What the Hell is a Hokie?!?!

[Nyarlahotep]

Clarke Austin is a typical high school senior who goes to a typical school in a typical town that is in a typical state. He has a girlfriend, likes to hang out with his friends, and plans on going to college. He even has a fairly typical GPA of 2.73 and is participating in extracurricular activities to make himself more attractive to colleges. He is from Fostoria, Ohio where he attends Fostoria High School. Like I said earlier Fostoria High is typical, that is except for one thing. They once had the most dominant football team in the country, winning five state and one national championship in six years. Clarke is every bit as dominant at football. At 6'5" and weighing 281 pounds he is the top defensive tackle in the country. In fact he is the top prosepect period. He has a perfect blend of size and speed that colleges are looking for.

Clarke has pushed himself to be the best for two reasons. The first is to provide a way out of Fostoria. Every day his father comes home from the Autolite Spark Plug Plant and complains about his job. Clarke has no intention of following in his footsteps. The second is that he idolizes his older brother. Steve was the top prospect in the country when Clarke was in his final year at Fostoria Middle School. Steve was the most highly touted halfback in years, likened to Barry Sanders. He was so good that sports agents kept calling his parents asking if they wanted to take the NFL to court and force them to let him enter the draft straight out of high school. He had brought Fostoria High back to it's glory days by leading them to three straight state championships. He finally commited to Colorado State University as he felt they were the best shot for him to win multiple championships at the college level as well. That all ended on graduation night when he got drunk with his frinds and got in an accident. After many hours of surgery the doctors came out and told his parents he would live, but he would in all likelyhood never walk again. He never got out of Fostoria, in fact he never even moved out of his parent's house. He just watches TV and feels sorry for himself. He did make Clarke promise him that he wouldn't risk everything by partying like he did. It wasn't necessary though, Clarke had already vowed to himself that he would get himself and his brother out of there. He wouldn't let a little thing like peer pressure stand in the way of their dreams.

[Nyarlahotep]

College scouts across the country began to drool when they saw Clarke's numbers:

40 time: 4.88
squat: 655
vertical: 28.9"
bench press: 455
GPA 2.73

To give you some idea of how good he is hear is how those numbers place him amongst the 140 defensive tackles available for recruitment this year:

4.88 is out and out the best 40 time for a DT.

655 is tied for 9th heighest squat

28.9" has him tied for 46th best vertical

455 places him in a tie for 7th best bench press

2.77 is tied for 23rd best GPA, but more than 2/3's of those above him are within .1 of 2.73


He is extremely unhappy with his vertical and GPA being as far down on the list as they are, especially with his GPA being so close to a much higher placement. He has vowed to work on improving both of those.

[Nyarlahotep]

Going into his recruitment Clarke has three schools in mind.

1. CSU is his top choice because it is where his brother was going to go.

2. UMD is his second choice because his girlfriend is going there.

3. VT is his third choice because grandfather is a diehard fan and wants him to go there.

He feels all of these schools offer what he is looking for, a place to show his skills and a chance at a national championship. Most importantly they are all a fair distance from Fostoria.

[Nyarlahotep]

During his first week of recruitment Clarke realizes that his brother might not be that thrilled about watching him play for CSU. It might bring back too many old memories. Plus it is kind of far away. As much as he wants out of Fostoria, he would still like his family to come see him play once in a while. Since Virginia Tech has a better chance at winning the national title he decides to go with them as his first choice.

Going into the second week of recruiting he gets his midsemester grades and see that he has been able to pull his GPA up. His top schools this week are:

1. VT
2. UMD
3. CSU

His girlfriend gets upset that he passed over Maryland so easily and they spend much of the week arguing.

[Nyarlahotep]

During the second week Clarke confirms his 40 time and commits to Virginia Tech. Next fall he'll be a Hokie. When all is said and done, VT end up with the 6th ranked recruiting class having landed seven blue chip players.

