Live from the Death Star
Every time I hear the Virginia Tech band play the Imperial March from "Star Wars" tonight -- and I know that they will -- I'll be checking over my shoulder for Darth Vader. That's because, much like the Death Star in "Return of the Jedi," the Lane Stadium press box remains a work in progress. It was supposed to be fully operational in August, Tech beat writer (and former N&R intern) Kyle Tucker tells me, but the project is WAY behind schedule.
The elevators aren't entirely reliable, there's sawdust on press row and the smell of fresh paint everywhere. Apparently, the UNC game is the first week they've had carpeting in here.
Still, it's pretty impressive how this stadium has evolved into Southwest Virginia's ultimate hot spot. Lane Stadium and the football facilities have expanded quite a bit from 15 years ago, when Tech football was barely relevant.
Miami has just beaten Virginia -- unimpressively, I might add -- which takes the pressure off the Hokies. They've clinched the Coastal Division title an hour before kickoff. That could be good news for the Heels, who may now face a softer, less focused Tech team. Not counting on that, I'm sure.