BLACKSBURG—Saturday’s Virginia Tech–Marshall clash will serve as both the Hokies’ homecoming game and a family reunion for the Royals.
Sophomore Eddie Royal, one of Virginia Tech’s starting wide receivers, will square off for the first time in an organized sporting event against his brother Chris, a senior free safety at Marshall.
The Royals’ mother will be in the stands at Lane Stadium, as will their three other brothers and two sisters—including Christina, who is the Regimental Commanding Officer for the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets.
Coming off his best game of the season, a six-catch, 71-yard performance that included a 15-yard touchdown, Eddie Royal couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity.
“I’ve always been the underdog because I was smaller, but I think I have the upper hand now,” Royal said yesterday. “He was always the one I wanted to beat. It would be great if I could catch a deep ball against him.”
Obviously, Eddie will be surrounded by a better supporting cast. Virginia Tech (5–0) remained No. 3 in the national rankings this week after throttling West Virginia 34–17 on Saturday, while Marshall escaped with a 16–13 overtime victory over Southern Methodist that leveled its record at 2–2.
But Eddie said he’d never even think about asking his coaches and teammates to have mercy on Marshall just because his brother plays there.
“I’d love to bury him because that’s what he did to me growing up,” he added with a laugh. “Every bruise I have on my body is from him. Hopefully, I’ll get some payback Saturday.”
As the baby of his family, Eddie recalled always being the last one picked for any game. When it was Chris’ turn to clean the house, he made Eddie do it. His brothers were older and bigger, and they reminded Eddie every chance they had.
The Royals have always looked out for each other, though. So when Marshall offered a scholarship to Eddie, then the Group AAA state player of the year as a senior at Westfield High School, Chris told his brother to take his time and weigh his options carefully.
Eddie wound up waiting until national signing day before he picked Virginia Tech.
“I was real serious about Marshall. When I first got their offer, I almost committed then,” Eddie said. “Then when I signed with Virginia Tech, Chris was real happy for me.”
Now here they are, ready to go head-to-head on the football field while their family members deal with a major case of divided loyalties.
“I’m sure both of those kids will play as hard as they can against each other,” Tech coach Frank Beamer said.
Added Hokies receiver Justin Harper: “This is the last time they’re going to play against each other. If Eddie wins, he has bragging rights forever.”
Missing Imoh
Beamer confirmed yesterday that tailback Mike Imoh will miss the Marshall game with a sprained ankle, meaning that Cedric Humes will start and receive the bulk of the carries.
Imoh suffered the injury during Virginia Tech’s 45–0 victory over Duke on Sept. 10. He played in each of the Hokies’ last three games, but hasn’t been anywhere close to 100 percent healthy and has lacked his usual explosive quickness.
“He needs to get better so both of us can be there for the rest of the season,” Humes said. “I told him he should’ve sat out the Ohio game because I know how injuries can be.”
Humes suffered a broken leg during spring practice last year and wasn’t completely healthy until Tech’s game at Miami, so he understands that the competitor in Imoh didn’t want to miss even one game.
“After some plays, I’ll ask him, ‘You’re ankle’s bothering you, isn’t it?’” Humes added. “Sometimes he’ll tell me. Sometimes he’ll lie and say he’s OK. But I can see it on his face that he isn’t.”
Tech trainer Mike Goforth said Imoh would be fitted for a walking boot until Oct. 9, at which point his condition will be re-evaluated.
Until Imoh returns, sophomores Branden Ore and George Bell will share second-team duties. Both young backs have run well in limited playing time this season, but neither should expect Humes to ask for a breather against Marshall.
“No carries could be too much,” Humes joked. “As long as I’m out there, I want to be carrying the ball.”
Dirty birds
Beamer also briefly addressed the behavior of Tech quarterback Marcus Vick during the West Virginia game.
Vick, who shredded the Mountaineers’ defense for 251 total yards and three touchdowns, was caught on camera making an obscene gesture to the West Virginia fans after being run out of bounds during the third quarter Saturday.
Vick also picked up an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for tossing the ball at West Virginia safety Dee McCann, although the flag was never enforced because McCann also was penalized for a retaliatory jab to Vick’s chest.
Beamer met with Vick Sunday, after which the quarterback issued a statement apologizing for his actions. When several other Virginia Tech players were witnessed on the film making similar gestures after the game, Beamer met with the entire team Monday.
“As a football team, we want to play the game the right way, respect the game, be proud of our play and proud of how we represent the university,” Beamer said.
Several of Vick’s teammates said they understood his reaction, considering the personal nature of the taunts directed at him by West Virginia’s notoriously abusive fans.
“It was the worst environment I’ve ever played in,” Harper said. “Even in the third quarter, when the game was over, people were coming down just to yell stuff at us.”
Said Humes: “I see Marcus out there with a little attitude about himself, and I like that. At the same time, he could’ve had more composure. I’m sure it won’t happen again.”
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