Russell Athletic Bowl
By french60wasp
staff
on January 5, 2013, 7:08 PM
From the moment it was clear that the Hokies could not win the ACC Coastal Division title, every game in the 2012 season became a stepping stone to a program-defining moment in the Georgia Dome on August 31st. Making a bowl allowed for 3 weeks of additional practice that could be put towards getting repetitions for young players who would be counted on to contribute next season, and the bowl matchup versus Rutgers stood as an opportunity for Frank Beamer to learn about the makeup of his 2013 roster and coaching staff.
The lessons learned from the Russell Athletic Bowl serve as a microcosm for everything that has frustrated Hokie fans since Ricky Bustle left the program. Bud Foster's defense advanced, utilizing the 4-4 scheme with aggressive blitzing against the run and pass, but he added elements of Dick Lebeau's zone blitz by frequently dropping ends and tackles into coverage, and playing a seemingly more effective fire-zone in behind the blitz. At the same time, the offense seemed to be more of a vaudevillian comic sketch that would have been more appropriate if the theme from Benny Hill was dubbed over the voice of Joe Tessitore.
Quick thought after that awful awful awful game. I'm so glad we somehow got a win tonight. But I think it ends up being a good thing that we looked so bad but still got the W. Hokies get a winning season and they also highlighted how bad the Offense is. I think this Bowl game will help the worthy cause of offensive staff turnovers this off-season. The only bad thing is being an embarrassment on national tv, but then again I don't think many were watching that one. Thoughts?
DISCLAIMER: Forum topics may not have been written or edited by The Key Play.com staff.
DISCLAIMER: Forum topics may not have been written or edited by The Key Play.com staff.
By joe
staff
on December 28, 2012, 1:08 AM
Consider this post the open thread for today's game. You're invited to leave your thoughts in the comments below. Most of us have been working on a holiday schedule, so after the jump are a bunch tidbits and reads found elsewhere on the Interwebs that you might have missed while on vacation. Before proceeding, Box 'shopped another masterpiece.
Now then, let's continue.
Tech visited the Give Kids the World Village. Also, it should be noted that Martin Scales knows the Macarena.
So you're saying we should win the turnover battle...
SI.com's Andy Staples picked Tech to lose.
A belated "Happy Holidays" to everyone here, as well as an early "Happy New Year." While 2012 may not have unfolded as we fans had imagined, Virginia Tech finds itself in familiar territory: a bowl game. The Hokies will square off in Orlando against an old Big East foe, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers, while one of the oldest programs in the nation, has a fairly small number of program milestones: 1869 (first college football game), 1976 (an undefeated 11-0 season), 2006 (11-2, win over #2 Lousiville). That's it. Really.
Below is an email from Amanda (the Hokie Alumni Association - Roanoke Chapter). All Hokies in Roanoke are welcome. You can contact at roanokehokies@gmail.com.
Hi Roanoke Hokies,
We are hosting a bowl game watching party at Corned Beef and Company for the Russell Athletic Bowl on Friday, December 28th. Our reservation begins at 5:00 and kickoff is at 5:30.
We will be located in the same place as our last game watching party-- to the left, on the downstairs dance floor. Complete with large screen and sound from the overhead speakers! They should have many tables and chairs set-up!
DISCLAIMER: Forum topics may not have been written or edited by The Key Play.com staff.
By french60wasp
staff
on December 23, 2012, 11:09 AM
Virginia Tech enters bowl season in the unusual position of being 6 and 6 and playing former Big East whipping boy Rutgers. As I said before the Sugar Bowl last year, besides national perception, any bowl game besides the BCS National Championship has been rendered rather meaningless. The benefit comes from the extra practice sessions for Frank Beamer's squad, which (according to Andy Bitter) he has correctly utilized to get meaningful work for young players that will need to produce next season. When Alabama rolls into the Georgia Dome, the Hokies chances of victory will depend heavily on contributions from players like Trey Edmunds (who has wowed the coaches in bowl prep practices based on Beamer's comments), Demetri Knowles, Laurence Gibson, Mark Shuman, Ronny Van Dyke, and the young defensive backs. Hopefully, the rotation for the bowl game makes sure that the non-redshirts get meaningful snaps to prepare for a big 2013.
By joe
staff
on December 19, 2012, 10:25 AM
Oh, and the obligatory GIF
DISCLAIMER: Forum topics may not have been written or edited by The Key Play.com staff.
By joe
staff
on December 2, 2012, 1:01 PM
