Tech to face No. 2 Virginia Tech in BCA Classic

As they enter the midst of the off-season, Tech football fans now have something to look forward to. Tech will be playing 12 games next season. The Jackets were selected on Wednesday to meet Virginia Tech in the fourth annual Black Coaches Association Classic game on August 26 or 27 in Blacksburg, Virginia.

The BCA Classic will kick off the 2000 college football season and will be televised on ESPN2.

It should be interesting, considering the fact that it will feature the two highest scoring teams in the nation from last season.

"Georgia Tech is honored to represent the Atlantic Coast Conference in the Black Coaches Association Classic," said Dave Braine, Tech's athletic director. "We're excited about having the opportunity to play a team the caliber of Virginia Tech that played for the national championship last year.

"The fact that they have one of the most exciting players in college football will present a great challenge to our team, but George O'Leary, his staff and players will be up for the challenge."

The Jackets will have their work cut out for them with Michael Vick returning to the Hokies' squad. This 1999 Big East Rookie of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year quarterback will launch the 2000 season as the leading candidate for the 2000 Heisman Trophy.

"I've been very impressed by Michael Vick. I saw him a couple of times on TV; he's an extremely talented youngster, and I'm anxious to look at him and see what he's about," said head coach George O'Leary.

Virginia Tech does have it's 11-1 show from last season to come back from, as well as a No. 2 ranking, but Tech doesn't exactly have anything to be ashamed of. The Jackets will be returning five offensive starters, nine defensive starters, and its punter and kicker from a team which went 8-4 in 1999, appeared in the Gator Bowl, and finished the season ranked No. 20 by the coaches poll and No. 21 by the Associated Press. One must not forget that the Jackets also beat Georgia last season, in one of the most thrilling and high-scoring games in Tech history.

It is not a reach to say that the Jackets will miss Joe Hamilton this season, who was runner-up for the Heisman himself last season, as well as the nation's No. 2 total offense and passing efficiency leader. However, Tech is returning some outstanding players. Leading rusher Sean Gregory is high on the list. He gained 837 yards last season and scored 13 touchdowns.

All-ACC performer Kelly Campbell will also be returning; he made 69 catches for 1105 yards and 10 touchdowns in 1999. Tech's top four tacklers, consisting of Recardo Wimbush, Chris Young, Greg Gathers, and Jeremy Muyres will also be making a comeback.

Let's not forget, also, that Tech led the nation in total offense last year. They also ranked second in scoring.

"I've always been in favor of playing a 12th game if we could," stated O'Leary. "I think it's good exposure for our players. When you have a fairly young team, it gives them a little more chance to get some experience that they need. Anytime you can play a quality opponent like Virginia Tech, it can only aid our program and get us a little bit better on the way to where we need to get to."

This game marks the second appearance for the Jackets in one of the college football kickoff classics. Tech faced Penn State in the 1991 Kickoff Classic at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J., only to drop a 34-22 decision to the eighth-ranked Nittany Lions.

The Black Coaches Association is a non-profit organization whose primary purpose is to foster the growth and development of minorities at all levels of sports, both nationally and internationally.

Gametime remains uncertain.