
[Mark Umansky]
Who: Virginia Tech Hokies (1-0, 0-0 ACC) vs. Purdue Boilermakers (0-1, 0-0 Big Ten)
When: Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 12:00 PM EDT
Where: Blacksburg, VA | Lane Stadium
Watch/Listen: ESPN / Virginia Tech IMG
Spread: VT -2.5
Weather: 75°F, chance of storms
Series: The Hokies are 1-0 all-time against Purdue.
Reppin' TKP: Mark Umansky is photographing.
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LETS GO!!!!
Hokies!
Looking like rain so we rockin the VT crocs.
This is disgustingly acceptable.
I've learned after shoe soaking trips to a Disney with the kids I don't care and I'll wear them when I'm going to be standing outside in the rain.
Damn right. Pop those babies in sport mode and the world is yours.
UPDATE damn glad I wore them. We had to leave when couldn't get our flight out moved to tomorrow morning. Every sidewalk, crosswalk and parking lot from Lane to Lot 12 was flooded at least ankle team some deeper.
Sucks my 10 year old won't get a game this year.
Sitting at my car enjoying an adult beverage-easiest drive down I've ever had! 2 hrs 45 from Richmond'!
Did you drive or fly low?
lol-drove! Unfortunately I had plans in Richmond tonight so I didn't stay for the 615pm restart cause I wouldn't have been home from game until midnight or so.
Can we please have a good day today? Go Hokies!
In lot 1 is a mongram club tailgate for past football players. Saw a few players who said hi to my daughter and made her feel special.
I made it, come say hi. Lot 18. Had to take my mom's jeep because my wifes wheel bearing decided to crap out on the way to Lynchburg last night, so don't judge my flip flops and dog paw stickers.

I really miss the lot 18 tailgates.
Where exactly are you in lot 18 ?
Right next to the porta potties and ropes course
We are in 13a this year. I'm going to have to try to wander over to 18 at some point this year.
Great to meet ya-even for a little bit! See ya at Pittburgh game
Nice meeting you too. Odd day for tailgating, hope to see you around, sadly I won't be at pitt.
How is weather looking? Gonna end up with some of the storms in the area? Spunds terrifying for a team that cant run or defend the run.
It is beautiful right now, but everyone says 1-2pm is going to be bad.
The projected radar, via WDBJ7 looks great. But, it's all around.
That was an understatement- 4.5" of rain in Blacksburg!
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but if you all are getting the same weather system that we are dealing with in Raleigh right now, and it looks like Blacksburg will, I'm not sure this game sees a 2nd half.
Aww come on, we have to leave the parking lot by 4:30 to make our flight.
Looks like the system impacting Raleigh might run east of Blacksburg. There's a system currently southwest of Galax that could track towards Blacksburg, but current forecast has little chance of weather until 3 pm, so hopefully they can finish the game. Fingers crossed.
And I was wrong. Small shower hitting Blacksburg now. Hoping it passes but have a feeling more are going to follow throughout the afternoon.
Yeah this morning's storms really came out of nowhere. Hoping Blacksburg can be one of the open spots.
Unless it sits on Blacksburg I'm not so worried about a cancellation... how long did this thing last in Raleigh?? Otherwise it will just be delayed.
had serious thunder and lightning for a couple hours this morning in Cary
Not terribly long 15 minutes of actual rain, but some lightning was really close and you could still hear thunder an hour after.
Started at 8:30 and is just now finally quiet, so about 3 hours
Yeah... that's not ideal. Hopefully the really big systems pass around Blacksburg.
Plea for Pick 6 help guys, reposted from that thread.......I've forgotten my username on CBS Sports (insert random old guy joke here). I'm confident I know the password. This is memorized on a couple of computers, but not the one I need to use today. Can someone look up in the standings my name on the site and let me know? I've tried the ones I thought I had used, but no luck.
What's your name? I don't see 'in enemy territory'
last name of proffitt, so something with that maybe?
Was 3-3 last week, if that helps
The following have 3 wins:
757hokie83
Bragghokie
Capitolhokie
Cmitch15
Dkf233
Hupelek
Hoofhearted
Josiah Johnson
Jotajota
Matt Grigg
Matt workman
Max and cheese
Milepost 151
Skippypbm
Souphokie09
Vtdirk12
Vtmiko
Souphokie09Souphokie09Souphokie09Souphokie09Souphokie09Souphokie09Souphokie09Souphokie09
Ok- now I found you....you were not grouped with the other 3 win people, bur rather at the bottom of the page cause you hadn't picked.
Your username is Paul proffitt
Thanks for the efforts on my behalf guys. Had a funeral to attend today, so didn't get the info in time to make picks. So much for the trophy, but I'll be back next week.
Spread is down to VT -1. But FPI gives ys 56% change to win. Can't understand why I feel so weird about this one.
Woke up and chose optimism today. We beat Purdue and earn that juicy narrative win over a B1G team to use as a launching point.
Booooooooooooooooooo. Stay safe everyone in Blacksburg!
God, I love college football Saturdays in Chicago. Not making it to the Hokies bar today but gotta get this win so I can talk trash to the Purdue bouncers at the bar and Zach Edey next time I see him on the street.
Currently stuck under the stands. Any idea if they're pushing back the kickoff time?
Radar prediction looks pretty good for the next few hours once this little cell passes-
12:15 kick time per Andy Bitter
12:21 now per E$PN.
ESPN says 12:21pm kickoff. Fingers crossed. Radar looks favorable.
Yahoo sports app has Rutgers as our next game so yahoo decided to cancel us.
Just checked one radar that has things wide open after this passes for what should be the duration of gametime.
I guess the two Hornets I saw in formation over Salem weren't doing a flyover for the game?
Lol, game in weather delay so ESPN decides to put on the UVA game for Hokies to watch.
The conspiracy plot thickens. 🤣
Lol the JMU kid holding the Gatorade is having a great time
UVA and JMU, I find it interesting (I bet JMU -6.5) but I think it makes sense for VT to hate watch.
Never been thankful for a weather delay. Moving to Central Time still got me fucked up. Thought I had another hour. Then I had an "Oh, shit" moment and rushed to flip over. ...to the weather delay. Phew!
I appreciate the assist, but we can start now.
You get used to it pretty quick. Where you living?
Columbia, TN
Lol yeah not near me
That makes twice today I'm thankful for a weather delay. Mother nature doing the lord's work.
UVA has such a total lack of identity that they copy. VT's orange/orange uniforms. Pathetically hilarious. We've been Zima'd
I don't know....they wear orange a lot more than we do.
People must have more optimistic weather apps than me. Mine shows lightning likely nearby until this evening.
Weather.com radar was clear through expected game duration.
My NBC12 weather app feels validated
James Madison took the opening kick off and marched down to score a TD
I have mixed feelings about this game. I feel like I should be rooting for the ACC team ... but it is uva.
Didn't see anyone mention it yet, but shout out to Giles alum Lauren Sisler rocking ESPN's sideline report today.
Announcer just said 'We have a Big Ten matchup.' Do they know something we don't?
YouTubeTV's multiview would be great if you could actually pick the games you wanted to watch
You can
How?
On the AppleTV app, swipe down on the remote and one of the menu items below the video progress bar is 'Multiview'. From there it pulls you into a flow where you can select which games you want to watch.
This is a great way to see all of the possible combinations that are available. Thank you!
Unfortunately there's no a la carte option. Colorado and Nebraska is pretty entertaining right now- there's only one multi view package available (and two of those channels are showing the Baylor game right now).
Yea you can't really pick what you want. It's shocking the UI for multi view is so much worse than the ESPN AppleTV app
They give you preset arrangements, I can't pick individual games to create my own lineup
So even the commentators thinks this is year 1 for Pry
jaylen jones got away with a PI there
Agreed but strong wouldn't have let it get there. If strong wasn't there then should have been a flag.
how are there uncovered receivers on every play?
Our LB have zero presence in the middle of the field.
21 somehow got that tackle through the lineman... but other than that
Wow... this defense is not good.
Well that's not a great start...
Not an ideal start....
Drinking....
I think I will too, just for the hell of it...
I was thinking of holding off so I could get some work done later. Well, that's shot to hell.
Defense looked charmin soft. Allergic to contact that series.
