One Step Forward Two Back

Virginia Tech's rebuilding season prescribed another bitter pill, this time dispensed via a record setting day from running back Israel Abanikanda. Despite some positives, most notably generating big plays against a defensive scheme that has completely overwhelmed the Hokies in the last couple of seasons, Virginia Tech's offense couldn't deliver enough to overcome an abysmal defensive performance. After a strong start to the season defensively, Tech's second- and third-level defenders continued to trend in the wrong direction. Any kind of breakdown in gap integrity by the defensive front exposed the limitations at linebacker and secondary that have plagued the Hokies since 2018. Head coach Brent Pry is faced with a difficult task. Right now, veteran players with marginal upside are not delivering Power 5 competent play, but their younger counterparts are not stepping up to wrestle the jobs away from underperforming veterans. It makes this commenter think that Pry will have to hit some major home runs in recruiting and player development defensively, and many of the players who we will see get a lot of work this season won't be part of the long-term solution. This, my friends, is all tough to swallow.

Career Day for Kaleb Smith

Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi has never been shy about his defensive strategy. Narduzzi has lived and died on loading the box and playing physical press man coverage outside. When the Hokies have had wide receivers capable of winning those one-on-one battles outside along with a quarterback willing to put the ball where they have a chance to make a play, the Hokies generally have beaten Narduzzi's Panthers.

On Saturday, Kaleb Smith proved himself capable of winning the necessary battles. Throughout most of the game, Smith seemed to option one of two routes. If his corner pressed, Smith ran a vertical, and if the corner softened, Smith hooked up. Without big-time speed, Smith used his physicality to consistently win contested throws to notch career highs for receptions (9) and receiving yards (152). Grant Wells (who was once again mercurial) gave Smith opportunities to win those throws more regularly than we have seen to date this season.

On this 2nd-and-2, boundary corner A.J. Woods (No. 25) showed press, but conceded an outside release to Smith. Smith (No. 80) released very slowly off the snap, reading Woods' technique.