James Mitchell
Virginia Tech running back Raheem Blackshear (5) attempts to evade Middle Tennessee linebacker Jurriente Davis (6) in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Blacksburg Va. (AP Photo/Matt Gentry)
No. 15 Virginia Tech, WVU battle for Black Diamond Trophy

By John Raby Sep. 16, 2021 11:12 AM EDT

Virginia Tech's James Mitchell, left, and Drake Deluliis (89) celebrate Virginia Tech touchdown catch against North Carolina during the first of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
No. 15 Hokies TE Mitchell to have season-ending knee surgery

Sep. 13, 2021 02:38 PM EDT

Virginia Tech's Ty Eller (39) and Jalen Hampton (36) pose with members of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets at the start of the team's NCAA college football game against North Carolina on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
North Carolina at Virginia Tech 9/3/2021

Sep. 03, 2021 09:33 PM EDT

Virginia Tech's Tayvion Robinson catches a pass but was ruled out of bounds in the second half against North Carolina during an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
Virginia Tech holds off Howell, No. 10 North Carolina 17-10

By Hank Kurz Jr. Sep. 03, 2021 09:32 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

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

Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman (10) scores a touchdown during an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020 at Truist Field in Winston-Salem, N.C. (Andrew Dye/The Winston-Salem Journal via AP)
Wake Forest beats No. 19 Virginia Tech 23-16

By J.d. Brasier Oct. 24, 2020 07:09 PM EDT

Virginia Tech's Tayvion Robinson, left, catches a touchdown pass in front of North Carolina State's Malik Dunlap, right, during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)
Patterson steps up, leads No. 20 Hokies past NC State 45-24

Sep. 26, 2020 11:46 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 19, 2020, file photo, North Carolina State running back Ricky Person Jr. (8) scores on a 3-yard touchdown run as Wake Forest linebacker Ryan Smenda Jr. (5) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C. Virginia Tech plays North Carolina State on Saturday, Sept. 26. (Ethan Hyman/The News & Observer via AP, File)
No. 20 Hokies could be shorthanded for opener vs Wolfpack

By Hank Kurz Jr. Sep. 24, 2020 12:46 PM EDT

FILE - Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) tosses the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., Friday, Nov. 29, 2019. Hooker emerged last season as a reliable decision-maker, finishing with 13 touchdown passes and just two interceptions. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
Fuente, Hokies optimistic with many key players returning

By Hank Kurz Jr. Sep. 01, 2020 04:08 PM EDT

Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) attempts to elude Pittsburgh defender Patrick Jones II (91) in the forth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Blacksburg Va. Saturday, Nov. 23 2019. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
No. 23 Hokies, Cavaliers clash for ACC’s Coastal title

By The Associated Press Nov. 27, 2019 02:55 PM EST

Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente and defensive coordinator Bud Foster take the field after shutting out Pittsburgh 28-0 after an NCAA college football game in Blacksburg, Va., Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Matt Bell)
Hooker's 2 TD passes lead No. 25 Virginia Tech over Pitt

By Jimmy Robertson Nov. 23, 2019 07:06 PM EST

Virginia Tech defensive back Caleb Farley (3) returns an interception for a touchdown as Georgia Tech tight end Tyler Davis (9) defends in the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Hooker helps Hokies rout Georgia Tech 45-0

By Charles Odum Nov. 16, 2019 06:44 PM EST

Virginia quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) runs as Miami linebacker Michael Pinckney defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Hokies look to keep resurgence going against Rhode Island

By Hank Kurz Jr. Oct. 11, 2019 11:44 AM EDT

Furman quarterback Darren Grainger (4) eludes Virginia Tech defender Divine Deablo (17) for a 15-yard touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2019, in Blacksburg Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
Turner's scores help Virginia Tech pull past Furman

By Jimmy Robertson Sep. 14, 2019 04:46 PM EDT

Virginia Tech wide receiver Hezekiah Grimsley makes a touchdown reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boston College in Boston, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Brown's 2 TD passes and 1 run leads BC past Va. Tech 35-28

By Ken Powtak Aug. 31, 2019 07:31 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2018, file photo, Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente directs his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
Hokies look to rebound after first losing season since '92

By Hank Kurz Jr. Aug. 13, 2019 03:37 PM EDT

Virginia Tech quarterback Quincy Patterson II (4) gets tackled by linebacker Dax Hollifield during the NCAA college football team's Maroon-White spring game in Blacksburg, Va., Saturday, April 13, 2019. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
QB battle in spotlight at Hokies' spring game

Apr. 13, 2019 08:33 PM EDT