Roth Report
Television & Radio
For Tech fans, 2005 season should be remembered as a great one
The 
Roth Report
Roth Report
January 5, 2006
By Bill Roth As seasons go, 11-2 is pretty good. Actually, pretty darn great, to be honest. Technically speaking, Virginia Tech's 2005 team just completed one of the greatest seasons in school history, tying a Tech record for victories. It will also be one the highest-ranked teams in school history. Personally, it's my favorite Tech team ever because of its classy, hard-working senior class. Tech beat rival Virginia 52-14, in Charlottesville, no less. It beat traditional rival West Virginia 34-17 in Morgantown, giving the Mountaineers their only loss of the season. And the Hokies won their division in the ACC and played in the inaugural ACC championship game. It showed tremendous character in bouncing back from the Miami loss to win at Virginia. Same story in the way the Hokies came back after losing to Florida State to beat Louisville in the Gator Bowl. In 2005, Virginia Tech beat six teams that played in bowl games. That's a strong resumé, no? However, as the book closes on this season, you're not quite sure what just happened. The label on the bottle might look vintage, but there's an odd bouquet. And there's certainly an unusual aftertaste. Everyone knows this season became an emotional roller coaster ride. Just when the team was playing its best football, it suffered its worst home loss in 13 years. When it had a chance at redemption in the ACC championship game, it lost its cool - and an Orange Bowl bid - at the same time. And then there was Monday in Jacksonville. Tech's Gator Bowl victory over Louisville should always be remembered for the greatest comeback in Tech's bowl history. The Hokies, who had trailed since the opening drive of the game, rallied for three fourth quarter touchdowns to beat the Cardinals. Adding to the storybook finish, the touchdowns were scored by three of the classiest seniors ever to wear Tech jerseys: Jeff King, Cedric Humes, and James Anderson. All are model citizens and student athletes each. We want to remember the win over Louisville for the 'feel good' moments, like Tech's outstanding defensive performance in the second half, the unselfishness of guys like Brandon Flowers, and the tremendous performances by those aforementioned seniors and others like Jonathan Lewis, Justin Hamilton, Darryl Tapp, and the rest. "There were some great things that happened out there in the second half," Tech coach Frank Beamer said following the game. "I want to remember the second half. I don't want to remember the first half." We're with you there, Coach. Nobody wants to remember the first half. Personal fouls, poor sportsmanship, and an uncalled cheap shot marred the opening 30 minutes. Tech won the Gator Bowl on Monday, yet by Tuesday, Tech AD Jim Weaver was issuing a statement claming the actions of quarterback Marcus Vick were "unacceptable." Weaver added his administration and Tech officials "will not condone such acts of unsportsmanlike conduct." Weaver, of course, was commenting on Vick's stomping on the back of the leg of Louisville's Elvis Dumervil. We should be remembering how strong Tech's defense was in the second half against one of the nation's premier offenses, and how Tapp played one of his best games ever. It would be a lot more fun to write about King, scoring the game-winning touchdown with 6:09 to play in the fourth quarter of his final game. (How can you not just love King and the way he handled himself on and off the field and basketball court while at Tech?) Or how about Humes, in his Tech finale, rushing for 113 yards. That should be the story here. But it's just part of the story. You know, 20 years ago, Tech won the Peach Bowl when place-kicker Chris Kinzer nailed a field goal on the game's final play. Yet, even today, fans talk about the 'one-finger salute' Kinzer gave to N.C. State's bench after he made the kick. Thus is life. Twenty years from today, fans will talk about Tech's win over Louisville, but they'll also recall Vick's stomp. They'll also remember that Jimmy Williams, one of the most honored players in school history, got run from his last college game, ejected after bumping an official. Good grief. The Gator Bowl game became a microcosm of the 2005 season. It was good, but there is still a sense of uneasiness in the way it played out, no? Those wins over Georgia Tech, West Virginia, UVa, Boston College, N.C. State, and Louisville were really sweet. All six of those teams went to bowl games and the Hokies beat four of the six away from home. That's strong stuff, partner. Tech is now 21-5 since joining the ACC. The Hokies are 8-0 in ACC road games, and 11 of those 21 wins came against teams that went on to play in bowl games. They'll return a bunch of starters and could be a top-10 team again in 2006. So, in some ways, things have never been better in Hokie land. As for 2005, this season was a rich, full-bodied Chardonnay. It had 'depth,' as they say. It was sweet and tart. You enjoy it, for sure, but have to really think of how to describe the complex aftertaste. The Voice's Mailbag
As you can imagine, the overwhelming majority of letters this week dealt with the Vick incident in Jacksonville. There were an interesting array of opinions and views. Bill,
What Marcus did was wrong and not Hokie-like at all. But what about all the fouls and roughhouse tactics Louisville pulled! They took cheap shot after cheap shot and never received a flag. It may not have been right what Marcus did, but our boys can only put up with so much before they retaliate. I'm glad to see the AD and administration come out and make a statement about the incident. When will Louisville's AD apologize to our guys for the punches to the helmet and other cheap shots that weren't called? Anything more than a one-game suspension for Marcus is overboard. He's a good kid that got tired of seeing his team take cheap shots! Azar, Newport News, Va.
