Khalil Herbert
FILE - Kansas running back Velton Gardner carries the ball during an NCAA college football game in Lawrence, Kan., in this Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, file photo. Kansas running back Velton Gardner, who led the Jayhawks in rushing last season, has entered the transfer portal after seeing his playing time decrease over the first three games under new coach Lance Leipold. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley, File)
Kansas starting RB Velton Gardner enters transfer portal

By Dave Skretta Sep. 21, 2021 01:09 PM EDT

FILE - Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente answers a question during the NCAA college football Atlantic Coast Conference media days in Charlotte, N.C., in this Wednesday, July 21, 2021, file photo. Few Power Five programs struggled through the pandemic more than Virginia Tech. Coach Justin Fuente and the Hokies hope to restore some order this season. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond, File)
Virginia Tech looks for success and a return to normalcy

By Hank Kurz Jr. Aug. 18, 2021 01:52 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, file photo, Clemson's Trevor Lawrence runs for a touchdown against Virginia Tech during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game in Blacksburg, Va. Lawrence was voted The Associated Press offensive player of the year for the Atlantic Coast Conference and was one of a league-best 10 Clemson selections to the AP all-ACC team. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool, File)
No. 2 Clemson, No. 4 Notre Dame headline AP all-ACC honors

By Aaron Beard Dec. 21, 2020 12:31 PM EST

Virginia Tech's Tré Turner, second from right, scores a touchdown against Virginia during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)
Virginia at Virginia Tech 12/12/2020

Dec. 12, 2020 11:21 PM EST

Virginia quarterback Brennan Armstrong is stopped by Virginia Tech defenders during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)
Herbert and Hokies snap skid, beating Virginia 33-15

By Hank Kurz Jr. Dec. 12, 2020 11:20 PM EST

Miami linebacker Zach McCloud (53) and cornerback Isaiah Dunson (29) stop North Carolina running back Michael Carter (8) during the first half of an during an NCAA college football game at Hard Rock Stadium In Miami Gardens, Fla, Saturday, Dec, 12, 2020. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald via AP)
Saturday's best

By The Associated Press Dec. 12, 2020 08:55 PM EST

Virginia quarterback Brennan Armstrong (5) runs with the ball against Boston College during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Charlottesville, Va. (Erin Edgerton/The Daily Progress via AP)
Virginia-Virginia Tech: Teams heading in opposite directions

By Hank Kurz Jr. Dec. 10, 2020 02:31 PM EST

Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) gets off a pass that went for a touchdown to wide receiver Tre Turner as Pittsburgh defensive lineman Tyler Bentley (92) applies pressure during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
No. 4 Clemson seeks sixth-straight berth in ACC championship

By The Associated Press Dec. 03, 2020 07:23 PM EST

Pittsburgh linebacker Phil Campbell III (24) tackles Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) on a run during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
No. 4 Clemson looks for clincher at struggling Virginia Tech

By Hank Kurz Jr. Dec. 03, 2020 07:07 PM EST

Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) gets off a pass that went for a touchdown to wide receiver Tre Turner as Pittsburgh defensive lineman Tyler Bentley (92) applies pressure during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Virginia Tech at Pittsburgh 11/21/2020

Nov. 21, 2020 06:11 PM EST

Virginia Tech's Hendon Hooker, center, runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)
NC State aims to hand No. 21 Liberty first loss of 2020

By Gary B. Graves Nov. 19, 2020 04:00 AM EST

Virginia Tech's Nick Gallo scores on a pass from quarterback Hendon Hooker during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Liberty, Saturday, Nov. 7 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)
No. 9 Miami clinging to title hopes when it visits Hokies

By The Associated Press Nov. 12, 2020 03:21 PM EST

Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker scores on a 12-yard touchdown run past Liberty's Javon Scruggs during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)
Hokies' tall task: Bounce back from loss vs No. 9 Hurricanes

By Hank Kurz Jr. Nov. 12, 2020 02:09 PM EST

Virginia Tech's Tré Turner, left, catches a pass as Liberty's Marcus Haskins closes in during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)
Barbir's FG gives No. 25 Liberty 38-35 win over Hokies

By Jimmy Robertson Nov. 07, 2020 03:59 PM EST

FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2019, file photo, Liberty head football coach Hugh Freeze arrives to coach from a wheelchair in the coaches' box against Syracuse in an NCAA college football game in Lynchburg, Va. Freeze knows that part of his story as Liberty’s football coach is about his own redemption, and he’s fine with that. And in a season when school's administration is embroiled in very public legal battles, he hopes the No. 25 Flames offer some respite. (AP Photo/Matt Bell, File)
No. 25 Liberty looks to prove it belongs at Virginia Tech

By The Associated Press Nov. 05, 2020 06:03 PM EST

FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2019, file photo, Liberty head football coach Hugh Freeze arrives to coach from a wheelchair in the coaches' box against Syracuse in an NCAA college football game in Lynchburg, Va. Freeze knows that part of his story as Liberty’s football coach is about his own redemption, and he’s fine with that. And in a season when school's administration is embroiled in very public legal battles, he hopes the No. 25 Flames offer some respite. (AP Photo/Matt Bell, File)
No. 25 Flames facing uphill climb in visit to Virginia Tech

By Hank Kurz Jr. Nov. 05, 2020 03:55 PM EST

Virginia Tech builds lead then holds on to down Louisville

Steve Bittenbender Oct. 31, 2020 07:27 PM EDT
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Hendon Hooker was perfect from the air and ran for three scores to lead Virginia Tech to a 42-35 victory over Louisville Saturday. ...

Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker, right, stiff arms Deon Jones, left, of Boston College in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Blacksburg, Va. Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)
No. 19 Virginia Tech presents big challenge for Wake Forest

By Hank Kurz Jr. Oct. 22, 2020 01:33 PM EDT

North Carolina State running back Ricky Person Jr. (8) runs against Duke during the first half of an NCAA college football game at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020. (Ethan Hyman/The News & Observer via AP)
Rarity: North Carolina, NC State meet in Top 25 showdown

By Gary B. Graves Oct. 22, 2020 09:26 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2019, file photo, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields (1) runs with the ball against Wisconsin during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, in Indianapolis. The ACC, Big 12 and SEC have been playing anywhere from three to five weeks amid the pandemic, and all the players and coaches around the Big Ten could do is watch. “Most of it's been torture, just not being able to play games,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
College Football Picks: Big Ten returns to Big Ten weather

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 21, 2020 01:50 PM EDT