Chamarri Conner
Virginia Tech quarterback Braxton Burmeister (3) runs the ball while defended by Duke's Jalen Alexander (32) and Sayyid Stevens (34) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Blacksburg Va., Saturday, Nov. 13 2021. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
Duke at Virginia Tech 11/13/2021

Nov. 13, 2021 07:33 PM EST

Virginia Tech's Tre Turner (11) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Atlanta. Turner caught seven passes for a 187 yards and one score to lead Virginia Tech to a 26-17 win (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Georgia State at Georgia Southern 10/30/2021

Oct. 30, 2021 01:23 PM EDT

Syracuse quarterback Garrett Shrader (16) is tackled by Virginia Tech linebacker Dax Hollifield (4) during the first half of of an NCAA college football game in Blacksburg Va., Saturday, Oct. 23 2021. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
Syracuse at Virginia Tech 10/23/2021

Oct. 23, 2021 04:45 PM EDT

Notre Dame wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. (4) catches a pass in front of Virginia Tech defensive back Jermaine Waller (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Blacksburg, Va., Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Gentry)
Notre Dame at Virginia Tech 10/9/2021

Oct. 09, 2021 09:43 PM EDT

Richmond's Jasiah Williams (5) attempts to make a one handed catch in the first half of the Richmond Virginia Tech NCAA college football game in Blacksburg, Va., Saturday, Sept. 25 2021. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
RCH at Virginia Tech 9/25/2021

Sep. 25, 2021 03:31 PM EDT

Middle Tennessee quarterback Bailey Hockman (10) loses his helmet while sacked by Virginia Tech defensive back Chamarri Conner (1) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Blacksburg Va. (AP Photo/Matt Gentry)
Middle Tennessee at Virginia Tech 9/11/2021

Sep. 11, 2021 05:51 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

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 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)
Liberty at Virginia Tech 11/7/2020

Nov. 07, 2020 04:01 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. ...

Tré Turner, right, of Virginia Tech stiff arms Jason Maitre, 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)
Boston College at Virginia Tech 10/17/2020

Oct. 17, 2020 11:31 PM EDT

Virginia Tech running back Khalil Herbert (25) scores a touchdown as North Carolina defensive back Don Chapman (2) tries to tackle during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
North Carolina State at Virginia 10/10/2020

Oct. 10, 2020 02:23 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