Awful tackling. Good lord.
we look soft AF... meanwhile JMU has already scored 14 on uva
Freshman Caleb Woodson in for most of that drive at STAR. Tough beat for the defense to start all around.
We keep that up and it's gonna be a long fucking day.
Wake up Marve
Purdue clearly watched some film and knew exactly how to pick us apart
Purdue literally did whatever they wanted to that series...let's hope their D sucks as bad as ours appears to be
And that we actually take advantage of their weaknesses.....
Coach Pry hooked his wagon to two inexperienced, young, coordinators... We all know the offensive side isn't great, but now we are getting a clear look at the Chris Marve experiment...
Year -2, right?
All beer-infused comments aside, we were still going to struggle this year unless someone is lightning in a bottle. And it does not appear that is the case
Great playcalling by Purdue. Bad execution for us. Time for adjustments. Surprised how few times we only rushed four. We can definitely get in the backfield.
I don't think last week was an aberration, the D looks awful.
Pathetic
If we are going to sit back in a zone, where no one has any idea where to be, we should at least be sending some pressure.
No no no no no no no
Nooooooooo
This is fun...Ali is done for at least today
Oh shit. Not Ali.
Shit, Jennings is down and hurtin.
And now I'll drink... more
Well shit.
Ali just got rolled up on pretty bad.
Ali Jennings down and looks to be in some real pain.
Not ideal indeed.
Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue.....
Need lane and the others to step up
Please be a cramp
The fact that he immediately grabbed his ankle suggests it's not.
Best case is probably a traditional ankle sprain, but could be high ankle or fibula which would be much worse.
Not bearing weight off the field = bad.
"There's a player down."
"Yea he's a hurt one."
Who the hell are these announcers?
Man this is a way less than ideal start.
Just watched it again. Doesn't look good.
Did this team practice?
Well doesn't look like the run game got worked out this week. Also another bad low snap.
Wonderful call run up the middle on 2nd and 18 here we go again y'all....
So much for cleaning up procedure penalties.
Just killed this drive..we don't have 2nd and 18 conversions
So Wells overthrowing on 3rd and 18 wasnt part of the plan?
Oh boy
Good punt.
I did not grab enough beer for a game with this kind of start....
Switch to liquor when it runs out.
Only liquor left in the house is strictly my wife's. My neighbor and I cleaned out watching the Chiefs-Lions game the other night (and as a Bills' fan, I loved it).
Good coverage by special teams
Need a quick stop here.
That was an impressive punt
With the rain seemingly coming down pretty steady, any chance we'll see Drones to run it soon?
MLB covering nobody on 3rd down.
We have got to rush more than 4.
This D is lost right now.
Marve has a big opportunity here to make adjustments. It will be tough already down a couple starters on defense.
Not getting any pressure
Someone is always open. Not a good start at all defensively.
It's like they have 5 Danny Coales on offense.
We are entirely too predictable on both sides of the ball.
Severe weather in the area
Here's to hoping we can get it together during this break.
My ears are bleeding listening to these announcers. I thought 106.7 the Fan had the Bill Roth game on radio, but it doesn't. Anyone know how to get it?
105.3 The Bear... online
Thank you!
99.1 on the radio here in NoVa
I logged in finally and one play later
..the delay.
We'll blame you.
Well, maybe this extended break will give Marve and Bowen to make some significant adjustments. Both sides of the ball are a complete shit show.
Yeah not a promising start for either side. I'm just floored that Bowen made no adjustments to the run game at least on that first drive. Tuten straight up the middle into a wall of people. The lack of creativity in the run game is very concerning.
Bowen still believes square peg will eventually go into the round hole
Bowen hasn't shown any ability to adjust to-date.
Marve the book is still out on.
My concern is that experienced coaches can watch some film and quickly scheme to pick both of them apart.
If ODU can do it, that's not a good omen going forward.
To be fair he's only been the sole coordinator for one game and he called a pretty good one there.
He deserves some leeway but he is a former LB coach and they stick out like an eyesore for poor play.
They seem to mill around somewhat aimlessly more often than not while opposing O is wide open in middle of the field.
It doesn't bode well.
I guess I was more referencing Bowen. Agree about Marve, though I suppose he hasn't had a whole year of solely calling plays either.
Anyhow, my point was that I still feel there is leeway for Bowen as he hasn't really had to adjust that much in one game.
This is an opportunity for Marve...let's see what he can cook up
He's gotta do something. Defense looks unable to account for everyone on just about every passing down. Tough with an already shuffled secondary, but something has to change.
The linebackers covering someone when they enter their zone would be a good start. They're complete statues until after someone catches the ball and starts turning up the field
Likely caught a break with the delay. We can't stop anything.
Our best defense today is the weather. It stopped Perdoodoo.
For anyone that may be at the game and not getting enough service, the pattern does not look good. Storms are popping up pretty quick
Yeah, the radar looked good, but these little storms seem to be popping up out of nowhere in this system.
I don't even know if the team is no good because they are being let down so pitifully by the calls/schemes
Radar shows a mess of lightning all the way to Winston-Salem. Then another huge cell behind that and everything is moving due north. Even if we restart I see another stop.
Do games still get canceled?
Lightning has been VTs MVP so far
Someone post the Mike Vick Sports Illustrated cover—"Mr. Electric"
Here's my thing...
So many teams, see Purdue, have staff transitions and personnel changes and aren't horrible. Growing pains exist for sure, but not like VT. It's difficult for me to imagine why VT is such a bad football team. I know we have to re-stock, get guys in who "fit the system" and all of that. But there's no reason that we should look completely lost on both sides of the ball against a middling Big10 team in year two.
If we get outclassed that's one thing, but looking no different that we've looked for the last 3 or so seasons is not acceptable.
Purdue was coming off 9 and 8 win seasons. Their roster was in much better shape than ours my friend. I know other teams have turned around faster, but this isn't the best example.
You're not wrong about the comparison, but my point remains. Growing pains should absolutely exist. Having gaps in the roster are expected. However, being completely lost/incompetent on both sides of the ball is inexcusable.
I know we are only 1 quarter into game two, but the defensive side showed significant issues last week as well. My point is simply this - Pry hooked his wagon to two inexperienced coordinators and it isn't looking good right now. Other programs go through transitions and don't struggle nearly as much, including programs with lest "prestige" than VT.
FSU was pretty bad early Norvell, Nebraska is about to be 0-2, Miami struggles every transition, Michigan have all had bad transitions.
Pry definitely took a gamble with two inexperienced coordinators. I think his perspective was he needed a staff that would stick around and stay together for a few years to help rebuild the program rather than job hop, but it's still a gamble since they are both unproven. Potential but lots of risk as well.
This^^^
Not to be all optimistic, but it is only 7-0 and we have them in a 3 and 7...so maybe there's still a chance 🤷🏻♂️
Ah, the old "the glass has water in it" approach.
We are all closet optimists until we are down 7-0. Then we start drinking... more.
1-11 Colorado doing quite well...
That's a really unique situation. Deion basically sent that team packing and brought in a new one. Purged almost the entirety of the scholarship players. Hard to use that as a comparison for anyone else.
Not to mention that I don't think there's many coaches who could attract 10 bluechips to a bottom of the barrel P5 program before ever coaching a snap at the P5 level
Guess I am going to this birthday brunch after all
Hey y'all at home, what's the current start time?
Nothing noted
Likely won't get a time until thunder/lightning has stopped.
Just got home from game. Walked twenty minutes through HAIL to get to car. Weather is showing possible storms in area until 6:30 now.
Still storming in Raleigh and winston salem... doesnt bode well for VT game
So if the game get cancelled for weather does Purdue get the Dub?
Exit light, enter night game!
I can't find any kind of concrete answer to this online.
If it is canceled, it is canceled, no win or loss.
Maybe the game delay will be long enough for pry to find a defensive coordinator and a few more players in the portal
I was thinking an offensive coordinator, but i get you
Do games still get canceled? I don't see the weather clearing for hours
So was just told between 30 minute lighting delay from each strike within 8 miles of stadium then 15-20 minutes for teams to warm up it's around 50 minutes from last lighting and we are still hearing thunder. Looks like my 10 year old daughter might now get her game at Lane this season. Have to be at airport by 5:50.
That really stinks. If my radar is close to correct this game is getting canceled or finishing under the lights.
Looks like things may briefly open up around 3pm, but more storms are coming after that.
