As a TKP reader, and therefore Virginia Tech Hokies fanatic, EVERY play of every game has you captivated and your emotional state hangs on every pass, every tackle, every penalty, every little detail of every game. But of course not all plays are as big as others and as your memory of the mundane fades you're left with last memories of the truly game-changing plays of every season. Here we use analytics to count down the biggest, most game-changing plays in the past 10 years of Virginia Tech football...
In each installment of this series I'll bring you two plays: one play devastating to the Hokies' chance to win, and one dominating play in Virginia Tech's favor. They will count down in order of how much each play affected the odds of Tech's victory.
For details on the method, see Virginia Tech's Top 10 Plays of the Last Ten Years: No. 10.
The Countdown
Most Devastating:
10. Boise State 9/6/2010 - Kellen Moore pass complete to Austin Pettis for 13 yards for a TOUCHDOWN
9. Miami 11/4/2006 - Tyrone Moss rush for 50 yards for a TOUCHDOWN
8. Boston College 11/2/2013 - Logan Thomas pass intercepted by Kevin Pierre-Louis at the VTech 33, returned for 33 yards for a TOUCHDOWN
7. Lamar Miller rush over right guard for 30 yards for a TOUCHDOWN
6. Boston College 10/25/2007 - Matt Ryan pass complete to Andre Callender for 24 yards for a TOUCHDOWN
5. Georgia Tech 9/20/2014 - Paul Davis 41 Yd Interception Return for a TOUCHDOWN
Most Dominating:
10. Boston College 12/1/2007 - Sean Glennon pass complete to Eddie Royal for 24 yards for a TOUCHDOWN
9. North Carolina 10/29/2009 - T.J. Yates pass intercepted by Rashad Carmichael at the North Carolina 10, returned for 5 yards to the North Carolina 5
8. Georgia Tech 9/3/2012 - Logan Thomas pass complete to Demitri Knowles for 42 yards for a TOUCHDOWN
7. Rutgers 12/29/2012 - Logan Thomas pass complete to Corey Fuller for 21 yards for a TOUCHDOWN
6. Marshall 9/21/2013 - Logan Thomas pass complete to Willie Byrn for 2 yards for a TOUCHDOWN
5. East Carolina 8/30/2008 - Patrick Pinkney rush, fumbled, recovered by VTech Stephan Virgil at the ECaro 28, Stephan Virgil for 28 yards, to the ECaro 0 for a TOUCHDOWN
The 4th-most Devastating Play: Florida State 11/8/2012 - EJ Manuel pass complete to Rashad Greene for 39 yards for a TOUCHDOWN
In the first of the recent streak of disappointing seasons, Virginia Tech—who had been to a BCS Bowl after the 2011 season—had already accumulated 5 losses prior to the matchup against Florida State. Suddenly eligibility for any bowl was in question, and although the season couldn't be saved, beating the hated Seminoles would certainly lift the spirits of Hokie Nation.
With just over two minutes left on the clock, Tech took the lead 22-20 on a field goal, but E.J. Manuel and the Florida State offense would get the ball back for one last attempt to get into field goal range. The Seminoles were able to move the ball, but seemingly not fast enough as eight plays into the drive they still had not entered field goal range and faced 2nd-and-10 from the Hokie 39-yard-line with :50 left to play.
Manuel quickly completed a pass to wide receiver Rashad Greene on an intermediate in route inside the 25-yard-line; FSU was already within their kicker's range. But Rashad hit full stride, and despite Hokie defenders all over the field no one is able to stop him. He streaked across the field and crossed into the end zone to give the Seminoles the lead and force Virginia Tech into needing a touchdown with just 41 seconds on the clock.
Florida State converted for two points, and the Hokies couldn't respond, losing the game 28-22.
The 4th-most Dominating Play: Miami 10/8/2011 - Logan Thomas rush quarterback draw for 19 yards for a TOUCHDOWN
When Miami visited Lane Stadium in 2011, Hokie fans still had plenty of questions about their team and quarterback. After opening the season with a slate of four inconspicuous non-conference opponents, and only being challenged by East Carolina, Virginia Tech was dominated by Clemson at home 3-23. There were already calls for Logan Thomas to be benched and Hokie Nation was in a panic.
Logan walked on to the field and silenced the critics by going ham (23 for 25, 310 yards passing, 3 TDs, 0 INT's, 28 yards rushing and 2 TDs on the ground) but it turned out to be the defense who struggled. With the clock winding down, the Hokies found themselves down by 4 and needing a touchdown on what was likely their last drive of the game. With about one minute left on the clock, they faced 4th-and-1 and lined up in the shotgun; every Hokie fan held their breath that they would get that one yard on a David Wilson run or Logandozer keeper.
