Virginia Tech fell flat on its face in front of a mostly empty stage. Tech could have solidified its Coastal Division position, and showed Hokie Nation the program was sprinting towards a strong finish in Charlotte. Instead, like we've seen so many times these last few years, the offense didn't have an identity, and the defense did enough to win, but not enough to account for the lack of a ground game (49 positive yards on 22 carries, 26 net yards). Pre-snap penalties nullified most early offensive momentum, and despite a pulse on offense, Tech couldn't climb out of its hole late in the fourth quarter.
Virginia Tech was without its top three tailbacks, Luther Maddy, Kalvin Cline and Brandy Facyson and almost won a night game on the road. A great team would have overcome those circumstances and won a divisional game whose outcome was balancing fans' expectations between a trip to Charlotte and just beating Virginia and making a bowl.
With Thursday's loss, #VaTech is just 11-11 against Power 5 teams since the start of 2012.— David Hale (@DavidHaleESPN) October 17, 2014
That's the 15th game decided by 1 score in the last 3 seasons for #VaTech most in the #ACC. Hokies are 7-8 in those games.— David Hale (@DavidHaleESPN) October 17, 2014
Rebuilding doesn't happen overnight. The cupboard, mostly on offense, was bare, and to its credit Beamer Co. signed some very talented players in the last two classes. (If my math is right, freshman have scored 16 of Tech's 20 offensive touchdowns this season.) It's obvious Tech isn't there yet. We've seen flashes of greatness (Ohio State), but more than enough bumbling around (ECU, GT, first half of WMU and Pitt) to see it's a work in progress. The acceptable time to rebuild (i.e. "overnight") is going to vary from person to person, but next week's home crowd will gage overall fan support and confidence of the program moving forward pretty well.
I have a few specific thoughts on the game before I re-watch.
I suggested a quarterback change, so I will defend that.
I'M NOT ONE FOR A QB CHANGE, BUT I THINK YOU HAVE TO BENCH BREWER IF YOU WANT A CHANCE TO WIN THIS GAME.— THE KEY PLAY (@thekeyplay) October 17, 2014
That was right before Tech got the ball back thanks to Corey Fuller's Marshall's interception. Brewer performed at a Tyrod-like level against Ohio State, but in the process, "Got his dick knocked in the dirt," in the words of Cincinnati offensive coordinator Eddie Gran.
I don't know if he's injured, but since then Brewer's played somewhere between erratic and mildly effective. He over threw a pair of wide-open verticals and was content to dink and dunk in the first half. I felt like Teddy KGB was behind center, "Check. Check. Check." What happened to the third-down-converting-machine who was fully dipped in the 'Shoe? I didn't feel confident in him rallying the offense in the second half, and believed the team needed a spark. All summer long the offensive coaches told anyone who would listen the quarterback competition was as close as it could possibly be. With all that considered, I would've given Leal a chance. To his credit, Brewer came out and played much better in the second half, and as I mentioned above, he didn't have a run game to lean on.
J.C. Coleman got 3 carries, fumbled on his third rush and never touched the ball again. Even if Juice can't go against Miami, I wonder if Coleman factors into the rotation.
There were a ton third- and fourth-down pass plays called with routes that landed well shy of the sticks. I get that when backed up against the goal and Loeffler's making room to punt, otherwise I'm baffled. Somewhat related, there were a couple of times when Brewer did a great job buying time in the pocket, had green in front of him, but opted for a low percentage throw on the run. Again, I don't know if he's 100%, but there were opportunities to pull it down and run for a first down.
Bucky Hodges is playing his way onto All-American teams.
If he's going to run the Wild Turkey, he's going to have to show pass out of it. Better yet, in the red zone throw him fade routes for days, not snap him the ball.
bucky hodges is one of the best offensive tight ends in football right now and he still doesn't even really know how to play tight end yet— martin rickman (@martinrickman) October 17, 2014
Martin nailed it.
Hate to see Chase Williams, a fifth-year senior who finally got his opportunity and has made the most of it, get injured. Hopefully he's ready to go against Miami next week.
James Conner did exactly what French said he'd do against a loaded box that Tech didn't have all the gaps fitted. He got to the second level and rumbled right on through.
Corey Marshall had another stellar game. He's had such a great season that it's no longer a no-brainer to say Kendall's the best player on the defense.
"You never know what's going to happen," Brewer said following the game. "This conference, especially on our side, is shaken up so much already. You really have no idea what's going to happen. If we keep our heads down and keep moving forward, I think we'll be OK."
The Hokies got a second chance when Duke upset Georgia Tech. However, with its second divisional loss, Virginia Tech cannot squander anymore good will.
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