AJC > Blog > Archives > 2005 > September > 21 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBumbling’ up to Blacksbohemia
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Given that they had suddenly lost their Numero Uno earlier in the day, the measured, brief initial response from the Georgia Tech camp could have been taken right from Monty Python:
“Oh, Steed, where in the devil is Reginald? I don’t see him out there.”
“Well, Mr. Ball has taken ill, sir, and he won’t be playing.”
“Good heavens! How sick is he?”
“As sick as a parrot, sir.”
“Oh, dear. Well then, what have you got in place of him?”
“Taylor.”
“Taylor who?”
“Taylor Bennett.”
“Well, Steed, what about him?”
“Uh, sir, I do believe this will be his first game.”
“Oh my dear God! Whatever shall be done?”
As it turned out, Young Taylor did well enough, and now he’s got at least one game behind him. But that was UConn, and this is Virginia Tech on Saturday. And they are the No. 4 Hokies, whose devotees are already predicting will be a rather handy victor in the battle of the Techs.
Remember the last time these two tried doing battle in Blacksburg, back in 2000? Stormy weather not only cancelled the game, but lightning zapped the rental car of ESPN commentator Lee Corso after his on-air prediction of a Yellow Jackets win.
Now they’re meeting again at Lane Stadium, this time in an ACC Coastal Division clash (nice ring to it, eh?). We’re hearing that Recovering Reginald is feeling better after his bout with viral meningitis, but how many snaps he takes is uncertain.
Getting to Blacksburg is enough to take anyone ill. Unless you’re plunking down $18,000 to the soon-to-be-bankrupt airlines to travel on their ridiculously expensive non-stop route to nearby Roanoke, the easiest way is another fly/drive option. Hop a flight to Greensboro via AirTran or Delta (if they make it through the weekend), then tell the friendly folks at the Hertz counter that you’re not going to Blacksburg, in case there’s a Corso Clause they’re not telling you about.
But of course, you’re going there. Actually, it’s rather easy, and if it’s a lovely day, you’ll enjoy looping toward the southern tier of the Blue Ridge range. Take I-40 West out of Greensboro to I-74 to I-77 to I-81, and two hours later you’re there. It’s 150 miles one way.
And like UGA fans will find in Starkville this weekend, there isn’t a whole lot to do in Blacksburg. I ate at a fairly decent Mexican restaurant, and the fare is typical for a large university. Whatever did Michael Vick do for fun there?
Permalink | Comments (38) | Categories: Tech
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By josh
September 21, 2005 08:48 PM | Link to this
Mike Vick wasnt there four years.
By wes
September 21, 2005 09:18 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the bb material!
By vtech
September 22, 2005 08:13 AM | Link to this
Tech fans need directions to Bobby Dodd - not the away stadiums.
By lindsey
September 22, 2005 08:35 AM | Link to this
Get your facts of the story right. Corso-the joke, predicted that VaTech would win the game. He always uses the folling criterea to judge teams-rankings, bandwagons and criminole behavior. Soon after his “on-a-limb” prediction, he soon was introduced to the greatest Jacket fan of all. Let’s just say he felt the buzz. By the way, GODsey would have won his first start against the Turkeys, no doubt about it.
By mp
September 22, 2005 09:10 AM | Link to this
Not a GT fan, not a VT fan. I grew up in Atlanta and lived there for 26 years. With Seattle, Charleston, Jacksonville and San Diego in between, I’ve lived in Roanoke for the last 6 years. You couldn’t pull me back to Atlanta with a team of wild horses. I’ll trade the Blue Ridge Mountains, 10 minute commute, down to earth folks, Appalachian Trail, and lack of transplanted Yankees any day for Hartsfield, overpriced, upscale restaurants and all the other “amenities” you feel are indispensible. By the way, VT seems to be the real deal. GT, with Brett Favre at QB, dosen’t have a prayer this weekend.
By PM
September 22, 2005 10:07 AM | Link to this
MP said… “By the way, VT seems to be the real deal. GT, with Brett Favre at QB, doesn’t have a prayer this weekend.”
