If you're not in Lane, leave your thoughts on the game here, and since it's a party feel free to talk about all the games happening here. In case you haven't heard, Texas A&M plays their first SEC game.
Forums:
DISCLAIMER: Forum topics may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.
Comments
BLOWOUT/How are you watching?
My thoughts are that this is going to be an amazingly relaxing thing to watch. A blowout that will be fun because we'll get a good look at some of our backups.
In other news, Cox has decided not to carry this game in northern Virginia, yet they have Miami, UVa, NC State, New Hampshire, UConn, Maryland, ECU, etc., on the various channels that aren't the big ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU games.
Looks like the AP game is on ESPN3 though, so I'll be streaming through my Xbox 360. The quality is actually better, but the broadcast tends to be about a minute or so behind real-time.
The game is exclusive to ESPN3, as far as I know it's not on TV anywhere.
Got up at 6am, did some video editing for a future article, then went for a 3 mile run and a 20 min swim BECAUSE IM SO EXCITED. t-minus 10 min till beer.
As for watching the game, cool thing about my setup is everything is run through an HTPC I built so I'll just pull up espn3 on it and screen capture with fraps to record.
Something to chew on before the game.
Here's a chart of overrated and underrated teams: http://i.imgur.com/ulFnW.png.
Notre Dame most overrated?
Who would have thought?!
That's a wonderful graphic.
over under on empty seats in the south end zone
i'll set it at 1500
UVa
I fully expect them to win, but their football package today (tailgating, uniforms, crowd) is awful as per usual.
I have no idea why they're doing this.
Today is Thunderdome
ANYTHING GOES
If Peaying your pants is cool
Consider me Miles Davis.
Nothing to lose.
Penn State's making decisions on 4th down like they're playing in a preseason NFL game.
New Helmet Rules - PF on UVA
DRINK
Because I was in Blacksburg last weekend, this is the first time I'm able to experience the games live. This new helmet rule is insane, the fact you have to stop dead after the helmet comes off is even worse. Most counter-intuitive thing ever.
The perverse incentives are crazy
There are tons of ways to take a helmet off "legally" when blocking or tackling. Want to knock a guy out for the rest of the play and next play, with the possibility of a PF if they screw up and keep playing? Why wouldn't you block and tackle high when you can get away with it?
Temple just flagged for intentionally ripping off a Maryland player's helmet. 15 yards tacked on to the run, gave Maryland 1st and goal at the 7....which they turned into nothing but a field goal.
I'm putting the over/under for a Sims sighting for UVA at 10:50 to go in the third quarter.
I'm guessing
2nd half.
Streaming the game
Anyone streaming the game? I think Vt phreak was doing it last year
I'm watching it steam via ESPN3.
Steam?
That's more a poo joke. Try to focus on pee.
He has links on his twitter page
...
JMU mention already? C'mon.
AND a trivia question about who won the '99 national championship?
Now they're just rubbing it in...
Helmets.
Why.
Charity, man.
Charity.
Yeah... But
I wouldn't buy that thing at auction. So who is?
Wow...
JC. Hold the ball, man.
OMG Coleman
This Coleman kid sucks. He barely did anything last week... Holmes was the man. Now he fumbles against an FCS opponent. That's unacceptable.
Slow down there, hoss.
JC was more electric last week, but the kid is still a true freshman. Mistakes happen and Shane will undoubtedly fix him.
I'm just glad this isn't televised widely.
Oh look, Holmes didn't fumble. Yayyysauce!
Coleman is electric had a great game last week on limited carries. He mad a freshman mistake. Also, personal attacks on players is the fastest way to lose your privilege to post here.
Sorry, po po.
Logan...
Listen buddy, we like when you bulldoze people, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not run a lot in this game. Don't want you injured against the Austin Pissers.
Damn.
He looks like he's in a lot of pain with that leg...
Anybody get the feeling Logan Thomas just really likes to hold the ball and run up the middle himself so he gets yards? Didn't even look like he took the time to see if anyone else could take it on that failed 3rd down conversion.
Are we 1) tired from Monday? 2) Not taking them seriously? 3) just bad on offense? or 4) a combination of all three?
2+3=fail
Honestly, I have no idea.
Ticker
Someone start a ticker for Marcus Davis drops.
Arkema is in for Lil' Wang.
Immediately flagged for holding.
Where's the rushing offense?
Are we really not capable of running on Austin Pey?!!
Not capable of catching either.
ALL RIGHT KYSHOEN!
If we don't punch this in... I'm not watching anymore.