Yes, what Marcus Vick did was wrong. But let's be honest, it was in retaliation. That does not make it right or Hokie-like, but I was sick to my stomach to watch undeserved fouls called on us. I watched as a Louisville player punched a Hokie in the helmet right in front of the ref and the ref simply separated them! No Flag! Granted, refs can't get every call, but some things are obvious. How about the late hit they called when our guys got to the QB? Even the TV commentators questioned the refs' calls. Talk to Vick, suspend him for a game if need be. But anything more than that is unjustifiable, just like most of those flags! Greg, Allentown, Pa.
You really do a superior job...it is a pleasure listening to your call. It's an old subject (as evidenced by previous/recent submissions), but I am trying to maintain a positive outlook and explain to the non-Hokie fans around me this lack of discipline and behavior problem several players display (it is not everyone). Hampton Roads newscasts repeatedly have shown Marcus Vick's stomp on the Louisville player. Jimmy Williams was out of control. I defend and credit Coach Beamer to my friends as a builder of a big-time program, but it all starts at the top. Would a player under Tom Osborne, Pete Carroll or Charlie Weis act the way several Hokies continue to behave? We are a perennial top-10 school - our actions are viewed by the country now, and replayed on SportsCenter over and over. Marcus Vick was lewd at WVU and again at the Gator Bowl - he should know better. Many kids are watching. It is high time that Coach Beamer puts an end to this (and other poor) behavior. W's are not what it is all about - combine winning with academics, sportsmanship, integrity, pride, discipline, team, and overcoming adversity. Sorry for my rant. I am a season-ticket holder who drives six hours for games ... and I am fed up. You are in a bad position to have to respond to this, but what has to happen to make this change? Shouldn't we, instead, be asking about more creative play-calling, game management, and other game-specific questions?
First, great work again by you and Mike this year. It is so refreshing to listen to you guys call the games. The picture you paint for us is almost as pretty as Lane Stadium itself. That being said, I must admit that I have been somewhat critical of the Hokies recently. I often get the feeling that some of the players feel like they are entitled to be in the national title picture each year and when things don't go their way, like the FSU game, the whining and what about me? attitude starts to emerge. That was also evident in the first half of the Gator Bowl. While the officiating in those two games was some of the worst I have seen, the players have to realize that nothing is given to them and take matters into their own hands and just get the job done. VT did not get where it is by complaining to officials, stepping on people's legs and posing for pseudo photo shoots on the sidelines. Coach Beamer hit the nail on the head with his post-halftime interview. That is not the way Virginia Tech has rolled up all these wins over the years and it was not Hokie Football. I don't know what else was said in that locker room but it must have worked because it was extremely refreshing to see the real Hokies in the second half. Hopefully this will be a springboard into next year. Confidence and a certain swagger are certainly important in establishing a field presence but that needs to be tempered with the right attitude especially in such an emotional game. Chuck, Leesburg, Va.