I remember some Auburn folks making similar statements!
GO Jackets!
By jeff
September 22, 2005 10:10 AM | Link to this
Ahhh Lindsey, you justify why VT fans think so little of GT fans - Corso was hit by lightning becuase he predicted that GT would upset VT at home. The humorous part of the story is that he had to bum a ride from a Hokie fan, who kindly got him to his hotel. Ever since then Lee has stood by the best team in the ACC!!!! Looking forward to a repeat of the whooping - only this time we’ll be at home in front of 65,000 screaming fans!!!
PS - Notice how many VT players are here in Atlanta surrounding Mr. Vick….how many GT players were given the option to stay in their home town to play proffessional????
By Evan
September 22, 2005 10:20 AM | Link to this
I’m a VT Alum who is originally from Atlanta. Grew up a GT fan and wanted to go there. This burgeoning rivalry - and I believe it will no doubt will be one - has me slightly conflicted but you always go with your alma mater.
Anyway, point one. Michael Vick attended VT for 3 years which included a redshirt freshman season.
Point two - depending on Ball’s status and the play of Taylor, I expect this game to be very intense and likely fairly close. VT should win the game but will be playing an emotional GT team out for vengeance. Anything can happen.
Point three - Blacksburg is not a thriving metropolis for sure, but is located in a beautiful area and there ARE things to do - especially outdoors. Downtown, there are several good restaurants and bars to enjoy. For great food, I recommend “The Cellar” and you can also try Beamer’s Restaurant for good quality American fare. Blacksburg has been voted one of the top places to live and top retirement communities. Also, the BEV is the first online community web environment in the country and was featured in the USA Today magazine over ten years ago.
Go Hokies!!! Go Jackets (when not playing VT)!!!
By Herc Hughes
September 22, 2005 10:25 AM | Link to this
Herc, glad to don’t have to reach Blacksburg every other season. Ball or no Ball VT blast ‘em. Best, Dick
By Magpie
September 22, 2005 10:48 AM | Link to this
Wendy, Wendy, Wendy. Mexican food must disagree with you. Stick to hamburgers instead. There’s plenty to do around Blacksburg and Christiansburg - like OPEN YOUR EYES! It’s the New River Valley at the cusp of spring. Enjoy the beauty of the mountains, the gorgeous valleys, the changing leaves, the original mountain music concerts and the resurgence of the Jackets in the shadow of Bobby Dodd’s Galax home. Life is more than a burrito on an Interstate.
By Bulldog Bry
September 22, 2005 11:57 AM | Link to this
My resume is similar to MP. Born in Atlanta, wound up in Roanoke. I used to think the Hokies were a ‘johnny-come-lately’ program, but obviously, they’ve proven their worth. And it’s all about Beamer, and HE’LL tell you it’s all about his coaches.
As far as what others think of our little neck of the woods, go ahead and laugh about living in SW Virginia, but a lot of people move here and never want to leave. I’ve never understood why big city dwellers think that folks in small towns are there because they HAVE to be. Most of us CHOSE to be here.
By lindsey
September 22, 2005 12:17 PM | Link to this
Jeff, I think I speak for most GT fans when I say, “We really don’t care what VT fans think of our fine institution”, because we understand college football and its traditions. Thanks to BeamerBall you guys are only beginning to build a tradition. As for the facts on posted earlier on Corso, you are as wrong as the day is long. Corso picked vt and said they would win by 4 touchdowns or was it 40 points, who really cares? P.S. How was his buggy ride back to civilization?
By Brad
September 22, 2005 12:31 PM | Link to this
Does it really matter who Corso picked?! That was 5 yrs ago! This game will be totally different. Two of the best ACC teams this yr will collide and only one will remain standing…the winner has a paved road to the division title! It will be close, but GT will put it out! Go JACKETS!
By Jackets fan
September 22, 2005 01:03 PM | Link to this
Where’s the animocity coming from? I have nothing but respect for the VT program and this season’s squad. It is sure to be a great game. Both teams have stingy defenses, particularly against the run. So I expect a low scoring affair. GT needs Ball to have a chance.