Just kidding, I couldn't do that.
YAAAAAAY
LETS NEVER RELY ON OUR UPPER CLASSMEN. JARRET4LYF
PUNT RETURN
Special teams trying to make a comback? Hmm... I'm intrigued.
First TD
of Holmes' college career.
Is anyone streaming the game?
Can anyone post a link to a stream?
www.espn3.com
Good block
good block
Heck yea
About time the special teams did something this season!
What'd I say? Holmes > Coleman
He's had experience. Not in-game, but he's been with the team for a year. Time is a factor here.
JC will get better as he plays more. We'll want to get him the ball in space more, like a David Wilson, while we'll tend to run Holmes up the gut.
I see, I see.
Sooooo. Small sample size....
Thoughts on Benedict though?
That kickout block
was a monster. That said, it's Austin Peay.
Is our game-plan to get our punter some work?
Just FYI
UVA threatening to take the lead on PSU.
Early 3rd quarter.
Dang, I hope so. I definitely put some points on the Hoos in my bowl pool. If they lose to a team that lost to Ohio... I just... I don't know... but then again, BC is down to Maine right now. WTF....
10-7 UVA
9:22 left in 3rd.
Hoos
Reading TheSaber during this game has been nothing short of great schadenfreude.
UVA Turnover
PSU inside UVA 30 yard line...
13-10 PSU
13:10 remaining in 4th.
UVA Blocked the XP
Malleck
Will be a huge weapon throughout the season. There's your bold prediction.
MALLECK
He is a beast, no?
Beastier than Greg Boone?
Malleck shifting out and makes a nice catch, then run. We saw that a lot during the scrimmages, and I hope we see more it as the season progresses.
Forum setting
Is there a way to make this update in real-time like a comment stream instead of having to refresh?
Knowles and Fuller in the game. THANK GOD.
Eric Martin can't block.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
That is all.
Remember that time we didn't convert 4th & 1 on an FCS team with a 6' 6" QB? *sigh*
This is pathetic we can't convert a fourth and 1 against FCS
Pathetic
That 4th down conversion attempt.
In Our Defense
Everybody knows that is comng... However, unacceptable that we didn't convert that.
Absolutely no push by the two guards on the sneak. David Wang is really having an awful football game. He "hopped" instead of taking a lead step and didn't get his head across his gap. The Peay DT got under him and made contact with Logan at the line.
I ask again, how can Laurence Gibson not get a snap with how poorly Arkema and Wang have looked so far while having two servicable guards in Via and Benedict on the other side.
Exum burned count 1
Was he playing too far up?
Given the fact Peay completed two passes last week, my guess is they have him up and he knew had the support behind him. I missed how far back he was lined up before the snap though.
When his cushion is threatened, he has to turn and run. He was slow to react. Bonner bailed him out, but Sammy Watkins or Nug Hopkins would still be running.
The Million Dollar Man got sealed inside. Poor gap control on that counter trey.
At least this was awesome.
This Lat 48 isn't making me feel any better....
WRAP UP!
God. This is not the formula for success, people. Make the tackle.
Do they have more rushing yards than us now?
EGAD!
A CHASE WILLIAMS SIGHTING!
CHASE WILLIAMS
GETCHA SOME.
Chase Williams with excellent technique, keeps the outside shoulder free and not only turned the back inside, but made the tackle.
Exum burned count: 2
I think Jarrett has around 10 tackles so far. We don't need the safeties making tackles against Lukewarm Peay.
BEAMERBALL (against FCS)
Flag negates a nice run by Holmes... Mother...
Marcus Davis
Bad technique, but at least he's getting downfield. He made up for it with the catch and run to setup the touchdown.
BLOCK!
A little late, sorry.
Good effort by Benedict to get outside and get a piece, and great effort by Holmes. Too bad Marcus Davis decided to hold for absolutely no reason.
Nice cut by Holmes on that goal line run. Didn't score, but got something. Wilson would have ran to the sideline, and against a good D would have lost yardage.
Holmes deserved that touchdown.
Oh man, you're bringing back memories of how much David Wilson PO'd me. He always broke the #1 rule of the run game — never run backwards.
Hurry-up?
Why aren't we running hurry-up in this game? Just a thought. Theoretically their defense should wear down more quickly than, say, a Georgia Tech (if we run it right)...
beamer ball
Is it back lets dicuss
**crickets**
As much as I want to say yes...I can't. Get two or three more in this game, then maybe
Block in the back?
Blatantly obvious call missed on that kick return.