I have always enjoyed hearing you and Mike on ISP since my days at Tech from 1989-92. I have also been very proud of a budding football program that definitely had its share of ups and downs during that time period. I always believed in what Coach Beamer has promised (getting off the plane after upsetting Major Harris' Mountaineers in Morgantown in '89) that with great heart our program will see even bigger wins in the years to come. We've gotten them for sure and are now an indisputable power on the college football landscape. What was displayed by our players during most of the first half of the Gator Bowl, however, was an absolute embarrassment to our program and our university. Two words ... HOKIE RESPECT. Fans are asked to display it, but what about our players? Kudos to Coach Beamer and his coaching staff for righting the ship in the second half, but continued displays of unsportsmanlike conduct by our guys (particularly our stars) makes it EXTREMELY hard to wear OUR colors and OUR logo with the pride and HEART that Coach Beamer truly believed in on that October afternoon in '89. Great win in the Gator Bowl ... congrats to the players and the coaching staff! My hope for 2006-07 is that some of our student-athletes find a dose of that heart and integrity and make HOKIE RESPECT (and our program) something to admire into next year. Confidence and a certain swagger are certainly important in establishing a field presence but that needs to be tempered with the right attitude especially in such an emotional game. Chuck, Leesburg, Va.
Great to see our guys display some character and dig deep in the second half to come away with a win against a very determined football team. On the one hand, I believe the officiating in the first half was horrendous. On the other hand, I think some of our guys need to learn some discipline. I regularly hear from my non-VT buddies that Tech has taken over where Miami and Florida State left off - as a bunch of class-less thugs. No matter what anyone says about how great a leader and QB Marcus Vick is, his total lack of class in stepping on Dumervil is not something I want to see in a VT uniform. I don't believe for a second it was an accident! All over the website, at the games we attend, we see Hokie Respect all over the place. Yet some of these players can't grasp it. It puts a bit of tarnish on the Gator Bowl trophy, and I hope Coach will light into some of these guys. The other 99 percent of the team pulled it together, though, and that DOES make me very proud. Also, I have shown a great deal of respect for Hunter Cantwell. He took every bit of the punishment we threw at him and still hung in (though he should have been pulled in the 4th qtr). As always, you guys did a great job. We in the Hokie Nation appreciate all you do! Thom, Ashburn, Va.
Well, thanks to all who wrote in on this issue. Two schools of thought here: first, I was impressed with how the Hokies played in the second half of the Gator Bowl. You didn't see the penalties, the lack of discipline, and the poor sportsmanship. They showed a tremendous amount of character to come back and win this game, and if anyone is going to criticize the team's actions in the first half, you must also praise the way it played in the second half. Tech's play-calling was aggressive and successful. The defense was tenacious and rugged. The Hokies dominated a very good Louisville team in the second half and finished the final quarter of their final game playing their best football of the season. As for the first half, I'm convinced Coach Beamer and his staff will get this stuff under control. The image of this football program is critically important to everyone involved - from the coaching staff, to the university's administration to fans everywhere.
Just a quick comment on your article about the '95 NIT team. I was there at MSG for the final game with a few NJ/NY city friends of mine who got me tickets. They witnessed my euphoria over this game in the NOT IMPORTANT TOURNAMENT and just plain could not understand why I was making such a big deal. They really thought I was crazy when I wanted to go down on the MSG floor afterwards and just spend some time/shake some hands/slap some skin with the fellas. All I could offer for them? A shake of my head and the comment, 'Y'all just don't understand, do you? This is a great team, and they are mine - I AM A HOKIE!' Yours in Orange & Maroon in your hometown, Jim, Pittsburgh, Pa., VT '85 Jim,
I'm with ya there. That '95 team was a special group, and those players have all been successful in the past 10 years. It was a remarkable team with special chemistry, that's for sure. One player who missed the reunion was star forward Ace Custis, who is playing pro ball in Japan. Ace, however, did attend the Hokies' game at Old Dominion last week in Norfolk. He was home for the Christmas holiday, but we're proud to report that Ace is averaging 24 points and 12 rebounds per game for his pro team in Japan, and was recently named to the all-star team. He looks terrific and asked that I send his regard to Hokies everywhere.
What's the chances that Va. Tech will be heard on Sirius satellite in the future. I would love to watch the Hokies and turn the sound down on the TV to hear you guys instead (since it's a little out of the way to get to the game from AZ) Les, Chandler, Ariz. Les,
The Atlantic Coast Conference has an exclusive contract with XM Satellite Radio to provide live play-by-play broadcasts. XM pays the conference a very significant rights fee and that revenue is then shared by the member schools, including Virginia Tech.
