Twelve Years in the Wilderness

It began the night of January 3, 2012.

A botched fake punt. A kick that went wide right. A catch that wasn't called.

After the game, several players cried in the locker room. Frank Beamer, humble as always in defeat, spoke with each senior one-by-one, offering a message of condolence and thanks. The team flew back to Blacksburg with little fanfare, returning to an empty campus over break. The players went their separate ways. The coaches headed to their offices to watch film of recruits.

The monotonous preparation for next season had already begun.

No one knew it at the time, but the 2012 Sugar Bowl was the last time Virginia Tech would play on college football's biggest stage. More than a devastating loss, the defeat marked the critical inflection point for the program. It delineated the "good ol' days" from the present day. Since that fateful night in New Orleans, Virginia Tech has been a team in limbo, stuck between what once was and what could be.

On the eve of the most anticipated season in over a decade, an ode to 12 years without big-time football in Blacksburg — and the new story to be written.

A Forgettable Chapter

In 2014, Frank Beamer became a meme. In 2015, Braxton Miller became a highlight.

Hendon Hooker transferred to Tennessee and won SEC Offensive Player of the Year. Braxton Burmeister transferred to San Diego State and became a slot receiver. Doug Nester transferred to West Virginia, then beat Virginia Tech twice.

The Hokies lost to Old Dominion as 28-point favorites. ODU quarterback Blake LaRussa threw for 495 yards, then skipped his senior season to attend seminary school. Trevon Hill lost his temper in the locker room and was kicked off the team.

Jerod Evans left for the pros and went undrafted. Caleb Farley opted out of his final season. Tech fans said goodbye to Bud Foster, Charley Wiles, Torrian Gray, and public address announcer Bill McChain.