TyJuan Garbutt went down for an injury, but a huge interception from Jermaine Waller shifted the momentum back in favor for the Hokies. Waller caught the interception at the 15-yard line for Tech after a battle from UNC’s Justin Olson. Waller seemed to embody the energy the Hokies brought to this game; they were ready to play and were not going to fold under the pressure of a ranked team. Tech lost that energy following a sequence of events that led to its lead being cut in half. The Hokies received their first penalty of the night, a 10-yard loss for holding, leaving a little over eight minutes remaining in the third and wiping away their previously gained first down. This seemed to give UNC the edge it had been searching for all night as its quarterback Howell passed to Josh Downs for a 37-yard touchdown to cut the Hokies’ lead in half. Tech’s offense attempted to recover late in the third with Burmeister attempting a carry, but he was tackled by Tar Heel Ja’Qurious Conley. The final quarter of opening night for Hokies football started with Tech leading 14–7, but with a huge shift in energy in favor of the Tar Heels, which could be felt throughout the stadium. A field goal from 48-yard by John Parker Romo edged Tech up to a 17–7 lead. A game of interceptions followed for the next couple of plays with Burmeister having his pass intercepted at the 30-yard line followed by Dax Hollifield grabbing his fourth career interception on a pass from Howell at the 36-yard line. There was an incredible attempt made by Robinson, in which it seemed that a corner end-zone catch had been made, but after review it was overturned as incomplete. The Hokies then took a 15-yard penalty to add to their patch of bad luck. A kick from UNC brought the game to 17–10 and the Hokies began to feel more of the Tar Heels’ heat. The Hokies turned it around with Chamarri Conner picking up an interception off of Howell and bringing Lane Stadium to yet another eruption of cheers. There would be no more scoring and the first game of the season, one many Hokie fans were writing off as a loss, was finalized as a dominating win for Virginia Tech. This
collegiatetimes.com is an exciting start to the season and exactly what Blacksburg had been longing for for well over a year. The Hokies are back in action with a 1–0 record, Lane Stadium has experienced its first full-attendance game in a very long time and all is right with the world. The fans stormed the field following the win and a second performance of “Enter Sandman” ensued. Blacksburg will undoubtedly continue that celebration throughout this weekend as the feeling of a home win that everyone could witness has been highly anticipated. What added to the uniqueness of this win was that it cannot be attributed to one group. The offense stepped up when the defense could not and vice versa. “I felt like the offense played the whole first half and the defense played the whole second half,” Fuente said. The players felt this as well. “Everybody did their job. We played together, stuck together. It wasn’t easy,” Waller said. The Hokies will continue their season next Saturday with another home game against Middle Tennessee.
editor@collegiatetimes.com
ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES Virginia Tech’s Braxton Burmeister (3) attempts to evade UNC’s defense, Sept. 3, 2021.
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