[Nyarlahotep]

Going into camp Clarke finds out that he will be allowed to keep his number from high school, number 95. He spends a lot of time with the other defensive linemen, he wants to learn as much as he can to help make sure he lands a starting job. Harrison McIntyre is leader for the defensive lineman. He is a senior and one of the highest rated defensive ends in the nation. The next eldest lineman is Trevor Joiner. He is a sophmore and the second best defensive lineman on the team. He is guarenteed one of the starting defensive tackle positions. Travis Sanford is a freshman who is projected to start at left end. Travis and Clarke instantly hit it off and Harrison warms up to him after a few practices. Clarke's spped and tenacity have been drawing the double teams that Harrison is used to getting, freeing him up to do some damage in the backfield. Trevor is always civil to Clarke, but he shows no interest in becoming friends or even holding a conversation with him. Going into the season they find out that they will in fact be the starting defensive line with Clarke sitting out when they use the 3-4. Clarke also finds out that he will be seeing quite a bit of time on special team plays.

[General Mike]

Is this the start of a NCAA 2004 dynasty or am I confused? I'll be following it either way.

[Nyarlahotep]

It is the start of a NCAA dynasty to be continued with Madden if EA ever decideds to send out the updated discs. Thanks for reading.

[Nyarlahotep]

Clarke's parents got him a subscription to Sports Illustrated, and he is very excited when the College Football Preview issue arrives. Virginia Tech is ranked #4 in both the coach and media polls. It looks like he was right about them having the best shot of getting him a national championship. He is also happy to see that VT is one of only two schools recieving the highest marks on defense and special teams. He likes to think that his playing on both contributed to those ratings. He isn't surprised when he sees that Miami has been chosen to win the Big East ahead of them. McIntyre said it was just because Miami always gets more hype than VT at the beginning of the season. All that mattered who was first at the end. He didn't have much time to dwell on it anyways, the coach was really working them hard to get ready for the first game against Oregon. He liked playing in week one, it meant that they would get an extra week later in the season to help get rid of minor injuries. Clarke was beginning to get a little nervous, he would be playing his first college game and it was going to be nationally televised.

[Nyarlahotep]

Clarke's mind is full of doubts as they run out onto the field to a chorus of boos from Ducks fans. This game is so much bigger than any high school game he ever played, and this is one of the least challenging games on their schedule. He begins to question his ability to play at this level. During the coin toss McIntyre pulls him and Travis aside and helps them calm down. VT wins the toss and elects to recieve. Clarke heads onto the field with his stomach in knots. The return is over before he really knows what happened. The Hokies start on their 24. He returns to the sidelines where the line coach goes over some last minute instructions for him and the other guys. He watches the first drive of his college career distractedly as he listens to the coach. Virginia Tech moves the 76 yards to score with 44 seconds left in the first quarter. The bulk of the yardage on the drive vame on three plays, two third down passes for 25 and 15 yards, and a 26 yard run. The remaining 10 yards came on six running plays.

Clarke lines up aout 6 yards to the kickers left as he looks downfield at the return men. One of the speedy db's sprints downfield and makes the tackle before Clarke gets anywhere near an Oregon player. The Ducks start the drive on their 10 yard line. The Oregon QB looks very good passing on this drive going 4 for 4 and picking up 70 yards. The ground game doesn't look nearly as good, but they are able to get some yards on plays where the Hokies take Clarke out and go with a 3-4 defense. Austin was mostly ineffective on the drive due to being double teamed every play he was in on. He was just a second late in shedding his blocker to prevent the Duck's HB from running in from the 1 yard line.

Virginia Tech storms right back up the field on their next possesion with a 59 yard pass giving them first and goal on the 5. It takes several tries, but they are able to run it in from there.

Oregon get the ball back with just over a minute left in the hald and quickly pick up a first down through the air. On teh next play Joiner gets to the QB for a sack and knocks the ball loose. Clarke fights his way past two lineman and the halfback to jump on the ball, giving the Hokies giving VT the ball on the Ducks 23 with just about a minute left.

A quick pass to the sidelines gives them first and goal. A short run and incomplete pass later, they are looking at third and goal where a beautifully placed pass to the back of the endzone gives them a two score lead.

The Ducks get the ball with 30 seconds and two time outs left and looking at a 14 point defecit. A bullet to a receiver a decent ways downfield is on target, but the safety immediatley hits him jarring the ball loose and preventing the big gain. On second down they run the ball at Clarke who throws his blocker aside and makes the first tackle of his college career. Oregon does not call time out or attempt to get off another pay before the half.

TBC...

