Darren Evans News

Virginia Tech running back Ryan Williams , author of one of the most prolific seasons by a freshman running back in NCAA history, has been named ACC Rookie of the Year for 2009 in voting by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association.

And you people were worried about whether Ryan Williams could replace injured star Darren Evans? Ha! Williams added to his astounding freshman resume today when he was named first-team All-ACC. He and Georgia Tech's Jonathan Dwyer were the two first-team tailbacks, while Heisman hopeful C.J. Spiller of Clemson made the first-team as a return guy.

CHARLOTTESVILLE As Al Groh went through the excruciating detail and minutia of another loss, this one to archrival Virginia Tech, summing up another game in which his Virginia Cavaliers were lacking in talent, depth and the ability to compete in the ACC, one invisible elephant sat in the room.

Virginia Tech center Beau Warren, who has missed the past two games with a left knee injury, said Tuesday that he was unsure if he would return for Saturday's game North Carolina State.

Finally, therea s a blowout in this series. NC State was the only team to defeat the Hokies in ACC play in 2004, winning 17-16 in Blacksburg.

VIRGINIA at No. 18 CLEMSON WHEN: 3:30 p.m. WHERE: Memorial Stadium ; Clemson, S.C. RADIO/TV: 850AM, 1140AM, XM190, Sirius215; ABC 8 13.

Virginia Tech is focusing on what it can do, not what it can't. The No. 16 Hokies can't win a third consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference championship.

BLACKSBURG, VA. -- Virginia Tech running back Darren Evans had been jogging on a treadmill for 10 minutes when sweat started beading on his forehead. He wore a maroon skullcap over his dreadlocks and a black brace over his surgically repaired left knee.

When Evans began to rehabilitate his knee, the simple act of movement was a struggle.

'It was like starting all over again, trying to walk and run and stuff,' he said. 'It was weird.'

But during a recent workout, Evans ran, jumped, squatted and balanced on one leg. And last week, Evans practiced with the team in non-contact drills for the first time since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in August. Even though Evans is unlikely to play this season, he was so excited to return that teammates overheard him talking to his equipment, telling his helmet and shoulder pads while dressing that he missed them.

Tyrod Taylor cruised in the first half last weekend against one of the two worst teams in the ACC's Atlantic Division.

Virginia Tech linebacker Jake Johnson is back. And he likes it. After being benched for the past 1 1 2 games by defensive coordinator Bud Foster for inconsistent play, Johnson returned to the field midway in the second quarter of Tech's 36-9 romp over Maryland at Byrd Stadium on Saturday.

Virginia Tech's reign atop of the ACC Coastal is over. Georgia Tech beat Duke today to clinch the division.

Click a thumbnail to view the full-size image. Buy Pilot photos here. Loading... Close Gallery Click for full view Mark Herzlich, right, of Boston College accepts a check from Darren Evans, left, of Virginia Tech and waves to the crowd between the 1st and 2nd quarter of the Virginia Tech/Boston College football game in Blacksburg Va.

While the Heisman Trophy may be a long shot for Virginia Tech freshman running back Ryan Williams , the Doak Walker Award, given to college football's premiere running back, appears well within his reach.

The sight of Darren Evans back in uniform doing light workouts at Virginia Tech's Monday practice begged the obvious question: What it's going to be like next season when the Hokies have him and Ryan Williams in their tailback arsenal? Virginia Tech running backs coach Billy Hite laughed at the question.

Maryland hasn't sold out a game all season, but Virginia Tech fans are expected to pack Byrd Stadium for Saturday's ACC matchup.

Some might consider it ugly, or desperate, or remedial. But for quarterback Tyrod Taylor, running the ball is none of those things.

With all national championship discussion having gone extinct three weeks ago, and aspirations for a third consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference championship on life support, Virginia Tech wasn't in a position Thursday night where it needed style points at East Carolina.

Virginia Tech linebacker Lyndell Gibson, a Salem High graduate and two-time Beach District Defensive Player of the Year, made his first collegiate start against East Carolina, taking the job of sophomore Jake Johnson.

Freshman Ryan Williams ran for a season-high 179 yards and No. 22 Virginia Tech avoided its first three-game losing streak in six years, holding off East Carolina 16-3 on Thursday night.

As Darren Evans draped his arm over Ryan Williams' head, and Kenny Lewis placed a towel over Williams, a whirling celebration was taking place inside Lane Stadium.