September 14, 2021

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September 14, 2021

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PAGE 2 September 14, 2021

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New Student and Family Programs to host in-person Fall Family Weekend

Access the full Fall Family Weekend schedule at guidebook.com/g/#/guides/hokiefamilies, the Hokies on Track app or our digital story at collegiatetimes.com.

New Student and Family Programs (NSFP) at Virginia Tech will host Fall Family Weekend Sept. 17-19.

Weekends.

According to Sims, NSFP hosts a Family Weekend every spring and fall, but this semester’s events will stand out after the organization was limited to hosting virtual programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Housing events last year, recalled the housing events being popular for families to attend since many students will soon be looking to sign leases for next year. She foresees the Lane Stadium tours and the Football vs. West Virginia Watch Party also being well-attended.

“The purpose of Fall Family Weekend is to provide an opportunity for families to visit their students at the beginning of the semester with fun and informational programming activities,” said Jenna Sims, a senior majoring in biomedical engineering who serves as an orientation team advisor at Virginia Tech.

“I think family weekend is especially important this year because a lot of families did not get to come to campus for orientation due to COVID-19, so for many of them this will be a great opportunity to enjoy campus with their students that they might have missed over the summer,” Sims said.

“Family weekend is a great opportunity for students and families to check in with each other and for families to see what their students are up to,” Sims said. “For many Hokies, it can be challenging to be away from home for so long, so inviting families to campus can be really comforting.”

The role of NSFP on campus is to offer programs, services and events that welcome incoming students and their families to the Hokie community. It handles all forms of student orientation, Welcome Week and Family

This coming weekend, some of Virginia Tech’s orientation leaders will be helping to welcome families and manage the events and programs that are being offered on campus.

Sims, who volunteered at the Second Year

All Hokie family members of current Virginia Tech students are welcome to attend Fall Family Weekend. The full Family Weekend schedule can also be found on the Hokies on Track app.

TORI WALKER editor-in-chief

OUR CORE VALUES

Impartiality means reporting, editing and delivering the news honestly, fairly, objectively and without opinion or bias.

Credibility is the greatest asset of any news medium, and impartiality is the greatest source of credibility.

To provide the most complete report, a news organization must not just cover the news, but uncover it. It must follow the story wherever it leads, regardless of any preconceived ideas on what might be most newsworthy.

The pursuit of truth is a noble goal of journalism. But the truth is not always apparent or known immediately. Journalists’ role is therefore not to determine what they believe at that time to be the truth and reveal only that to their readers, but rather to report as

completely and impartially as possible all verifiable facts so that readers can, based on their own knowledge and experience, determine what they believe to be the truth.

When a news organization delivers both news and opinions, the impartiality and credibility of the news organization can be questioned. To minimize this as much as possible there needs to be a sharp and clear distinction between news and opinion, both to those providing and consuming the news.

Voice your opinion. Send letters to the Collegiate Times.

All letters must include a name and phone number. Students 365 Squires Student Center must include year and major. Faculty and staff must include Blacksburg, VA, 24061 position and department. Other submissions must include opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com city of residence and relationship to Virginia Tech (i.e., alumni, parent, etc.). We reserve the right to edit for any reason. Anonymous letters will not be printed.

Letters, commentaries and editorial cartoons do not reflect the views of the Collegiate Times.

Editorials are written by the Collegiate Times editorial board, which is composed of the opinions editors, editor in chief and managing editors.

All Lane Stadium tours on Friday and Saturday are currently booked. Find the entire Fall Family Weekend schedule in the online version of this story at collegiatetimes.com with locations and times for each event.

To register for Family Weekend events, read their detailed descriptions and view the interactive map, visit the online schedule at https:// guidebook.com/g/#/guides/hokiefamilies.

For more information on student orientation programs, Family Weekends and Welcome Week, visit the New Student and Family Programs website, call 540-231-3284 or email families@vt.edu. @CollegiateTimes

COURTESY OF VTX

Families show their Hokie pride during Fall Family Weekend 2018.