[KevinNU7]

Originally posted by Nyarlahotep
The Hokies start on their 24. He returns to the sidelines where the line coach goes over some last minute instructions for him and the other guys. He watches the first drive of his college career distractedly as he listens to the coach. Virginia Tech moves the 76 yards to score with 44 seconds left in the first quarter.

WOW! A 14 minute opening drive!

[Nyarlahotep]

I would die trying to watch a game with 15 minute quarters. It is bad enough with 5.

[Nyarlahotep]

dola-

With the way they insisted on running twice for no gain before throwing for a first down repeatedly it felt like 15 minutes.

[KevinNU7]

How simming the game, looking at the stats and making shit up?

[Nyarlahotep]

I watch the games instead of simming them. Clarke really did fight through two linemen and a back to recover that fumble.

[Franklinnoble]

Are you playing this on the PC or PS2 or what?

[Nyarlahotep]

Xbox.

[Franklinnoble]

Groovy. So, umm, why just watch the games? Why not play them as Clarke?

[Nyarlahotep]

I am just following his career, not altering it.

[Nyarlahotep]

The Ducks start out the second half on their own 13. They try to run attempts up the middle and gain a total of 1 yard. On third odwn they go to the air, but the pass is swatted away and they are forced to punt. Clarke is still having to face multiple blockers on pretty much every play.

The VT running game continues to struggle, running for no gain on first down. On second down the Hokies go with the option. Th QB gets about 8 yards down field and tosses it back... into a group of Oregon defenders. Luckily the ball bounced off one of the players and rolled a ways downfield before being recovered, so the Ducks have it on their 31 instead of near midfield.

On this series the Ducks, get sacked, get no gain on a screen, and connect on a big strike across the 50 on third and long. Unfortunately for them the reciever fumbles and one of the Hokie DB's scoops the ball up and makes it to their 41 before being tackled.

The VT QB throws a short pass good for an 8 yard gain, and once again the anemic Hokie running game is called upon to pick up the conversion. Two straight runs loose them 2 yards. This is the first time in five tries that the Oreon defense has been able to stop them on third down.

The Duck's return man is able to break some tackles and they get to start out past the 20. They make a nice run up the middle on first down, but their center gets injured and is out for the game. On 2nd and 2 they try to run outside and lose 4 yards as the 3rd quarter comes to a close. On 3rd and 6 they look to pass, but Clarke and McIntyre open a hole for the blitzing FS to shoot through and make the sack.

The Hokies get the ball inside the 50 and on first down throw a 40 yard completion giving them 1st and goal from the 7. They throw a quick pass good for just a yard and are sacked on second down. Another completion gets them down to the 2, but brings up 4th down. They play it safe and kick the field goal, making the score 24-7.

Oregon returns the kick out past the 20 again, this time starting on their 25. Clarke looked lost on the play spending a few seconds hovering on the outskirts of the play for a few seconds. On the first play he is able to shed his blocker and put some pressure on the Duck's QB, but the pass is completed for the 1st down. Clarke sits out the next play since they switch to the 3-4. He watches as Sanford bursts into the backfield only to have the quarterback duck under his sack attempt. He is only able to take a step though as a blitzing DB crushes him immediately. Clarke is still on the sidelines as Oregon makes a short completion, good for 2 yards. On 3rd and 14 he comes back in and another DB blitz ends this drive.

A nice return on the punt give the Hokies the ball inside the 50 with leass than a minute left. They run on 1st, but the HB fumbles and an offensive lineman falls on it. Another short run brings this game to an end. VT wins by a score of 24-7.

[Nyarlahotep]

It is a long trip back to Virginia for Clarke. He was extremely unhappy with his performance in the first test of his skills at this level. The other guys and the coaches didn't seem to have a problem with it. In fact he had gotten a lot of compliments on his efforts in recovering that fumble. McIntyre kept telling him that 1 tackle and a fumble recovery in your first game is pretty good. He even offered to spend some extra time watching film with him so they could go over his mistakes. The next day they found out that they had the number one defense in the nation. Sanford was impressed, but McIntyre was quick to point out that not many teams played the first week. Clarke still thought it was nice to be the best for a week. He was a little worried about the way the running game looked, but at least their QB was able to pick up the slcak through the air. He got two pieces of mail that interested him that week. The first was a care package from his mother. It included a tape of ESPN from Saturday night, they kept replaying him fighting through three players to get the fumble recovery. Maybe he did okay in his first game after all. The second was the latest issue of SI. The Hokies were featured on the cover with some hype over their game with #10 USC on Sturday. When he saw that the CSU HB was one of the top Heisman contender, he had some doubts about his choice od schools. Their offense had better improve or this could be a long season. It turned out that Joiner was national and Big East defensive player of the week and their receiver was the Big East offensive player of the week.

