We Lost to Duke

Well, the kudos by Tech's coaches for Duke's program during the week weren't bullshit after all. Duke was/is a well coached football team without quit in them. If you read anything French and Mason wrote here over the last two weeks you knew that already. A sincere congratulations to them for winning.

I only have a few thoughts because I haven't rewatched the game, and I think it's unfair to criticize without at least putting in the due diligence of rewatching the game.

I praised J.R. Collins' play over the bye week, then he missed the game for a violation of team rules. What happened hasn't been disclosed, but it changes the narrative of his comeback story. Credit to the coaches for suspending him. As well as Dadi's played, he's not as complete a player, or as seasoned as J.R. In my opinion, J.R. was the MVP of the defense heading into Duke. It's tough to head into any game without your best player, especially a senior, but the coaches aren't putting up with any crap.

I disagree Bud, the best team always win. That's why they win.

DC Bud Foster: "Sometimes maybe the best team doesn't win, and I think today was one of those days." #Hokies— Hokies Journal (@HokiesJournal) October 26, 2013

With that said, the defense played superb, again. Before tonight, Duke averaged 35.7 points and 452.1 yards a game. The Hokies held the Blue Devils to 13 and 198 respectively.

Kendall Fuller, thank you for committing to Virginia Tech.

These uniforms, NEVER, EVER, wear them again.

Outside of a couple of spurts the offense was rather terrible. They made it look easy on the 99-yard touchdown drive, but difficult the rest of the way. Logan threw 4 picks, so naturally the consensus conclusion is Logan Thomas is the worst quarterback ever. He accounted for 300 total yards and once again led the team in rushing. His rushing numbers are great, but it's unfortunate it comes at the expense of getting hit. Having your quarterback get up off the turf every other play is not a good thing. In the first half and then some, Duke took away the short stuff that had been getting Logan in rhythm the last few weeks, and he couldn't make a play down the field.

I thought the first drive was pretty good too. Edmunds on the stretch, as well as the inverted veer, work very well and I'd like to see more of that. (But again I'll contradict myself, because Logan getting hit on the veer.)

As a whole, the offense looked as disorganized as it did before ACC play. They had momentum, and the bye week was a detriment.

If Frank Beamer had a better kicker than Journell he'd be kicking.

We lost to Duke. They were better than us. Get over it. This season is not over. All offseason the coaches preached and practiced toughness, let's hope the team learned that lesson. This team still controls its own destiny to Charlotte.