
Who: Virginia Tech Hokies (0-1, 0-0 ACC) vs Marshall Thundering Herd (1-0, 0-0 Sun Belt)
When: Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 4:30 PM EDT
Where: Blacksburg, VA | Lane Stadium (65,632)
Watch/Listen: CW | Virginia Tech Sports Network
Spread: VT -20.5
Weather: 69°F Sunny
Series: Virginia Tech leads the overall series 10-3, prior to Tech's loss last season, the Hokies had won 8-straight against the Herd.
Reppin' TKP: Mark Umansky is making photos, Shelton Moss is in Lane.
Join The Key Players Club: Hang out in the game thread, read exclusive content, post and view comments, and support The Key Play, a Hokie-owned and operated website.
Discuss today's game and festivities here. Avoid leaving play-by-play, we're all watching. Remember to follow the community guidelines.

Comments
LETSSSSS GOOOOOO!
HOKIES!!!
DAY DRINKING!!!
So according multiple things I've read, CW is available on hulu + live, but as I go searching for it, that does not seem to be the case
Check the "help with watching the Marshall game" thread. That should cover the discussion about this I think
I have Hulu + live, and I get CW in NoVa. For me it's local affiliate channel 50, but I found it by searching for CW under "channels."
Looks like CW is a subchannel of WVBT in Virginia Beach, if that helps you search for it.
WVBT in Va Beach
Looks like it's not carried down here in the Outer Banks on hulu, just downloaded the CW app, looks like I'll be able to watch it there
Welcome to my world.
Sounds like I'm in the same boat. App not working, so I'm reduced to listening
I love how many Hokies are in OBX. We stay in Duck for a week nearly every year since 2014 and really enjoy that small town.
We spent a week in Duck last summer and plan to go back in2025.
I've been here for about 10 years now - See a good amount of VT driving around
Dejected fan base, or still sleeping?
Loading the car, and have had enough of the negativity that I don't feel like engaging all that much.
I've had to refrain from going off on everyone for the last week.
Dejected
Nice!
Let's Go Hokies!!
Any news on stadium wifi improvements? I'd love to be able to use my phone to listen and live stream my inner most thoughts to you guys during the game.
In and out- couldn't check other scores often during the game (and they didn't show other game scores on the scoreboard nearly as often as they always did in the past).
Somehow it was actually worse than prior years. I couldn't even get online in the parking lot two hours before the game.
Not sure we should be a 20 point favorite. But if VT can avoid forgetting what time kickoff is this week - like we unfortunately did at Vanderbilt - we should be able to take care of business.
The loss to Vanderbilt made us rightfully re-evalute this team's ceiling in 2024. A loss to Marshall here would be much worse for the entire program's psyche.
Luckily (and hopefully), I think the ship gets righted today. Let's go Hokies!!!
It's wild to me that we are favored by 20 over a team that beat us last year after our horrendous showing last week. It seems like free money. I don't have any confidence in this team to win, let alone cover. We shall see. I'll be watching and rooting but my expectations are in the basement right now
Never bet on VT as double digit favorites!
Against UVA you are safe, but other than that- bingo- easy money
Pleasantly surprised last night to find out CW is available with my basic tv antenna. I thought it was a cable channel for some reason lol. Go Hokies!
Newer smart tvs with an internal antenna could get it without a digital antenna. Good luck.
the Game Day crew had Marshall as one of their Super Dog picks (Desmond)... they know the spread is too much.
Wasn't Vandy a 13pt 'dog? The gameday crew is right to have this one on their list this weekend
That was sort of my point (I didn't state it directly), that our opponent is one of the "Super Dogs" again.
The point wasn't lost on me, just adding commentary. More importantly, WITH is Vegas thinking?
Hokies 45-17 calling it now
if this does not age well I reserve the right to withdraw the statement without repercussions
Gonna die if the Hokies lose by this score.
I don't think that is what he meant but maybe i missed the /s
Haha yeah definitely meant in favor of the Hokies. But if we lose by this score I should get to hit Whit in the face with a dumbbell.
Blacksburg PD, if you're reading this, that comment was made in jest - I did not mean it, I will not do it, please don't arrest me. I don't even own any dumbbells. But if I did, they would all weigh the same.
If the Hokies lose by this score I might not watch another football game until heads roll
FTFY
It's definitely possible.
Folks....I just realized last week was completely my fault. I neglected to replace my American flag with my VT flag for the start of the season. That situation has been rectified, albeit with a much smaller garden size VT flag, as I think I had to ditch my full size one after last season because it was worn out and I forgot to replace it. A New one has been ordered.
In order to offset this despicable transgression and lapse of awareness, I am having a homemade Cuban sandwich FTW today, along with copious amounts of Wicked Weed Pernicious IPA and Great Lakes Midwest IPA as pennance.
I humbly ask for your forgiveness for my stupidity.
That's a whole lot of words to say "HOKIE WIN GUARANTEED"
I forgive you ... if the HOKIES win, I mean. ;>)
We lose when I wear hokie colors...and I had my whole family wear hokie gear last week.
Unfortunetly my wife dressed the family in hokie gear this week and I wore my jersey...
I anticipate a loss now. I'm sorry everyone
4:30, what an odd time to kick off!
