WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville | No. 22 Hokies forced to adjust their lofty goals
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Both teams bring 5-3 records into the game, and the Hokies have a score to settle.(AP) - Virginia Tech players say it's all about pride now, and finishing strong.
Back-to-back losses dropped the Hokies from No. 4 in the country and thoughts of playing for the national championship to barely hanging on in the Top 25.
When they play at East Carolina on Thursday night, the No. 22 Hokies say they want to do away with the inconsistency that led to the downfall and give a better accounting of themselves.
Both teams bring 5-3 records into the game, and the Hokies have a score to settle. Last season, the Pirates blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown with 1:52 remaining.
The play gave East Carolina a stunning 27-22 victory.
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GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) -- East Carolina is running out of chances to knock off the big boys on its schedule.
In recent years, the chip-on-their-shoulder Pirates made headlines by upsetting West Virginia, North Carolina and Virginia Tech. The Mountaineers and Tar Heels already got their revenge on Skip Holtz's team earlier this season.
This time, Holtz is hoping for a strong showing against the 22nd-ranked Hokies this week. That will help his team avoid an 0-3 finish against teams from power conferences.
Holtz on Monday called Virginia Tech the blueprint for his East Carolina program. He says he thinks Greenville will "come alive" for the Pirates' first Thursday night home game since 2001 and their first visit from the Hokies since 2000.
Thursday night's game will be televised on ESPN. Kick off is set for 7:45 p.m.