Offensive production 121-18....not great Bob.
Jennings taken back to the locker room still not bearing any weight. Either abundance of caution, or very bad sprain with potential fib fracture...
Fuck me. I worked nights last night and woke up early for this shit? Now if I go back to sleep ESPN and recorded game are going to be all jacked up.
Bro same. Got home at 630 this morning and set the alarm for noon.
This game is going to be hard to get in before the evening hours I think.
Maybe we should have hired the JMU staff. Coach Cignetti could have pulled a "Coach Prime" and brought the entire JMU team with him then we would have a competitive team in Blacksburg.
I can't imagine being in the concourses right now. Probably like sardines in there.
Worse than before the WVU game last year? Oof... that was rough
They kicked everybody out of concourses to Rector, Cassell or cars.
I was in concourses til 230 and when I left folks were still there both upper and lower though it did thin out over time.
I planned my entire day around this... my Walmart pickup is between 4-5 and then grilling for Bama-Texas with my neighbor.... I have a strict schedule to keep, weather gods....
Are they allowing people to leave and re-enter the stadium? The stadium looked pretty empty earlier if we could get a weather delay long enough to get everyone drunk and rowdy under the lights...I'll allow it.
They didn't even check tickets at north after the first delay. If this game happens, everyone in Lane will be off their rocker.
God, that would be amazing, could be a total gamechanger.
Time to start scheduling an FCS team to get bowl eligible conference championship week?
Let's just play UVA twice.
They've suddenly come to life on offense against JMU, I'm not so sure we can beat them as of this very moment.
Radar ain't gettin any better....
Not ideal, I guess they forgot to turn the system on again
While they're turning the drainage system on, maybe they can hit this switch too....
Not getting better
We should hire one of those people who remember we should turn the world-class drainage systems on when it's wet out.
I was about to ask about this. Do they just not turn it on until the rain stops?
I have read that apparently it takes a super long time to set it up and they don't typically do it in advance anymore unless there is an absolute deluge of rain anticipated.
They we showing maint crew working on one of the large drain strainers.
Looks like it collected enough junk that it needed to be emptied.
Think sink strainer in your kitchen sink.
Is loluva's qb 12?
Still.... Could be worse
Gotta plug that thing into a surge protector! /s
Ours is having issues too
Purdue hasn't scored in like an hour.
Lightning is our best defense!
Quick! Someone catch it in some bottles!
With Purdue still on offense, they are going to absolutely murder us in time of possession
:(
If this game turns into a "ground and pound", I don't like our chances...
Unfortunately, I think that was Bowen's strategy either way.
"Rain, snow or shine, run it for a yard and a half into the middle of the Line."
UVA game keeps popping up. Can we all just agree to retire forever any uniform combination that makes us look like them?
I think they're trying to look like us!
They turned the system on!
Yeah just showed them hooking it up on ESPN. Should hopefully be good field conditions.
They just showed crews out working on the field.
Would love to see the time lapse starting when they switched the drainage on
Did anyone see the shot of the field vacuum on ESPN?
No wonder they don't use it much...looks like they bought it 3rd-hand from 1960s Gov't surplus auction..50/50 whether it turns on or not
I'm hearing that the game has been called.
Someone who has family in a position to know... How reliable that is, no idea... But, passing along
If that's all we're going to get out of the team today, that won't exactly break my heart.
Wouldn't be surprised...Accuweather shows heavy Tstorms in the immediate Blacksburg area til at least 4PM.
Even if they go back out, it will be brief...Purdue may only have time to shred our D for one more TD before they call it again.
If they cancel the game this will be three out of the last four years we haven't played a full 12 game schedule and two straight for Pry, assuming we don't reschedule the game. Crazy.
Incorrect. Public address announced that there will be an update at 3 pm.
Lane is about to get dumped on again. After that I think there's a shot. But more rain and probably still some lightning.
If they want to play this game, it's gonna have to be a 7 PM start.
Otherwise, it's gonna be start-stop all afternoon, particularly with the lightning within the same Area Code suspension rules.
I would say make it 7 or 8 and then open the gates to anyone. GA seating. TV would be their only issue.
via GIPHY
LOL. YOUR SOURCE IS AN IDIOT.
At least the ACC seems to be doing okay.
UVA finally ahead of JMU. WF ahead of Vandy.
BC was even winning (against Holy Cross).
UVA backup QB is looking pretty good
.. Up until that interception
They gotta wait this out right? Even if they don't resume play till 5.
I must say getting out of the stadium was a complete cluster. Probably spend 30 minutes at a complete standstill.
More bad news:
Fuck today
If it's not too bad, sit him for Marshall and Rutgers. I want him healthy for conf play.
Even if it's a high ankle sprain, you're looking at a month he's out
That looked pretty bad, especially that he couldn't put any weight on it. I'm expecting torn achilles
Doubt it, Achilles can usually walk off see: Kobe Bryant & Kevin Durant. I say it's either a bad sprain or a break.
Achilles doesn't look to be under strain when he goes down (knee slightly bent). Highly unlikely it's achilles. Bad sprain with potential for fracture to the fibula.
What exactly happened?
He was blocking and Jaylin Lane was tackled and rolled up the back of Ali's leg.
He got rolled up on blocking downfield on a catch by Lane.
Edit: will continue drinking
Field level view of it:
i really hope that's not a broken ankle
Why can't we have nice things?!
Why can't we have nice things...?
Damn... just noticed this one... aaaand drinking.
I was going to say, "It's a good thing we don't play JMU." But on second look, we play UVA..........
There is a JMU player with the last name of Surtat (sp ?). Is he related to the guy that played for UNC that was such a pain in our side?
No, JMU has Sarratt and the UNC player you are thinking of was Chazz Surratt.
Thanks
Clemson is losing to Charleston Southern.
Clemson just tied it up.
So when/if the game comes out of the weather delay, I'm assuming ESPN will go back to scheduled programming, no?
No clue. We might get the ESPNNews treatment if it comes back.
If we play at all I'm assuming it'll only be on accnx / watchespn
Some of us have street festivals to go to
Pouring here in NJ too now.
GGC is lucky.....he's in Zion.
So that whole "Update by 3" was a lie...
Man, that rough start and the injury to Jennings, weather delay. Just feels like all the excitement and momentum starting the season has just gone up in smoke like that.
The rough start was honestly the least concerning part to me. Two bad defensive series at the start of a game is too reactive for me to be big-picture-worried, particularly against an Air Raid type offense. The injuries are a much bigger concern, imo, but I agree overall that this whole situation does seem to feel like a wet blanket on the momentum.
Agree wasn't a ton of play to draw too many conclusions from, but if that kept going that felt like it was going to be a blowout.
Yo I was at this game (in tots now) and it was a very bad start. VT might only win one more game this year. Our defense is somehow worse than last year and our offense is about the same.
It was only Purdue's 2nd drive and they were facing 3rd and 7. Might be a tad early to rule out our D this year.
It likely is a tad early, however Marve showed no adjustments last week and there's no reason to think we'll see any this week either. Just an observation (super early at that), but the trend is not a good one...
Yeah, I know we only watched a half quarter of football but I saw a lot of the same from last week, the only difference being we're playing a more talented team than we did last week.
He didn't adjust last week because he didn't need to.
He's got 3 hrs to make adjustments currently
Here's the concern...typically the first ~15 plays are scripted largely based on what you see on film.
Of those 1st 15 plays, Purdue has gone thru our D like Swiss Cheese. It's not like they've made great contested catches, Receivers have been so open it looks like they are playing with 13.
That makes me concerned that what we are doing scheme-wise is very easy to discern. We have made no real attempt to bring pressure at all and seem to just be hoping that they'll make a mistake spontaneously.
And 2 of the worst defensive performances last year were against UNC and WVU - both were air raid offenses last year.
Right...but not sure that's really much of an argument. We knew they who their O.C. was..we played him last year.
Sitting back in a soft zone didn't work last year..why expect it to be better this time around?
Our current defensive strategy appears to be "hope Hudson Card fumbles the snap"
I'm just pointing out the trend that this staff doesn't seem capable of stopping air raid attacks.
Gotcha.
Yeah, it's particularly frustrating to watch the same O.C. who took our D apart (with another very mediocre team) last year seemingly have zero struggle doing it again.