Up front
Seems like there's no push on D... What's going on there?
TERRIFIC tackle by JGW on 2nd down.
EXUM BEAT COUNT: 3
Exum
Doesn't look to be in the game. I'd pull him.
I saw that one. He got worked off the line, held to makeup for it. That's disappointing.
EXUM BEAT ON MAN COUNT 4
Teams will go after Exum and Jarrett in the passing game all year. Jarrett at least is stepping up in run support.
French
Exum is the QB of the defense according to Bud Foster According to the Announcers
Exum with excellent coverage there. Granted, it looked like it was on a tight end
There you go Exum.
Exum to French,
FWIW, I have him as being beat on two plays thus far.
BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES. ROBERTS CAUGHT A PAS......DOH
what was that
Try and run?
See my previous comment. LT loves to run. He'd rather get the yards for himself it seems, even if it doesn't make sense.
TEs own the offense. I'm OK with that. Yards are yards.
and then Thomas pulls the ball down for reasons only he knows and runs into a tackle No pressure there.
Dont forget
He also called a TO when he went down
Strategy
Purpose: Create Confusion for everyone.
COREY FULLER > MARCUS DAVIS
Fuller?
Fuller.
Randall Dunn caught a ball without his shoe.
AND WHAT ABOUT LT3 ON THAT TOUCHDOWN THROW. HOW PRETTY WAS THAT?
COREY FUCKIN FULLER!
HELL YEAH
TD
FULLLLLLLERRRR man I love that kid!
ESPN 3
Anyone else digging the Random Trivia they throw up during Commerical Breaks?
Minus the one about the '99 Championship
Yes.
Better than that gray screen they used to have.
Rank the players
Based solely on what I've seen so far this year, my faves:
1) Holmes
2) Fuller
3) Malleck
Where is the Knowles kid from the GT game? Is he not in, not getting the ball, what's going on there?
Question
Why isnt Austin Peay blitzing to put more pressure on LT?
West Virginia?!?!
Did anyone else hear that??? Beamer just almost called them West Virginia. Bahaha, WTF?
yup
He doesnt know who he playing
Weren't we originally supposed to be playing them this week?
Favorites... Stanford?
Holmes
FULLER CLAN
Logan Thomas
(in that order)
And Knowles probably isn't getting playing time because he's not the greatest route runner, more of just a speed guy.
On that note, I'm hoping we get up by enough to see some JOSH STANFORD.
I'd really like to see us run the two-minute drill in non two-minute situations. Logan seems extremely comfortable orchestrating it, and I feel like his best throws have all come under "hurry up" situations. I'll hang up and listen.
Joe, I agree. LT reminds me of Jake Delhomme, who was amazing under the 2-minute offense. (Although LT is probably much better during normal situations than DelINT.)
Me too. I asked why we weren't using the hurry up against them more. Because they should wear down quicker and expose holes in the defense a lot more than say, a Georgia Tech.
Two minute offense is the QB running plays he is comfortable with, and they are not doing all the motion and ballderdash before the snap. I expect much more no-huddle when they start playing ACC teams. Concerns about keeping the D fresh may have stopped them from no-huddling as much against the Yellow Jackets.
UVA PSU
How UVA was favored by ten in that game and they are losing currently...I guess the Richmond game was a fluke
ESPN3/WatchESPN has turned into a hot mess
Maryland v. Temple is "blacked out"... except it's not, if I turn to the other stream that's running the game.
BTW, Maryland attempting to continue their ways from last year by blowing a 23 point lead to Temple. Now up 2.
CHOUUUULD
"What was your favorite book as a CHOUUULLLLDD?"
— ESPN3 reporter
LOLLLLLLLL THE "U"
52-6 KANSAS ST.
AHAHAHAHA
Is this
indicative of how bad Miami is? or Boston College? or the ACC? or East Coast football?
Don't know
But I love seeing them get whipped.
I think this is only Knowles 3rd or 4th year of organized football.
My quick takeaways:
1) Defensive front seven is fine, but some of these runs show the value of having a big back who has a knack for running in tight space. He didn't have any room, but slivered through on 2 of those zone reads.
2) Teams are going to put their best receiver one on one with Exum on the boundary side of the field, and go after him on intermediate in and out routes all season. Then, they will double move and go deep. He isn't quite comfortable with when to retreat when his cushion is threatened and seems a bit hesitant.
3) David Wang was abysmal early in this game. If they feel comfortable with both Benedict and Via, then one of the two should also be rotating with Wang. Arkema has a promising future, but he is the least ready to play amongst the backups, including Gibson.