As for the jabs at GT attendance….Atlanta is a busy place. Lots of things for people to do. I’ve been thru Blacksburg (even drove around the campus), the operative word being “thru”, since there is nothing but VT there. It’s easy for schools that constitute the entire population of the city they are in to criticize GT because they don’t have any competition for their fans attention. Plus, GT has an international reputation and therefore has more intl students, and also exports graduates all over the country. So the alumni of GT don’t all live in a 50 mile radius of the school unlike VT or a UGA type school. I still think we should sellout more games, but I don’t think we have to listen to uninformed outsiders’ opinions on the matter.
By Jackets fan
September 22, 2005 01:06 PM | Link to this
And just an FYI there have been more GT players in the NFL history than from VT. Just because most of the VT players ended up in Atlanta doesn’t mean they have some edge in producing quality players.
By tj
September 22, 2005 01:17 PM | Link to this
First of all…let’s learn to spell animoSity. Secondly, if the weather holds up G/Tech should handle VA/Tech because of their all around game. Although Mr Vick is quite talented he’s not his big bro. PJ will have a break out game and Mr Johnson will score twice. Say g’nite gracie.
Tech wins by 10
By Kevin Irwin
September 22, 2005 01:26 PM | Link to this
This message is for Wendy Parker and everyone who has commented on this article. I was at the 2000 game that GT and VT were supposed to play. Lee Corso predicted that VT would put the smackdown on GT that night. His rental car was struck by lightning after he predicted that Florida State not VT would win the national championship that year. So get your facts straight. Oh and for all you VT fans that don’t think Georgia Tech is a football school, Georgia Tech has 4 football national titles and Virginia Tech to date has none.
By Robert
September 22, 2005 03:51 PM | Link to this
WOW! Glad to see so many fans for GA Tech. I am also one…
It is true that GA Tech doesn’t sell out every football game. Why? No one really knows for sure. Could be that the Atlanta citizens are busy going to the FOX Theater, or maybe going to the many Spas, or maybe attending a Braves baseball game. It could also be because so many of the graduates from GA Tech end up out of State working for IBM in Raleigh, or maybe Microsoft in Seattle, or elsewhere. Does it really matter?
VA Tech is a good team, but I think that the GA Tech defense will stop them. GA Tech offense is potent and very versatile and I think that the VA Tech defense will have trouble stopping all aspects of it. So…. I see GA Tech winning in a low scoring game by a small margin.
By Nimesh
September 22, 2005 04:06 PM | Link to this
Look I am fet up with these Hokies talking all this smack. They don’t have any tradition or history. You guys claim to be a technical school, no one knows anything about ur school. GIT it right, we own you. PJ runs for 113 yards, CJ- 6 receptions- 1 TD-100 yards. My boy DBO- 1td, 80 yards receiving. VT and the nation stunned. HOller if you want some of this yellow jacket.
By Nimesh
September 22, 2005 04:10 PM | Link to this
Interestingly enough, some people don’t think I am the real Nimesh. But I will prove to get on the football field like, Rudy. the first indian gujurati boy playing safety. 6’2 142lbs, 5.6-40. Look for wearing number 7. Peace bia bia
By Rod
September 22, 2005 05:01 PM | Link to this
I’ve been a Tech fan since 5th grade. I was there when Tech won their only game in the mid 1990s. This will be a GREAT game. Reggie, I like you a lot, and we need you and the rest of the offense to be ready. That Williams gut VT has is the real deal. Look for Bilbo and PJ out of the backfield when throwing. Alright defense it’s time. Time to buckle those chin-straps, and light someone up!!! Coach Gaily- PLEASE, PLEASE don’t be conservative!!! You need to pull out every trick in the book. DON’T HOLD BACK, and if there is a lead really late in the 4th…..DON’T ABANDON THE RUN LIKE YOU DID AGAINST NORTH CAROLINA!!!!! PJ is the key to running out the clock. GO TECH!!!!!