But we sold out Lane. /s
Expect the next update between 4-4:30. That should be the one that determines whether the game will resume.
How do we watch it? The network time slot has passed and the app isn't allowing me to connect to the game stream.
Yeah ESPN2 just totally switched to the Ole Miss-Tulane game. Going to have to wait to see but probably ESPN News or ESPN+.
Looks like ESPN News is going to be carrying Miami vs aTm until ND NCSt finishes.
Conspiracy Theory:
We are secretly trying to get back to back night games in Lane. Plus the delay allows the fans to throw a couple more back before the game resumes.
Couple = 8
Based on the limited watch before the delay I had this game as 35-14 Purdue. Now, during the delay I've had some time to think about it and incorporate the anticipated coaching adjustments. I now predict 35-14 Purdue.
If we lose this game fire Bowen
We may not get a chance to lose.
Less than 50 yards and getting shutout at home is unacceptable!
The fuck?
Bowen wasn't running the defense that gave up 112 yards in 5 minutes.
Ole Miss game started already started, if we come back on the field it will be on the Ocho
So I came home, showered to warm up, might be able to go back later and watch it if restarts tonight...
Crazy day.
I have no idea who is playing when or what channel, so many delays 🤣
6:15 just got text from VT.
Did you leave to fly home?
Yep parked on 81 currently
Sorry.....that really sucks.
Yea now at Chic Fil A next to the airport because with traffic we didn't have time for her request of Macados (that place with the huge menu and all the stuff). All around not a great end of the trip.
She is happy she met softball team, got posters, ate food from two tailgates (thanks Lot 18 crew) and former player 1999 team long snapper and players dad (Griffin Armstrong) in Lot 1
ACCNx means we can't watch in Virginia right?
That's only on RSN broadcasts. I think we should be ok. If not, VPN is your friend.
ACCNX means the game will be streamed through the ESPN app. You have to have a cable or streaming service login in order to get access.
I don't know for sure, but I don't think that's the case. I don't think it will be broadcast on network TV and will be stream only.
Yeah around here I think it's only on ASS
If you have cable (maybe YoutubeTV, etc.) that includes ESPN, you should be able to stream it via the ESPN app/website. It shouldn't be regionally blacked out, like it was an RSN/ACCNx broadcast, since it won't be on an RSN.
I have it on ESPNU on YouTubeTV here in San Francisco, though I'm about to turn it off and go enjoy the day instead...
*edit: it says it's "Marshal at East Carolina" but it is most certainly us getting whooped
LOLUVA!
JMU first win against the ACC since.......nevermind.
Yeah we really caught some strays as time expired there.
Weather is nice now, but there are definitely more thunderstorms in the forecast from 6-9. Not sure how this is gonna go
Is that how many points Purdue is going to score? /s
Interested to see how this restart goes. Feels like this 3rd down to start will set the tone.
Nice stop!
Anyone know where they are broadcasting?
ACC Network Extra
And for those of you whose cable/satellite providers are in a dispute with ESECPN you will have zero opportunity to watch the game... Unless you download YouTube TV and then log onto ESPN+
Just resarted broadcast.
coverage on ESPN has resumed
2 damn seconds...
refs need to wake up... that should have been blown dead
promising
startrestart for the DOn ESPNU right now
Thanks
ESPN App with Hulu is blacked out for me
that was... not a good play call on 3rd and short
Sheesh... I'm not sure the jury is out on Bowen anymore...
Just came back from commercial....forgot who I was watching
Crowd sounds way better.
Boy our defense is straight up bad
We gotta do something with our coverages. They've got guys wide open on every play.
We should have sent Purdue home and gotten the worst FCS team in the country to play us for a 12th game. We're going to get run out of own stadium. The defense is just sitting back and reacting on every play. And the reactions are late. And the offense doesn't appear to want to give them any help.
Tyler Bowen needs to make a serious adjustment. And what I mean by "serious adjustment" is that we need to keep airing the ball out instead of working on the IZ over and over and over again.
EDIT: And I don't know what other teams are seeing, but they clearly know what play we are running (listen to the TSL podcast for more insight on that).
Wells still takes a false step every time he hands the ball off. They're probably keying in on that. It's a run every time when he does that.
Oh that did not age well!
TE was wide open on that
ffs
Wells stared at him the whole time and still didn't see him
Drones?
Why not?
Invent the future.
What the fuck wells? Are you blind?
Did Wells think we were wearing white?
Man this team is not good..get Drones in there we're likely to get run out of our own building
The team is not good in any facet, including coaching. Don't know what Wells was thinking there either.
Our offense is lazy and predictable.
DB jumped that route because he knew it was coming.
Wells is picking up right where he left off last year
If this is the best we got, oof
Straight stared him down the whole time. At this point I'm for trying Drones.
i think i've seen enough
It's going to be a long season if we keep running away from the ball.
Put Drones in and give defensive playcalling back to Pry.
Bowen still calling them plays though
Man, our Linebackers suck
We have linebackers?
Not really we are playing 5 safeties
It's not like they're getting run over. They just run into the wrong hole. Every time.
Time to see if Pry will do unlike Fuente and replace a coordinator or 2. We also need a new QB. The last staff was good at benching good QB's, let's see if this staff does the same. If we need to have a bad QB let it be a guy with more time to develop unlike Wells...
Getting housed by the 9th best team in the BigTen.
Year 2 ain't gonna be any better.
Depressing
I predict Pry is going to have to find two new coordinators this off-season if he wants to stay awhile. Just totally outcoached in every facet. That wasn't talent just now, that was poor scheme and then we just quit. Pathetic.
Not sure what improvements this team has made since last season. ODU is a historically bad team so the win there means very little. We are getting boat raced by a middling BIG team. This is not improvement over last season.
We aren't taking a billion penalties every game.
That alone is a major improvement
I don't know if it was worse that we had to wait this long to watch this game continue or the way it started...well yes waiting was worse...
putting this as a new standalone comment because i replied to an earlier thread, for those looking for coverage...
I have it on ESPNU on YouTubeTV here in San Francisco, though I'm about to turn it off and go enjoy the day instead...
*edit: it says it's "Marshal at East Carolina" but it is most certainly us getting whooped
The most important positions on both sides of the field (LB and QB) have guys starting who probably shouldn't be playing Power 5 football.
It's gonna be hard to have any kind of success when you are dealing with an issue like that
Score here, get stop, score again. Halftime.
Their safety is lining up 25-yds deep. So it's 11 on 10. We can't gain a positive yard running.
3rd and short... run it up the middle
Wells getting tunnel vision immediately on every play
Yeah, Wells just ain't it.
he actually went through a couple reads on that 3rd and short play that was stopped a yard short
When in doubt, throw short of the sticks...works every time
I don't know about y'all but I'm ready for a jet sweep at this point. Quit running the damn ball up the middle.
How do you go five wide on third and three and someone has a route short of the sticks?
Drones?
3rd and 3, and you run a 2 yard route
Unreal
As Scott Loeffler once so eloquently said, every route can't go past the sticks.
On 3rd and 3, sure they can.
Why not run that route to the 1st down marker??
Great punt though.
At least I'm getting paid to watch this.
Why is Drones not in at this point? 🤷 Can't hurt, right? See what the kid can do? His legs might have made something happen on that last drive.
I think we should get pop some experience and in 2 years, have him win a Heisman.
Why aren't we run blitzing? Just rush 5 guys straight ahead.
Hey we got a stop!
Last time we did that we immediately threw and int.
Special teams playing like everyone else.....me? No you! No Oh.
Well Purdue is scared of our punt returners so we go that going for us
Can't let that punt bounce past you like that. Two of us were there.
Yep so they could point at each other and watch.
This team was not ready to play today. They've been deer in headlights since kickoff at noon, and it's even worse now.
Not great preparation by the coaches
Man, I really am trying not to be negative about this team. But this is hard to watch...
Stay positive, we got this.
Who are our play makers again? Why aren't we running any plays to get the ball in their hands?
Jennings is the big one ...and sitting in a boot.
So the real Grant Wells has stood up, I see
I take it back, and I apologize.
Had a few goofy throws, but man, Grant has looked great at times
Lol
Holy shit we ran for more than 10 yards
Gosnell had a td if he could stayed on his feet.
Wells with the fake keeper...could still be running if he kept.
