The past three seasons have been nothing short of interesting for the Hokies with highs like being ranked #3 to lows such as the Hokies unranked status for much of the 2008 season. We’ve seen records as well as dreams broken, like Darren Evan’s 253 yard performance against Maryland in 2008 and conversely when Georgia Tech ousted the Hokies in 2009. However, Hokie fans wouldn’t be displeased with an average ranking of #10 over the past 41 games. I will recap some of the most interesting and exciting moments of these past 41 games in Hokie football history!

#5. Missing Jerseys against Georgia Tech (2007)

Four players’ jerseys went missing before this Thursday night game. It’s still a mystery as to what happened to Tyrod Taylor’s, Sean Glennon’s, Kam Chancellor’s and Brandon Flower’s jersey at the start of the game. So what did they do? They wore Georgia Tech’s old practice jerseys and took a Sharpie to them to write in their names and add a backwards Nike swoosh on the front. You can see one of these jerseys on display at the Merryman Athletic Center.

#4. Tyrod Taylor’s Hit Against Ras-I Dowling (2008)

Remember the wild turkey? Tech was big into it during the 2008 ACC Championship season. On this play Tyrod Taylor lined up as a wide receiver with Greg Boone behind center. Boone attempted a 30+ yard pass to Taylor. Ras-I Dowling should have intercepted Boone’s pass if it weren’t for Taylor’s upending hit on Dowling.

#3. The Comeback Against Nebraska (2009)

The Hokies were quaking in their boots when our offense struggled to outdo Nebraska’s five field goals. With just 1:23 left in the 4th, Tech had 84 yards to go to gain a one point lead. That’s not an easy task against any team, especially one with Ndamukong Suh starring down the offense at every snap. But a cool Tyrod Taylor and a wide open Danny Coale make anything possible. In one play, Danny Coale made up for 81 of those 84 yards. And after a few more nail biting moments Tyrod completed a slick 11 yard pass to #11 Dyrell Roberts to give the Hokies a one point advantage and the win. Lane Stadium erupted and was louder than ever.

#2. Boston College’s Last Minute Undoing of the Hokies (2007)

This is an article of exciting and interesting moments, not the best moments in recent Hokie history. It was pouring rain and the Hokies were shutting out Matt Ryan and the rest of the #2 ranked Boston College Eagles with a 10-0 lead with under three minutes left to play. Tech had it in the bag and many had started celebrating already. These emotions quickly turned as Boston College upset the Hokies in what may be the most disheartening loss in all of Hokie history. Matt Ryan snuck in two touchdowns causing the Eagles to win 14-10.

#1. Pregame of ECU at Virginia Tech (2007)

Chris Fowler of ESPN Gameday spoke directly to the Hokie Nation telling us it was our time to “cut loose.” It was the first football game following the shootings at Virginia Tech and it was a time to start celebrating and getting Virginia Tech back on track. Anyone who was human understood the significance of this day to the Hokie Nation. This was the first Virginia Tech game I had ever attended. I had just moved into my dorm and scalped a ticket and sat with fellow ECU fans that were nothing less than respectful and compassionate. I had always had an affinity for ECU given my legacy status.