COMMENTARY: Tech seniors a perfect 4-0 against UVa

By Charles R. Barrineau, The Collegiate Times

November 27, 2007

Blacksburg, VA (CSTV U-WIRE) -- A few things hit me while I was standing down on the field during the final minutes of Virginia Tech's 33-21 victory over the University of Virginia Cavaliers. The first thing that hit me was how lucky all the Hokie fans who got into the game were.

A friend text-messaged me during the first half saying that she would not be getting into the game because tickets were going for $200 outside - significantly more than most people would be willing to pay.

I didn't think much of it at the time, but later realized how privileged Tech fans have been to follow a team around that puts a quality, sought-after, entertaining product on the field. I've covered sports without a winning tradition similar to Tech football, but they just don't have the same viewing appeal as a top-10 team fighting for a Bowl Championship Series berth.

The second thing that hit me down there was how great this game was - and Tech fans have seen some great Commonwealth Cups.

In 1995, Tech quarterback Jim Druckenmiller engineered a great comeback to defeat the Cavaliers 36-29 and get the Hokies into their first-ever major bowl game, the Sugar Bowl. In 1998, it was a great game, just not for Tech. Tech blew a sizeable halftime lead to lose to the Wahoos 36-32.

But the masses weren't really treated to a number of memorable games from 1999 to 2006 - the Hokies pretty much took care of the Cavs, only losing the 2003 match-up.

But wow, did Saturday's game ever bring a sense of greatness back to the rivalry. Great games aren't those that a team wins in convincing fashion; they're the nail-biters.

It didn't hit me sitting at the 20-yard line chewing on my fingernails in the open-air press box that this one was going to be a good memory for the Hokie Nation - but it was. All I could think about was the cloud of disappointment that would hover over southwestern Virginia should the Hokies fall to the hated 'Hoos and lose their shot at the BCS.

But a Tech loss just wasn't in the cards. Standing in the southeast corner of Scott Stadium as time expired and watching the players celebrate with their contingent of fans solidified the game as a significant win.

All the players knew that this one was huge. After the game, senior linebacker Xavier Adibi put into perspective the magnitude of this Tech/UVa game.

"We talked about it all week - this was probably the biggest UVa/Virginia Tech game ever in the history of the game," said Adibi. "This win meant a lot to all the players and, as well, to all the seniors. So, we're 4-0 against UVa."

That was the final thing that hit me while I was down on the field. I managed to get through Virginia Tech with the Hokies faring pretty well against their historic rivals. Tech is 4-0 against Virginia, as Adibi stated, 3-1 against the University of Miami and 2-0 against the West Virginia Mountaineers dating back to the 2004 season.

Tech fans should be thankful. Many teams do not enjoy this type of success against rivals. Navy only recently broke their long losing streak to Notre Dame, and Kentucky choked in dramatic fashion this weekend at home to continue theirs against Tennessee.

But I guess that's all in the past now - or maybe not. Tech is 1-2 against Boston College - a team with which is developing a less intense rivalry. The only problem is that Tech is 1-2 against the Eagles from 2004 on and joining the Atlantic Coast Conference. It'd really make a lot of Christmases around the Commonwealth to see the Hokies even the score Saturday, especially when it's for all the marbles.