4) I really like Michael Holmes, but Logan Thomas already looks beat up a bit and a step slow on plays where he had tremendous success running last year. The Hokies NEED that power in between the tackles back in the worst way. Edmunds would be my starter, and Holmes would be my gun/pistol/two minute guy.
5) Does anyone know if the Coleman fumble came when he was carrying the ball with his injured hand? Coleman got snaps later on.
6) Can I repeat how frustrated I am with Marcus Davis and especially Dyrell Roberts? Drops, no seperation deep, and poor blocking are the adjectives that describe their season so far.
7) Can I repeat how frustrated I am watching runs bounce wide? Holes are there, but the backs must be decisive and have enough forward momentum to break arm tackles.
1-0 in Six Pick
UCF covers, only losing by 15.
Wow.
Terrible series.
Meanwhile, UVA threatening to come back
1st and Goal down 16-10 with 2:42 remaining.
Touchdown UVA
17-16 Cavs with 1:28 left in the game.
KYLE FULLER
PLAYING CENTERFIELDER!
Another Fuller stepped up!
Looking forward to having Kendall!
That call on Fuller...
Way to come back and get the pick Kyle.
The Dyrell Roberts missed block counter is now broken.
Gregory and Coleman in now, and Logan just threw the worst pass of his career.
The Fullers
Will save our season.
Penn State to Try GW Field Goal
:01 left.
Wide left
Cavs win.
If David Wang grades over a %50 this game, it will be a travesty. And touchdown Michael Holmes even though he cut to the wrong hole.
UVA PSU update
UVA channelled the FSU game from last year to hold on and win a game they were 10 pt favorites in by 1
Celebrating like they pulled off the upset.
I know.
Don't they realize that the kicker missed THIRTEEN POINTS WORTH OF KICKS.
UVA did not win that game... the PSU kicker lost it.
I hate to beat a dead horse but ————— MIKE HOLMESSSSS
This is ridiculous.
We just allowed a 100 yard rusher from FCS...
What the F$%!
ESPN goes down and come back for an AP touch down
Backups?
Were the backups at least in?
How many bad snaps is that now
just want to know
I believe that it's three or four. But I think Farris, the backup center was in on at least two of them.
Also, I have no score on my stream
What the hell ESPN3?
knowles
There he is
Sportsmenship points
When do we start losing 15 points for running up the score and throwing?
NCAA Videogame Reference.
Nice.
NORTHERN VIRGINIA IS BLOWING UPPPPPP I CAN'T GET THE GAME TO LOAD BACK UPPPPPP POWER AND INTERNET KEEP FLICKERING IN AND OUT AHHHHHH HELLLPPPPP
Probably the best series of playcalling in a while
Good use of motions
we're being outrushed by
Austin Peay!!!???
And where is the D-Line?
Beating Temple
Apparently beating temple is a big win now
Finally
a sack
So do we
send in the subs?....looks like LT3 is done for the day
Leal in now
Good times Second team in
Glad all local networks decided to spend 15 minutes talking about weather. I can read your goddamn map. It's storming everywhere and I should stay inside. It's Saturday, show me football.
USC-Syracuse midway thru 1at
No score. Anyone think CUSE can pull the upset?
That was amazing coverage by Kyle Fuller
Good Job
Whew, didn't have loss of power for long and got the game back up. I think the storm passed pretty quickly.
Still upset we let them score. Ha.
Me dos.
Good news. In the last five minutes, we have seen two terrific plays by Dadi Nicolas (can you believe he is on the field without practicing all season?), two terrific plays by RVD, and a nice catch by Josh Stanford.
And as soon as I type that, Manning gets beat on a skinny post by Starkes.
ehhh
he redeemed himself with that int.
It was an impressive recovery against Peay's best WR.
ESPN3 play by play calls the Commonwealth Cup "a bit of a rivalry" DEAD
Well, now on to
A&M, for those of us who have power...
Not the prettiest win.
42-7. Special teams looking better, albeit was AP. LT3 can make things happen when he settles down.
Get some much-deserved rest for Pitt, VT.
Did anyone else think
that Dadi Nicolas looked like the best player on the field today?
Thoughts...
A couple of thoughts from my end:
1. Despite stats, I felt Thomas struggled again. More overthrows, (although he wasn't helped at all by the receivers) and a few bad decisions.
2. It took Ocainspring waaay too long to figure out that spreading out, using motion, and getting to the outside were the keys to being successful against the Peay-fense. Once they did, the offense was pretty successful.