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September 14, 2021 PAGE 3

Why “Fatherhood” is more than a movie

Black fatherhood is misportrayed by American media becaue it pushes the narrative that Black fathers are more absent than present.

Y

ou may have come across or even watched the new Netflix movie “Fatherhood,” a heartwarming film starrings Kevin Hart as a single, inexperienced Black father trying to raise his daughter while pursuing romantic love. Behind the countless laughs, tear-jerking moments and romance, “Fatherhood” offers a powerful message: Black fathers have a place in the media.

Black men are often portrayed as bad or absent fathers in the media, and this negative perspective has led to discriminatory legislation and policies.

“Fatherhood” offers a more accurate perspective on Black men as fathers that helps to change the false societal narrative which surrounds them.

The “absent Black father” myth has permeated all facets of society, including the media. Whether it be a movie like “Prison Song” or a TV show like “All American,” you don’t have to search long to see Black men portrayed as bad fathers in the media.

The origin of societal divisions around the Black family, and in turn, the demonization of Black fathers, has its roots in slavery. Because slave owners feared the strength of black families, certain “Slave Codes” forbade marriage among enslaved people. Slave owners knew that enslaved people would risk anything for their family; they’d disobey slave owners to protect their family and escape if it meant reuniting with family. So, ensuring that enslaved people did not have family structure was paramount to slaveholders.

Black men were vehemently vilified as movies became popular. No film exemplifies this more than the international hit movie “The Birth of a Nation.” Released in 1915, the film’s climax involves a white woman running away from a man in blackface. Seeing no exit and fearing the Black man’s grip, she jumps off a clip to her death. The public response to the film proved that the media could be used to form and perpetuate racial stereotypes.

More importantly, the negative representation of Black fathers in the media

impacts long term structural policies and laws for Black families. Jahdziah St. Julien articulates this phenomenon in in her report “A Snapshot of Black Fathers”: “Stereotypical narratives that pathologize or caricature Black men or perpetuate the false idea that Black people are inherently different from their white counterparts result in inaccurate depictions of Black people in the media,” St. Julien wrote. “Ultimately infusing political discourse, such narratives also influence public policies and programs which not only fail to understand and meet the needs of Black families but also cause them harm.”

The stereotypical na r rative and portrayal of Black fathers in the media have real world consequences that negatively affect Black families and society as a whole. Media such as “Fatherhood” is needed to not only combat society’s preconceived notions about Black fathers but to portray an accurate image of them as fathers.

Because of the “absent father” stereotype, many viewers were shocked at seeing a Black father in the film.

“It was frustrating on my end because of people’s reaction,” said Shawnice Johnson, a human development and family studies doctoral student and member of the Black Female Fatherhood Scholars Network. “Many people said things like, ‘Ohh, a Black father,’ like it was something new. Black fathers have always been around; it’s just that society is being more honest and having more honest conversations about their involvement.”

Black fathers are more involved in many aspects of their children’s lives than many other ethnic groups. A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states, “Black fathers (70%) were most likely to have bathed, dressed, diapered, or helped their children use the toilet every day compared with white (60%) and Hispanic fathers (45%).”

So what can be done to change the false narrative that surrounds Black fathers in the media and society?

“Representation, allowing the population to speak for themselves instead of having others try to recreate or construct what they feel a Black father is,” Johnson said. “For example, with ‘Fatherhood’, Kevin Hart had a big role in creating the film, not just being an actor in it. No one knows the life of the Black father or the role that they play or the significance they have more so than them (Black fathers) because they are living it.”

Representation matters in the media, so thank you Kevin Hart, Paul Weitz,

Matt Logelin, Dana Stevens, Alfre Woodard and Netflix for taking a chance — a chance to right a wrong and to help change the harmful narrative that has surrounded Black fathers for centuries.