This is how I feel today but with my emotions and expectations.
Bad signs early as my CW channel is still playing Campbell-Western Carolina
Same here.
Sheesh.
Go catamounts?
Mine was playing a pet rescue program.
Actually I'm cool with that all them pets looked like they should get forever homes
Crowd looks pumped!
Damn, jerseys are straight fire.
Yeah I like these
Fuck yeah they are!
First preview of new Maroon tops...at least in a game
Play hard like the 1999 team! Play like men and have some attitude and swag! Dictate how the game is going to be played on all sides of the ball, do not let Marshall come into Lane Stadium and dictate to you how you will play football today! Let's go Hokies!!!
You gotta set the tone.
A drive into deep left by Castellanos....
undefeated.
Coach Pry is .400 as the VT head whistle. If he were in the MBL, those are HOF numbers at the plate, FAM!!
Well that's one bounce our way...
Come on HOKIES, let's get off to a fast start!!
We'll take that facemask too.
Going aggressive. I like it.
Nice block by Tuten there before releasing.
Strange call on 3rd and 5.
3rd and 5 let's run it into the teeth of the D...gag
I like the call to go there even if we didn't get it.
And no screens on our first series. 🤪
That third down call....
Our OL being incapable of getting push against a Sun Belt team with a light box
Marshall gave us Grant Wells. Plz destroy them.
There is a delay between the live broadcast and the CW network
Only 1 number 0. That is a win on that PR.
Marshall going after Delane. Looks like it's going to be common amongst all opponents.
And he should've been called for DPI there. They'd be smart to keep attacking him
This OL is killing us. It's year 3. It shouldn't be just as bad as year 1.
AND wide receivers can't get open
And our 2 RB handoffs have been right up the middle again. SIGH.
I've had it with this offense. The OL is still bad. But where is the misdirection run offense we saw last year? We have gone back yet again to Bowen's unimaginative up the gut run game and trying to make Drones a drop back passer. Third season in a row Bowen has come out with a terrible game plan.
We are running the Grant Wells offense yet again.
Yea. Where the hell are the RPOs, options, and toss plays to soften the defense?
No separation by WRs.
Either our WR's can't get open against Marshall CB's or Drones isn't seeing them. Both are not ideal.
The gameplan last week: Run into the defense when 8 guys are in the box, and be stubborn about it.
The gameplan today: Run 4 verts (with an occasional crosser) while Marshal drops 7 into coverage.
Why can't we simply adopt an offensive scheme that allows us to be creative (RPO anyone??)? Why do we have to so incredibly inept and uncreative on the offensive side of the ball... Like, for the last 20 years?
Hey looks like we sold the field level suites!
Wow, a blitz!!
I can't remember the last time I saw one of those.
When we were on offense...
That wasn't a blitz. That was Clements trying to help the defender try to sack Drones
Still 2 #0's on the team (both starters) along with most of the other low numbers.......why are we rising this?
They have a solid plan going forward to prevent any issues
Stadium looks absolutely packed. Our fans deserve better than this doodoo product.
Good running by Thomas.
Dude Parker Clements is such trash as a player
I find our OL most disagreeable
I don't know what the OL needs to do but something. They are bad.
hey, give Tuten the ball
what in the shit
Can our line block anyone?
All creativity from last year's offense is gone. Inside zone, drop back pass. Rinse repeat.
What in the fuck. Our OL can't block anything, why are we taking a deep shot on 3rd and 1??
In the age of NIL, can we fire OL players? Asking for a friend...
If the OL doesn't improve Miami and Clemson might not even need to field an offense against us.
Good punt. Penalty.
We are so incredibly bad on offense...
We've been bashing Bowen and Marve, but let us not forget about a guy whose last name is Crook who is literally stealing checks from the Athletic Department.
On the radio they are saying Drones is complaining the new jerseys are too tight/restrictive. Just the weirdest stuff man wth
Step the fuck up and play your heart out, LET'S GO
If that is the case, cut the sleeves.
I say just bench the entire OL. What have we got to lose at this point?
On the other hand, the defense looks better?
There is no chance bowen is this stupid, right?
He just seems bound and determined to drive a square peg into a round hole with this offense. I'm deeply suspicious that THIS is the extent of HIS offense. Glenn gave us a little variation down the stretch in 2022 when we started seeing some RPO, and then Brent Davis implemented his run game to save us down the stretch last year. This is what Bowen wants to run though.
Can we please get some offensive production, this is embarrassing against Marshall
Is Thom Brennaman drunk or does he need glasses?
I hate when any team has 3rd and 1 and is in shotgun or decides to pass. Just pick up the yard. You have two plays to do it.
This is the 9th straight season we have watched this team try to convert 3rd/4th and 1 from shotgun.
Everyone does it though. So annoying. My brother is a hs football coach for the past 20 yrs in SC. Has a couple state championships. Says if it's 3 and 1 he ALWAYS gets QB under center and just gets the first.
Fuente's argument was that the QB/Center exchange would be riskier due to rarely playing or practicing under center.
IMO if you can't line up under center and get 1 yard the majority of the time, you deserve to lose the game.