I'm so sick of these announcers.
Dumb fucking 3rd down call...then a brilliant 4th down TD
But a great 4th down call.
But a great 4th down call.
Drink? Mods, does it count when it's your won double?
The way this game and day have gone I wouldn't need a reason to drink lol
My browser must have really have felt it needed to be said
This runblocking is putrid.
3rd and 4. We have 13 yards rushing (including a 14 yard run). We run a pitch.
Well that was actually a good play call.
Cause we stole it from fresno
I don't care as long as it works.
Tuten in space is 💲💲💲
YER DERN TUTEN
My buddy just called him Rootin TUTEN
Points on the board!
I think the goal was to actually block someone there, Parker.
A pulse!
TOOOT TOOOT!
Tuten down the sideline!
Tutchdown
Finally
TUTEN!!
Gotta give Bowen credit there, that was an excellent play all right there
I mean it shows he watched tape so that's better than our last OC.
It's only taken 2 years.
We make a matchup-based play. Sometimes I think Bowen is smart. Sometimes I think he's cornelson. Better than thinking he's 100% Cornelson tho.
He seems like he wants to do things his way to much. We aren't talented enough to do anything we want. But he seems to think that half the time. But he does set up plays, he watches tape, he takes note of things. He just seems like he wants to run it up the gut every play.
Good coordinators adjust to their personnel. Great coordinators adjust to the game.
Right and he appears to be better at adjusting than using his talent, odd
Tuten going bowling...
Yo! That running by Tuten 🔥🔥
We needed that drive bad. Time to get back in this.
Stop here boys!!!!
There we fucking go!!!
Lawson with two major plays. Let him loose!
Big drive by offense matched by huge stop from defense. Let's turn this game around!!
WHAT A STOP!!!!
WALL
Wow....I can't believe they actually got that 4th down stop! Feels like momentum is shifting....but I don't want to get my hopes up.
Big play by Lawson there
Delane made that play!!!
Also, completely retarded playcall. Thanks
Lol
You believe yet?
Lawson shed that block very nicely.
Huge stop
Thank goodness the defense is showing some fight now. Let's get these guys they aren't anything special.
Call us vah tech one more time motherfucker
Or about the "code" please
Great playcalling series. Followed by blah.
Zero touch..wtf
He's got a 2 seam and a 4 seam.
That was kinda funny. It was thrown so unnecessarily hard
Honestly, it didn't look like the receiver was running that route as hard as he should have been.
Ahh, you meant the play before the one I was talking about.
Yes, the swing route where the throw decapitated someone in the 3rd row.
It was way too hard, way behind the receiver and way over the head.
Damn... need this field goal now. Not a short one with that penalty
Great kick
Was it me or did it look like Felton was jogging first part of his route?
Yep, think that was a decent ball and he just didn't run his route hard.
Beautiful kick
Kicker looks to be a stud
You have to love him
Nice to have the points there, but damn... what a poor offensive possession. If it isn't Bowen trying to run into the teeth of the defense its Wells throwing fast balls to his WRs/RBs who are 5 yards away.
Great stop again. defense getting tighter. Not sure what changes they made but it's working.
Looks like we've decided to send some pressure along with changing some things up on the back end (a little more man coverage). What we should have been doing all along IMO
Lots of grabbing on interior of Purdue OL.
Pry needs to get in some ears.
the returners need to figure out how to communicate. The last punt resulted in letting the ball go by and cost us nearly 15 yards. This time it looked like they both thought they called for the ball.
Hey Purdue- welcome to ACC refereeing!!!
So would this be an additional 15 if it's targeting?
Man what a great route by Lane in and out. Ball was on time too
You know something FAM? For all the flack we give to the OL for their run blocking (and they deserve it), they sure are doing one helluva job in Pass Pro. Additionally, that group has not had a ton of holding penalties (I can't remember if they even had one).
Definitely a point of improvement despite some of the other things (negative things) I've been pointing out.
still dont know what targeting is
No one knows what targeting is
Someone please explain the rule for targeting? There is no consistency on how they rule.
I was gonna say. If that was targeting on Purdue they should just stop playing football.
I think that wasn't targeting on #31 Purdue because he turned his head at the last second and impacted with the side of his helmet not the crown...
I obviously want us to win. But I'm ok losing this as I know we aren't where we want to be as long as we are competitive in this game.
This is my position. Let's be competitive. Let's show that we can make adjustments. Let's show that we can keep the kids competing for 4 quarters.
Felton is a match up nightmare. Yet we don't even look at him in the red zone or jump balls.
Fast ball, just outside.
Man...they're even more undisciplined than we are.
If Wells had any touch on that 1st and goal play it's a TD
I for one, am glad the refs are treating Wells like he's Tom Brady!
Wow- we just got a gift there.
That's what we needed!
Lane Stadium!!!
This isn't gonna sound nice because it isn't, but this Offense would be legit with better QB play.
17 unanswered!
LANE!!!
In Lane!
Lane : Lane
And Perdu is French for losing!
DIME
and right after the illegal low hit that left him a little gimpy
#adjustments
BUT BOWEN AND MARVE CAN"T COACH AND NEED TO BE FIRED
Gilmore calls a decent game... i would say great, but his abuse of "VAH Tech" is killing me
He makes my ears bleed. I cannot stand him.
Feel like he used to be good too
The way to talks is annoying as hell. I've never liked him.
Tied up right before the half is phenomenal.
If you had told me before that weather delay that we'd be tied at 17 at half. ...I'd want some of what you're drinking.
Let's fucking go
Holy shit...wells actually had touch on that ball.
Gots ourselves a ballgame
Say what you want about Wells ability...but he's a tough SOB. Those 2 roughing calls were tough.
Some of ya'll didn't suffer through Grant Noel and it shows...TOUCHDOWN
We would have beat the U if he had not thrown so many picks in 01.
personally accounted for 5 turnovers in that game, if IIRC
They got a break on the penalty, but that play call on 3rd down was brilliant. The tripps cleared everyone out. Tuten would have walked into the endzone. Wells has to execute that throw going forward.
Thats not the only play that was schemed wide open.
If Grant could figure out how to cut off the rocket balls he would be good borderline great!
We are starting to show signs of an offense.
This game turned on a dime in that 2nd quarter
Wow this team has done a complete 180. Someone lit a fire under them. Offense hitting a rhythm and defense playing physical now.
Adjustments + Friendly Calls = 17-0 run
Wish we could fill the stands up. Is it not GA now?
You expect full stands after a five hour delay?
Most teams can barely fill a stadium as it is... you think we can fill it after a 5 hour rain delay??
If you can read his lips, you now know exactly what Walters thinks of that roughing the passer call
I guess it's correct by rule but it's bullshit to me too. In high school they'd of gave me a sticker to put on my helmet for that hit.
Sometimes it pays to be conservative on 4th down.
Grant Wells has more passing yards than Hudson Card. I felt weird typing that.
I know Purdue coaches are going to argue any call against them, but wasn't that a textbook roughing the passer call with the hit below the knees? I didn't think you were allowed to tackle below the knees like that regardless of if he had the ball or not.
All of you kids who have the X (formerly known as Twitter) should tag Mr. Gilmore to let him know how horrible it is that he says, "Vah Tech".
I used to hate 'Vah Tech', but it's grown on me over the years. Steven Godfrey says V-Tech sometimes and I haaattteee that
Jaylin Lane is the real deal
Kudos to the team for sticking with it...let's go!
HOKIES!
With Lane and Felton playing like this we can afford for Jennings to take his time getting healed up.
I'm impressed by the comeback...even game now
Okay, now they're showing Florida McNeese.
Are we on ACCN X now?
Yup
Another tip pick
Bad Grant is back. Hit him in the hands and he gains 12.
Wells throwing behind again.
ball wasn't thrown behind, Rod... it was tipped
Ugh. Right back with a pick
Felton very low effort today.
Unlucky pick there
Wells....just killed all the momentum.
Sorry, but he is a G5 talent that we are trying to convince ourselves is P5.
He's not
the ball was tipped... The D lineman had the wingspan of a pterodactyl
It was behind the receiver either way and had Felton caught it he was gonna be blasted.
He's missed 3 or 4 other throws...got bailed out with the low hit call.
