Frank Beamer Wants More Emotion From His Hokies, Foster and Loeffler Lament Missed Chances

Several Hokies players and coaches met with the media today in advance of Friday night's primetime matchup with North Carolina State.

Frank Beamer's Opening Statement

Frank Beamer on Personnel Changes

In addition to Greg Stroman's transition to wide receiver and the potential for true freshmen backer Tremaine Edmunds and LT Yosuah Nijman to see the field more, Frank Beamer also dropped an interesting nugget related to the running back rotation.

"I think we've sat down and talked about who we need touching the ball," Beamer said. "I'm not gonna get into that, but there's always so many touches in a game and percentage-wise you better have the right people touching the ball."

Shane Beamer wasn't made available to the media today, but look for more on the running back rotation (and the recent revelation of another Marshawn Williams injury) tomorrow.

Coordinators Regret Missed Opportunities

Both Scot Loeffler and Bud Foster sang a similar tune Monday, repeatedly referring to a handful of missed opportunities that ended up costing the Hokies the game.

"Here's the deal. What I said at the end of the game, I think was fairly dead on. The first half we had an opportunity to totally change the outcome of the game," said Loeffler. "There was major opportunities to not only gain completions, there was opportunities to score touchdowns...And the fact of the matter is, this is where college football is, if you listen to Bud, if you watch college football, this deal comes down to, because of the parity, it comes down to five plays. And we had an opportunity. Our five plays showed up in the first half and we could have totally changed the outcome of the game and didn't."

And the fact that Loeffler fielded a remarkably productive offense despite the absence of quarterback Michael Brewer put the Pittsburgh debacle more in the spotlight.

"That was the biggest difference between Saturday and what we've been doing over the last four weeks. We've been making those plays. And we didn't (Saturday). Is it the offensive line? Is it the tight ends? Is it the running backs? Is it the quarterbacks? It's a combination of all involved if you don't execute. So to sit and say it was an offensive line issue, that's unfair. Because whenever you don't make those five plays, it's a unit mistake."

While Loeffler admitted that the offensive line played poorly as a whole, he was steadfast in his determination to not pin the offense's struggles on one position.

"Obviously it wasn't their best performance," said Loeffler. "There was some things that we struggled with. But again, for me to sit and blame publicly one unit or another, that's wrong. I'm not doing that."

Foster's defense saw improvement from a lackluster performance at East Carolina, but a few mental blunders left the defensive coordinator searching for answers.

"You play 60 plays, you play your tail off for 56, but four of them go the other way, it costs you a football game," said Foster. "That's kind of what happened the other day in my opinion. Even though we gave up 17 points, we should have won that game 13-10 or 13-3 at the end of the day if we go execute."

Perhaps no play symbolized Foster's frustrations more than Qadree Ollison's 43-yard scamper to open second half, one that Foster contends should have been a short gain at best.

"That's where you're scratching your head because you've got a guy the other day when the first play popped in the first play of the second half, we're supposed to hammer the ball man free outside arm and turn him right back into our free hitter. Our corner, who is an experienced guy, spills it and the ball gets outside. Those are things, he hasn't been taught to do that. 'Why are you doing that?' So those are the things that are frustrating. 'Why are you doing that when you haven't been taught? Tell me why,'" Foster bemoaned.

But if the Hokies can begin to execute on every play, Foster is confident that the Hokies can return to their winning ways.

"You take about a handful of plays out of that game and it's a different football game, particularly for us," said Foster. "You have a chance to take away their points. That's behind us now. Kids are playing hard, we just need to execute. The young kids in particular. And even there's a couple older kids that you've gotta be consistently good or a play or two or three, that's usually what determines the outcome of a game in a tight ballgame. In the past those plays have been consistently going our way as far as us executing. And right now we haven't done that. That can turn over to a loss from that standpoint."

Foster Pleased with Play of Motuapuaka and Edmunds

Andrew Motuapuaka returned from a sprained MCL suffered against Furman and Foster was more than satisfied with the play of the redshirt sophomore linebacker.