I will continue to say this: why would a recruit want to go to a school that refuses to play anything under center when NFL teams still play under center the majority of the time?
I get that it is supposed to mitigate deficiencies in capability, but if it was that effective, you'd see professionals do it. They don't. So why sit in a system that is only pistol or shotgun if you have any professional aspirations?
Safety?
Almost.
There's a toss outside finally and Gosnell whiffed the block.
Good punt return
As aggressive as Marshall is, why aren't we using the screen today?
That's why.
The offensive line is as bad as it's been in a long time.
Crazy how it's regressed year over year with Coach Pry.
As I type this, we can't ignore the horrible effort the WR group puts into blocking as well.
Insane that it is somehow worse than it was last year. Absolutely insane.
No one can block. Incredible
And now the predictable screen. WtF?
We just threw a behind the line screen on 3rd and 14.
Again.
Were they just booing the offense?
Yup
Rightfully so
As they should be, it's embarrassing
the play calling.
what
A fucking WR screen on 3rd and 14?!?!
3rd and 14 screen pass AGAIN?!?
Hot take, Fuente could get more out of this roster.
The problem is he could never recruit this roster
He definitely should be an OC somewhere. HC just wasn't his thing
If we had Fu calling plays and Pry handling the HC/PR type duties, we might actually have something.
Not sure who downvoted you and why, but your assessment is accurate, as we all witnessed. I offset that for you.
Have we seen any QB option runs?
Last week Padia ran several /s
Ah yes, a screen pass.
These coaches call plays like they're playing CFB25
I said that exact same thing last week
Bowen has gotta turn this around in a major way or he is going to be Pry's first real test of staff management.
Neither coordinator is safe, for that matter.
I'm speaking from a season-long perspective.
Agree. I have a feeling we're going to have to pull another rabbit out of the hat this year. It feels like he always goes back to the same crap to start the year that doesn't work, and someone has to step up and help him out.
Let's just hope that pry has the ability to make those touch decisions
At least the D is doing their thing.
We need Lane to get a PR TD.
ask and you shall receive
Thought the refs were going to take it away.
you called it!!!
You're a prophet
Go play the lottery,
Thank god
You called it!
DO IT AGAIN!
Delane looking a bit more focused today.
great return by LANE!
Thought is was gonna be for naught...glad to be wrong.
aw man, flags?
A TD on a run bacK!
TOUCHDOWN!!!
Well this does certainly feel like the Beamer era
All we have is D and SP
We had a lot of success with that method. It's our program identity let's lean into it
Would be nice to actually be able to cobble together a drive as well...
Holy crap; what are the odds both flags against Marshall?!
Welcome to Lane Stadium!
Beamerball baby
BEAMER MF BALL
Oh the flags had me ready to boil but Holy shit that was fun.
Special teams out here scoring more points than the offense
Go Hokies!
Idk about you but for me it's some nostalgia mixed with rage
There was a time when the defense outscored the offense or at least seemed to do so.
Technically, if the ST's scored on every play from the start of the game, we wouldn't have to worry about the offense or the defense.
If you had to pick which side of the ball would be more improved this week, would anyone have picked the D?
As soon as I said I'm gonna do pushups for every point we score mascot-style, we get punt return TD. I'm hopping for 100+ total pushups today minimum
I have to take my milk of magnesia and do 3 push-ups....
I wonder if anyone will get that reference.
While I do not get the reference, I still chuckled
+1
Too early hot take... our offense comes down to two glaring problems...
Offensive line is one of the worst I've seen in years right now
Play calling is doo doo
Sorry to say there's nothing hot about that take....
We need Lane to have a PR td? ...
I guess a touchback isn't terrible
2 is better than 1.
Shout-out to VA2MD Hokie
I tried to copy you
With the way offense is looking, it was worth a try.
Sitting here wishing we were running the plays Marshall has called. Our players ...their plays.
It's funny, I think like this almost every game.
I think that when I watch any other team player!
Even on that run, Parker Clements was tripping all over himself... sheesh.
Drones has *got* to get rid of the ball
He keeps holding on so darn long. Just throw it, or he's going to fumble.
Drones was better when Bowen wasn't in his headset
That is a really late call.
I hope the leash is short on Bowen. If we end up losing this one, that's it for me.
Recycling an old favorite: this offensive line is offensive
Drones is deserving of that IG penalty, same thing every 3rd down.
Either Drones needs to be benched or Bowen needs to lose play-calling duties.
This is unacceptable.
It feels like this offense is worse than the Wells offense of early last season.
I think the problem is that it's basically the same offense, but Drones is the QB
I felt like there was some real progress made last year towards the end of the season. Then I watch this version get rolled out and feel completely bamboozled by all the preseason hype.
Frank is ...
.. yeah
Tough to see him walking with a cane....😮💨
Great but probably should not be in front of the Mike. Love him but damn that was hard to watch.
Didn't have the volume up, what was wrong?
He's getting old
You got to Lovett.
The DBs are looking great in man coverage today
Wide receiver was supposedly the biggest strength of this team.......18 yards receiving to this point. We need play calls the get the ball out faster cause the OL can't block....
Yeah I think maybe the receivers are running routes that take time to develop and Drones is slow to read/ O-Line can't block anything.
