An article from the Associated Press has been floating around Hokie e-mail boxes, Facebook, and campus today featuring a series of quotes from one Bo Pelini, head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
The article is entitled "Nebraska's Pelini not worried about Va. Tech crowd."
And I quote: "... Pelini said after Monday's practice that the crowd noise is 'not something that affects us very much.'" He said the Huskers would work with a crowd-noise simulator later in the week.
Pelini said it doesn't matter whether the Huskers are playing at home or on the road. He says, "The fans aren't playing. It's 11 on 11. It's between the lines, and you have to execute."
A crowd-noise simulator? Really...
11 on 11? Interesting ...
To steal a quote from one of our favorite personalities - NOT SO FAST, MY FRIEND!
I would like to remind coach Pelini and - more importantly - the entire Hokie Nation of a game a few years ago involving Virginia Tech and Miami. Perhaps some people remember this contest. After a tough loss the week before, the Tech faithful came out to stand shoulder to shoulder with their football team to let them know they were there for them. The numbers have been thrown around, but I would say 10,000 plus seems reasonable for that pre-game walk.
Countless people and news organizations have ranked and accounted for Blacksburg being one of the toughest places to play in the entire country. I'm not so sure Mr. Pelini knows what he's about to step into.
While this is not a Blacksburg night-game, I'd submit to all the Hokies that there has not been a better time than now to recall those images and sounds that came from Lane Stadium on that night back in 2003 against Miami. If you don't know, just ask your friendly neighborhood Hokie.
I'd encourage every Hokie to be in that stadium 30 minutes before kick-off.
I'd encourage every Hokie to make more noise than they've ever made at a game before.
I'd encourage every Hokie to be ready for "Enter Sandman," pound Pelini's eardrums, and show Nebraska what Lane Stadium (and the Hokie Nation) is all about.
Matt Bolling
Computer Engineering,
Alumnus, 2006
Mechanicsville, VA