Greatest Moments in Lane Stadium History
by Josh Parcell on Oct 9, 2011 3:33 PM EDT
Email
Print[Ed. Note: Bumped from FanPosts.]
Virginia Tech fans are capable of wonderful things sometimes. Saturday night was one of those times.
As their beloved Hokies battled Miami to the bitter end of a 38-35 classic, Lane Stadium reached decibel levels that made the hair on my arms stand straight up. From the field, I watched as the Terror Dome came alive once again.
With less than three minutes remaining and the Hurricanes facing a 2nd and goal from the 30-yard line trailing 31-28, Tech fans were going bonkers trying to make it impossible for their foe to execute its offense. Lamar Miller silenced the crowd with an easy touchdown dash that gave Miami a 35-31 lead.
Did that deter Hokie Nation? Not at all. At the urging of David Wilson, the fans were louder than ever as Miami lined up to kick the ball back to the Hokies. There was an emotional charge in Blacksburg that was impossible to put into words.
This wasn’t Nebraska in 2009, when many fans headed for the exits in the final minutes before Tyrod Taylor worked his magic to save the Hokies. No, this time, everyone stayed. Everyone believed. They believed in an offense that just one week earlier had failed to score a touchdown for the first time in 16 years at home. They believed in a quarterback who until Saturday had thrown more interceptions than touchdowns this season. For whatever reason, it just seemed like there was no chance Miami would walk out of Lane Stadium as the victors. There were 66,000 maniacal orange and maroon-clad folks who wouldn’t allow it.
Naturally, Logan Thomas led the Hokies on an unforgettable march, 77 yards down the field in less than two minutes, capped by a heart-stopping 19-yard touchdown run on fourth and two. If Thomas plays quarterback for three more years at Tech, he may never have a signature moment that tops that one. Like Taylor vs. Nebraska, or Michael Vick against West Virginia in 1999, Thomas’ legacy will long be marked by that drive – specifically, the final play.
As Miami tried to mount a hapless comeback in the final minute, Enter Sandman came blasting over the loudspeakers right on cue. What ensued was one of the most electric moments in Lane Stadium history. Mike Patrick had the call on ESPN:
“Look at this…this is just spectacular,” Patrick said. “These people are losing their minds. This is beautiful.”
If there was ever a moment that makes it easy to love college football, this was it. There was an air of magic inside Lane Stadium Saturday night. It wasn’t the first time.
Here’s a look at the most electric moments I’ve ever experienced at Lane (since 1997).
The Blocked Punt: Miami 2001
Facing one of the greatest teams in the history of college football, Eric Green’s blocked punt was scooped up by Brandon Manning and returned for a touchdown. That brought the Hokies within two at 26-24 with six minutes to go. That play was followed with the most forgettable moment in Ernest Wilford’s life, as he dropped a surefire two-point conversion that would have tied the game. Regardless, the (pre-south end zone expansion) crowd exploded as Manning raced into the end zone. I retain that, even at a 50,000-person capacity, it was the loudest I’ve ever heard Lane Stadium mid-game.
Welcome to Blacksburg: LSU 2002
The build-up to this game was incredible. The Prices’ Fork tailgate lot was full of RV’s from Cajun Country by Wednesday. The defending SEC champions invaded Blacksburg, bringing their impassioned fan base with them. Hokie Nation answered the call, creating a raucous environment for Tiger quarterback Matt Mauck and company. The Hokies slammed the Tigers 26-8. The game helped put Lane Stadium on the map as a venue where nobody wanted to come play.
Enter Sandman: Miami 2005
If football games were decided by pre-game atmosphere, Virginia Tech won this game in a blowout. The game pitted No. 5 Miami against the third-ranked Hokies in a battle of unbeatens. It was the loudest rendition Enter Sandman I’ve ever heard. College Gameday was in town, and the fans were dying for a win that would have given the Hokies ultimate control of their own destiny in the national title race. Instead, the Hurricanes silenced Tech 31-7, and the Hokies faded out of the national spotlight. But for one tension-filled minute before kickoff, it was as charged of an atmosphere as there’s ever been in Blacksburg.
Taylor-to-Coale: Nebraska 2009
I’m splitting hairs here, but I’m saying that as Danny Coale went racing down the sideline, Lane Stadium was more alive even than when Dyrell Roberts caught the game-winning touchdown pass three plays later. The improbability of Coale’s catch and run was unlike any other moment the stadium has seen. Between that game and this Saturday, you can probably say they were the two most exciting endings of games in at least the last 15 years at Lane.
