In August 1987, Mike Tyson was poised to face Tyrell Biggs for the undisputed heavyweight title in a bout that was marketed as, "The Clash for the Crown."
After winning gold at the 1984 Summer Olympics, Biggs was undefeated as a professional, and was confident he could take down Tyson with his speed and agility. Upon hearing Biggs' strategy to best him, Tyson coolly told the AP, "Everybody has plans until they get hit for the first time."
Tyson's now infamous quote was later adapted to "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." Semantics aside, Iron Mike's words have become a cautionary tale for anyone who's a little too sure of themselves, after he defeated Biggs by TKO.
Although Virginia Tech ultimately walked away from Chestnut Hill this past Saturday as Tyson, it played the part of Biggs for much of the afternoon, lying on the canvas wondering how it got here. The Hokies' 21-14 win against the Eagles won't earn them any style points, but it was a gritty performance that showcased the resolve of this group when their noses have been bloodied.
Boston College didn't land the first blow in this game. The credit instead goes to Mother Nature herself, who ensured a Nor'easter with driving rain and wind gusts of 25+ miles per hour inundated Alumni Stadium. The Hokies' prolific passing game that had carried them to their first 3-0 starts since 2017 was grounded, making this game a rushing slugfest.
The opening jab may have been atmospheric. The uppercut that followed was landed by the home team, though.
The Hokies' performance was almost as bleak as the conditions for most of the day, and Boston College capitalized.
Offensively, Ty Howle's group struggled, going 4-for-15 on third down and managing just 147 passing yards on the day. Brent Pry's defense had no answers for Eagles quarterback Mason McKenzie's read options. After the Hokies got out to a 6-0 advantage, the Eagles scored 14 unanswered points to take the lead midway through the fourth quarter.
But, like a boxer, Virginia Tech got off the mat and punched back. Jeff Overton Jr. once again proved he's as dynamic as they come, logging 209 yards on 8.4 yards per carry. Louisiana Tech transfer Marlion Jackson brought down his first career touchdown catch to get the Hokies back in it. The defense finally corralled McKenzie.
When the dust, er, mud settled, the Hokies tallied 15 consecutive points to escape with the win.
Nobody would accuse James Franklin and Co. of dominating this game, but a win's a win. This one had all the familiar dread of previous losses–a defense flummoxed by a mobile quarterback, lackluster offensive production, sleepwalking during a noon kickoff in Chestnut Hill, etc.–and yet, they found a way to get the job done. At the risk of sounding repetitive, overcoming adversity hasn't exactly been this program's strong suit as of late, so gutting out a win the way they did was an, impressive, albeit imperfect, feat.
Now, as the Hokies are 4-0 for the first time since, you guessed it, 2017, this team enters unfamiliar territory.
Virginia Tech hasn't started a season 5-0 since 2005. It will have the opportunity to do so when Pitt (4-0) comes to Blacksburg on Friday night in what will be the biggest game at Lane Stadium in years, arguably since College Gameday showed up for the Hokies' matchup with Clemson in 2017.
It's a feeling that many in and around the program are wholly unaccustomed to. Few games have had significant stakes in recent years, as most were either foregone conclusions or virtually inconsequential. Friday's matchup, though, is a return to prime time, when big time games have big time repercussions. Although it's still early, a win against the Panthers suddenly opens the door to Charlotte for Virginia Tech, a team that many, myself included, picked to go 7-5 at best this season.
James Franklin has proven that times have changed in Blacksburg; his team's drastically improved play has made that clear. But he's now faced with preparing for a foe that his program hasn't seen in years: pressure.
Four wins against less talented football teams has done wonders for fanbase morale. There's real optimism in Blacksburg for the first time in a decade. But one win against a stout Pitt team would be seismic at this point in Franklin's tenure. All of the gains the Hokies have seemingly made thus far will be put to the test, their legitimacy scrutinized by 66,233 sets of eyes. If they pass the test, they'll reintroduce themselves to the college football world.
We don't yet know how good the Hokies are when the lights are brightest. That will change on Friday night, though, and as was the case on a miserable day in Chestnut Hill, James Franklin will have a plan for Pitt.
What happens when his team gets punched in the mouth?