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By Bill Roth As seasons go, 11-2 is pretty good. Actually, pretty darn great, to be honest. Technically speaking, Virginia Tech's 2005 team just completed one of the greatest seasons in school history, tying a Tech record for victories. It will also be one the highest-ranked teams in school history. Personally, it's my favorite Tech team ever because of its classy, hard-working senior class. Tech beat rival Virginia 52-14, in Charlottesville, no less. It beat traditional rival West Virginia 34-17 in Morgantown, giving the Mountaineers their only loss of the season. And the Hokies won their division in the ACC and played in the inaugural ACC championship game. It showed tremendous character in bouncing back from the Miami loss to win at Virginia. Same story in the way the Hokies came back after losing to Florida State to beat Louisville in the Gator Bowl. In 2005, Virginia Tech beat six teams that played in bowl games. That's a strong resumé, no? However, as the book closes on this season, you're not quite sure what just happened. The label on the bottle might look vintage, but there's an odd bouquet. And there's certainly an unusual aftertaste. Everyone knows this season became an emotional roller coaster ride. Just when the team was playing its best football, it suffered its worst home loss in 13 years. When it had a chance at redemption in the ACC championship game, it lost its cool - and an Orange Bowl bid - at the same time. And then there was Monday in Jacksonville. Tech's Gator Bowl victory over Louisville should always be remembered for the greatest comeback in Tech's bowl history. The Hokies, who had trailed since the opening drive of the game, rallied for three fourth quarter touchdowns to beat the Cardinals. Adding to the storybook finish, the touchdowns were scored by three of the classiest seniors ever to wear Tech jerseys: Jeff King, Cedric Humes, and James Anderson. All are model citizens and student athletes each. We want to remember the win over Louisville for the 'feel good' moments, like Tech's outstanding defensive performance in the second half, the unselfishness of guys like Brandon Flowers, and the tremendous performances by those aforementioned seniors and others like Jonathan Lewis, Justin Hamilton, Darryl Tapp, and the rest. "There were some great things that happened out there in the second half," Tech coach Frank Beamer said following the game. "I want to remember the second half. I don't want to remember the first half." We're with you there, Coach. Nobody wants to remember the first half. Personal fouls, poor sportsmanship, and an uncalled cheap shot marred the opening 30 minutes. Tech won the Gator Bowl on Monday, yet by Tuesday, Tech AD Jim Weaver was issuing a statement claming the actions of quarterback Marcus Vick were "unacceptable." Weaver added his administration and Tech officials "will not condone such acts of unsportsmanlike conduct." Weaver, of course, was commenting on Vick's stomping on the back of the leg of Louisville's Elvis Dumervil. We should be remembering how strong Tech's defense was in the second half against one of the nation's premier offenses, and how Tapp played one of his best games ever. It would be a lot more fun to write about King, scoring the game-winning touchdown with 6:09 to play in the fourth quarter of his final game. (How can you not just love King and the way he handled himself on and off the field and basketball court while at Tech?) Or how about Humes, in his Tech finale, rushing for 113 yards. That should be the story here. But it's just part of the story. You know, 20 years ago, Tech won the Peach Bowl when place-kicker Chris Kinzer nailed a field goal on the game's final play. Yet, even today, fans talk about the 'one-finger salute' Kinzer gave to N.C. State's bench after he made the kick. Thus is life. Twenty years from today, fans will talk about Tech's win over Louisville, but they'll also recall Vick's stomp. They'll also remember that Jimmy Williams, one of the most honored players in school history, got run from his last college game, ejected after bumping an official. Good grief. The Gator Bowl game became a microcosm of the 2005 season. It was good, but there is still a sense of uneasiness in the way it played out, no? Those wins over Georgia Tech, West Virginia, UVa, Boston College, N.C. State, and Louisville were really sweet. All six of those teams went to bowl games and the Hokies beat four of the six away from home. That's strong stuff, partner. Tech is now 21-5 since joining the ACC. The Hokies are 8-0 in ACC road games, and 11 of those 21 wins came against teams that went on to play in bowl games. They'll return a bunch of starters and could be a top-10 team again in 2006. So, in some ways, things have never been better in Hokie land. As for 2005, this season was a rich, full-bodied Chardonnay. It had 'depth,' as they say. It was sweet and tart. You enjoy it, for sure, but have to really think of how to describe the complex aftertaste. The Voice's Mailbag
As you can imagine, the overwhelming majority of letters this week dealt with the Vick incident in Jacksonville. There were an interesting array of opinions and views. Bill,
What Marcus did was wrong and not Hokie-like at all. But what about all the fouls and roughhouse tactics Louisville pulled! They took cheap shot after cheap shot and never received a flag. It may not have been right what Marcus did, but our boys can only put up with so much before they retaliate. I'm glad to see the AD and administration come out and make a statement about the incident. When will Louisville's AD apologize to our guys for the punches to the helmet and other cheap shots that weren't called? Anything more than a one-game suspension for Marcus is overboard. He's a good kid that got tired of seeing his team take cheap shots! Azar, Newport News, Va.
