Collegiate Times

Two years ago, the Hokies dropped a heartbreaker to the North Carolina Tar Heels on Thursday night.

The Hokies had the score tied and were driving with less than two minutes remaining, but a Ryan Williams fumble in Tech territory gave Carolina an easy field goal for the win.

“All I can remember is we lost,” said Jayron Hosley, who was a freshman that year. “It was a taste that was left in our mouths that year; we came out the following year and won. But back at home on Thursday night, it’s like we’re re-living that again.”

Gone are playmakers T.J. Yates, Greg Little and Marvin Austin from that 2009 Carolina team. The Hokies, who have undergone a bit of a facelift in the two years since that game, still know the importance of this Coastal Division clash.

“Coach mentioned it,” Hosley said. “It’s definitely going to be on our minds, but at the end of the day, we just have to go out there and play (to the) whistle.”

Should the Hokies lose, it would be extremely uncharacteristic for a Frank Beamer coached team. Since joining the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Hokies are 25-2 in the month of November, their last loss coming in 2008 at Miami.

The Tar Heels offense this season is a bit of a head scratcher. At times they have looked like a juggernaut (562 total yards against Wake Forest), while other games they struggled to do anything (13-0 loss to NC State).

“I don’t know why their record is not better,” said Bud Foster, defensive coordinator. “They’re talented and as good as anyone we play in our league. I’d say they’re comparable to Miami and Clemson as far as the talent level.”

Carolina is led by their quarterback Bryn Renner, a former Hokies target out of high school. His lead recruiter was defensive coordinator Foster, and he sees what makes Renner so good in college.

“He had a good football IQ and football mindset, had a lot of those intangibles that you’re looking for at that position, besides having the ability,” Foster said. “A lot of people can see ability out of a quarterback, but what other characteristics does he have to be a team leader, those type of things. Does he have those? And I thought he did.”

Renner ultimately chose Chapel Hill over Blacksburg, as he was a standout baseball star in high school as well. Carolina was a more attractive place for the two-sport star.

The Carolina offense is not without a weapon on the outside. Wide receiver Dwight Jones has 913 receiving yards through 10 games this season.

“He’s a tall receiver,” Hosley said. “He’ll go up and get it. He’s got speed for a tall guy, so it’s definitely things you see on film that make him an elite receiver. You have to respect him.”

Jones was held to just one catch for four yards last season, but Hosley has seen the potential that has NFL scouts excited about the big 6-foot, 5-inch receiver.

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A version of this article appeared in the Nov 17 issue of the Collegiate Times.