This just isn't the type of offense for Drones. He's not a drop back passer. He needs quick hitters/screens and deep shots set up on the play action.
Bowen better not screw this field position up
Okay ball on the 35. Offense, it's time to wake up.
We better get an offensive score out of this field position
Offensive holding and there goes field position.
Bench Clements now
He has got to go.
Bench? Cut his ass
Full agree. Put in Cunningham. Can't get any worse.
Here we fucking go, do ANYTHING on offense....btw, this is against MARSHALL
Clements hurts us every drive but when do they bench him?
More tuten outside for fucks sake.
Inside works sometimes too!
Tuten at least made up for Clements' gaff
Helps that we ran the opposite way
I noticed that lol
Let's go tuten!
I would be OK if a certain offensive lineman never dressed out again. Not mentioning any names, but... IYKYK
Finally a simple RPO
Oh FFS.....come on!
Jeez we got that penalty but it was a really creative play call
I think Felton thought Drones was going to run...still that hurts
Ffs
ugh
Oh my god...
This team is just badly coached. It's that simple.
Guys...are we...are we bad?
Yes.
And Clements is yet again standing and staring at Drones while he pressured...
Did Drones do something to his mom? Just really seems like he wants Drones broken.
Does this team practice pickleball during the week?
The offensive line in truly offensive. A total joke!
That pocket collapse, scramble, self-destruct play just isn't working
Put Tuten back in after the TO.
Let's at least just get a fg please.
They can run block
Whatever that's worth
Clements should be benched. And Bowen and Crooks should start packing their bags tomorrow.
Jesus the o line is comically bad... like wtf...they got worse in the off season
Jesus...4 man rush.....
FFS
3:19 to go 20 yards. Bad.
Our O-Line just got beat by a 4 man rush
Thank goodness for our special teams today.
Special Teams 10
Offense 0
There's got to be some kind of team-enforced penalty in practice next week if this holds
From 1st and goal at 2 to 4th and goal at 30...gtfo
Our o-line is atrocious
Might be the worst we have seen in recent memory. Which is astounding.
Prolifically bad
I'm glad I'm not watching
hey, we're winning
We may be winning, but there are no winners here.
ACC teams are going to eat our o line alive 😭
Making a bowl game is going to be a struggle...
Winning a game is going to be a struggle.
Clements play after play looking silly
Clemson and Miami are going to wreck this OL
The first Marshall defender on that sack that forced field goal was the one that was doubled...
Edit: at least that 17 push-ups now...
If we do not get an offensive TD in the first half, Bowen should be relieved of his duties at halftime
I say load him up into Skipper and see how far they can blast him.
100%
We should not be okay with this.
I am not okay with this.
The analysts are being nice saying this is all Marshall defense. Sirs, our O line is non existent
Swiss fuckin cheese.
In all honesty, Clements is just throwing high fives and ass slaps with every Marshall defender who comes through as Drones runs for his life.
Our defense is performing today, thank goodness
Asking the D to shutout Marshall is a big ask.
Evidently
Fuckin false start on clements.
Drones is off
Everyone but the center...lol
everybody but the center
lmfao
False start, makes sense in this intimidating enviro..... Oh wait
Crowd audibly booing the offense now.
Hey Clements finally did something in sync with most of his teammates on the field.
*peeks from behind wall*
I'm starting to think Drones may not be very good.
He has made no progression whatsoever from last season. Playcalling not to his strengths, but he hasn't improved (and has honestly regressed).
It's like they want to see if he can be a pocket QB. These untrained eyes are saying he can't. Maybe go back to what we did last year. That at least worked.
I wish I could see what's happening with our receivers. are they not getting any separation?
I think the play designs are based off the premise that Drones has 3-5 seconds to read the D...which he doesn't
lol...this team
fun
SMH. Even the special teams line.
Oh my
Welp. Punting is winning.
You know the old saying "when you have seven receivers, you have none!"
Welp special teams blows it now
Well ain't that sweet!
Omfg.
Of course
Idk if I can keep watching this
there's our boy Delane
Clements and Delane need to sit. Now.
I'm just so tired of rooting for a team that thinks they are good. You would think Pry would be tired of coaching a team as such.
If Pry knew how to coach maybe he could do something about it
Guys if we lose another home game honoring the 1999 team to a team we should throttle. Geez.
Why is Clements still playing? I'm telling everyone to watch him. They're running right past him and he's just watching. Last series he almost tackled Drones.
We brought in Cunningham as a transfer and apparently don't trust him. I don't get it
We played 5 OL last week. So far the same. Why can't we rotate to see if the others can do anything?
How could everyone be so wrong about this team? They are just bad.
Marshall offense: 7
VT offense: 3
This is just bad. I'm betting money in every game tech is favored going forward.
I mean I thought 20 was too much but it's not even gonna be close.
It's the coaching. Plain and simple.
If we lose this one...man. Major vote of no confidence from me in Pry.
As fast as folks got on the fire fuente train, it shouldn't take long for the Pry train to get rolling.
Halftime adjustments...
We want em, we need em, and I think people should be fired if we dont see em
I'm being serious, has Drones completed a pass beyond the line of scrimmage?