By Ryan
September 22, 2005 05:05 PM | Link to this
Vick + #4 in the nation Hokies + Gameday= 62-0 waxing of #15 Syracuse in front of a national television audience in 1999
see the irony?
Vick + #4 in the nation Hokies + Gameday = 62-0 waxing of #15 Georgia Tech on national TV in 2005
Save your Ron Mexico and Marcus Vick jailbate jokes masters of the obvious, we do our talking on the field. Need I remind you of that 4th qtr choke job last year.
By Rod
September 22, 2005 05:12 PM | Link to this
Hey Ryan….I remember that night. The elder Vick was AMAZING!!!! He picked apart Syracuse much like USC blasted Arkansas.
By HokieHarry
September 22, 2005 06:30 PM | Link to this
You GT guys live in the past. When was the last time you played for the Nat’l. Championship? Long before we did.
**This game will have the same results as last year’s.
Bet on it!**
By Ramblin'Man
September 22, 2005 07:13 PM | Link to this
HokieHarry- your statement makes no sense. You say we should stop living in the past, yet you ask a question that brings up the past. Well, I have one to follow up on that question….When was the last time VT WON a Nat’l Championship?
By Ramblin'Man
September 22, 2005 07:21 PM | Link to this
Let’s get real. I am a GT fan for life, but VT in Blacksburg with an ill QB isn’t the greatest formula for success. If our defense can produce 2 big turnovers and limit Vick to pocket, then we might escape B-Burg with a victory. GO TECH!
How do we know that Gailey is saying Ball is 50/50 to keep VT off guard? Ball might start the game in rotation with Bennett, but Ball will probably gradually take over as game pogresses.
By Jacket1421
September 22, 2005 07:47 PM | Link to this
Did anyone else see the interview with Michael Vick on CSS when he was wearing the black Georgia Tech shirt with Buzz on the front? Looks like the most famous Hokie is now a Yellow Jacket Fan!
By Coach
September 23, 2005 08:06 AM | Link to this
Blacksburg is a great place to live and work. Virginia Tech is an outstanding school with over 20,000 students and it has a great engineering school. Radford University is 15 miles away and it has over 9,000 students. Like all University towns, there are many very good resturants. When Georgia Tech was winning major bowl games, Virginia Tech was struggling to compete in Division II. They have come a long way in a very short time. They have tremendous fan and student support and they have learned to recruit well. Frank Beamer even has a connection with Bobby Dodd. They both played High School Football at Galax High School in Galax, Virginia which is not far from Blacksburg. The Blacksburg/Roanoke area has also produced several outstanding players for Georgia Tech. But now that Va. Tech has arrived the really good players stay at home. Georgia Tech can win but it will require a mistake proof game. Bobby Dodd once told his team before a game with Auburn that based on player personnel Auburn was two touchdowns better than Tech but that Georgia Tech would win the game if they stuck to the game plan and did not make mistakes. Georgia Tech won. Go Jackets!!!
By Rusty
September 23, 2005 09:05 AM | Link to this
Just to set the record straight on the Corso prediction once and for all:
“As reported on the GameDay Web site, Corso found that out a few years ago while doing a show in Blacksburg, Va. prior to a heated contest between the visiting Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the hometown Virginia Tech Hokies.
Shortly after Corso made his pick known for the road team Georgia Tech, a lightning bolt struck and damaged his rental car sitting in a sea of nearly 25,000 other vehicles.
Which led, of course, to one of Corso’s classic on-air comebacks: “I don’t know what a Hokie is, but God is one of them. Go Virginia Tech.”
http://espn.go.com/outdoors/tv/s/gfeaEORadioLeeCorso_050507.html
And to set the record straight about Blacksburg - The town is 99% college students. If people don’t like a town that is almost entirely built for and catering to the lifestyle of the typical college-aged person, i.e. partying, socializing, fraternity life, partying, outdoor activities, partying, college sports, partying…then don’t go to Blacksburg. You won’t find lousy chain restaurants, subdivisions, Sam’s Club’s, and all of the other “perks” of Atlanta’s suburban life. Too bad. It’s terrible like that.