He just is what he is at this point..
the ball he threw on the pick looked fine and tip directed it back to the middle of the field and why it ended up behind him. Had it not been tipped there was nobody on the Purdue side that could have done anything with that ball.
Missed TD there..he isn't it
and yes, that last throw was a miss and could have hit him in stride with a bit more air
We're working with what we got. We know what Wells is. We tried to upgrade: we went out and got a 4-star dual threat transfer QB with 3(?) years of eligibility left. We were hoping he'd start this year, but he hasn't figured out the passing game yet.
We're working with what we got.
Yeah I'm starting to think the QB battle wasn't really close at all. I think this two QB talk we're hearing is more to keep Drones engaged and motivated rather than an actual plan to utilize him. He's not at Wells level but we need a viable backup.
on ACCNX now go to your ESPN apps
I saw a Hokie take flight there
Still got UNC for some reason
Wells with no touch again...
And again...
And again....
That was 6 if he had that
Wide open too.
Game gets kicked from TV and chaos
Dear God. 65 just got violated.
Ugh... not the fault of Wells there, but damn... He missed a sure TD on this drive.
Yeah..when you are a struggling offense you don't have the luxury of leaving TDs on the field.
Jalen Jones has seemingly had a good day today
Yeah, I think he's looked really good for a player that was a WR last year.
I was just thinking the same thing. He's made a few really nice plays.
WHAT BOOK
The book of the dead!
might also be what the volume dedicated to our running game looks like
If I hear Vhaaaa Tech one more time imma.......
Yeah it's not going to stop
I love sneaky athletic receivers
Unleash the dragon
Just make a decision for Gods sake
Wells has sacked himself twice now
Wells is just thinking too much out there. Could have just tucked and ran it for a first there but he hesitates.
Also our running game is just schematically broken. Bowen needs some help there bad.
What's frustrating is that the plays are there. The play calling right now is absolutely fine, we just can't get out of our own way with things that you know the coaches are trying to coach out of them
Cole Beck with the paw on the ball!
Beck sighting!
Wow... Wells could easily have gone for 10-15 there. But running into the Purdue D-lineman seemed like the optimal play I guess.
Oh Wells, use the lineman as a blocker on the run
Yeah walking into the defenders hug was easier
Yeah I just....
Sigh
He's making mistakes you expect out of a freshman, not someone at his tenure
BECK.
Cole Beck. I'm putting that as #1 play of all-time during his time in a football uniform.
Special teams is doing well today.
13 rushing yds folks.
Who cares? The staff is playing to the strength of the team (receivers). Until we upgrade the OL, this is what we got.
Also that includes probably -40 yards in sacks.
Only 20 - one 13 yard sack and one 7 yard snap.
You shouldn't be allowed to have commercials on a game with a 4hr delay.
Just when I start giving Bowen some credit, he decides to follow up a big play with Wells running the option.
I just don't get it.
Yeah, it's like the only run play in the playbook that hits the perimeter is the option. And Wells is not the guy to run option.
At least our punt team is solid?
We are seeing the difference between a legitimate P-5 QB and Wells.
Wells is really good in spots, but overall he simply isn't a gamer. He plays very tight. He isn't terribly aware of his surroundings and he simply misses a lot of throws. Hell, even the freshman from UVA seemed to have a ton of awareness today.
Punting is winning!
Refs apparently are not aware that Holding is a penalty.
LG with full hug on last run
Mr. Gilmore thinks it's 4 down territory on every 4th down.
I didn't know he had an XBox
In his defense, it make sense to go for it a lot more than most teams do.
Purdue tyrin to ice themselves
It worked!
If I had a dollar for every time Gilmore has mentioned "the book" or 4 down territory today, I could buy Jeff Bezos and make him my chauffeur.
This game is going to come down to whether or not Wells can make some plays.
Did he just ice his own kicker?
Thank you Ryan Walters.
Purdue pulled a Fuente hahahahaha
I LOL'd.
Wells has got to keep the ball on one of these.
Amazing he makes the wrong read over and over.
Not sure why we keep trying to run into the teeth of this defense.
Or why the offensive line seemed to think blocking was optional. Three guys hit Tuten in the backfield at the same time.
Some of it is blocking for sure, but some of it appears to be schematic. I can't quite figure out what Bowen wants to do by muddying up the middle on those inside zone plays. It's kind of a weird design.
We don't zone block well at all.
Seems like we went away from that last year and fared better.
Now we go back to it with an even more inexperienced OL.
Why can't we run a sweep or a simple pitch here and there, or just a plain old counter trey?
Lane and Jennings injured? Good grief, what did we do to the injury gods?
laughing at UVA's player who tore his ACL celebrating a fumble recovery while down 21
Bowen throws away our first down nearly every time with a wasted run. They almost know it's coming. Gotta break that tendency.
I'm gonna re-watch this, but it looked like he made a slight adjustment to the run game early in the 2nd half. It seemed as if he was pulling some people... I'll have to rewatch.
Wells can't hit the broad side of a wide open barn this half
Sheesh... How can Wells be so good one minute then so freaking bad the next?
Wells is so streaky. He just can't get into any sort of consistent groove. So inaccurate on that series.
That's what he was like at Marshall too. Fantastic one second then absolutely awful the next.
Seriously can we get Drones just to see if he can spark something
3 bad throws in a row...ugh
Wells needs to sit. These throws are so bad.
Grant knock that shit off, man.
Edit: NO!!! NOT LITERALLY
That's an NFL punt. Great hang time.
It stinks being this one dimensional...and when your QB is as erratic as Wells, it's nauseating watching this offense
There were only 6 defenders within 20 yards and he missed the throw. Can Drones really be worse?
It'll be Purdue gifting us this game if we win...
Our last OOC P5 win was 2017? WOOF
Wells is... Not impressive
I've been a Wells apologist for a while. He's not it. I don't know that we have a better QB on the roster who's ready to play, but we won't get better without superior QB play no matter how many weapons we get at WR.
I mean, OL improvements would help a lot. It would help the running game, and then we could actually use play action effectively...
But anyways, Wells this year is significantly better than last year. I'm of the believe that in FBS football there are 20ish good QBs, 20ish bad QBs, and after that everyone is basically the same; it's just about system fit and surrounding talent. Wells is in that middle 70.
I agree with this a lot. People watch the NFL, top college teams, and their favorite team and then get confused when their team's QB isn't like the others.
However, if this team can't run the ball up the middle at all, I don't think a QB who is liable to overthrow and has 0 touch on balls is the best fit. You're hard pressed to go 80 yards a drive if you have to go the whole way on an unreliable arm.
Feels like we'd be better served by a guy who could open up the running game a bit and just be trusted to hit some easier throws they can scheme up for him to get the ball to playmakers
Exactly. With Wells the defense can just load up the box because they know it's at best a 50% chance he sees the open receiver, and probably a 30% chance he actually completes that pass when he does. Just load up the box to take away any kind of run game and put the game in the hands of a guy you are pretty confident can't beat you.
I dont disagree, but
The staff has to be willing to spread the run game horizontally for this to even matter.
True. I just assumed (always a dangerous move) when they went out and got Drones that they were looking to install an offense with more of this
Moore has been solid....
I'm not sure why these officials refuse to call a holding. penalty.
It's been all over the place.
They simply aren't interested in calling it
Contain? What's a contain?
Tisdale was there, in the right place for once. He simply took a poor angle.
the over pursuit is killing us
Gotta wrap up. Stop with the just hitting with your shoulder shit.
Defense looks gassed. Wells and Co. need to pick it up. He's been horrible this 2nd half.
Call a freaking hold!!!
and now Gilmore likes the orange unis. I'd like to retract what I said about him being a decent guy to call the broadcast.
I like the orange uni's. I just wish the numbers were maroon instead of white
It was only a matter of time before the defense broke. They've kept us in this game while the offense does nothing in the second half.
Thanks for not being mad about us going orange during our orange-out, mister.
25 missed tackles on this drive it feels like.
Will Johnson just got dragged by a 150lb RB...
After letting him leak out wide open in the flat.
Our LB play is abhorrent
Safeties......
How the hell could they not call holding for APR?
Mind boggling.
Refs looking to make their flight, I guess.
Defense is done. Offensive ineptness will be the demise of this team on most Saturday afternoons
Man, we can't tackle for shit
At least Pry's jacket game is on fire. I think that might be my next Hokie merch purchase...
