Hokies still on 2010 schedule
Contrary to a report from a local newscast in Richmond, Va., the football team will still open its 2010 schedule on the road against Virginia Tech.
WTVR-6 out of Richmond reported on July 21 that Virginia Tech was shuffling its schedule after Syracuse asked out of its contract to play games in 2010 and 2011. It said the Hokies would play Boise State, not CMU, to open the season, and the game would be played at FedExField - home of the Washington Redskins - in Landover, Md.
"Nobody's notified me from Virginia Tech about any changes at all," said CMU Athletics Director Dave Heeke. "We have a contract to play on opening weekend. (A change in schedule) would be news to me."
ESPN's Heather Dinich later speculated on her Atlantic Coast Conference blog the Virginia Tech-Boise State game could be played on Oct. 2, and since then it has been confirmed. CMU remains scheduled to play the Hokies on Sept. 4 in Blacksburg, Va.
Besides Virginia Tech, CMU will host Indiana in 2010 as part of the home-and-home contract that had CMU travel to Indiana last season. CMU is also home against Winston-Salem State and will play on the road against Navy.
The Chippewas agreed with Virginia Tech on the contract more seven years ago, Heeke said, and CMU will receive a $525,000 payout to play.
The Hokies will pay Boise State $1.25 million for its Oct. 2 game.
Virginia Tech is 100-30 in the last ten years, winning the ACC in the last two years and three out of the last five years upon joining the conference in 2004. During ACC media week, 69 of 87 voters picked the Hokies to win the conference again in 2009.
Depth a concern in secondary
The defense lost two contributors in the secondary this month. Senior Chaz West is no longer part of the program and junior Taylor Bradley is academically ineligible this season. West is also academically ineligible, but he has no years of eligibility remaining.
"Obviously (West) didn't meet up to the expectations academically," Head coach Butch Jones said.
West started 13 games at cornerback in 2007 and had three interceptions. He was injured and missed the entire 2008 season.
Bradley made the transition from wide receiver to cornerback last season and made his first start against Eastern Michigan on Nov. 28, recording his first interception. Bradley also had four kick returns for 54 yards.
Jones said starters will not be announced until a week prior to the Arizona game to open the season Sept. 5.
"(Defensive back is) going to be one of our positions that will be backed by fierce competition throughout camp," he said.
Jones said last year, with just two games where all four starters in the secondary were the same, continuity did not exist.
Seniors Josh Gordy and Kirkston Edwards, true freshmen Evan Ray and D.J. Scott, sophomore LaVarus Williams and senior Tommy Mama were players Jones said could factor into the starting cornerback conversation.
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