The deceptive formation fooled the Hurricane defense as well, who swarmed to David Wilson while Logan Thomas charged forward and broke through the line virtually untouched and ran across open field vacated by the Miami secondary to an improbable touchdown and the lead. The lead would hold for the remaining 56 seconds of the game thanks to a little help from the crowd and a rare mid-game Enter Sandman...
Virginia Tech won the game when Miami couldn't respond, and in my opinion it was one of the greatest Hokie games of all time.
Comments
Ahh yes, the drive. "THESE PEOPLE ARE LOSING THEIR MINDS!!" ...gets me going every time. (And believe me, I've watched that clip on YouTube plenty of times)
Good recovery from last week Joel, and as always - great work.
The part of the clip that always gets me is the segue fail near the beginning:
"I'll tell you what has become open: this crowd!"
It makes me happy to see and hear less of Craig James these days
That miami game was probably the best one I've seen between us and them. That FSU game was awesome too. FSU was on a roll that year and stumbled when they came to blacksburg. That would have been an epic game had we been able to win. It was disappointing but to me the losses against way higher ranked teams don't sting as much as to people who I think we should beat. That was a good game though.
P.S. I still didn't watch the clip though.
These are two of the most fun games I attended as a student. The game against Florida State was a blast, in spite of the loss.
I remember feeling particularly hyped for that one. The CT had "Welcome to the Terrordome" on the cover that day.
Lane was definitely on that night. It was cold, and Coach Jimbo was sporting the doe-in-the-headlights look most of the game.
Hokies lost the game, but that was a win for Lane and the fans.
Agreed, when we got that safety on them Lane was looooud.
That game was lost on a fourth down. I think it was fourth and two on their last drive. They were near mid field and if we stopped them the game was over. They ran a draw, we had a player break through the line and hit the back squarely in the backfield, knocking him backwards, but not wrapping him up. The back kept his balance and dove forward for a three yard gain. I was at that game and right then I looked at my dad and said that play optimized our season. In the right place to make the play, just not able to finish.
I love our annual game vs. FSU. Always exciting.
Wish we had an annual game vs fsu :(
If you squint your eyes, maybe Boston College could be confused for FSU.
I love that look Al Golden has at the :34 mark. Pure terror and "Oh S***" in one look.
At this point, Im just waiting and waiting and waiting for danny coale and nebraska...
Awesome stuff Joel
Fuck Matt Ryan
Oh hey, looks who's up early this morning!
I mean.... he's not wrong...
I don't think I ever noticed the blatant pick by the FSU TE until now.
I had to be somewhere else for the majority of that game, but was following it on my phone the whole time. Managed to rush home and turn the game on just in time to watch that play...
The FSU game was very winnable. It really stings to lose games like that. Watching that replay made me sick.
But not as sick as the Boise loss.
I can't wait to for VT to play FSU again and hopefully in Tallahassee since I'm living here now. ^_^
*note: I am NOT starting my Monday by watching that clip above. hail to the naw.
I just hope I am alive whenever we play FSU again.
I hope you can hold on until December 6th.
RANDOM QUESTION: There were a series of great TKP analysis articles post our win against anOSU. I've searched the site and couldn't find them completely. Can anyone assist? TIA!
Here's one
http://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2014/september/9/something-old-somethi...
Everything from TKP in the immediate aftermath of the victory:
Analysis/Highlights:
http://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2014/september/10/how-virginia-techs-o...
http://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2014/september/9/something-old-somethi...
http://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2014/september/7/ohio-state-highlights...
Commentary:
http://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2014/september/7/exhaling-after-specta...
http://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2014/september/7/dance-hokies-stun-no-...
http://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2014/september/9/slept-it-ohio-state
http://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2014/september/10/win-over-buckeyes-re...
Press Conferences:
http://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2014/september/8/monday-afternoon-pres...
http://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2014/september/9/emptying-notebook-tue...
Thank you!
Joel - is the second graph effected by seismic activity (I.e. Lane stadium playing enter sandman)?
I think it's the opposite - what is shown on the graph caused seismic activity in Lane Stadium.
In the stands, I remember being really upset about that FSU loss. In retrospect, we can probably thank them for all of the coaching/culture changes of the last few years. If we had managed to pull out a "signature win" that season, it's possible none of the firings/hirings would've happened.
Ah Logan's run my best experience live in Lane Stadium, I wonder if anything will ever top it?
Yes!
Yes, Roger's Run on 9/7/15 will.
which one?
That Miami game was amazing! Definitely the best VT game I've ever had the privilege of going too. That pic also showcases Marcus Davis' incredible blocking ability...
On a separate note, that Florida State play was a downer, but re-watching it the most annoying thing to me by far was hearing Jesse Palmer's stupid voice.
Miami was the only game I missed my freshman year. So much regret.
