Associated Press
The college football notebook …
BLACKSBURG, Va. ó A bye week fell at an opportune time for No. 14 Virginia Tech, giving the Hokies a chance to get their loss to No. 11 Georgia Tech out of their heads.
The game almost two weeks ago took the Hokies (5-2, 3-1 ACC) out of contention for the national championship, but coach Frank Beamer said a Saturday spent watching other teams play quickly reminded him teams need to be ready every week.
Tonight, the Hokies get their first chance to show how well they listened when they play host to North Carolina (4-3, 0-3).
In the Tar Heels, the Hokies will find a team with a similar mindset.
“We’ve got to get back in the win column, get back on track and start playing like we can,” quarterback T.J. Yates said. “We know we have a tough road ahead of us for the rest of the season. We’ve just got to do everything we can and get as many wins as possible.”
North Carolina is coming off a tough loss, too. The Tar Heels led Florida State 24-6 after halftime and then fell apart, losing 30-27.
“We need to make a big statement,” defensive end E.J. Wilson said.
TEBOW, HERSCHEL
GAINESVILLE, Fla. ó Georgia Hall of Famer Herschel Walker and Florida quarterback Tim Tebow first met at the 2007 Heisman Trophy presentation.
Walker was there celebrating the 25th anniversary of his Heisman. Tebow was one of four finalists, and the winner, that season. They spent several hours talking about football, family and faith. They shared the spotlight then, and they’re back in it now.
Tebow tied Walker’s Southeastern Conference record for career rushing touchdowns last week with the 49th of his career. He could break the mark Saturday in his hometown of Jacksonville ó and maybe just as fittingly ó against Walker’s Bulldogs.
“It’s an honor to be even mentioned or tied with Herschel,” Tebow said.