[Nyarlahotep]

His second trip to the West Coast in two weeks, that is two more than he has made in his entire life. Clarke is sitting alone, trying to stop thinking about today's game. He isn't having any luck because every where he turns there is someone hyping it up. He should have expected it though. #10 hosting #4 in week 2 is going to generate a lot of hype, especially when it is the game of the week. Too bad it wasn't a home game. At least he would have had a chance of getting someone he knows to come to the game.

[Nyarlahotep]

VT kicks off to start the game. Clarke looks much better than he did last week as he shrugs off two blockers and makes the tackle on the 27. He is still fired up for the 1st down when he breaks through his first blocker, forcing the back to step up and prevent the sack. This leaves the path clear for McIntyre who levels the QB as he throws causing the ball to sail out of bounds. The Hokies switch to the 3-4 for the next down and the USC QB just plain make a bad throw and gets picked.

Two pathetic runs bring up 3rd and 12. USC sends 5, but the VT QB calmly tosses a perfect pass 15 yards to an open WR, who runs it the rest of the way in for the score.

Clarke looks good on the kickoff again, this time busting up the wedge and making the return man an easy target for his team mates. He makes another good rush on 1st down, forcing the back to commit and leaving McIntyre a clear path for the sack. On the next down Joiner and Clarke tie up the center and right side of the line while McIntyre gets the left, freeing up Sanford to drop back into coverage and nearly make the pick. On 3rd down the QB is able to thread the needle for a completion out to the 50 despite a heavy pass rush. On the next play the safety goes for the pick and misses, allowing the WR to gain an extra 25 yards. After a run for a loss and two pass that get swatted down, USC goes for the field goal which falls short.

On the next drive, the Virginia Tech running game shows some signs of life. They run the option on two consecutive plays and pick up about 40 yards between them. After a near interception, they go back to the option and lose a couple yards. Another near pick brings up 4th down. They bring out the field goal unit for an amazingly long attempt. It is a fke, which fools nobody as USC easily stops the play for a loss.

McIntyre makes into the backfield untouched on the opening play of the USC drive and tackles the HB for a 1 yard loss. That is the last play of the 1st quarter. On 2nd down the guard and FB are able to hold Clarke off just long enough for the QB to get off a 41 yard completion. Another nice pass gets them down inside the VT 10. Clarke watches from the sideline as the USC QB throws another pick. The FS ran it 103 yards before being tackled on the 1. Clarke hated missing out on another big play, but was happy the defense had held and even happier that it looked like they would get some breathing room.

On the first play the QB tosses the ball to the HB who runs it in for the easy score making it 14-0.

USC picks up a quick first with a screen followed by an incompletion. They go to the run next which is stopped in the backfield, but a facemask penalty makes it 3rd and 5. They attempt another screen, but McIntyre sniffed it out from the start and was almost to the back before the ball got thrown. He made the tackle for a 6 yard loss which brought up 4th and 11.

After the punt the Hokies run the ball twice and manage to kep posession after a fumble. On 3rd down they try a play action pass which goes through the receiver's hands.

USC sticks to the air on this drive getting a couple of first downs. The drive stalls after a sack by one of the CB's and a near sack by Clarke which caused an incompletion.

VT gets the ball back with just over 90 sconds left in the half. Poor clock management results in a missed attempt at a long field goal. There is just enough time for USC to get off one play which they use to run out the clock.

On the opening kick for the second half Clarke misses his block on the guy who makes the tackle, ending what could have been a very nice return. They have some early success running the ball, but a dropped pass followed by a run for -1 yard bring the drive to an end.

On the first play Clarke breaks through into the backfield forcing the QB to scramble. He makes it a couple yards up field then turns to avoid a tackle, but gets clotheslined by Clarke who had kept up in pursuit. On 2nd down they try a wide receiver reverse which doesn't remotley fool McIntyre who is waiting to make the tackle for a huge loss. On 3rd and 19 they go to the air and the pass is knocked away.

