Looking across the line of scrimmage, an offensive tackle sees a defensive end in a three-point stance, eyes fixed ahead, eagerly anticipating the snap so he can deliver a blow that to most people would feel like a car wreck without the airbag. This is, after all, unnatural human interaction.

Senior kicker Dustin Keys attempted eight field goals his entire high school career. Now, in his only season as Virginia Tech’s kicker, he is on the cusp of the school’s single-season field goal mark.
Keys, a former walk-on who was awarded a scholarship right before this season, is four field goals away from breaking the single-season record of 22 set by Chris Kinzer in 1986 and matched by Shayne Graham in 1998.

Elon’s Brandon Newsome isn’t a pro prospect, at least not yet. He’s not popping up on a list of the nation’s top FCS running backs. He’s not the target for opposing defenses.
But his emergence in 2008 has given Elon much-needed offensive balance, a weapon in the backfield to keep opponents honest.

At college football stadiums all around the country tomorrow, seniors will be recognized before their final home games, usually with their parents at their side.

Senior kicker Dustin Keys attempted eight field goals his entire high school career. Now, in his only season as Virginia Tech’s kicker, he is on the cusp of the school’s single-season field goal mark.
Keys, a former walk-on who was awarded a scholarship right before this season, is four field goals away from breaking the single-season record of 22 set by Chris Kinzer in 1986 and matched by Shayne Graham in 1998.

Elon’s Brandon Newsome isn’t a pro prospect, at least not yet. He’s not popping up on a list of the nation’s top FCS running backs. He’s not the target for opposing defenses.
But his emergence in 2008 has given Elon much-needed offensive balance, a weapon in the backfield to keep opponents honest.

When Jason Worilds listens to a Herbie Hancock piano solo, he hears more than music. He hears expression. He hears feeling.
There’s nothing to distract from the song or drown out the emotion. It’s complex in its simplicity, kind of like Worilds’ new approach on the football field.
Since the Virginia Tech sophomore defensive end removed all distractions from his mind and stopped second-guessing himself, he’s been able to express himself on the field a lot better.
The result has been sweet music.

CHARLOTTESVILLE — One of the pressing questions heading into this season of uncertainty for Virginia’s men’s basketball team was this: Who would be the one to take the shot with the game on the line?

BLACKSBURG—Virginia Tech Athletic Director Jim Weaver spent part of yesterday researching Texas’ decision to designate its defensive coordinator as its future head coach. Weaver wants to find out if, and how, a similar arrangement could work at Tech, presumably with defensive coordinator Bud Foster.

If Liberty beats Elon on Saturday afternoon at Williams Stadium, the Flames will remain in the hunt for one of the eight at-large berths to the FCS playoffs. For Elon, the matchup is a playoff play-in. The Phoenix (8-3) need to beat the Flames (9-2) to earn their first trip to the postseason.

Outside linebackers are an endangered species in the Virginia football program.

BLACKSBURG — Many of Virginia Tech’s players will put off their normal Thursday night activities to watch Miami and Georgia Tech play on ESPN.

CHARLOTTESVILLE — Dave Leitao isn’t the sort to gush. But once he saw Sylven Landesberg’s stat line after Sunday’s win over VMI, he did just that.