"Played outstanding. He had an outstanding football game," Foster said. "Fit properly, he caused three fumbles. I saw where it said he only caused two in the final game sheet, but he actually caused three fumbles. Just really very active. Fit right. You saw the plays, those 22's, those multiple tight end sets that popped. When he was in the core, he fit right and the plays were minimal gains at best. He brings a solid play at that spot and a productive play. He was very active. He was actually our game award winner from the defensive staff from that standpoint."

And in a bit of good news for the Hokies, there seem to be no lingering concerns with the health of Motuapuaka's knee.

"He felt well. He felt good after the game and again yesterday when we met," said Foster. "That makes me feel good that his knee is fine and not having any issues with that."

Redshirt freshman Terrell Edmunds made his first career start filling in for an injured Kendall Fuller, and while Edmunds may not have played at the same level as Motuapuaka, Foster was still happy with Terrell's first start. And with Greg Stroman now transitioning to offense, Foster noted Mook Reynolds will likely see more time in the secondary.

"Terrell did a solid job," said Foster. "There was a couple things technique and fundamental wise, but I think, like I said even after the game the other day, I think he's a very good prospect. I'm really excited about his potential. It's unfortunate with some of those guys right now, him included and Adonis included, you may start to see Mook Reynolds a little bit more, you're gonna see first-time players playing and unfortunately their first experiences are gonna be playing on Saturdays."

Frank Beamer Disappointed with Lack of Emotion

One of the lone bright spots for the Hokies on Saturday was solid special teams play highlighted by Vinny Mihota's blocked field goal and an A.J. Hughes' punt downed at the one-yard-line. However, it was what transpired following Hughes' punt that left the leader of Beamerball unhappy.

"We got looking at the video yesterday and we downed a couple balls, one on the one yard line, it was a heck of a play," said Beamer. "And everybody got up and it was like business as usual. I said, 'you know, that's not the way we need to be playing.' It needs to be emotional. It needs to be fun. And that all starts with me."

And while Beamer recognizes that the unfortunate weather conditions likely played a role in his team's lack of emotion, he knows that poor weather is no excuse.

"I said that started with me. I think we let the weather get to us a little bit," said Beamer. "Our mind was all over the place. It's my fault. When we don't come out there and play with great emotion, that's me."

Hokies Look Forward to N.C. State

N.C. State suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of Louisville last weekend in a 20-13 loss. But prior to their stumble to the Cardinals, N.C. State was quietly racking up impressive offensive statistics (while admittedly playing less than stellar competition).

"As we look to N.C. State, I see a well balanced football team. I see a team that has some dynamic skill kids," said Foster. "I think overall, they might be completely the best set of skills kids we'll play all the way around since Ohio State. I thought East Carolina had some good kids at the skill positions. These guys I think are similar at the receiver spot. They obviously have a couple tight ends, but then they also have a couple backs that I think are really dynamic."

The Wolfpack are led by former Florida quarterback Jacoby Brissett, a dynamic dual-threat signal-caller that has yet to throw an interception in 2015.

"That's the one thing I was impressed by. No picks," said Foster. "Throws the ball...Throws a lot of quick passes too. Can throw a good deep ball. But the one thing he has done is taken care of the football."

If the Hokies want to have success against Brissett on Friday, Foster knows he'll need to dial up some exotic pressures to rattle the experienced quarterback. But before worrying about sacks on 3rd-and-long, Foster is more concerned with corralling the Pack's dangerous rushing attack.

"We've gotta stop the run. They're balanced, but they're running for about 216 yards a game right now," said Foster. "(Number) 21, their back, the Days kid, he's averaging a little over 104 yards a game. He broke a couple plays last week...We've got to do a good job stopping the run and then eliminating the big plays, the big chunk plays. Whether it's him (Brissett) carrying the football, handing it off, or throwing it down the field."

On defense, the Wolfpack will undoubtedly try to emulate the success that Pittsburgh enjoyed against the Hokies. While they may not be quite as talented as the Pat Narduzzi led defense that stymied the Hokies on Saturday, Scot Loeffler says the Pack are talented enough to cause problems.

