Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 12 No. 3 | January 2020

inside.hokiesports.com 9 by Jimmy Robertson The 2019 football season came and went almost in a blur, and Virginia Tech’s season began with a disappointing defeat at Boston College, ended with setbacks to Virginia and Kentucky, and featured long pockets of rather strong play in between. The season marked the end of an era with the retirement of longtime defensive coordinator Bud Foster. Unfortunately, his hall of fame career lacked a Hollywood ending, but following the Belk Bowl, Foster was gracious, and in his typical unselfish way, kept the focus on the program, which endured four excruciating losses in 2019. He provided a little historical perspective for the 2020 team, as it entered winter conditioning workouts. “It kind of reminds me of that 1998 group,” Foster said. “I’m not going to put the pressure on them and say they’re going to go play for the national championship [which Tech did after the 1999 season], but it reminds me of that group, of how close and competitive and what gut-wrenching losses we lost that year. “That was such a learning experience and growing experience, and you know you don’t want to get back in that situation. The only way to do that is to out-work and out-prepare and have a big-time offseason. And you’re every- day approach needs to be to push yourself to be the best. I think that is what this group is moving toward, and I’m excited about that.” Almost all of Hokie Nation is excited about the possibilities for 2020 and for good reason. Nearly the entire roster returns for head coach Justin Fuente’s fifth season, including 20 of 22 starters. It all starts with the quarterback, and credit Fuente for making a season-saving move after the Hokies’ 45-10 loss to Duke in late September. He inserted Hendon Hooker into the starting lineup, and Hooker led the Hokies to six wins in a seven-game stretch, enabling the program to extend its bowl streak. After two full seasons, Hooker came into his own. He threw 13 touchdown passes and just two interceptions, and maybe just as importantly, he provided a needed threat in the running game. In his eight starts, Tech averaged 36 points per game. If the Hokies had averaged that in every game, they would have ranked 15th nationally in scoring offense. Nearly all of the key components to that offense—Hooker, Damon Hazelton, Dalton Keene, Tré Turner, James Mitchell, Tayvion Robinson and all five starting linemen—return. “Very, very encouraged,” Hooker said after the Belk Bowl loss. “Lot of guys coming back. Everyone is hungry to get better. We’re motivated from these losses that we just had, and I’m eager to see what the future holds.” On the other side of the ball, Tech returns 10 starters from a unit that finished in the top 50 nationally in total defense, rushing defense and scoring defense. The Hokies allowed 34 points per game in their five losses, so they need to find more consistency on defense, and how the group transitions to new coordinator Justin Hamilton and four new assistants figures to be the main storyline of spring practice. “A lot of things to work on,” All-ACC linebacker Rayshard Ashby admitted. “We’ve got to get better in the offseason.” Not to be forgotten, the Hokies also return both Oscar Bradburn—who set a school record with his 46.6-yard punting average—and Brian Johnson, who made 19 of 23 field-goal attempts (including his final 12). Both emerged into special teams weapons. Of course, all these returning players need to get better. Fuente, ever cautious in regards to 2020 expectations, said as much after the Belk Bowl. “I think it’s important that we understand that it doesn’t guarantee us success because we have people coming back,” he said. “We’ve tasted both sides of it, this group. With a large number of them coming back, they’ve tasted the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. I think that should fuel us moving forward. I’m excited about our character. We performed really well in the classroom this semester. There’s just a lot of really good things going on here with a group of kids that care about each other and care about this football program.” In 1998, the Hokies lost as a five- touchdown favorite at home to Temple, lost on the last play of the game at Syracuse, and squandered a 22-point halftime lead in a home loss to Virginia. The nucleus of that team returned in 1999, and led by Michael Vick, made it to the national title game. Expecting that for this 2020 squad may be a bit much. But can a similar story be written? The pieces certainly appear to be in place. Belk Bowl loss stings, but Tech football now with vision set on 2020 1290 Roanoke Street, Christiansburg, VA 24073 • 540-382-7500 • www.gandhappliance.com Find us at G&H Appliance G&H Appliance, a winning team FOR 50 YEARS! Since 1969, Nobody Does it Better!!!