I felt like I traveled back in time on Saturday night. Not to just the first Clemson game this season, but to the Orange Bowl last year, October 17, 2009, September 8, 2007, September 30, 2006, November 5, 2005, etc.
All moments when a highly ranked Virginia Tech team folded in a big game.
Another night when nothing worked.
I can imagine how UVA felt two weeks ago -- probably very similar to how Tech felt on Saturday night.
It was a major disappointment. It was disappointing because you know every pundit who knocked Tech down the stretch smiled when they saw the score. While LSU, Oklahoma State and Kansas State all did what they had to do on Saturday, Virginia Tech could not get it done again.
This team, players and coaches, need to remember the more wins they rack up, the higher they climb in the rankings, the bigger the target on their back gets. Teams seem to show up and play Tech like its their Super Bowl, and when those teams have some semblance of talent and good coaching, Tech looks overwhelmed.
I've tried to keep my analysis as positive as possible this season, but I had a pretty tough time this week. If I don't have a lot of nice things to say, I'm just going to keep it short. There's really no sense in piling on.
1. Antone Exum - I almost vomited when he didn't fall on that Watkins fumble. But he opened the game aggressive and I thought he looked sharp much of the night.
2. Josh Oglesby - Josh ran hard every time he go the ball on Saturday night. Unfortunately, one player's solid effort could not overcome the mountain of issues drowning the team on Saturday night.
3. Logan Thomas - Clearly it was not the same Logan we've seen the last few weeks. He had the Clemson front four in his grill all night and had no chance of getting in a zone to lead the offense. All of that said, even in a 38-10 loss, he still had some beautiful throws. Love what this guy is about.
4. David Wilson - David had just 11 carries last night and couldn't get anything going. Josh couldn't get much going. Both of them are gone next year (Don't see DW4 coming back). What's the running game going to look like?
7. Marcus Davis - I was excited when he had that early snag, but he disappeared until the 4th quarter. I think it's a very good thing he's ending the season with some nice catches, though.
8. Dietrick Bonner - One of the worst individual efforts I've seen this year. Why is he covering Dwayne Allen in the red zone to begin with? Very frustrating to watch.
9. Cris Hill - Cris had played well most of this season, but didn't bring it on Saturday night.
15. Eddie Whitley - I bet Eddie is sore today. He was busy on Saturday night.
17. Kyle Fuller - I had to do a double take when I saw Kyle way out of position on the first touchdown. But he bounced back to his sure open field tacking self. I was hoping he'd slide back out to corner after Boyd figured out he could take advantage of what we were offering, but didn't happen.
18. D.J. Coles - I hate to think about this offense without Danny and Jarrett next year, but it sure feels like that blow won't be as tough to take because of DJ. He seems to have all the tools, right? He showed out on Saturday inght.
19. Danny Coale - I demand to know why the second leading wide receiver in school history is out punting guys the staff recruited to punt.
20. Jayron Hosely - I've long thought that Jayron often takes a dangerous approach on tackles on the edge. Thankfully, it's not a serious injury. The defense definitely missed him all night, but they better get used to it. I think Mr. Hosely is playing on Sundays next fall.
22. Tony Gregory - Nice job on kick returns.
24. Tariq Edwards - Didn't feel his presence most of the night.
26. James Hopper - He was flat out robbed on that call. Just awful.
33. Chris Drager - He played tough. He certainly got the looks I've been writing about all year. The fourth down drop wasn't going to change the outcome of the game.
34. Kyoshen Jarrett - We saw him for a spell in the first quarter when Jayron went out and had a third down tackle. That experiment didn't last long. We watched out other corners get smoked all night instead.
42. J.R. Collins - The bull was bottled up, but I though that JR played angry all night. I really like this guy on the field.
45. Joey Phillips - He's looking a little grizzly. Clean up for your mom for Christmas, Joey.
48. Justin Myer - Kickoff guy.
54. Nick Becton - I don't have much to say about the offensive line.
58. Jack Tyler - Jack had some nice short down-and-distance stops yet again.
62. Blake DeChristopher - See Joey Phillips.
67. Michael Via - Abused on the first play after Watkins' touchdown. Gross.
68. Jaymes Brooks - I don't have much to say about the offensive line.
72. Andrew Lanier - I don't have much to say about the offensive line.
74. Andrew Miller - I can't imagine he was 100%. I saw him camped out in his own backfield often.
75. Greg Nosal - I don't have much to say about the offensive line.
81. Jarrett Boykin - I honestly don't care that he spiked the ball. I was pissed off and I was 700 miles away.
86. Eric Martin - Another night of shoving big dudes around. Would like to see a throwback or something unexpected go his way every once in a while. Think back to when he hurt his shoulder... We know he can catch.
89. Cody Journell - The end of the first half was the first real high pressure kick Cody's had this season, and he nailed his career long. Nice job.
90. Duan Perez-Means - It was good to see 90 in on some tackles. I think he's going to develop into a good player before he leaves Blacksburg.