By Brian
September 23, 2005 10:36 AM | Link to this
Grew up in Atlanta, and went to Tech. Now live in Northern Virginia. If you want a quick feel of Blacksburg..
Take Athens, remove the music scene and better bars, add great mountains. The students are the same within statistical variation.
By Will
September 23, 2005 01:18 PM | Link to this
HAHAHA, I love the GT blubbering about tradition. You guys have tradition like SMU, Army, Navy, and the ivy’s have football tardition. You fluked into a SHARED national championship in 1990, big whoop. If the BCS hadn’t been around in ‘99 VT would have beaten a lousy Nebraska team in the Orange Bowl and would have shared one as well.
I’d rather be living in the middle of a rise to the top then during the middle of a plateau of mediocrity.
Give me the Blacksburg bars where you don’t have to worry about cheesy young professionals stalking the undergrads any day. Yeah the ‘Burg is secluded, so is any other place worth travelling to.
By Evan
September 24, 2005 02:45 AM | Link to this
This post is to Jacket Fan and to the other’s ignorant of VT and their fans. Jacket Fan made one of the most ignorant posts I’ve seen. Please note that I say this not to talk smack. I think you will find the general Hokie population to be rather cordial to opposing fans. There’s always a few drunken idiots. Everyone needs to know that fans come from far and wide to fill up Lane Stadium on Saturdays, including Atlanta, which has a huge Hokie alum base. Anyone notice that Jock & Jill’s in Buckhead has a Hokie room for football games. Of course, a large portion of fans drive down from the DC area. As VT was entering the ACC, a huge myth existed about the market for the Hokies. Well, DC and the state of Virginia account for that market and it’s a rather nice sized one in fact. To say that Blacksburg is the base for the people that fill the stadium is absurd. So you are saying it’s only the students and citizens of Athens that fill Stanford. C’mon! Bottom Line: Blacksburg is a nice sleepy college town like most others that busts at the seams on gameday.
By GT Boss
September 24, 2005 10:00 AM | Link to this
I have been to Blacksburg and lived in Roanoke. Nice mountains but definitely a blue collar region of VA. Would much rather live in ATL (Buckhead). VT is also a big agricultural school. Grain silos and cows 100 yards from Lane Stadium. Most FB players major in “Apparel, Housing and Resource Mgmt”. Definitely a diploma/football factory.
By Darren
September 24, 2005 10:09 AM | Link to this
Have been a GT fan for as long as I can remember, and I too have driven by Blacksburg on my way back to my home in Maryland. If I had the choice of living around Atlanta or Blacksburg thats an easy choice (Blacksburg for me). I enjoy the quiet outdoors to the mad dash pace of the big city. I also think last time I talked to a bunch of VT grads they had degrees in Engineering also, so you can’t label a school just because it has grain silos and cows outside of it. Regardless of all that we should witness a very good game today.
By gcsutechfan69
September 24, 2005 01:20 PM | Link to this
marcus is no michael vick though
By MUTT H8R
September 24, 2005 02:29 PM | Link to this
Nothing but respect for VPI and small college towns everywhere (even Athens). Hope for a great game with no injuries.
GO JACKETS
By Evan
September 24, 2005 04:30 PM | Link to this
Folks -
GT is a great academic institution no doubt. So is Virginia Tech. VT has a top tier engineering school, but not quite at the level of GT. Also, VT has an excellent business school. The agriculture school is top notch and that is something to be proud of. For every aggie attending tech there are 10 times as many engineers, business students, scientists, liberal arts, computer scientists, etc.. VT is a diverse and vibrant academic institution. Most of the students are from suburban/urban areas not the sticks. There is also a considerable foreign student population - Yes! VT is recognized internationally. Just cause VT is located in the country doesn’t mean the students are country. Get a clue. VT is a top Tier 2 institution and aiming higher.
GT BOSS get bent!
By HOKIE FAN
September 26, 2005 02:42 PM | Link to this
Wow, i guess the discussion is OVER. wow GT you got throttled. How does that feel? LETS GO HOKIES #3!!!