DANIEL CLAYTON • senior • national security and foreign affairs

Lifestyles

Masks to memorabilia: A list of care package essentials for your APPLY NOW for Fall 2022! Send a little love from Hokie home with all of the wants and needs your student has this semester.

Call to see why we are continuously named one of VT student’s favorite!

TORI WALKER editor-in-chief

Hi Hokie families! Whether you’re visiting your students for Family Weekend or sending them love from home, here are a few tips on how to create a care package for them this fall. This piece has been updated from its 2020 version to apply to our unique fall semester.

COVID-19 essentials Masks and hand sanitizer have become two must-haves in the daily lives of all Hokies this semester. All Hokies must wear masks in on-campus buildings and classrooms, so the more they have to cycle through, the merrier.

Accompany the masks with portable hand sanitizer for their backpack or car and a larger bottle for their dorm as well. Although these COVID-19 essentials are far from exciting, your Hokie’s face will light up when they see them and know they’re covered (literally).

Self-hygiene refills You know your kid’s favorite self-care essentials best, so shower your care package with their go-to shampoo and conditioner, face wash, deodorant, shaving cream, toothpaste, laundry detergent, and anything else you can think of. Now that they’re attending in-person classes again, they can’t slack on their hygiene like they may have during virtual learning.

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Snacks While students have a wide array of dining options, we all still crave our favorite snacks that we can’t access anywhere other than a grocery store. Throw some of your Hokie’s top-choice treats in your care package so they’re set on study snacks for the next few weeks.

Cold and flu medicine While our main concern is the spread of COVID-19, we’re still approaching cold and flu season. The “Hokie Plague,” otherwise

known as the common cold, has been hitting several students already. Pain relievers, nasal decongestants, cough suppressants and antihistamines are a few essentials that your student could have on-hand before seeking necessary care from a doctor.

Gift cards or spending money Having a gift card or a little extra spending money in your wallet always brings comfort and fun to students when running errands or going out to eat. Check out what local restaurants and shops are scattered around Blacksburg for gift card ideas, and tell your Hokie to treat themselves sometime soon!

Room refreshers Let’s be honest — after a week or two, dorm rooms tend to smell stale and odorous after leftover dining hall meals have been sitting in the blue recycling bin under your student’s sink. And the biggest problem is, they’re probably numb to the smells by now. Send them an air freshener or small oil diffuser with their favorite scented oils in your care package, and they’ll be more than thankful.

Nostalgic items and boredom busters Sprinkle your Hokie’s care package with childhood memorabilia they can use to pass the time with their roommates and close friends.

Board games, decks of cards, craft kits, movies and old video games will all suffice. Not only will their boredom be busted, but they’ll think of you and fun, family times as they play.

A note from the family Take some time to write a note to your Hokie as a final touch to your love-filled care package.

Remind them that you’re always thinking of them and offer reassurance that they’ll get through this crazy, unusual semester (and so will you). @CollegiateTimes

editor@collegiatetimes.com

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September 14, 2021 PAGE 5

Hokie, Hokie, Hokie buy: CT staffers’ picks to peruse when your parents are in town The ‘rents are in town, and everything magically becomes free for us. Here are the items you should argue for this weekend.

ABBIGALE EVANS AND LEXI SOLOMON managing editors

As everyone embarks on the spiritual journey that is college, be sure to heckle your parents for a few things before they get out of your hair. Here is a list from two experienced Collegiate Times seniors on the best items to swindle out of your parents while they’re still in Blacksburg.

Groceries Every college student will deny this if asked, but we all know we spend the week leading up to our parents’ arrival making mental grocery lists of every overpriced item we’ve forlornly walked past at the Gucci Kroger. The fancy Starbucks brand creamer? Check. Wine that doesn’t come out of a box? Check. Every snack that has sounded even slightly tempting during a pre-midterm all-nighter? Check! Go crazy, because once the parents are gone, it’s back to store-brand for all of us. And if they ask how two carts full of stuff are possibly a week’s worth of groceries for you, just tell them a well-nourished brain guarantees a 4.0.