Nice return
Wasted. Still running right into the teeth of the defense
Can we get Tuten in open space on a pass please?
We do need to get more creative with the backs. Time to bring back the Jet Sweep
This looks to be a repeat of last year. On defense incessant missed assignments. Linebackers taking themselves out of plays on the last drive. And we have 13 yards rushing. Pry beating his chest that we will run the ball this year? Don't think so.
The defense has played 3 really good quarters, save 1-2 drives. The offense looks way better than last time. This team is going to be limited until we rebuild the lines, and that takes time, every where. It took FSU 5 years to rebuild their OL.
We know/knew this was going to be a slow rebuild. We know a bowl is a stretch goal this year. This is where we're at.
Drones.....please
Tyler - your run game is non-existent
Our rushing offense wouldn't be much worse if 5 TKP club members made up the OL
At least we'd have french giving us pointers and film reviews.
More Bowen inside zone bullshit.
Just take a goddamn knee
this OL is done for tonight
That sack was ridiculously bad....
This offense is soooooo bad.
I couldn't hear it well, did they just say Lane is done for the game too?
Yup. Hammy.
Well, shit.
Disappointing
And offense folds just like that. Think this one might be over.
We can't run. When we have time, Wells decides he wants to throw like Randy Johnson. Defense is exhausted because the offense is ineffective.
We do nothing consistently well.
Once Purdue stopped giving us easy Man looks on every Down, we had no idea what to do next.
Wells is not a good QB.
If we are gonna be 3-8 again, just throw Drones in there, and see if he has promise or if we need to Portal for an effective QB.
We have -2 yds rushing. Bowen really needs to learn how to call a decent run play.
I'm not gonna say there's nothing else Bowen could do (jet sweep plz), but the OL is bad. Last week Tuten had the second most broken tackles of any one in the country. And he had 55 yards on 19 carries. Unless Bowen can scheme our RBs open, there's not much we can do.
Then he can just not run it on EVERY first down thinking something different will happen
But we only have one running play. IZ into 3 unblocked defenders. No one can block the only play you run...and the D knows it. Where are the screens, draws, outside run/pitches, reverses....anything for change of pace?
It has been depressing watching that slowly tick down into the negative...dafuq
Do we even get the ball back?
We have a big problem. And it's OC.
It's the OL man, the OC is fine.
OK, hear me out FAM...
Wells is terribly inconsistent (really good or really bad). We aren't a good football team (.500 would be huge this year), so why not play for the future. Develop Drones, or whoever the next QB is and get us in a better spot for the upcoming season(s)?
100%.
If Drones looks awful, then we hit the Portal hard.
What makes you think that giving Drones snaps behind a shit offensive line is going to help his development?
Is this a rhetorical question??
Not at all. You suggest we play for the future by putting Drones in now, and suggest that doing that would help him be a better player next year. The assumption that giving a player live snaps will always help his development is not necessarily true. If he can't figure out the passing game structure in practice, he's not going to figure it out in a game behind a shitty line.
Now, if you want to make the argument that Drones's athleticism is a better fit for winning today, I'm very open to that argument.
It's about finding a direction for the team.
Drones isn't getting better watching Wells airmail guys.
And the shit OL is largely going to be the same next year.
Sit Wells...he's a lame duck.
Like I said above, if you think Drones can help the team win today, then play him.
But the assumption that he's going to improve as a passer if he's just running for his life and taking sacks behind a shitty line with his two best receivers out of the game is unfounded.
Can't believe I'm wishing for a jet sweep.
Tuten looks good let's get him the balm in space please. It got us a touchdown int he first half.
This is gonna be a steady diet of runs.
Well, so much for the runs. Tackling is getting sloppy.
it was already sloppy. Its getting sloppier
Well, that's kinda what I meant....
Fatigue. Sigh.
Cincinnati has 184 rushing yds in the 3rd qtr vs Pitt
you sayin' we have a chance to break 10 against them later this year?
That's where our last QB coach is now the OC
Ha ha. Arguing with my Gamecock wife over who's team sucks more.....
Good times.
Why would someone with as much potential as Tuten stay here? Why would the WRs if Wells is the best we have?
I'm not convinced Felton is here
Purdue giving us a chance here.
To do what honestly...we are gassed and out of ideas
Fucking wells plz
Bowen too 🙏
I guess we aren't going to see Drones today.
Edit: Guess we are.
So... I wish I could bet on whether or not Bowen/Wells shit the bed or not.
As much as I appreciate what the D has done despite how much they've been on the field in the 4th quarter, the offense just doesn't have much of a chance without Jennings and Lane. They were big upgrades for a reason. I'm not sure we have anyone else who can attract the kind of attention from the opposing defense those two get which opens up other guys to make a play.
The receivers have been WIDE open ....Wells just can't get them the ball.
Gosnell was uncovered all day
Where's a Tyrod at when you need him....
Drones is gonna have to do
New York Giants I think?
Drones. Let's see
Jesus H.....
Drones
Weird time to put drones in now....wells must be banged up.
Look at that. A QB that can put the right touch and location on short passes to the sideline.
This makes sense. Why now?
He's easily the freshest body on the field right now
Wow...drones looks good
I'm not complaining, but damn... you bring in Drones for the 2 minute offense??
the decision making is quick
Holy Crap! Offense!
Calling it now- we're going to march down the field and Bowen is going to pussy out and start running up the middle to try and score, costing us the game (or at least OT)
WHOLE GAME:
Can we get Drones some work???
CRUNCH TIME - ICE COLD OFF THE BENCH:
YOU WANT DRONES, YOU GOT DRONES!
DRONES STRIKE
Wow, Drones looks better in nearly every facet. And we constantly heard Wells was so far ahead.
Even if he doesn't win us the game I want to see him start next week
Rest of the year.
Nothing to lose.
This 800%. See what he has and if he can develop
A smart OC would call a pass right at #1. He's got to be a little fuzzy right now.
annnnd we did exactly that. but he wasn't too fuzzy to play great coverage
3 plays later.
Need a good play here.
If we had any semblance of a running game I bet we win this game.
If only we had an Athletic QB that we could have put in in the 3rd Q when the offense was clearly stalling instead of waiting til desperation.
Drones is already our 2nd leading rusher. With 1 run.
All down to 1 play...4th down drones in cold off the bench... this is the kind of stuff legends are made of. I dare to hope here! I BELIEVE!!!
This is so mind boggling to me...Outside of about 15 minutes of play, Wells has been very pedestrian. Why did we wait until the final 2 minutes of the game to put Drones in? Seems like the staff doesn't quite know what to do.
If you thought Bowen knew what he was doing you haven't seen a game in the last 2 years.
Hint: our coaches may not be that good.
This
Waited too long to put in Drones. Want to see him start moving forward. Wells is just too streaky for the offense to ever get in a rhythm.
Bowen had time....to overthink it
Need to fix the run game. If that means starting Drones, so be it.
we still have (had) all three timeouts...
doesn't matter now
Go Hokies.
☹️
Welp... Once again, the VT offense shit the bed in a game they could have won. We've seen this over and over again the past 20 years. The more things change the more they stay the same.
Remember those first two "drives"? The INT deep in our territory. Our inability to score ANY points in the 2H? Take away one of those things we tie or win.
2nd half? We were held scoreless in 3 out of 4 quarters...
Okay. Add the 1Q to the list.
If there's a positive, this team doesn't quit.
Wish we would have mixed in a few runs on that drive or even tried a screen pass while they were blitzing that hard.
Thinking of running with Drones by the way. I understand we had -2 rushing yards before the 1 Drones run.
I didn't believe hard enough. Remember though everyone...this game is not the season. Don't get too down on our boys they need our support. "Win or lose we'll greet you with a glad returning your the pride of VPI!!!"
See you next week folks!
Honestly the only guy I'm down in is Wells. He's too "streaky" as someone else said.
95% of my anger is Bowen. I seriously wonder wtf goes through his head. Most important drive of the game, let's put in the guy that hasn't had a decent warmup in over 6 hours,
Ballgame.... Start Drones next week.
With the top two WRs and TEs out with zero running game, you have to start Drones moving forward.
Are Jennings and Lane definitely out for a bit longer?
High ankle sprain and pulled hammy makes me think they are out till October.