The Hokies start out at midfield. They start the drive with the QB rolling out right into the USC DE and getting himself hurt. His backuip comes in and with some nice passing quickly gets them inside the USC 10 at the close of the 3rd quarter. They lose a 9 yards with a sack, but make them all back on an option keeper. The starting QB comes back in and runs the option straight into the DE who had knocked him out just moments ago. They settle for the field goal making it 17-0.

On the ensuing kickoff Clarke opens a path to the ball carrier who fumbles when he is hit. The Hokies recover and score with relative ease five plays later. Clarke busts the wedge for a third time, leaving the return man easy prey for his team mates.

USC keeps the ball in the air and are only able to gain 5 yards before 4th down. They go for it an d throw a bomb downfield, but it is just a little to far out of the receiver's reach.

Virginia Tech starts out with good field position thanks to USC failed attempt at converting on 4th down. The Hokies stick to the ground, content to run out the clock. A couple of first downs and 3 USC timeouts later and they are able to take a couple knees and show good spotsmanship by ending the game with the ball inside the USC 10.

Clarke got 2 tackles in the game.

[Nyarlahotep]

Is anybody enjoying (or even reading) this? If not I will just go to a much more concise method of reporting as I do want to continue to follow his career.

[Nyarlahotep]

Looks like Clarke will have his games simmed from now on.

[Franklinnoble]

I think it will get more interesting as Clarke has more playing time...

[Nyarlahotep]

He only doesn't play on offense, punt, and when they use the 3-4, which is only 5 or so times a game. He just isn't putting up stats because he usually has 2 or 3 blockers to get through. He has mostly been leaving an open path for the DE who lines up next to him.

[Franklinnoble]

Maybe you should move him out to DE and see how he does.

[Nyarlahotep]

I don't control his team. I am just following his career. .

[Franklinnoble]

So, basically, you're not really "playing" the game, you're just watching the Xbox play with itself.

I had no idea you were so voyeuristic.

[Nyarlahotep]

How could I not be.

[Nyarlahotep]

Decided to finish this off and just report season totals. Clarke's Hokies finish his first season by playing for the national championship. There is a bit of controversey as #2 North Texas gets snubbed due to strength of schedule (or lack thereof) and VT ends up playing #4 Tennessee who jumped over #3 Texas because the media poll ranked them higher. Their QB mounts an impressive 4th quarter comeback, but they fall short losing 25-28. North Texas loses as well, snapping a 21 game winning streak, but Texas wins easily keeping the contoversey alive. Clarke finished his freshman season with 23 tackles, 6 TFL, 4 sacks, and 1 fumble recovery. Trevor was named as 2nd team All-American and their coach finsihed 2nd in coach of the year voting to the coach from Northern Illinois, whose Heisman winning HB propelled the team into the national spotlight.

[Nyarlahotep]

Clarke's roll on the team looks to be the same in his sophmore year. Trevor declared for the draft, but a backup stepped in to take the first DT spot over Clarke even though their overall skills are pretty much the same. Clarke will spend alot of time on special teams again and will only miss playing on defense when they use the 3-4. Since he is techically not a starter, the coach also stucjk him in the depth chart as #2 RE and LE, so he might get to see some action there.

[Nyarlahotep]

Another regular season finished undefeated and in the #1 spot. Undefeated North Texas gets snubbed again in favor of 13-1 Nebraska who has jumped into the #2 spot after upsetting previously #1 Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship (this is the second consecutive time Oklahoma has been ranked #1 going into the Big 12 Championship and been upset). Clarke missed the last 4 games with an injury, but he was back in time for the national championship game. Nebraska had no problem beating them as their offense struggled to move the ball. The defense was able to keep Nebraska off the scoreboard in the second half, but watched the comeback sputter and die after only one touchdown. THe final score was 14-27 and they finished the year ranked #3 behind Nebraska and North Texas. Harrison's replacement at DE made Freshman All-American. Clarke finished his injury shortened season with 25 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.

[Nyarlahotep]

For the second straight year, the starting DT declares himself eligible. One of two backups graduates, leaving VT weak at DT, so they cut Clarke in favor of players with 15 or more fewer points in their overall ratings.

[tucker342]

That may be the worst bug of all time......

[Nyarlahotep]

It is definately up there.