He completed a couple easy hitches on the first drive. idk if there's been anything since
How can he complete a pass when the OL is pass blocking like a wet piece of charmin?
Oh I'm not disputing that at all, it just seems like even the times he gets a chance to he misses or they drop it.
How can you be coaching all these years, have that horrible game last week, and then come in today like "eff it, last week was just a fluke"
Our kick returner ran straight at the only Marshall player on the screen. Am I taking crazy pills?
Honeymoon is over.
Fire Bowen. Promote Mines.
Go get Todd Washington to come coach the OL.
The D has held marshall to 73 yards. Think about that.
The defense can win us this game for sure.
Marshall is ass.
Thanks Benji. Longest completion of the day. FfS.
Jennings should've been called for that...this team is so poorly coached
Referee just flattened that Marshall hothead. Better blocker than Clements.
That's not a high bar to clear, but you are right.
Drones might do better with a random student at RT...At least his expectations would be zero.
If Drones's expectations aren't already zero he's not as aware as I think he is
I said it last week and I'll say it again. Fuck this team.
Is it possible to return tickets for future games?
I'm starting more and more to think Pry is a salesman. And we all just bought it this off-season. There is very little good coaching on this team.
Yup
Alright, the pocket collapse, scramble, off-balance pass worked this time...
Who is supposed to call our pass pro? Drones? Or our center? Either way we ran a full slide left away from the blitz. Got bailed out by athleticism
Virginia Tech Offense: bailed out by athleticism since 1999
Happened again on that 3rd and 7. Full slide to the right and a free blitzer came from the left. I think they figured out how we set protections and are abusing it
We can get a better OC for 800K than Bowen right? Right?
I'll do it
Hell, I'll do it for 600K
we're in year 3, right? just asking
Feels like the 3rd year 0.
Zero
idk. seems like an eternity since we had an offence.
I think this is year double 0.
Unblocked defensive back seems line every play
Can you imagine this offense with Grant Wells? Yes, yes I can!
It is deafening in Lane Stadium right now. This offense is sucking out loud.
Someone said it above and I'm on board. Fire Bowen. Make Mines OC. He is an ace recruiter and can't be worse than this.
Love Mines but he's never been an OC before or called plays.
Fire Bowen tomorrow and make Brent Davis OC. He's a former OC. Let him run his offense that saved us last year since he was behind it.
Bowen essentially had no OC experience when he was hired. And he's fucking terrible now, so honestly how could it get worse?
Make Davis co-OC/Run Game Coordinator, Mines co-OC/Pass Game Coordinator. Have Davis call plays since he's done it before.
Let's get a pick!
So, how is the Marshall defense so much more athletic than the "talented" VT offense?
At least the D is playing hard
I'm glad hunting season is starting soon. Something to look forward too.
This just puts you in the mood to kill, doesn't it?
Are we seriously trying to get the ball back to our offense before half?
No, trying for another punt return TD.
Assuming we don't improve on offense in the second half, this is the type of play that a "big dog" school would make adjustment for after just two games. If we don't do anything, I think it will say a lot about our program and how our program views itself.
Here's the problem, other than the obvious...
this is Pry's prove it year. He has a very solid roster, and we likely won't see another one like this for 2-3 years. He and his staff fumbled their way through last season on what appears to be a hope and a prayer. And now the team, with more returning starters that any other team in the country, seems to have regressed significantly. I'm not sure the situation will be tenable for another 2-3 years.
If this is how the team plays this year, Pry has to either fire both coordinators or he's gotta go.
Hell as least Marve has held up his part this week...
In addition to being terrible, it's boring, too. What percentage of our offensive pass plays even end up in an actual pass (not a throwaway), like 33%?
Choosing Optimism! Second half adjustments!
I need what you're drinking please
Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA
My go to
7 of them?
One for each point we score?
We shouldn't need 2nd half adjustments for freaking Marshall
I'm glad I got to watch a lot of good football today beofe our game.
I'm watching the end of NIU/ND...fun watch
I wish our games were fun to watch.
We are worse than last year. Convince me otherwise.
Well we're winning TOP by 7 minutes, but have way too many penalties.
For those interested in the stadium WiFi report, I'm running an AT&T phone hooked up to a Verizon Wireless hot spot. The Verizon hot spot is running fast and the AT&T data is slower but still usable. I was also able to receive a photo via text from my wife (AT&T network) from the field up to the east stands. Never been able to do that before.
Fun halftime stat: Tuten is averaging 7 yds a carry, Drones has thrown 16 passes for 42 yds.
Delane has had a much better game today.
We are so lucky their WRs keep dropping passes
Lawson is having a really good game to my eye. Maybe French can confirm.
That was six if Lawson holds onto that
No holes and Tuten still gets 3.5.
We don't deserve Tuten. Or Tuten deserves so much better. Idk which.
Thank you for doing what's working on 3d and short
Tuten literally has 5 yards before the defense reacts
We are running pretty well now
This ref cam is making me feel drunk.
I think we should've opened with Marshall. We needed to sort our shit out
How's that shit sortin working today?
Three yards and a cloud of dust
Soooo...when you establish the run, it opens up the ability to pass...interesting
Except when you just run between the guards exclusively
Or near Parker Clements
How bad is parker clements's backup?