Overpriced school supplies Though the reign of the Lilly Pulitzer planner is long past, we still manage to convince ourselves every year that we will become the next icon of “Studyblr” and commence a desperate search for pastel highlighters, rainbow Post-it notes and, of course, the perfect gel pen. Rather than

spend your meager college student income on these supplies, why not drag your parents to the University Bookstore and practice your persuasive essay skills by convincing them you need every item on the first floor? Sure, it’ll ultimately just gather dust in the deep, dark crevices of your backpack, but it’s nice to pretend, if only for the aesthetic.

Mountain bike If you want to make it to class on time and prove to your parents that college is where you’re meant to be, you have to be willing to become a Tour de France champion. Parking passes are way too expensive and rarely useful.

It’s much more cost effective to buy the bike than the pass since the likelihood of finding a Commuter/Graduate is close to nonexistent these days. If you take on cycling, you will have thighs of steel by the end of the semester, and everyone will be jealous of your cardiovascular prowess. Manifest low lactic acid output and high lung capacity for your years at college.

Tent or ENO You don’t have to pay rent if you live in a tent and can run fast enough from the police.

The Drillfield is very spacious and can accommodate several squatters. An ENO is also a good investment if you would rather hammock on the Drillfield as opposed to residing there.

There’s no doubt that you and your family saw countless caterpillar-looking pods of students hanging around when you toured campus last year. Just remind them of how cool and relaxed they looked and convince them you need one.

AHMED MUSTAFA / COLLEGIATE TIMES Cut fruit sits on the shelf of Kroger awaiting to be bought by customers, Jan. 24, 2017.

There are also many hiking trails around Blacksburg where you will want to camp in your tent or ENO; the sunrises are easier to catch if you’re already in the woods.

Hydro Flasks These are the water bottles that double as weapons, and every freshman girl declares she simply must have one the moment her parents return to campus. “But all of my friends have one!” she’ll protest. “I’m not going to get into a sorority if I don’t have a Hydro Flask!” Neither of these claims are true, but her parents will cave and buy one, anyway, and she will quickly learn a harsh lesson in properly cleaning water bottles by the end of the first semester. And a new Hydro Flask is required at the start of every year, of course, as they inevitably smell and taste like mold after several months of neglect.

Soap Your parents are no longer around every day to tell you that you smell. Even though college can become busy, there is no reason why hygiene should make its way out of your daily routine. No one will want to share notes with you if they cannot escape your signature aroma in a lecture hall. Even though the ceilings of Burruss can be pretty tall, your scent will still permeate the room. Through persuasion, you can probably get your parents to purchase the most expensive brand of soap in CVS, even though it only works as well as the cheapest option.

Coffee maker Will owning one of these actually prevent you from developing a nasty addiction to Starbucks’ pumpkin cold brew? To your parents, it’ll prevent you from spending $6 on a grande brew every morning. In reality, your coffee maker will look gorgeous gathering dust in your kitchen, and there will be little dents in your overpriced box of K-Cups from Costco.

and up) It is a rule of college existence that every father must take one look at the alcohol we keep in stock and gag on sight. “How could you buy this?” they exclaim. “This is rotgut!” they proclaim. Their sighs reek of disappointment and possible disownment on the horizon. However, the great thing about our dads is they usually immediately remedy this problem by finding “a great pinot from Lyon” that costs more than your usual grocery run and that you’ll finish in one night of binging “The Bachelorette.”

Expensive Virginia Tech gear If you’ve ever wandered the beautiful maroon and orange aisles of Campus Emporium, the University Bookstore, Alumni Hall or any of the other stores selling Hokie merchandise in Blacksburg, you know how a piece of apparel can catch your eye and haunt your dreams for days. Rather than spending $60 on a sweatshirt you’ll take off after approximately six minutes of sweating in McBryde Hall, convince your parents to spend $120 on two of them! You’ll never wear the fancy stuff as often as you wear the stretched-out free T-shirts you got freshman year, but hey, they’ll never have to know.

