79 Days ‘Til Football

Today is June 13, 2019, which means we are 79 days away from the Hokies opening the 2019 college football season at Boston College. Yesterday, we profiled Antonio Freeman and his outstanding career that helped put the Hokies on the national radar.

After this year’s recruiting class being offensive line-heavy, we decided to profile Roger McClure.

McClure was an honorable mention All-American in 1941 and helped a struggling Virginia Tech team turn things around. After a few rough seasons, McClure was the centerpiece on a very good O-Line in Blacksburg. Despite not having a great team, the Hokies managed to win 18 games over the three years McClure was on the O-Line and took big steps.

Another thing, kind of a funny thing actually, was that Roger McClure doubled as a kicker nicknamed “The Miracle Toe.” During his tenure at VT, he was consistent enough to be in discussion as one of the best kickers in the country and had a game-winning field goal against the defending national champs in the Georgetown Hoyas.

To add to his uniqueness, against VMI in 1942, McClure stepped in to replace the injured fullback for the game. He ended up scoring a touchdown and then also kicking the extra point leading the Hokies to win the game and end the season with 7 wins.

A guy like Roger McClure wasn’t a freak talent or anything, but he did whatever it took to win and help his team. With question marks lurking over the next 79 days, Fuente and his staff are looking for guys like the blue-collar McClure to step up.

Tomorrow is Day 78. Any guesses?