1st and goal. let's go
Good things happen when you get Tuten outside. Can I be the OC now?
Yes!
So running the ball...works?
And Tutten gets to walk in
Thank you.
Why does it seem like we can only call runs/run action OR pass the ball? I get that Bowen wanted to get Drones more comfortable with the drop back game, but why can't we mix it in with the stuff that's been working? Infuriating
Helluva job by strong to save that.
F
F
S
ugh
Defense taking the 2nd half off?
Once the offense figures it out, the defense falls apart.
I'm pretty sure only one unit on the team can be good during the course of the game. Special Teams and Defense already had their turns in the first half.
They keep making an announcement that #21 is now wearing jersey XX. They've done it 3 times now. His second jersey change was 69. Then he went with 59. I woulda stuck with 69.
Ah, is this the part of the game the defense shits the bed?!
Push-ups update:
7+
10+
10+ (good luck/faith halftime push-ups)
+17
=
44
Liked that we switched to no hesitation option running looks, execute those quickly to soften defense up and give us some actual confidence.
lol offense gets a pulse and defense shits the bed: Brent Pry's Hokies
Wow....the announcer....'first offensive touchdown of the game for Marshall'
Where the fuck do they get these guys?
https://www.jacksonville.com/videos/sports/mlb/reds/2020/08/20/watch-tho...
Folks this team is bad.
I was getting confused about where the bad run fits went.
EDIT: and the bad coverage on fades/jump balls
Mose Phillips wasn't in horrible coverage there, but he's got to turn around and locate the ball.
He doesn't have to turn, but he's got to be more disruptive with his arm when he extends to contest. But he was beaten by a step and couldn't
There's the Marve defense!
Just checked the score. Glad I've been fishing all day. This is laughable.
If we score again I'm just going to watch a different game and assume we won!
So far I'm not seeing where Tech has better talent than Marshall.
Marshall got like 15 P4 guys from the portal
Thank god Gosnell!
We launch one for the first time all day and look what happens. That catch was amazing. Never seen one so pretty as that.
Coale caught the damn ball!
I will never not be happy when Michigan loses.
And Drones has time to throw!
Stephen Gosnell sighting
What a catch!!! 👐🤲👐🤲
We threw a long pass! Gosnell!!!
That was some Danny coale shit right there!
Danny Coale caught it!
Can we just run that QB run anytime we need 3?
A snap from under center! is that even allowed?
Marve's 'long con'.
Great drive. Let's keep it up.
CBS Gametracker suuuuucks
Push-ups update (sorry if this is annoying but now we're scoring I can't stop):
7+
10+
10+ (good luck/faith halftime push-ups)
17+
24
=
68
I'm here for it
If the punishment results in points for us, it's all good
Offense is looking better, but 0 stats for Jennings. Has he even been targeted?
Twice but neither pass from Drones was close. There was a throw to the boundary that missed by like 5 yards wide and then as Drones was scrambling and should have thrown it away tried to go across his body and was almost picked on the sideline.
Gotta wrap that up.
DBU!
A pick by the good guys!
Tuten takin over.
Yes!!!
There we go
I'll take it.
I'll take it, hopefully we can get out of here with a W. But man I'm worried looking at the rest of this schedule.
If Bowen keeps fucking around with the offensive game plan, we'll be lucky to win 4 games.
Fuck not Tuten
Felton!
NoOoOO
please be okay Tuten
He walked off- looks sore but should be okay.
Wish the adjustments happened faster but it does seem that Bowen made the changes needed.
So, it looks like we might be a second half team
Push-ups update (sorry if this is annoying but now we're scoring I can't stop):
7+
10+
10+ (good luck/faith halftime push-ups)
17+
24+
31
=
99 (I f'ing better get to 100 lol)
Hope Tuten is ok
Some creativity in our play calling!
Ok that was a helluva catch.
I gotta give #16 credit. What a fucking catch
It's been really give and take being 10 s behind most commenters
Heck of a catch. Delane just got posterized.
That could have been another pick.
Every time I see footage of Delane he's basically draped over the player he's defending. I can't believe he hasn't gotten PI called on him.
I didn't realize Malcom was plying in this game. 🤪
Hahaha, damn autocorrect
I swear it's like Bowen comes into each game with a gameplan to show he's a genius and calls plays against our strengths and it takes until halftime before Pry tells him to stop and then he says fine and just goes back to what works for our team.
Why can't we do this for a full game?
It would certainly help my blood pressure.
"Down 16 with less than 10 minutes left in the game..."
This guy was clearly not a math major
Then said down 2 scores.
How can you get 17 in two possessions?
8+8
Great stop. Now let's run the ball outside a bunch and burn some clock.
how about three incomplete passes? /s
8:23 is a lot of clock to run off, esp. If is Tutten is out
Malachi!!!!!
Keep Tuten out the rest of the game please
Great run by Thomas
Fuckin hold.
But at least the clock continued to run.
Man, give Bhayshul the rest of the game off. Malachi's out there earning his reps
I'm not happy about how ugly this win was..
Sir.... the game is not over yet
I understand the sentiment, but after last week it IS a win
I really hope Bowen understands the need to run the ball. Pass attack and the quarterback aren't good enough right now to dictate the attack.
