Winners and Losers: ‘Hoos, Hokies headed in different directions

Column by Chris Graham
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HOKIES GET BREATHER AFTER TRIO OF GRITTY WINS: Frank Beamer remembers when Western Kentucky was a big game.

“We were both in the western part of Kentucky, and that was a big game back then,” said Beamer, who coached at Murray State before returning to his alma mater at Virginia Tech and had his share of tussles with Western Kentucky back in the day.

It doesn’t figure to be quite as big a day on Saturday in Blacksburg when Beamer’s Hokies take on the Hilltoppers. Tech is favored by 27 and a half points by the oddsmakers.

“Well, we are a work in progress,” Beamer said when asked earlier this week if his team might be the ACC’s best following a string of gritty wins over Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Nebraska. “I said in the preseason at the ACC media day, we have to just get a starting point and get better and hopefully we can be a factor in the end. I still feel that way, we have to improve this week and keep moving forward,” Beamer said.

WARNING – COACHSPEAK FROM THE FRIDGE: Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen talking about his 4-1 Terps getting ready for the woeful 1-3 Virginia Cavaliers …

“I know what we are going to get. We are going to get their best shot, and we are going into a very tough situation. I think one thing about having a senior group is that they’ve been down there, and they know what it is going to be like, especially playing 7 at night. We better understand that as a team because if we don’t, it will be another Middle Tennessee game.”

SIGNS O’ THE TIMES: UVa. athletics director Craig Littlepage reversed his controversial decision earlier this season prohibiting signs, banners and flags at UVa. athletics venues yesterday. And just in time for the, oh, about 10,000 or so Fire Groh signs sure to pop up across Scott Stadium tomorrow night.

“The policy prohibiting signs, banners and flags in all UVa athletics venues has become a distraction and has taken the focus away from supporting our student-athletes,” Littlepage said. “Our football team needs our support right now, and that should be our collective focus. With that in mind, I am repealing immediately the policy prohibiting signs, banners and flags in all athletics venues. I encourage all of our fans to be in attendance at Saturday night’s football game with Maryland. My hope is our fans will wear orange and be prepared to support the Cavaliers.”

Yes, of course. They’ll be bringing with them signs of support.

Seems that Littlepage has been drinking his own Kool-Aid again.