Perfect: Boston College 1999
With a birth in the national championship game hanging in the balance, Hokie fans were out in force as Tech tried to cap off an unbeaten season against the Eagles. Towards the conclusion of the game (with the Hokies ahead 38-14), sugar cubes rained down on the field, signifying a birth in the Sugar Bowl. The emotions of a perfect season were too much to contain, and it would be foolish not to include that moment on this list.
The Return: Georgia Tech 2010
The Yellow Jackets were trying to knock the Hokies out of the Coastal Division race, led by backup quarterback Tevin Washington. Georgia Tech tied the score at 21 with 2:30 to go, before David Wilson returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown. Exit Light, Enter Night. Enter Sandman made a late-game appearance that might as well have sealed the Yellow Jackets’ fate. It did not top Saturday’s edition, however. Only 30 seconds of the intro was played, compared to the full 1:20-plus in the Miami game. It served as more than a worthy precursor to the most recent game, no doubt.
FanPosts are user-generated content not necessarily endorsed by Gobbler Country.
13 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I was only there for the 3 most recent, but I voted for Nebraska.
As you mentioned above, I just couldn’t picture us leaving Saturday’s game with a loss. Against Georgia Tech, I had a feeling that special teams would come up big and DW obviously delivered that.
But the Nebraska game, after witnessing 58 minutes of complete offensive futility, I really thought it would take nothing short of a miracle for us to come back. I never thought about leaving the game early like so many fans did, but I did not expect to win. So for me, the shear ecstasy of Coale streaking down the sideline, followed by Tyrod dancing around in the pocket for seemingly 30 seconds before connecting with Dyrell for the go-ahead TD wins it for me.
Not a season ticket holder so I'm not at every game
GT last year stands out to me. I had lost all hope and was convinced we were gonna lose in OT. But I saw the Pride Team open that hole from sec 17 and knew Wilson was takin it to the house. Wow, what a moment of delirious oblivion. I was like 4 rows up high fivin and hugging people before I realized I had left my seat.
Hokie magic on a Thursday night
"Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time I do what I have to."
Nebraska 2009, was my pick as well.
I remember being in the North Endzone, and almost the entire row behind us got up and left with about 3:00 left in the game. A few moments later, came the “Tyrod Miracle,” and the rest is history! This was the only time I rushed the field at Tech. I also think the 2009 Miami game deserves recognition, given all the hype the U and Jacory Harris were receiving at the time. The weather was a torrential downpour for much of the game, but the Hokies came out with a solid 31-7 win. Those games back-to-back, might just be the most memorable series at Lane.
Wish I went to this game instead of the Clemson debacle, but such is life.
Born and raised in the 804, VT '10. Hokies, Braves, NY Giants, and NY Rangers are my teams.
Have to go With GT
Mainly because right before the return I turned to my friend and said “How awesome would it be right now if he ran this kick back?” Then it happened. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
But in all honesty, all of these games could make the list. These games are what college football all about. I love it. You just get a euphoric feeling that no other sport or league in the world can offer.
No Josh, you weren't wrong
MIAMI 2001 WAS the loudest, at least IN game. I was there when Danny Coale caught the pass, and I was delirious just like the rest, but I think there was just such an air of confusion and disbelief that not everyone got loud. It was loud, but it wasn’t punt block Miami loud! We’re talking about a Tech team that was in the game the whole time, even as bad as our offense stunk in the Nebraska game.
In the Miami game in ‘01 (which was either the best team ever or a close second to ’05 USC), we were down 20-3 at half! AGAINST MAYBE THE GREATEST TEAM OF ALL TIME AND WITH A DIPSHIT AT QUARTERBACK WHO COMPLETED THE SAME NUMBER OF PASSES TO THE OTHER TEAM THAT DAY AS HE DID HIS OWN! And we STILL almost came back and won it. No question, 2001 Miami takes the cake. When Eric Green blocked that kick the lid blew off that place (metaphorically since we don’t really have a lid). That may have been Lane Stadium’s first ever appearance on the Richter scale, but it did register. There’s an article out there somewhere to back that up that I don’t have the time or the patience to go find. Even with 50,000, it’s never been louder.
Nebraska
The title says favorite “moment”, so we aren’t looking at whole games. Close second and third would be Wilson’s return against GT last year and the punt-block-for-TD against Miami in ’09, respectfully.
