By CHRIS KAHN, Associated Press Writer
September 16, 2003
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) -- Virginia Tech expects to play Thursday night against Texas A&M unless Hurricane Isabel veers farther west than forecast.
``The latest report indicates we will have scattered showers ... and not until late in the evening,'' athletic director Jim Weaver said. ``The winds of any degree of velocity are supposed to be 100 miles or so east'' of Blacksburg.
Weaver, who has been monitoring Isabel with city police since Monday, said he will try to decide whether to postpone the game before the Aggies leave College Station, Texas, on Wednesday, but that such an early call might not be possible.
Isabel was downgraded to a Category 2 Hurricane on Tuesday, with maximum sustained winds near 105 mph. It had previously recorded wind speeds of 160 mph.
ESPN, which is showing the game nationally, also has been involved in the contingency discussions, Weaver said, though it's unclear whether the cable network could fit the game into its Saturday lineup if it ends up being moved to the weekend.
Hokies coach Frank Beamer said he can't worry about something he can't control.
``If it rains it rains. If the wind blows, we'll still go play,'' Beamer said. ``I don't want us thinking about the weather. I want to think about Texas A&M.''
Receiver Ernest Wilford hopes it rains.
``I play better in inclement weather,'' Wilford said. ``The defense has to react to what we're doing. They play a little off because they don't want to get beat deep. And when they're backpedaling, there's a possibility they might slip.''
September 16, 2003
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) -- Virginia Tech expects to play Thursday night against Texas A&M unless Hurricane Isabel veers farther west than forecast.
``The latest report indicates we will have scattered showers ... and not until late in the evening,'' athletic director Jim Weaver said. ``The winds of any degree of velocity are supposed to be 100 miles or so east'' of Blacksburg.
Weaver, who has been monitoring Isabel with city police since Monday, said he will try to decide whether to postpone the game before the Aggies leave College Station, Texas, on Wednesday, but that such an early call might not be possible.
Isabel was downgraded to a Category 2 Hurricane on Tuesday, with maximum sustained winds near 105 mph. It had previously recorded wind speeds of 160 mph.
ESPN, which is showing the game nationally, also has been involved in the contingency discussions, Weaver said, though it's unclear whether the cable network could fit the game into its Saturday lineup if it ends up being moved to the weekend.
Hokies coach Frank Beamer said he can't worry about something he can't control.
``If it rains it rains. If the wind blows, we'll still go play,'' Beamer said. ``I don't want us thinking about the weather. I want to think about Texas A&M.''
Receiver Ernest Wilford hopes it rains.
``I play better in inclement weather,'' Wilford said. ``The defense has to react to what we're doing. They play a little off because they don't want to get beat deep. And when they're backpedaling, there's a possibility they might slip.''