hokies jump in ap, coaches poll; Conner wins acc db of the week

Chris Hirons

Editor-In-Chief

September 7, 2021

BLACKSBURG — For the first time in nearly a calendar year, Virginia Tech is ranked in both the AP (No. 19) and the USA Coaches polls (No. 21), released Tuesday afternoon, following a 17-10 victory in front of a sold out — and rowdy — crowd over then-No. 10 North Carolina.

Tuesday’s poll marks the first time that the Hokies have entered both polls since they reached No. 19 in the AP Poll after beginning last season 2-0 against NC State and Duke.

Before the 2021 season began, the Hokies didn’t receive any votes in the Top-25 in the AP Poll. Tech, though, jumped up 19 spots in the USA Today Coaches Poll and sit one spot ahead of UNC, who fell from ninth.

The latest AP Poll includes ACC teams such as Clemson (No. 6), Miami (No. 22) and UNC (No. 24). The Hokies were the only ACC teams ranked in the updated AP Poll to walk away victorious this weekend.

Chamarri Conner Named ACC DB of the Week

Following a game-clinching interception against North Carolina, Virginia Tech nickelback Chamarri Conner was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday afternoon.

Conner, a six-foot, 205-pounder, led the Hokies’ defense with eight tackles, with six of them being solo stops. His game-winning interception against Heisman hopeful Sam Howell was the fourth of his career and wore the honor of Frank Beamer’s No. 25.