HOKIES FOOTBALL

"When I stopped playing football, I never wanted to stop."

The veteran coach most recently served as a tight ends coach in the NFL for the Jacksonville Jaguars this past season.

The Rockbridge County High School grad, formerly known as Lexington High School, has led the Penn State defense for the past 8 seasons.

In Saturday’s college football game, Virginia Tech Hokies (3-1) beat the Richmond Spiders (2-2), 21-10.

The Black Diamond Trophy won’t be going home with the No. 15 Virginia Tech Hokies after its rivalry game against the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Virginia Tech renews its rivalry with West Virginia for the first time since 2017 when the two played in their season opener on a Sunday night at FedEx Field.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Head coach Justin Fuente announced Tuesday that he is adding former Tech defensive tackle J.C. price to his staff as co-defensive line coach/defensive recruiting coordinator. “My wife and I are both proud Virginia Tech alums, so the chance to bring our family back to Blacksburg is an incredible blessing. Go Hokies!”AdPrice is married to the former Jenny Root, who was inducted into the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. AdPrice is one of seven former Virginia Tech players currently serving in full-time roles on Coach’s Fuente’s staff. The Butte, Nebraska native originally joined the Virginia Tech staff as director of player development in March 2017 and worked on Fuente’s staff at Memphis from 2012-15.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Head coach Justin Fuente confirmed on Wednesday that Tracy Claeys has informed him of his intention to retire. “On behalf of our entire football program, I want to thank Tracy Claeys for his contributions to our team,” Fuente said. We all wish Tracy the very best going forward.”“I’m very grateful that to have coached with Coach Fuente and his staff at a place like Virginia Tech,” Claeys said. “Jack is a tireless worker who is passionate about the game and possesses a great love for Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech has made such an unbelievable impact on my life and I really try to pay that forward every day.

ROANOKE, Va. – In a Twitter video released on Monday evening, Virginia Tech tight end James Mitchell revealed that he will be returning to Blacksburg for his senior season. The Junior from Big Stone Gap was the third leading receiver for the Hokies in 2020, with 435 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns in 10 games. Mitchell also served as a punt returner a few times during the season. This will certainly bring depth and experience to the Hokies receiving core, one that will feature a solid tight end room with the likes of Drake Deiuliis and Nick Gallo.

It was a short hiatus without the Commonwealth Cup for Virginia Tech. After getting beat by Virginia for the first time in 15 years last season in Charlottesville, the Hokies reclaimed bragging rights on Saturday, earning a 33-15 win over the Cavaliers at Lane Stadium. Khalil Herbert rushed for 162 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries for Virginia Tech (5-6), which outscored Virginia in the second quarter, 24-0, to take a 27-7 halftime lead. Brennan Armstrong went 25-of-45 passing for 259 yards and two touchdown in defeat for Virginia (5-5).

4 Clemson beat Virginia Tech 45-10 on Saturday to set up a rematch against No. Virginia Tech slowed the game down on a cold night and tried to limit Clemson’s possessions, but Clemson pulled away in the second half. Virginia Tech: The Hokies have played in 27 consecutive bowl games, which represents the nation’s longest active streak, but they may see that come to an end. Even with the NCAA waiving the six-win requirement for bowl eligibility, Virginia Tech probably hasn’t warranted being selected. Virginia Tech: Hosts Virginia next Saturday in the regular-season finale.

DURHAM, NC – The Virginia Tech Hokies are leading the Duke Blue Devils 10-7 at halftime in Durham, North Carolina. The Hokies are playing the game without 21 players and 2 full-time coaches, including their top 4 defensive backs, due to the effects of COVID-19. The Blue Devils lone touchdown came off a fumbled punt return by the Hokies Tayvion Robinson, which was returned for a touchdown by Duke. The Hokies committed their second turnover of the game, an interception, with under 2 minutes remaining in the first half. The defense has held Duke to under 100 yards of offense in the first half and has tallied 4 sacks.

It’s only the third time since Tech joined the ACC in 2004 that the Hokies have racked up 300+ yards on the ground in an ACC game. Virginia Tech Center Brock Hoffman was named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week after the Hokies win over NC State. Hoffman helped pave the way for RB Khalil Herbert, who racked up 104 rushing yards on Saturday night. The game was Hoffman’s first since competing at Coastal Carolina in 2018 before transferring to Virginia Tech. He led a UVA effort that limited Duke to just 56 rushing yards.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Short-handed Virginia Tech beat NC State 45-24 on Saturday. Before the game, it was announced that Virginia Tech would be without 23 players due to injury and undisclosed reasons, including starting quarterback Hendon Hooker and starting defensive back Jermaine Waller. The Hokies took a 17-0 lead 7:49 into the game on a 46-yard field goal by Brian Johnson, a 37-yard touchdown run by Khalil Herbert and an 8-yard touchdown run by Raheem Blackshear. Johnson then gave Virginia Tech a 37-10 lead on a pair of third-quarter field goals. Virginia Tech all but put the game away with 8:56 remaining, when Patterson scored on a 1-yard touchdown run and a successful 2-point conversion gave the Hokies a 45-17 lead.

But that hasn’t been the case under head coach Justin Fuente’s “running backs by committee” approach, which does appears to be stronger this upcoming season. During the offseason, Tech welcomed two running backs to help its cause. “Helping those young guys come along and getting the whole team right and for me when my number is called I’m going to come play,” Holston said. This trio will compliment an explosive Keshawn King and a host of other young backs. And by the looks of the talented group, the ground attack will be a threat for this budding offense.