Although there are many things you can beg your parents for before you’re on your own, there’s one thing that money can’t buy: their unconditional love and support, even when they’re hundreds of miles away. Don’t forget to call home sometime and update them about your college experience — just maybe not about all of your out-of-class ventures.

Cash Let’s be honest –– if you haven’t already, you will succumb to that inexplicable pull to join the mile-long 1 a.m. Cook Out drive-thru line. It’s better to use cash so your parents can’t ask why you’re buying chicken nugget trays three times a week!

Fancy wine/craft beer (for those of you 21

@CollegiateTimes

PAGE 6 September 14, 2021

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CT can’t wait: What our staff is excited for this year

The Collegiate Times is back and better than ever; take a look at what we are looking forward to now that school’s in session.

COLLEGIATE TIMES STAFFERS

Olivia Ferrare, lifestyles section editor Trying to make small talk over Zoom was one of the worst experiences I encountered during online classes. My heart always dropped when my professors announced, “Alright, time for breakout rooms!” Then, of course, the professor would ask what each group discussed, like they didn’t know that not one single person turned on their mic or their camera. Now, those same people that never talked are forced to make conversations and physically raise their hands during class. I thrive in these small moments right before the professor starts lecturing or making faces at my neighbors when I don’t understand what the slides are saying. The best study groups and friendships are formed sitting on the floor outside the classroom when the door is locked or when the first slide in the PowerPoint asks the class to introduce themselves to their neighbor. I am so excited to meet people organically for help with homework versus

trying to message someone I think I know over the chat. It’s a small phenomenon that is not always fun for introverts, but as a self-proclaimed extrovert, this is going to be a great year for those spontaneous conversations and connections with other Hokies.

Lexi Solomon, managing editor I’m really excited to be back in the newsroom with the rest of the Collegiate Times staff. Our newsroom is the heart of our organization and where everything comes together to make our print paper each week; it’s been great to finally meet everyone in person and start to get to know each other. We have an amazing staff and I’m looking forward to many Sunday afternoons filled with laughter, questions about AP style, brainstorming and making lots of memories!

Celina Ng, design editor As a senior, I’ve missed interacting with my classmates in person and being in physical classrooms. I was tired of having

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constant Zoom meetings. Even though the traffic on campus can be frustrating at times, I’ve enjoyed running into people I haven’t seen in a while. I’m happy that everyone, especially the underclassmen and transfer students, can finally have the “traditional college experience” by attending in-person classes, living with roommates, participating in clubs, jumping to “Enter Sandman” in Lane Stadium and exploring local restaurants with friends. In terms of the Collegiate Times, I’m excited to be in the newsroom again. I’ve missed coming to production on Sunday afternoons and collaborating with the editors. It has been wonderful to meet the new editors in person, and I’m excited to make more memories with them this year!

Abby Durrer, opinions editor I’m super excited to be in the newsroom this semester! I had heard a lot about it during my time as a writer and first semester as an editor, so to be able to be in the newsroom this semester is super exciting! I really love the energy that everyone brings and all the fun conversations we have during production.

Devin Shepard, sports editor The Collegiate Times has meant so much to me over the past couple of years in building my repertoire as a sports writer.

One of the best parts of this job is being able to go and cover games in person and then tell the story to all readers afterwards. After a year in which we couldn’t enjoy those experiences, I’m overjoyed to be able to get back into Lane Stadium and Cassell Coliseum and feel the rush that one can only experience while jumping along with “Enter Sandman.”

Abbigale Evans, managing editor The Collegiate Times has become a huge support system for me since joining my sophomore year. I’ve always felt at home in the newsroom, and this year is no different.