I got a high ankle sprain (i.e. rolling your ankle the grotesque opposite way) wrestling in HS circa 2000 and it still gives me arthritic issues from time to time. Was laid up most of July from a flare up actually
ankle issues are no joke, torn ligament 5 years ago still gives me issues everyday
I can't believe they don't have a 100 yard rusher? Seems like they've been running all over us.
Putting in Drones with 2 mins left is garbage coaching. Wells has been struggling the entire half.
Yes glad he got something going, but putting him in on 3rd and 9 last week and then "hey kid, go save our ass" with two minutes left and 91 to go could've shot his confidence.
Or, ideally, he could look at it another way and say "hey, they put me in on the most important drive of the game, I've got a real shot to push Grant aside" and maybe he steps his game up a bit in practice and does just that
Yeah, this is where I am. I wanted to see Drones much earlier, but to throw him in on that last drive was dumb. I don't understand that move at all.
In any event, Bowen has a ton of work to do to keep his job. Even when he calls good plays he doesn't have a QB that can execute, and that's on him as well.
Drones needs to be it moving forward even if we continue to lose. He might help add dimension to our run game and it gives him a season to learn.
fucking great. jennings and lane gone. *rutgers* is going to ruts on us next week. and chris cole makes his decision not to go to vt tomorrow.
With Lane and Jennings out, this is the same sorry shit we saw last year...Brent Pry can recruit and talk a good game, but through 13 games he can't coach a lick! I'll take the downvotes on this one if there are any..the way we lost shows no growth or development at all!
I don't know how you can watch two games this season and 11 games last year, and think this is the same shit as last year? I see the qualifier 'with Lane and Jennings out' but I don't know how you can develop depth across the board in one year. Not even Deion or Lincoln could do that.
If I break down the responsibilities of a head coach, I think it's 60% recruiting, 15% shmoozing, 15% hiring, and 10% actually coaching football. If he can recruit, he gets a long long leash IMO.
I'd definitely say we have made developments and improvements. Just that our coaching isn't putting those strengths in position to win. We run schemes for want we want...usually right into our weaknesses.
We lost to a crap team. We made a walk-on RB look like Jerome Bettis.
We got outcoached on both sides.
More importantly, this team just doesn't look any better.
I disagree. We don't commit penalties to the tune of 10+ per game. The defense looks a bit better. The offense however is still a complete mess.
Yes, it was much more refreshing when our own walk ons looked like Bettis!
Ok, I'm on board for The Drones Show
#DronesNow
The offense is not good at all. Losing Jennings with a potentially big injury is going to suck for us. Our transfer portal WR room is entirely injured. The offensive line's run blocking is arguably the worst functional unit in all of college ball.
Disappointed in the defense, I thought we were better than this. But their #1 WR didn't really appear so at least we got that right. Maybe that's why we let a walkon RB run all over us. We have zero linebackers.
Looks like we are still in roster rebuilding mode.
im not willing to come down as hard on the D considering purdue controlled the ball for 2/3rd of the goddamn game
Defense totally kept us in the game. It was 17-0 and then they stepped up and held them scoreless till the last game winning score. The offense did them no favors not scoring again once it was tied at the half.
Our talent level is just overall poor. We knew this going into the year and thankfully recruiting seems to now be taking off, but we just don't have the talent to execute what the coaches want us to execute.
Defensively, we are all over the place in positioning. Our gap awareness is shit. Our linebackers are in over their heads and it shows.
Offensively, our OL is poor and our starting QB is incapable of thinking and executing beyond the predetermined play, and even then he's too slow and methodical going through his routes.
The play calling is there. Guys are open and defensively we should have guys to make tackles, but we just don't have the talent to do it.
Frustrating
This is where I'm at. I don't think the coaches are perfect, but the ceiling for this team is 6-7 wins. Most teams don't play to their ceilings.
I agree - and I'd add depth to this. We upgrade our starters, but we can't afford to sustain many injuries without having a significant drop off.
I mean depth has always been a problem for VT but it's a critical weakness now. Like, when our starters are out, we have to resort to player who likely wouldn't see the field for any other power 5 program. Like, that's the level of crap we were left when Fuente was fired. And without going scorched earth like Coach Prime did (and let's be clear, too many bridges were burned by VT under Fuente to do that and actually replenish with good talent), it's going to take years to recover from that.
You just have to be realistic about this. We are one of the least talented teams in Division 1 football right now. Our recruiting the last 3 years under Fuente was terrible, bottom 5 in all of P5 football. Those players are our upperclassmen who we need in order to win. Pry can't fix that, that damage was done years ago.
Yep -totally agree
For what it's worth, Colorado has serious depth issues too.
Think not going hard after portal OL from the getgo until Rudolph left and we got the leftovers with Frady was a big mistake.
we went really hard after 2 top guys (the app State guy who went to OU, and another I'm blanking on), we just missed in both of them
You call plays to fit your personnel to maximize effectiveness...watching Bowen for 13 games try to run inside zone plays when they aren't working and not figuring out a way to adjust his scheme tells me he isn't creative enough to figure a way around it.
I just described our offensive scheme as "constipated". I think that fits. We seem to slog in the mud for a while. Have a good play or two. Then turtle back up and go back to being "vanilla", "soft", "slow".
One of the key plays in the game to me was after the long completion to Gosnell in 3rd Q.
We opt to run the option with Wells who (1) isn't really an outside run threat (2) runs the Zone read terribly. There is literally no rational reason to think this will be successful.
We lose 3 yds and end up punting.
Additionally, it was to the short side of the field... A classic Bryan Stinespring move.
Replying to my own comment.
Look at Marve. Last week was a shit show against the run. But film review showed we were playing to guard against the breakout run or deep pass. While it didn't work well...It did work enough and showed a plan.
Bowen's O makes no sense. It has no plan. We can't block, so our only running play is IZ into the teeth of the defense. There is no outside run game. We run RPOs for some reason...but the QB doesn't even look to keep. Ever. The DEs just crash down, they know we aren't going to keep. Don't mix up our passing game. Our strength is our WRs (at least before injuries). Yes we don't throw quick outs, drags, back shoulder or jump balls. Look what happened when we got Tuten the ball in space? We went back to it after the TD, got a great gain. Then never ran it again.
I'll reserve judgment for this game until I see what the coaching staff decides to do next week. You can't convince me that we don't win this game with Drones in there. Those 2-3 "sit down sacks" that Wells took are first downs for a QB that can run. You also can't convince me that our run game in general doesn't look better with a QB that is a legitimate threat to run. I think that Wells has the potential to be a good passing Quarterback, unfortunately, this team needs more than that.
So if this is what we need to give Drones a legitimate shot, I'll take the loss. If we come back out next week with Wells as the clear cut starter, I doubt I'll be watching much more Hokies Football this year.
💯
Wells needs two things to be a real passing threat- 1) a better OL and 2) about 6 more years of development... dude is still WILDLY inaccurate 50% of the time, and even then, he still doesn't put touch when he needs to and doesn't see the play past the first step after snap.
I agree with this, but the fact that Wells was hurt probably meant he couldn't run...which leads to the question of why the hell Pry and Bowen left him in for so long.
OC is bad, o-line is bad, QB is bad = loss.
The Drones mix needs to be more like 50/50, if that's what's required to have a running game.
More like 70-30 Drones way especially if Wells is still limping
or 100 - 0. With this line, if he's not 100% healthy, he shouldn't be out there.
Well, yeah.
Without reading through the entire thread, I'm guessing that going to the beach and boardwalk while skipping football on the 9th was the right decision to make.
That's going to be true every weekend this year and possibly next year. This rebuild, if done well, will take at least a few years to do. And I'm not yet certain it's being done well. There is a chance we'll be bad for much longer than the next 2 years
Well, had said I would be very happy with 5-7 this year as long as the recruiting continued to trend up and no major off-field issues occur. Hope for 6-6 or 7-5 next year, win a piss-ant bowl against a Sun Belt or MAC team and we are 7-6 or 8-5 with the possibility of actually being good in 2025. Will see if I was being overly optimistic.
Hopefully I did not waste too much money getting tickets for the Rutgers game. Guess I'll find that out as well.
Putting aside the "who should be #1" arguments, it is clear as day that Wells was not the number 1 in the second half. He was taking sacks and giving up on open field run opportunities because he was injured.