MIAMI (AP) -Virginia Tech’s season as the standard-bearer for a wounded community ended with a loss in the Orange Bowl. The Hokies tribute, though, was completed.
Intent on honoring the 33 people killed and dozens injured in a campus massacre last spring and helping to heal their community, the fifth-ranked Hokies put together an inspired season that concluded Thursday night with a 24-21 defeat against Kansas.
“I’m very upset right now and sad,” said quarterback Sean Glennon, who threw two interceptions. “It would have been great to get a win, but when it’s all said and done, we’re going to look back on this season and see a lot to be proud of.”
The final chapter was exhausting, like so many of the twists and turns along the way. Virginia Tech fell behind, battled back, but never quite got even with No. 8 Kansas. The Jayhawks blocked a 25-yard field-goal try that would have tied the score in the third quarter, added a late touchdown and held on for a 24-21 win.
In many ways, the game was just like the Hokies’ remarkable season, a roller-coaster trip of highs and lows, all with the April 16 victims in mind.
Even the team’s traditional lunch pail, signifying the work ethic the coaching staff considers a Hokies hallmark, carried the names and ribbons for the victims.
It was with those powerful emotions that it all began on Sept. 1.
Some of the players were nearly overcome with emotion as Virginia Tech prepared for its home opener against East Carolina, the team’s first opportunity to present itself as the public face of a university the nation had cried for, prayed for, admired.
After a narrow victory, the Hokies traveled to LSU with high expectations, knowing another victory could boost them into the thick of the national championship race.
Instead, they were embarrassed 48-7 on national television, a demoralizing performance that brought changes to the lineup and questions about the team’s talent.
It could have been the beginning of a swoon, but instead it was galvanizing.
The seniors – 20 of them – called a team meeting, told the rest of the squad that hanging their heads would not be allowed and challenged them to help turn it around.
Five straight wins followed, and then a heart-wrenching loss to Boston College in which the acclaimed defense allowed two touchdowns in the final 2:11 of a 14-10 defeat.
It was another gut-check for the Hokies, and again they responded.
They closed the regular season by beating Georgia Tech, Florida State, Miami and Virginia in succession, the last one earning them a berth in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship. There, they got revenge on Boston College, winning 30-16.
The victory earned them their spot in the Orange Bowl, and against a team whose coach said he had studied coach Frank Beamer’s program before building his own.
The loss was the third of the season for the Hokies, all of them crushing.
But Glennon said it would not be allowed, in the end, to spoil the season.
“It hurts right now, but when we look at it tomorrow or next week, I don’t think anyone at Virginia Tech is going to be disappointed with this season,” he said.
As victory music began blaring at the end, Kansas began celebrating and the Hokies retreated to their locker room, their fans cheered their beloved maroon and orange.
With the weight of a community’s hope and healing on their shoulders all season, the Hokies demonstrated the fight and pride and caring that Blacksburg needed most.
“We put the community on our backs,” wide receiver Justin Harper said, and those in attendance showed their appreciation until the final gun. “You looked up in the stands and not one Hokies fan left. They’re very devoted to us and I love them for that.”
In the end, that tribute was all the thanks the Hokies needed.
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