Yes, what Marcus Vick did was wrong. But let's be honest, it was in retaliation. That does not make it right or Hokie-like, but I was sick to my stomach to watch undeserved fouls called on us. I watched as a Louisville player punched a Hokie in the helmet right in front of the ref and the ref simply separated them! No Flag! Granted, refs can't get every call, but some things are obvious. How about the late hit they called when our guys got to the QB? Even the TV commentators questioned the refs' calls. Talk to Vick, suspend him for a game if need be. But anything more than that is unjustifiable, just like most of those flags! Greg, Allentown, Pa.
You really do a superior job...it is a pleasure listening to your call. It's an old subject (as evidenced by previous/recent submissions), but I am trying to maintain a positive outlook and explain to the non-Hokie fans around me this lack of discipline and behavior problem several players display (it is not everyone). Hampton Roads newscasts repeatedly have shown Marcus Vick's stomp on the Louisville player. Jimmy Williams was out of control. I defend and credit Coach Beamer to my friends as a builder of a big-time program, but it all starts at the top. Would a player under Tom Osborne, Pete Carroll or Charlie Weis act the way several Hokies continue to behave? We are a perennial top-10 school - our actions are viewed by the country now, and replayed on SportsCenter over and over. Marcus Vick was lewd at WVU and again at the Gator Bowl - he should know better. Many kids are watching. It is high time that Coach Beamer puts an end to this (and other poor) behavior. W's are not what it is all about - combine winning with academics, sportsmanship, integrity, pride, discipline, team, and overcoming adversity. Sorry for my rant. I am a season-ticket holder who drives six hours for games ... and I am fed up. You are in a bad position to have to respond to this, but what has to happen to make this change? Shouldn't we, instead, be asking about more creative play-calling, game management, and other game-specific questions?
First, great work again by you and Mike this year. It is so refreshing to listen to you guys call the games. The picture you paint for us is almost as pretty as Lane Stadium itself. That being said, I must admit that I have been somewhat critical of the Hokies recently. I often get the feeling that some of the players feel like they are entitled to be in the national title picture each year and when things don't go their way, like the FSU game, the whining and what about me? attitude starts to emerge. That was also evident in the first half of the Gator Bowl. While the officiating in those two games was some of the worst I have seen, the players have to realize that nothing is given to them and take matters into their own hands and just get the job done. VT did not get where it is by complaining to officials, stepping on people's legs and posing for pseudo photo shoots on the sidelines. Coach Beamer hit the nail on the head with his post-halftime interview. That is not the way Virginia Tech has rolled up all these wins over the years and it was not Hokie Football. I don't know what else was said in that locker room but it must have worked because it was extremely refreshing to see the real Hokies in the second half. Hopefully this will be a springboard into next year. Confidence and a certain swagger are certainly important in establishing a field presence but that needs to be tempered with the right attitude especially in such an emotional game. Chuck, Leesburg, Va.