"They're athletic. They're tall. They're long. I think they do a really good job," said Loeffler. "They mix things up. Multiple front team. Multiple coverage team. They'll bring pressure. I think they do a good job. I think they do a great job. We're worried about one thing right now. We're worried about getting to Friday and competing and trying to find a way to win a game."

And with the matchup with the Wolfpack falling on a Friday night, the Hokies will be operating on a short week for the second time this season. But for fullback Sam Rogers, Friday night can't come soon enough.

"It's better to just get back and play, redeem yourself real quick...If I could play today, I would," said Rogers.

Additional Quotes

Frank Beamer

ON PLAYING YOUNG GUYS:

"Most of these it's just, in the secondary we have two guys that's not there, that probably both of them will play in the NFL. Then you replace them with young guys, now it's a little bit of a learning deal. I've said many times, there's nothing like experience in this business. If you got it, you're generally in good shape. If you're young, you gotta go through some growing pains. That's where we are."

ON IF N.C. STATE IS A MUST-WIN GAME:

"I think about every game anymore is a must-win. I think as you go along, the more you win, the more important that next game becomes. As you go along, if you've lost one in the conference, the more important that next game becomes. That's the way it is. You want guys and coaches that will rise to the challenge and I think we have that at Virginia Tech."

ON IF DWAYNE LAWSON WILL SEE MORE PLAYING TIME:

"Well, again, I think you gotta see where Brewer is. I think when they answer that question, the other pieces in the puzzle will fall into a place a little bit."

ON RUNNING THE FOOTBALL BETTER:

"I think if you ask any member of our offense, player or coach, 'what's your number one priority?' The number one priority is to run the football better. We're gonna continue to work on it. Number one priority of most defenses is to stop the run, make you one-dimensional. It's a battle, but I firmly believe we're talented enough. We just gotta be determined enough. Every offensive guy on our football team, I think that's what they'll tell you."

Scot Loeffler

ON MICHAEL BREWER:

"Michael's never been out-of-sight or out-of-mind, ever, since the time he was injured. He's a guy that's really important to our team as a leader. That's why we traveled him. He's a guy that's helping our team. He's helping myself. We're gonna find out where he's at later this afternoon and we'll go from there."

ON FIVE OR SIX PLAYS BEING THE DIFFERENCE IN GAMES:

"If you watch how people are winning right now, I get to watch 14, 15 games a week (of) coach's tape. It's five or six plays. You change five or six plays in a ballgame, that's college football now because of parity, that's how the NFL's working right now...When your chances come, you've gotta make those plays. You make those plays early in the game, you run the ball in the second half, the defense was playing beyond well enough and you win the game. That didn't happen."

ON IF PITTSBURGH PERFORMANCE RESEMBLED 2013 OFFENSE:

"We've done some really good things over the last four weeks up till this point. You saw it. We got in a position where Brenden Motley was in a firefight. I thought they were excellent up front. I thought the pressures they were bringing were good. We had a really good plan for them. It didn't work out. But to say we're back where we were two years ago, no, because it was an every week deal. You sat up here every week going over the same old theme. To answer your question, no, this is not the same group as it was two years ago."

Bud Foster

ON ADONIS ALEXANDER MISSING A FEW PLAYS AGAINST PITTSBURGH:

"It's a product of us asking him to do different things. The one thing the guy can do, he can make plays in space. He's got great range. He's a good tackler. Getting lined up, a lot of different things, that's where he's probably not ready yet. The first touchdown was actually unbalanced, we should have been checking to a pressure and I don't know if the quarterback would have gotten the play off. Even if we check to our zone coverage, we could have had guys over top and still had a pressure in his face. But we didn't do either one. That's where you'd like a guy like Chuck Clark maybe to help him out a little bit more. But then also what we were doing with 23 (Tyler Boyd), which was disappointing. We were actually bracketing him. We had two guys on him. If he broke inside, the guy should just be sitting there waiting on him to come back. And Adonis would go over the top and the guy would break back and we were hoping the ball would be thrown right to him. It was a technique issue, more than it was anything else. And a trust issue, not trusting the guys he's probably bracketing with and what not. It's a combination of all those things. Hopefully this week he'll be a game farther into it. But you go back to the Purdue game, you could see what he can do in space. That was a team that ran the quarterback. He made some plays in space and did some things. But he'll be more comfortable and the game will slow down obviously has his role continues to get bigger and more important for us."