I’m so glad to see all the bedraggled office chairs occupied by our editors and designers again, and can’t wait to see what we accomplish this year. I also am excited to put out some more satire pieces; I love making my coworkers and friends smile — especially when the semester gets busy!

Julianne Joyce, opinions editor I chose to take all my classes in person this semester — although I’m quickly regretting my decision due to the hectic state of campus these first couple weeks — because I missed

walking to and from classes in a hurry, and I missed being in a classroom even more.

Nothing beats making friends in class and forming real relationships with professors because these bonds are what make classes worth going to. Also, joining the CT during the pandemic in 2020 was one of the best decisions I made because it turned a year of isolation into a year of learning a new skill. I now feel more excited than ever about furthering my passion for journalism because we’re back in the newsroom together, and it is exactly the fun and exciting environment I had envisioned when I first joined the organization.

Amber Williams, sports editor I became a sports editor in the middle of a pandemic and have not been able to cover a Virginia Tech football game for the College Times in person. Finally being able to do so is honestly a dream come true. I think what makes sports special is the ability they have to bring communities together, and it is finally time for Blacksburg and all of Hokie Nation to come back together. I’m excited to see everyone tailgating outside my dorm, experience “Enter Sandman” again, watch the players get back to playing a game they love and everything else that comes with Virginia Tech gameday. To see all of the fans finally having something to smile about after over a year of craziness will be heartwarming and something that only Hokie football can spark.

Tori Walker, editor-in-chief I can’t wait to be spending every Sunday in Squires 365 again – our Collegiate Times newsroom. This room was my first “home away from home” freshman year before Virginia Tech as a whole became that place.

While we successfully produced a print and digital paper every week throughout our COVID-19 virtual learning period, the process was not the same as pre-pandemic team production. While CTers love to practice student journalism and work hard while doing it, the in-person collaboration, comradery, commentary, communication and chaos were what made being on our staff so enjoyable. I already feel that this “slightly more normal” semester has provided our staff members, new and old, with a feeling of family again within the Virginia Tech community. Other than expanding our organization and increasing our recognition on campus and beyond, this feeling of family is what I’m excited about.

editor@collegiatetimes.com

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September 14, 2021 PAGE 7

VIRGINIA TECH HANDLES MIDDLE TENNESSEE, 35–14 Hokie defense swarmed Middle Tennessee and sacked QB Bailey Hockman three times.

CLAIRE CASTAGNO sports editor

Virginia Tech proved that the Sept. 3 win against North Carolina was not a fluke with a dominant performance over Middle Tennessee, beating the Blue Raiders 35–14.

Virginia Tech recorded 383 total yards to Middle Tennessee’s 349, but the quality of possessions was much more lopsided.

Virginia Tech’s defense came out of the gate hot against the Blue Raiders, not letting Middle Tennessee get past its 25-yard line on its first two drives. Virginia Tech’s offense was slow to get the ball rolling, though; the Hokies went three-and-out on their first two drives.

On Virginia Tech’s third drive, quarterback Braxton Burmeister was hit hard

by Blue Raider Gregory Grate, who was penalized for unnecessary roughness. The Middle Tennessee penalty gave Tech an automatic first down. Virginia Tech backup quarterback Knox Kadum took the field, and head coach Justin Fuente was pleased with Kadum’s performance.

“It’s the hardest job (being a backup quarterback),” Fuente said. “It’s really difficult mentally and emotionally. The key is not being satisfied about being the backup.”

Burmeister returned to the field after a few plays from Kadum. Thanks to 32 total rushing yards from running back Raheem Blackshear on the drive, and a Burmeister pass to receiver Tayvion Robinson in the endzone, the Hokies were able to put a touchdown on the board. Robinson’s nine-yard reception put him over 1,000 total receiving yards at Virginia Tech.

