Two sports staff writers, Alex Koma and Alyssa Bedrosian, give their thoughts on Lane Stadium.
Alyssa Bedrosian
There is something mystical about game day in Blacksburg, Va.
Some would say it is the Hokie Spirit, the “Let’s Go!” chants heard across campus, or the non-stop tailgating that beings early in the morning and continues late into the night.
Others would say it is the sea of maroon and orange or the continuous playing of “Enter Sandman.”
Yet I would disagree. What makes game day in Blacksburg so special is Lane Stadium. Something about that massive, yet oddly beautiful, structure strikes us in a way that is hard to put into words.
The grandeur of it is overwhelming to Hokie fans, but more importantly, it is equally so for opponents.
In 2007, ESPN.com deemed it the 2nd scariest place to play, and in 2005, Rivals.com ranked Tech as having the largest home-field advantage in the country.
And Lane Stadium has the numbers to prove it.
Tech head coach Frank Beamer has an all-time record of 119-31-1 in Lane Stadium. Even more impressive, the Hokies are 100-17 in the past 18 seasons at home. Since joining the Atlantic Coast Conference, Tech has lost just six games in Blacksburg.
But are the Hokies truly unstoppable in Lane?
Just last year, FCS opponent James Madison embarrassed Tech at home. Lane Stadium proved to be not so scary for the Dukes.
During the 2009-10 season the Hokies were stunned, falling to unranked North Carolina on Thursday night at home.
Despite the impressive numbers and rankings of Hokie football at home, Tech has suffered multiple losses at home against mediocre teams, proving that Beamer and company are in fact beatable at home.
Nonetheless, when the stakes are high, the Hokies seem to step up to the challenge.
In 2009, Tech manhandled No. 9 Miami, defeating the Hurricanes by a score of 31-7.
Earlier that same year against No. 19 Nebraska, the Hokies came through in the clutch. Former Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor delivered an epic 81-yard pass to receiver Danny Coale with less than two minutes left in the game, setting up the game-winning touchdown by receiver Dyrell Roberts.
As Clemson heads to Blacksburg this weekend, the Hokies are left with several uncertainties. Will Logan Thomas prove himself against a competitive ACC opponent? How will Bud Foster’s defense perform? Will our special teams start to perform?
Fortunately, there seems to be something that Hokie fans worldwide can put their trust in: Lane Stadium.
Home field advantage does not automatically guarantee a win, as witnessed in Tech’s home opener just last year. Yet when big name opponents enter Lane Stadium, it is likely that the Hokies will emerge victorious.
A version of this article appeared in the Sep 30 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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Seems that you two gave conflicting records for Beamer at home.
This is top notch journalism right here.
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Different time frames
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uh no it isn't. The time frame is Frank Beamer coaching at Lane Stadium. Are you saying that one of the writers cut out a span where we went 2-1? (One record was 119-31-1 and the other was 117-30-1, with a net difference of 2-1-0 for you business/psych majors).
That makes no sense.
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Nice title, CT. Yet again proving your (lack of) worth.
IT'S THE TITLE OF THE PIECE AND YOU CAN'T SPELL 'DUAL' CORRECTLY!!!
Perhaps this should have been a fencing article?
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I hear Frank Beamer and Dabo Swinney will walk 20 paces, pistols in hand, and decide this game at midfield right before the kickoff!
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I hear Frank Beamer and Dabo Swinney will walk 20 paces, pistols in hand, and decide this game at midfield right before the kickoff!
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