ON LACK OF SACKS FROM THE DEFENSIVE END SPOT:

"Dadi had a couple pressures. He just didn't finish the play. That's one thing that he's gotta do, be better at finishing. I thought Ken played a great field game. It wasn't like it was a pass-happy team. At the point of attack, he was very physical. He picked off the puller a couple times. He was a factor in a lot of plays. I know everybody just sees the glitz and the glamour of guys rushing the passer, but there's a lot more to it. And that wasn't again a game, they threw 15, 12 balls, I don't know for sure off the top of my head. So you're not gonna see a lot of that. Ken has probably been, besides him and Luther Maddy and Woody Baron, have probably been our most consistent guys up front as far as just playing technique, fundamentals and doing what we're asking them to do. Ken's been able to get some pressure on the quarterback. The good coaches are teaching their guys (to) get rid of the football."

ON DEFENSIVE LINE PERFORMANCE THUS FAR:

"I don't think people, you look at our games so far...Ohio State, we didn't get out of there what we wanted. Furman was more running the ball, even on third downs. East Carolina, on 3rd down, they weren't really gonna let us get into our exotic packages that we were able to do last year. I think that's one thing we've seen this year is on 3rd down and mediums, in that seven to five range, people are running the football on us a little bit. 3rd and four. And not allowing us (to) maybe get in some situations to turn those guys loose a little bit more and make them play more base defense and honor the run a little bit more which will slow those guys down, without a doubt. I think that's the one thing you're seeing a little bit more. I think a couple things. Dadi broke his hand. I think that slowed him down. He was out for about a good week or so. You had Corey, was coming off an ankle surgery and then he's had at plantar fasciitis. He's had a sore foot. As you guys know, anybody who's had that, just being normal, sometimes that's tough. But then being a defensive tackle pushing off on it and driving into somebody every snap. And Corey the other day ends up pulling a hamstring. So we've had a couple guys, those two guys that we had expectations of, have kind of just been banged up here early part of our campaign this year."

ON HOW FRUSTRATED FRANK BEAMER IS:

"I think we all are frustrated. He is, obviously. He's as competitive as he's ever been. So are all of us. He wasn't real happy with all of us at the end of the day which says something about him. But at the same time, he knows who we have on our staff and what we've done, what we're capable of doing, it's just getting our guys to be consistently good."

Terrell Edmunds

ON HIS FIRST START:

"The first start was decent. We didn't get the outcome we wanted. We wanted, of course, to win, but we had a couple downfalls here and there from both sides of the ball. It was OK."

ON THE HOKIEVISION DANCING PERFORMANCE FROM THE EDMUNDS BROTHERS:

"No sir, we didn't plan that all. It was just straight right there, they played the song, we just started dancing just like we used to do when we were younger. It was just like bringing up old times."

Ken Ekanem

ON THE DEFENSE'S PERFORMANCE AGAINST PITTSBURGH:

"Yeah, we came out, they had a few big runs on us. But we fixed it up in the back end. We had a couple of new guys in there, not really knowing, their first time starting like Terrell (Edmunds). We came out, made a couple of adjustments, and played really good defense in the later (part of the) game."

ON PLAYING ON FRIDAY NIGHTS:

"Yeah, I like Friday night games, it reminds me of high school football . We haven't played on Friday night since the UVA game (in 2014) and that turned out pretty well. I'm excited."

Sam Rogers

ON OFFENSES MENTALITY MOVING FORWARD:

"You go from putting 400 yards of offense to 100 some and obviously it's a step back. But we just gotta come in here and correct the things we did wrong and just keep moving forward. Keep chipping away."