92. Luther Maddy - I say this every week, but I really am excited about Mr. Maddy's future.
93. Isaiah Hamlette - When all was lost, it was a beautiful site to see Isaiah bury Tajh Boyd on that sack. Well done, young man.
95. Zack McCray - There was a play right after Ellington popped the long run in the second quarter where I thought Zack looked extremely hesitant. He followed that play up with a really aggressive play, so I know it's there and I feel like he just needs to let loose.
96. Corey Marshall - Only saw Corey for a quick spell.
98. Derrick Hopkins - Didn't make a ton of plays.
99. James Gayle - I think Clemson saw on film that Mr. Gayle can play, because they definitely keyed on containing him.
Comments
Clemson
I just love now that people forget they lost to NC State in a nasty game. Got beat by GA Tech a team we beat by 11 and lets not forget all the points dropped on them by Maryland etc...Anyone can get up for a game or two looks at Boise State. Now that i have cooled down about the game I think the game told us more about a young emotional Clemson team then it does about VA Tech. Lets not forget we were tied going into half time. I still think record wise and I am not saying this to make us feel better we are still the class of the ACC. I can't wait for the Sugar Bowl and then for next season. Logan Thomas and the young recievers make me really excited. The O-line and HBs will be a concern.
After the "roughing the kicker" BS
The D was fired up after that bad call. Wished they could have sustained that anger the rest of the 2nd half.
I don't have much to say about the offensive line.
I also don't have much to say about the offensive line, except...
Dear O-Line,
Guys, what happened last week? I'm not talking about the game, because I saw what happened there. No-no, what I'm talking about is what exactly did you do from Sunday morning after the UVa game until the first snap of the ACCCG? Did you maybe hit the film room? Did you hit the weight room? Did you hit the books? Did you FUCKING HIT ANYTHING all week?! Because from my seat, it sure looked like you must've hit the buffet at about 7pm and called it an early fucking night. Yes, Dietrick Bonner basically played the worst game humanly possible on defense. And yes, we got jobbed on a handful of obvious calls. But, Bonner's a redshirt-Freshman, this is the AC-fucking-C, we're gonna get jobbed on calls! Our refs suck shit and always have! Either way, none of that matters. What matters is that during this season, you've either played as a cohesive unit that aids in VT having an above average offense - or - you've played as an incompetent band of assholes hell-bent on fisting this program into Wake Forest-esque obscurity! You are better than that! You have no excuse to be phoning it in during the biggest game of the season!
I'm getting so sick and tired of people calling us the "Jokies" or the "Chokies" because of your mediocre, shitstain performance in the big games. The offense starts with you. The offense finishes with you. The blood is on your hands. Make it right.
deviation
I know the roll call is for the players and plenty blame for their performance should be placed on their effort, or at many points lack there of, but I also once again took real issue with the coaching staff. Absolutely zero adjustments were made by Foster or O'Cain at halftime, just like the Orange Bowl last year, just like the Alabama game, just like the Orange Bowl in 2008 (for the 2007 season). This has become truly a constant trend with Virginia Tech coaches: we'll go into the half tied or with the lead and make absolutely zero changes though the opposition is beginning to key on specific formations or routes. You also have to plan for what the other team may change and exploit. None of this was done and once again, we shit the bed in the second half. The only time we seemingly made miniscule adjustments in a "big" was Boise State and my god...we had the lead late in the fourth! I could be wrong but I am just writing from what perspective I had on the game.
Also, to Bud or Torian, why in the name of all that is good and holy in the world was Bonner lining up eight to twelve yards off his receiver? Every time, Boyd checked to a WR option route and he gave up seemingly 8-25 yards a completion. I understand giving a cushion but that's not Revis, Woodson, Flowers, Williams, or even Harris out there! That's a frosh with little collegiate field experience!
As to DW not getting carries- he was ineffective and only had few medium gain runs. Oglesby was able to push through tacklers. I hoped DW would get more carries but I understood why #2 came in- was just a little more than limited effectiveness.
O-line...(facepalm inserted here). Poor technique, poor footwork, poor mental control- just a piss poor effort all around. I get that Clemson has a stud d-line but at least make it look like you care.
Great writeup 06Hokie- it did capture the frustrations of Hokie fans everywhere Saturday night. About the only positive to be taken from that woodshed beating- and Logan's poise until the end and Whitley's consistency.
Offensive line = Wedding Dick. Stood right up at the snap.
Is it just me?
Is it just me or do you see it too? I really try to not be biased, but does Stinney or Sherman not like the kid? I mean you let him have an awesome game against UVA. You get us all hyped with one pass and then don't give him the ball back until the 4th quarter? I just wonder what is going to happen next year. You will have no choice but to use him because you essentially have only him and DJ. I know we should concentrate on Jan 3rd. But when your guy comes to you as the supposed leader and says hey he can't check me, what are you supposed to do? (Ok off the lioness soapbox as I protect the boy)
Who?
Sorry, but which receiver were you talking about? I couldn't quite figure it out.
My Guess
Would be Marcus Davis