I didn't get to see the game either. I was stationed in Louisiana (in the dorms) at the time and for whatever reason they decided to show Iowa vs whogivesashit instead of Mia @ VT. ...I refreshed my espn constantly. I was elated that we won, but it sucked having to see the highlights literally two minutes after the game was over :(
I remember watching the FSU game and yelling 'TACKLE him!'
So I watched the clip and found myself clenching thinking 'Somebody TACKLE HIM!'
We had 3/4 guys that coulda made a play!
Several bad angles from safeties... Ugh.
Question: how did we have a guy who wasn't even a fully complete person out there playing football?
Ha ha.
Replica of VT's secondary on that play:
*don't giggle at work* *don't giggle at work* *don't giggle at work*
Ha! I was there at the Miami game going out of my mind. Don't recognize me? I'm the good looking guy.:-)
Watching Logan rumble his way into the endzone for that Miami game was one of my favorite moments in Lane.
Edit: Also, the roar of the crowd when the final tackle was made in that game...
There is a image of the Seismic activity that day with the "Sandman" intro and last minute both registering...pretty awesome. Sorry I'm a newbie poster so I need to read up on inserting an image.
BTW - You guys rock!!! I feel more football intelligent just joining TKP.
When you comment, there's a row of icons above the text box (as you're writing it - bold, italics, all that stuff), and the first one is a little box with a picture of a mountain in it. Click on that, and it'll let you generate a link for an image. To use it, the image has to be online (imgur works well, but typically anything you get from Google will work). Just right click it, go to "Copy image URL" and paste that in there (not the URL of the site you got the image from).
Boom. Image. And of course, welcome to TKP!
Oh, and it works for gifs too.
Sweet, Thanks....Like this?
Man that was a great game.
I think I've heard of this, but I don't remember actually seeing it. Nice.
I've never noticed it until today, but at 1:50 in the last video, some kid is all up in Frank's face as he walks to midfield. Jeff Allen of the VTPD swiftly takes him to the ground by his satchel. Good work, Officer Allen.
That's the first time I've noticed a football coach escort have to actually do anything to protect a coach.
That kid had either an interview or a Twitter account talking about it, I'll try and find it later tonight during one of the late night baby feedings.
So is it just me or has a single play defensive break down cost VT more than a few games the last 10 years? BC 07, FSU, BSU 10, Pitt 02, Cuse 02, Pitt 03, kind of ECU 08(punt), UNC 09, Cin 12, ECU 14, GT 14, Pitt 14, BC 14.
I think pretty much every team could say that. 10 years is over 130 games so a few are bound to happen. Also you list 3 games that didn't happen in the past 10 years, and one is a special teams play.
Of course any time the opposing offense is successful it sucks, but I usually think of a defensive breakdown as something like a missed assignment or poor read. On a play like Boise State, we had two defenders on the receiver, and they weren't able to make the play. Certainly the fault of at least one but I just don't think of that as a breakdown.
the breakdowns in the boise game were the boneheaded roughing the kicker by DJ coles on a boise punt that gave them a 1st down and later scored on the drive, AND who could forget the BULLSH*T late hit out of bounds call on bruce taylor on the final drive? the hit was CLEARLY unintentional and all from momentum
I have watched this UM finish 100 time and now 112. I am in a simmering slap down with some OSU fans over on Goggle Plus. I will find it again on You Tube and let them know what is in store for them. I really believe they are coming into a JMU or W&M atmosphere. Awesome!
Remember how they left in droves at The Shoe? PREACH THIS! NO MATTER WHAT THE SCORE IS IN THE 4TH DON'T LEAVE THE GAME. IF IT IS BAD STAY AND DRINK MORE!
Also while he is looking over the scene after the game I feel sorry for Harris because he never beat VT.....almost.
Was in the south end zone at Miami game. Saw the hole open up and nothing but daylight for LT. Knew he would score before he even broke through the line. It was awesome. Lane was rocking
I was in North just a shade west of the field goal posts. It was like he was running towards us and we were just screaming for him to join us.
Do you one better. I was in the band in between the uprights in the North just a couple rows up, literally almost eye to eye with Logan at the snap. I could tell it was a TD almost immediately after the snap.
Seems to me that Danny Coale will be #1 for both most devastating AND most dominating plays.
Devastating; No catch call in the Sugarbowl vs Michigan
Dominating: Danny Coale down the sideline vs Nebraska
pretty sure the Catch was in OT so it won't be on this list
Maybe the Fake Punt?
That was devastatingly frustrating to watch.
I would be very surprised if the Catch No Catch call int he Sugar Bowl would be up there. At the time we still had the ball in OT with a chance to put points on the board, so I doubt that call changed our win percentage that much. (As I understand it, this series is only taking into consideration what happened on a given play, not what 'might' have happened)