Last week, everyone was complaining that we were relying too much on the run game to start when the strength of the team is the WRs.
Now we need to run the ball more?
The issue is not to run or pass, but when to run and pass.
I was complaining about the lack of run last week too.
He just said two possession ball game again.
I feel like I'm watching mid-era Beamer teams that never started fast, but ended up winning by more than 2 scores. No fan fare. Not sexy. Not even comfortable to the eye, but if you just look at the score...oh, yeah, they WON.
They don't ask how, they ask how many.
Very good pass D by Lovett
So...start Lovett and push Delane to Safety?
"We got to be a run first team."
Isn't that what got us in trouble last week?
How about a balanced team?
Lovett has been excellent tonight. He has to start next week. Delane back to safety.
Delane has a had a great game. Easy buddy.
that dude's teeth were yellow af
DANTE LOVETT IS HIM! Him and Phillips are contenders for DBU legends if they stay
Where has he been all my life
Fitzpatrick complaining that he pushed off Lovett? Haha.
Whew. Glad we are going to get the win. Overall pleased that the defense made a major step forward today. And the offense finally found some footing in the second half. But I'm still really concerned about the offense and playcalling. Slow starts are going to kill us. And the OL is abysmal. Really worried when we hit conference play especially.
But I'll take the W. A win is a win.
Looking back at the game stats, we scored in every quarter. I think that should be our strategy going forward. (tongue in cheek)
If Bowen can learn to mix up the play calling between runs (IZ, OZ, counters) with RPOs, play action, and sprinkle in easy drop back passes we'll be fine. But we have to stop with emphasizing something and refusing to move away from it if it's failing
Emphasizing a concept and not moving away from it when it's not working....thats so Brad. Never go full Brad.
I like it better when we win.
Surfin' for legs... get one
Nah, just expressing my relief at not watching the Hokies fill their pants on TV. The three hour stomachache is more tolerable when it ends in victory. Also, this place is a lot more fun to visit.
Did Clements finish the game?
I wasn't paying attention to the OL that much, but I feel like every time I noticed the RT in the 4th quarter it was Bob Schick
Schick came in at LG. Clements somehow went the whole way at RT until the final possession where they rotated in all backups.
Parker Clements finished 100% of drop back plays facing Drones. Now I'm certainly no offensive line guru but I'm confident that's a sign you're getting beat.
So I just finished watching the recording- The OLine is a huge problem. Seemed like Marshall pretty much sold out to stuff the run for a good while knowing damn well we couldn't pass block for fuckin shit. Idk wtf Bowen and co. are doing in first halves, but that slow start shit is gonna hurt us again if they keep it up. Frankly today I think we just out-conditioned or out-depthed (yeah, I made up a word) Marshall today.
Glad we won, but still cause for concern.
When two drunk announcers that can't math, say the offense has no identity, there is a problem.
I don't think we lack an identity, I think we lack competent blocking from our offensive line, which makes it pretty much impossible to do what you want on offense. We don't need to find an identity, we need to find linemen who don't suck.
The identity we have doesn't fit the personnel we have recruited/brought in. We have a really deep WR group thanks to Mines and I think Bowen wants to utilize that. But unfortunately, we don't have the OL personnel to execute a drop back passing/inside zone run attack. Drones is also not a drop back passing QB. We thought he was making strides in the passing game this off-season but that doesn't appear to be the case. Not every really talented college QB has a game that is going to translate to the NFL. Need to stop putting a square peg into a round hole.
The staff needs to either tailor the offense to the personnel they have recruited and brought in (like they did after Marshall last year), or bring in personnel that can execute the vanilla drop back pass/inside zone run scheme that Bowen apparently is determined to run. They've had three seasons now to get personnel that can run Bowen's offense, and they've had to make changes each of the last two years when they realize it's not working.
It would also be nice if they could figure this out before the season starts, instead of four games into the season.
Yes. That was my biggest ask for this staff this year. Start the season (and a game) without tripping over yourself. So far, not looking great.
Well who could've possibly predicted that before the season 🫠
Realizing Lovett and Drones both wore #1 on Saturday. Realize very very unlikely they both are on field together but shows they still have guys in same number is frustrating.
Unnecessary and does nothing to help you win. Turkey bacon does more to help win, since players actually eat it I assume.
Caught the same thing... if both those dudes are in the game at the same time, we've got bigger issues than just their jersey numbers.
Quick scan of the roster page on Hokiesports reveals we have 32 numbers that are doubled up. I understand a lot of these are freshman that will redshirt, and each of them are on opposite sides of the ball. With the being able to play 4 games and still redshirt, NIL, unlimited transfers, it's wild. But it still falls on the coaching staff to avoid the penalty for 2 players with the same number on the field at the same time.
It happened to Florida against Utah last year, Vandy (ironically) in 2020, and Maryland in 2017. That's the general infrequency it should occur....should.
32 double numbers does nothing to help you win. nothing. A penalty, however because 2 are on the field at the same fucking time, helps you lose though. It remains asinine and unnecessary.
Also the fact that they split them between offense and defense is meaningless because special teams exist.
Seems like the special teams coaches should be aware of the duplicates.
