Collegiate Times

Senior Tyrod Taylor falling after breaking numerous tackles in the second quarter.

“I know for me,” Fuller said, “Right after the game, the first thing I was thinking about was Austin Peay.”

Freshman Tailback J.C. Coleman was not at Tech for the JMU loss but certainly understands the implications of the upcoming game.

“Nobody here wants to overlook Austin Peay,” Coleman said. “You can tell that they play hard and that they care about their program. We just want to take it one game at a time and come out with a victory.”

Coach Foster recalls the JMU game but views it more as an instance where Tech beat itself.

“I recall that we turned the ball over,” Foster said. “And we didn’t play very well. It wasn’t like they went and won the game, but it was more like we helped them…we didn’t execute a few things; we had a couple guys bust some assignments more than anything.

"I think we let one game affect two. I think it was more mental preparation. I think it was more coming off the last time you played JMU, you beat them 48-0 when they were a pretty good football team. It’s a great lesson to be learned, and we made that point right after the game. When we go back we just got to make sure we take care of business and not let one game affect the other.”

The mantra in Blacksburg all week has been “remember JMU,” but with the victory on Monday night, the path seem a little straighter for the Hokies and they’re not going to take that for granted.

Redshirt-senior Michael Via, who started at right guard against Georgia Tech, doesn’t need to be reminded of the loss to JMU as he is convinced of what the outcome will be this Saturday.

“The coaches haven’t really brought it up,” Via said. “But I know that every guy who was on the team then is thinking about it. We all remember that obviously. We’ll never forget that, and we’re not going to let that happen again.”

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A version of this article appeared in the Sep 7 issue of the Collegiate Times.