Also, why is that game not on the list? Everyone was talking how the U was back that year after starting strong and pretty much the national consensus was that they would destroy us. Then we absolutely dominate them in pretty much every part of the game (31-7 final) including sacks on JH, ints, aforementioned punt block, etc. And if you go back and watch the ESPN replay of the game, one of the commentators keeps swearing that Miami was going to come back for at least the first half of the game.
I think people ignore that game because of the miserable weather, but the best part was afterwards Miami said they lost because of the rain.
"I broke my face. Ran into Brendan Shanahan. You can Google it."
-Mike Knuble
One is missing...
As someone who has attended the following (essentially all but 2001 Miami):
Miami 2011 (although I need to admit I left at the lead change – my head buried, eyes closed and didn’t even know we took the lead until the entire game was over – I was that emotionally charged and couldn’t handle it)
Georgia Tech 2010
Nebraska 2009
Miami 2005
LSU 2002
Boston College 1999
Of ALL of those I think the most exciting Lane has ever EVER been in my time attending games was 2003 against #2 Miami when we knocked them off at home. Sandman came in to FULL focus with that game in my opinion and it planted a “Don’t mess with Lane” post firmly in the ground. Every single play that Miami had the ball the stadium was screaming and not just when the huddles broke but the entire series. I was in the North Endzone and consider that to be the best night of Lane ever. So I guess I’d go with “Other” but your list there – its a great one.
SEPT. 23, 1995: Virginia Tech 13, Miami 7
I will never forget this game…granted the stadium wasn’t the size it is now, but I think we were pretty loud back then too!
Ironic that you mention this game...
I may be a Bama fan, but I grew up in Bristol, and attended several Tech games in my junior high and high school years. This one was my first! If I remember correctly, this was also the game when they retired Bruce Smith’s jersey number at halftime; it might have been the ‘97 Miami game, but I’m almost certain it was at this one.
Yes, Lane Stadium was quite loud, even then. I haven’t been back since the turn of the century, so sometime, I will have to make it back and witness the “Enter Sandman” intro in person.
by Dixie's Football Pride on Oct 11, 2011 1:27 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I only attended a game or two every year until 2007, so my most memorable moments in Lane Stadium have been within the last 4 1/2 seasons.
I actually missed the 2009 Nebraska game. I had to go to Baltimore that weekend for some baseball, but I was watching the game at the Inner Harbor ESPNZone with a hundred or so Hokie fans. That was an interesting memory in its own right and my favorite Lane Stadium moment that I did not witness personally.
My top moments are similar to what many of you have posted.
3) 2010 Georgia Tech game — Bourbon-fueled optimism and blind faith in special teams led me to call that kick return TD right before it happened.
2) 2009 Miami game — Like the rest of y’all, I spent the entire week reading about how ‘back’ Miami was (again) and loved nothing more than Tech coming out and punching the ’Canes in the mouth.
1) 2011 Miami game — I watched Saturday’s game from the field. I almost couldn’t watch on that 4th down and really struggled to maintain nonpartisan journalistic objectivity when Thomas broke through for the TD run. I honestly don’t remember if I refrained from any sort of celebratory gestures. When Enter Sandman came on before that last play, I stopped what I was doing and soaked it all in standing down in front of the cadets. My ears were still ringing yesterday. That game definitely takes it for me.
"Baseball statistics are like a girl in a bikini. They show a lot, but not everything."
Twitter // reporter for The Rampage, Future Jays on Scout.com, and other various news outlets.
Another one of my favorite moments was when Mark Herzlich returned after beating cancer
At halftime he was presented with a half vt, half bc jersey (helmet maybe?) and got a huge ovation and chant from the crowd.
Very classy display that made me proud to be part of this fanbase.
Blocked Punt - Miami 2001
There have been so many awesome moments in Lane. I would say that in terms of best game day as a whole, the Miami game in 2003 was the best. The town and stadium were rocking all day before the game and all night after.
But, in terms of best single moment (and loudest), I don’t even think its a contest. It was the blocked punt in the 2001 game against Miami. That was easily the loudest I have ever heard that stadium, pre or post expansion, I can remember how awful that first half was, and then we started clawing back. When the punt was blocked it was just a roar like I have never heard at a game. My dad came down to go to that game, and this was a guy who had had like 6-7 knee surgeries, and all I can remember was seeing him jumping up in the air and going crazy. It was awesome
My vote would have been for the 2003 beatdown of Miami.
I’d like to forget almost everything else about that season.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Gobbler Country
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