Now that they've been penalized for it, I'm expecting that lesson has been learned.
But you're right, it's a problem that shouldn't exist.
There's like 112 kids with numbers...some of them have to be doubled up. Like I said, many of them will be redshirted this year so will likely either never see the field or will see it sparingly.
dress squad for a game is 70 or less- never 100. Bear Bryant didn't have multiple numbers with 300 players. Beamer managed to not have duplicate numbers and always had over 100 players. It does nothing to contribute to winning and is not necessary.
The dress squad rule has been changed or is dictated from conference to conference.
Many kids will dress for home games while some will wear sweats and just the jersey for home games.
Only during road games does the limit come into play for those that travel and fully dress.
When the rosters are over 100 kids, with many up over 120, you HAVE to have duplicate numbers. Nobody is arguing it contributes to winning. I'm simply saying that to avoid the basic faux pas, the coaches at least dictate that those wearing the same number are on opposite sides of the ball.
Talking about Beamer doesn't apply to today with rosters that are pushing over 120. They were limited to 80ish with a walk on here and there. And strict numbering conventions. If the kid was a red shirt and they knew it, they typically weren't provided a number at all.
Yes, the penalty is a dumb one. It can be addressed as best as possible to avoid stupid mistakes, but it happened. That's on the coaches for not being in the moment for that play. Beyond number 0 on our squad, it's doubtful that it could possibly ever occur again because I'm guessing at least 25 of those 32 doubled up won't see the field this year.
Weird. Coaches worked it out from 1890-2020. Now its an issue. lol. There are never- under any scenario - 100 players dressed on game day. period. What did we do at VT from 1890-2019? its a joke, and doesn't help you win. Get rid of it.
It's not an issue. You are making it the issue.
One penalty, when the standard returner was injured and not in the game...
And yes, the rules have changed. The game has changed. The number of players has changed. The player numbering has changed. Some things haven't.......
Get rid of what????? 30 kids that want to play football for VT??????
One penalty - cost us the game, so it is an issue- 100%. And you continue to ignore facts here. Bama had more than 150 players in 1970. - wow how did they ever run the team? Beamer always practiced with more than 100 players- fact. And you continue to gloss over the most important fact- At no point this year- home or away- will VT dress 100 players. You are also stating a falsehood that only 99 guys could be on the team with using only single numbers for games- not true- 200 guys can be on the team- Like Nebraska had with Osbourne. This became a thing 4 years ago. The only thing that's changed is feeding player ego's by letting them have their high school numbers or what ever the fuck this is. It cost us a game- so I hope everyone is happy.
Look at the bright side.
By this logic of any game hinging on any play that made a difference, I'm sure one of those players with a duplicate number have won us a game on occasion as well.
This is how the game works now. No, it isn't a show-stopper. Just has to be managed better. I'm thinking they got the message.
Look- one of the things I hate most about sports is how the mouth breathers in chicago threatened bart mans life and that whole fucking scenario. Yeah Alou -could- have caught that ball, and the INNING- NOT THE FUCKING GAME MIND YOU- would have ended. But lets threaten to kill the guy. So I never think that its just ONE play. But in this case- it was. They punt there, they don't get 3 points- we win. also- the key point here is that at Vandy- we had 62 players dressed. So- completely uneccessary to have 30 duplicate numbers. - unforced error, contributed to the loss on a team with a razor thin margin of error trying to build the program back to respectability. Losing to Vandy hurts recruiting, it hurts any momentum, it pisses off the 40K fans that made that trip. We are not near good enough to do things on purpose that don't contribute to winning. Not at this stage. Also-if things have changed and we simply have too many players now (since 2020) and there are just too many guys- why not use triple digits? Since we need 110 guys on game day (apparently) why not triple digit numbers? They do it at the NFL combine. I bet Nike could fit them on the jerseys.
In the big picture, I'm not sure losing to Vandy makes a damn bit of difference, other than pride and the pain we felt that day.
It shouldn't have been close enough that the one penalty had that much effect. It wiped the smirks off our faces, as we realized the pre-season hype was exaggerated. We look more vulnerable, and we fix a few more things before Rutgers and Miami.
In the big picture, losing to Vandy tells you where you are as a program. I know its one game, but it's clear we aren't there in terms of competing in the top 3rd of the ACC. College football is very sobering like that. You say it's one game, welp we looked like dogshit against Marshall for a half too. We aren't there. That's what losing to Vandy told me.
I'm still of the belief that Vanderbilt is going to surprise a lot of people by not being the doormat of the SEC this year. Yes, where we want to be is still not losing to a middling SEC program, but I would not consider losing to a mid tier SEC school in OT at their place an embarrassment by any stretch
Guessing that 21 might be another they have to watch on special teams cause two or three times in the Marshall game they announced "#21 is now #59 on either punt return or kickoff return teams...at least someone paid attention to prevent a repeat of the penalty from Vandy game
Part is the problem is with the loss of strict numbers aligned with positions.
A big part though is in the logistics of assigning numbers to a player at the beginning of the season so uniforms can be custom manufactured for each player. Then players are cycled in and out of "active players" as the season progresses due to player quality issues, injuries and adjustments on special teams.