I have always enjoyed hearing you and Mike on ISP since my days at Tech from 1989-92. I have also been very proud of a budding football program that definitely had its share of ups and downs during that time period. I always believed in what Coach Beamer has promised (getting off the plane after upsetting Major Harris' Mountaineers in Morgantown in '89) that with great heart our program will see even bigger wins in the years to come. We've gotten them for sure and are now an indisputable power on the college football landscape. What was displayed by our players during most of the first half of the Gator Bowl, however, was an absolute embarrassment to our program and our university. Two words ... HOKIE RESPECT. Fans are asked to display it, but what about our players? Kudos to Coach Beamer and his coaching staff for righting the ship in the second half, but continued displays of unsportsmanlike conduct by our guys (particularly our stars) makes it EXTREMELY hard to wear OUR colors and OUR logo with the pride and HEART that Coach Beamer truly believed in on that October afternoon in '89. Great win in the Gator Bowl ... congrats to the players and the coaching staff! My hope for 2006-07 is that some of our student-athletes find a dose of that heart and integrity and make HOKIE RESPECT (and our program) something to admire into next year. Confidence and a certain swagger are certainly important in establishing a field presence but that needs to be tempered with the right attitude especially in such an emotional game. Chuck, Leesburg, Va.
Great to see our guys display some character and dig deep in the second half to come away with a win against a very determined football team. On the one hand, I believe the officiating in the first half was horrendous. On the other hand, I think some of our guys need to learn some discipline. I regularly hear from my non-VT buddies that Tech has taken over where Miami and Florida State left off - as a bunch of class-less thugs. No matter what anyone says about how great a leader and QB Marcus Vick is, his total lack of class in stepping on Dumervil is not something I want to see in a VT uniform. I don't believe for a second it was an accident! All over the website, at the games we attend, we see Hokie Respect all over the place. Yet some of these players can't grasp it. It puts a bit of tarnish on the Gator Bowl trophy, and I hope Coach will light into some of these guys. The other 99 percent of the team pulled it together, though, and that DOES make me very proud. Also, I have shown a great deal of respect for Hunter Cantwell. He took every bit of the punishment we threw at him and still hung in (though he should have been pulled in the 4th qtr). As always, you guys did a great job. We in the Hokie Nation appreciate all you do! Thom, Ashburn, Va.
Well, thanks to all who wrote in on this issue. Two schools of thought here: first, I was impressed with how the Hokies played in the second half of the Gator Bowl. You didn't see the penalties, the lack of discipline, and the poor sportsmanship. They showed a tremendous amount of character to come back and win this game, and if anyone is going to criticize the team's actions in the first half, you must also praise the way it played in the second half. Tech's play-calling was aggressive and successful. The defense was tenacious and rugged. The Hokies dominated a very good Louisville team in the second half and finished the final quarter of their final game playing their best football of the season. As for the first half, I'm convinced Coach Beamer and his staff will get this stuff under control. The image of this football program is critically important to everyone involved - from the coaching staff, to the university's administration to fans everywhere.
Just a quick comment on your article about the '95 NIT team. I was there at MSG for the final game with a few NJ/NY city friends of mine who got me tickets. They witnessed my euphoria over this game in the NOT IMPORTANT TOURNAMENT and just plain could not understand why I was making such a big deal. They really thought I was crazy when I wanted to go down on the MSG floor afterwards and just spend some time/shake some hands/slap some skin with the fellas. All I could offer for them? A shake of my head and the comment, 'Y'all just don't understand, do you? This is a great team, and they are mine - I AM A HOKIE!' Yours in Orange & Maroon in your hometown, Jim, Pittsburgh, Pa., VT '85 Jim,
I'm with ya there. That '95 team was a special group, and those players have all been successful in the past 10 years. It was a remarkable team with special chemistry, that's for sure. One player who missed the reunion was star forward Ace Custis, who is playing pro ball in Japan. Ace, however, did attend the Hokies' game at Old Dominion last week in Norfolk. He was home for the Christmas holiday, but we're proud to report that Ace is averaging 24 points and 12 rebounds per game for his pro team in Japan, and was recently named to the all-star team. He looks terrific and asked that I send his regard to Hokies everywhere.
What's the chances that Va. Tech will be heard on Sirius satellite in the future. I would love to watch the Hokies and turn the sound down on the TV to hear you guys instead (since it's a little out of the way to get to the game from AZ) Les, Chandler, Ariz. Les,
The Atlantic Coast Conference has an exclusive contract with XM Satellite Radio to provide live play-by-play broadcasts. XM pays the conference a very significant rights fee and that revenue is then shared by the member schools, including Virginia Tech.
