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Article: When the Hokies Made It Big; Ten Years Ago, Virginia Tech Lost The Title Game But Became a Force
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- August 31, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2009 The Washington Post. This material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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From inside Merryman Athletic Center, an empty glass case
overlooks Virginia Tech's football facility. The intent for the
display is made clear by a sign inside of it: "This area is reserved
for the national championship trophy."
Ten years ago, the Hokies came close to filling it. A redshirt
freshman named Michael Vick and a ferocious defense led Virginia
Tech to an undefeated regular season and a berth in the Sugar Bowl,
which decided the BCS championship that season. A 46-29 loss to
Florida State may have denied the Hokies the title, but it also
established the program as a national force, and the university as
more than simply an engineering school in the Appalachians.
"I'm not shying ...