3. The DLine did nothing in the pass rush...maybe they were getting held every play, but one total sack against AP is unacceptable. Dadi looked like an absolute beast when he was in there. In the backfield on just about every play.
4. The one thing I really don't understand is going after punts and running a gadget play against AP. I guess it is game action so it's better than practice, but save that stuff for the bigger games.
5. 2-0 after 5 days is a hell of a lot better than 0-2.
Ill drink to that
Especially to #5...cant wait for French's film break down
They won and no one got hurt, it appears
I'll take it.
Tough to articulate myself given how poor the video quality was on ESPN3, but here are some quick thoughts. I hope to have the film review up by Monday and we will see if the tape says the same thing.
My old astronomy professor used to say "a little sweet with the sour" as he gave our class brownies along with our tests and labs. I will start with the positives.
1) I expected the lull to come against Pitt (3 games in 12 days) but 2 wins in five days is still tough, especially with a couple of key guys out and running a very vanilla offense. They are 2-0 and some kids got some work. That is still success even though we worry about the lack of killer instinct.
2) Dadi Nicolas was a dynamic force with less than a week of practice under his belt. While I missed some of his work, I counted 3 tackles for a loss and two drawn holding penalties. I am eager to see the coaches comments on his performance. Also, Ronnie Van Dyke again looked like a man amongst boys. If I was a credentialed media member, my first question in every coaches interview is "would you explain what JGW does more effectively than RVD?" Other than the timing on blitzes (which I don't recall JGW getting a sack on during this opening week), I can't tell you anything JGW does better AND HE IS PLAYING WELL.
3)While the special teams focus will be on the blocked kick and the Jarrett return, I wanted to recognize two other players. First off, Alonzo Tweedy could have pouted and been a cancer when he was demoted to third string whip. Instead he has been dynamic in punt coverage. Second, AJ Hughes was tremendous when called upon in nasty weather today. I think the Hokies have found their punter.
4) Again, Logan looks much better in the 2 minute offense. Expect the Hokies to run more no huddle against the meat of the ACC schedule.
My four biggest concerns after this game based on my eyes:
1) Antone Exum was picked on all day. AP beat him three times on fairly simply intermediate routes with an in cut where Exum played soft, very simmilar to Bonner's coverage on the last Georgia Tech touchdown. Exum was bailed out by a couple of drops, took a pass interference penalty, and then got a pass completed. He was also toasted over the top on a double move. If he was supposed to get safety help, then Bonner was very late coming over (Bonner made a great play knocking the ball loose.) However, the way Exum was trailing, it looks like he just got beat. He also had some not-so-good moments in run support.
2) Again, the starting wide receivers made some plays, but both Davis and Roberts had the drops again and both guys were abysmal blocking. There were at least three plays where I saw excellent blocking up front, but the running back was slow to pick a hole and Roberts failed to even get a hand on his defensive back, who ended up making the play. I was a huge fan of Dyrell's play a couple of years ago, but he doesn't look like the same football player. Hopefully his horrific injuries have not had a damaging psychological effect. The good news is that Corey Fuller again looked like a viable option, and Randall Dunn added a vertical element from the tight end spot. I will be looking to see how Randall blocked when given a chance.
3) I just didn't see enough from the interior offensive line today. From the best I could tell, the tackles were excellent (Painter blocked three players on the first Davis end around) and the pass blocking was fine (LT3's first sack was completely on him for pulling the ball down and running into the DT.) However, there was no push up front from the interior. David Wang had an awful first half, culminating in a complete disaster of a block on the 1st half QB sneak touchdown. I need to watch the film to see if he just missed the snap count, but I can not understand how a 5'9 offensive guard can let a defensive player get underneath him on a QB sneak. The Hokies can't win unless Wang is much better than Greg Nosal, and so far he hasn't been. Arkema wasn't much better, meanwhile Via and Benedict both looked ok and Gibson is gathering dust.
4) We all thought that the Hokies had great defensive tackle depth, but even with Maddy and Derrick Hopkins beaten up from Monday, Wiles only used Antoine Hopkins in very limited work during meaningful snaps, and he was terrible, especially on the Peay touchdown drive. I know big Antoine was also dinged up, but if that is the case, Kris Harley and Zach McCray have to prove to Wiles in practice that they can be effective in limited snaps.
Just watched the Derrick Bonner breakup. Antone Exum had man, and stumbled. Bonner saved Exum on that play, but if that is Watkins, Bonner isn't getting there.