Robinson showed out once again with a 59-yard punt return to start Virginia Tech’s possession in the second quarter. The Hokies had trouble converting the excellent field position into a score, though. A few missed throws and tackle-for-losses sent quarterback Connor Blumrick, a transfer from Texas A&M, into the game for Tech.

Blumrick was able to score a touchdown on a two-yard quarterback keeper to put the

Hokies up 14–0.

Middle Tennessee scored a touchdown with just over five minutes left in the first half after a pass from quarterback Bailey Hockman to CJ Windham was ruled out of bounds and overturned.

With just over a minute to go, defensive back Chamarri Conner came up with a big sack of Bailey on third and four while on the Virginia Tech 43-yard line to end the Blue Raiders’ possession for the half. Tech tried to get into at least field-goal range, but ran out of time on its own 26-yard line. The score at halftime was 14–7.

“We just knew we had to pick it up,” said defensive tackle Jordan Williams. “We needed more juice, we needed to keep going, and we had to bring the energy. Defensively, we wanted to be the ones to set the tone coming out of the half.”

Burmeister threw a 47-yard dime to Tré Turner to mark Tech’s longest reception of the season so far with 9:05 to go in the third quarter. Two plays later, Jalen Holston ran the ball 29 yards to the end zone and kicker John Parker Romo completed the extra kick to make the score 21–7.

With 5:32 left to play in the third quarter, defensive back Jermaine Waller picked off Hockman and returned 30-yards to put the Hokies on the Middle Tennessee 31-yardline.

It was the second consecutive game with an interception for Waller. Burmeister rushed 25 yards on the drive and Blackshear rushed six yards to put another touchdown on the board for Virginia Tech.

“Our guys were ready to play,” Fuente said. “I do feel like when we got up 14–0, there was a little lull there. And we went out and recaptured that back in the second half.”

Virginia Tech’s stifling defense kept it up in the fourth quarter; Middle Tennessee was not able to move the ball far and the Blue Raiders’ defense could not contain the Hokies. With 11:25 to play in the game, Blumrick ran for 33 yards to the Middle Tennessee 1-yardline and Blackshear covered the extra yard for another touchdown. The Hokies did a great job of

ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES Virginia Tech’s Raheem Blackshear (5) congratulates Connor Blumrick (4) after a touchdown, Sept. 11, 2021.

finding gaps in the Blue Raiders’ defense and using their speed and athleticism to dodge tackles.

With 45 seconds left, a pass interference call on defensive back Devon Hunter gave the Blue Raiders the ball 2-yards out from the end zone. Middle Tennessee was able to make a connection in the end zone with 27 seconds left to cut the final score to 35–14.

Defensive back Nasir Peoples led the team in tackles with 11 total, and the Hokies recorded three sacks against Hockman.

This week, Virginia Tech will prepare for its game against West Virginia on Sept. 18

in Morgantown, West Virginia. The Hokies will compete to keep the Black Diamond Trophy, the token for the rivalry that was brought back in 2017 when the Hokies defeated the Mountaineers 31–24. The game will kick off at 12 p.m. on Saturday.

@CTSportsTalk

HOROSCOPES

LIBRA, SEPT. 14

If you have survived the last two football games, make sure you stay hydrated this week. After Saturday’s game, melanoma is a silent killer. Watch for hidden messages in infomercials. Oxyclean will not heal your heart.

PISCES, SEPT. 14

Buying candles can only distract you from heartache for so long. It is time to dig deeper. Why do you seek solace in linen sheets? Avoid bald spots and tofu.

Have a heart-to-heart with a close friend on Tuesday, or prepare to sacrifice your GPA.

Editor’s note: These horoscopes are written with satirical intent.

PAGE 8 September 14, 2021

editor@collegiatetimes.com

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VIRGINIA TECH WOMEN’S SOCCER BEATS UNDEFEATED VILLANOVA Emily Gray’s goal breaks her into the top 10 in scoring in program history.

CLAIRE CASTAGNO sports editor

After a loss to top-10 Santa Clara, the Hokies returned home to begin a win streak by defeating Villanova 5–1. Before facing the Hokies, Villanova only let in three goals in the five games it had played so far this season.

The first five minutes set an aggressive tone for the rest of the match. Players were hitting the grass left and right, and the referees just let them play for the most part.

Four yellow cards were given out throughout the game: one for Virginia Tech and three for Villanova.

Tori Powell made an incredible move in the 14th minute to score the Hokies’ first goal. Powell broke away down the field, darted by a Villanova defender and

sent the ball right past Wildcat goalkeeper Megan McClay. Virginia Tech built off that momentum and the Wildcats had to battle hard just to get the ball back to their side of the field.

Emily Gray scored an unassisted goal in the 27th minute and Nicole Kozlova scored a goal in the 31st to put the Hokies up 3–0 still with 14 minutes left in the first half. The goal breaks Gray into the top-10 leading scorers in program history.

“Gray has been a very impactful player,” said head coach Chugger Adair. “In her off-the- field commitment and her leadership, she has been a wonderful player for us. It’s nice that she’s in the top 10 — she deserves to be.”

Villanova came out with some spark in the second half with a seemingly effortless goal on Tech goalie Alia Skinner in the 51st

minute. However, Virginia Tech continued to make it difficult for Villanova to gain possession. The Hokies made McClay stay on her toes and McClay’s saves were the only reason Villanova was able to stay in the game.

Villanova was able to get one more solid shot on Skinner in the second half, but was not able to get much offense going.

Virginia Tech was able to close the door on the Wildcats in the 84th and 85th minutes with back-to-back goals. A shot from Emma Pelkowski bounced off McClay’s hands right in front of Sophie Maltese, setting her up for the shot. Pelkowski then assisted Aino Vuorinen’s first collegiate goal to make the score 5–1.

The win moved the Hokies to 5–2 on the season. The team is back in action against No. 12 South Carolina on Sept. 12

in Columbia, South Carolina, and then will begin its conference season.

“We’re going to make sure that we’re ready,” Adair said. “It was a great test for us, playing Santa Clara. We’re looking to get ourselves on the right end of it this time.”

@CTSportsTalk

MEN’S SOCCER COMES UP SHORT AGAINST BLUE DEVILS Goalie Ben Martino had eight saves for the Hokies, the most he’s had in a game all season.

WYATT KRUEGER sports staff writer COURTESY OF HOKIESPORTS

COURTESY OF HOKIESPORTS

Despite the play from Martino, the Duke defensive game plan was too stout for Virginia Tech’s offense.

The Blue Devils outshot the Hokies 19–11 (9–5 shots on goal), created more corner kick opportunities and committed four more fouls than Virginia Tech.

Jacob Labovitz, Pol Monells, Danny Flores and Kyle McDowell were the only Virginia Tech starters to record a shot on goal, while substitute midfielder Andrew Weber was the only one of five Hokie substitutes to put a shot in the net.

Next Friday, Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia will look to avoid starting ACC play 0–2 as the rival Cavaliers (2–2, 0–1 ACC) will be at Thompson Field in BlacksburgThe No. 6 Virginia Tech men’s

soccer team (2–1–2, 0–1 ACC) lost their first contest of the season 1–0 after a stifling performance from the No. 19 Duke Blue Devils’ (4–1, 1–0 ACC) defense.

Duke forward Thorleifur Ulfarsson delivered the game-deciding score in the 35th minute, putting a penalty kick into the back of the net after a yellow card inside the box by Hokie defenseman Sivert Haugli.

The Hokies were able to keep it close in the first half despite the penalty, as both teams had three shots on goal in the first 45 minutes of play.

Goalkeeper Ben Martino came up huge for Virginia Tech in the second half to keep the game within one score. Martino tallied eight saves on the night, the most he’s had in a game all season. @CTSportsTalk