I found myself lying awake in bed for hours after Monday night's heartbreaking loss to Ohio State. My mind wouldn't turn off as it searched for an explanation for what I had just witnessed, replaying the highlights and overwhelming lowlights over and over again. It was a painful start to what had looked like a promising season for a team poised to return to its perch atop the ACC.
After one quarter, the Hokies looked like the overmatched team most national pundits expected them to be. By halftime, Tech had silenced the critics and stormed back to hold a slight 17-14 halftime lead after 17 unanswered points to the absolute joy of the Hokie faithful. This was the team we all believed in, the team that we all boisterously defended throughout the offseason as opposing fans dismissed last year's upset of the Buckeyes as nothing more than a fluke. By the final whistle, we all found ourselves absolutely shell-shocked, terrified of how the next eleven games would play out.
What transpired on Monday night was a fascinating dichotomy; a first half illustrating what could have been, followed by a second half of what could be.
After falling behind by two touchdowns early, the Hokie offense settled in and began to illustrate the variety of ways they could attack opponents behind the creativity of offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler. Three long and frustrating years spent waiting for weaponry and an identity looked to be over, and we all began to believe that this Hokies team could pull-off the unthinkable yet again. And then disaster struck.
The injury to Michael Brewer was crippling, forcing back up Brenden Motley into an untenable situation against a ferocious defense. Motley looked uncomfortable passing and the Buckeye defense quickly began stacking the box with eight and nine players, daring Motley to beat them over the top. Despite a late touchdown through the air, the Hokie offense looked like a shell of itself down the stretch. The defense didn't fare much better.
It was amazing how quickly the wind left the sails once Brewer left the game, as though the entire roster was hit with the same amount of despair as the rest of us. After being filled with so much hope, we all walked away overwhelmed by, "what ifs?"
As I laid in bed searching for ways to shut my mind off, I realized the seemingly endless questions were moot. It is human nature for us to look back on tough losses and note that things could have been different if not for a bad call, an unlucky break, or an ill-timed injury. Monday night's loss will be remembered by many Hokies as a winnable game that got away from us after Brewer went down; the collective focus broken along with our quarterback's collarbone.
That type of conjecture is inherent to fandom, arguably its most comforting attribute and its greatest weakness. Our memories will be kind to this game, remembering it more for the injury to Brewer and less for the defensive breakdowns that resulted in big play after big play.
Sure, the team's second quarter performance proved that they could go toe-to-toe with the defending national champions; whether or not the final 25 minutes would have played out the way we all believed they might have will forever remain a mystery.
So how did I stop the revolving debate raging inside my brain that ticked off the pro's and con's of Motley, Chris Durkin and Dwayne Lawson? How did I turn off the visions of Andrew Motuapuaka repeatedly taking himself out of plays? I realized that, much like this team needs to do over the next few days, I needed to move forward.
We spent an entire offseason looking forward to one game, and after a disastrous second half, we're fighting the urge to panic over the remainder of the season. The success of this team was never tied solely to the arm of Michael Brewer. Sure, he was a key member of this group — someone many felt would guide the Hokies over the top. But his loss provides an opportunity for someone else to step up; for someone else to attempt to chart their own path and lead this team.
Despite that gut-wrenching loss, the Hokies still have their uber-talented defensive front four. They still have their lockdown cornerback duo. They still have Ford, Phillips, Hodges and Malleck. They still have a stable of complimentary backs and an improving offensive line.
The anxiety I was feeling over how the rest of this schedule would play out was unhealthy, because in truth, it didn't matter. All that matters to this team is what is next, what is staring them in the face. The next practice snap; the next opportunity to shine; the next opportunity to prove doubters wrong and believers right.
Comments
Hope you are right about the defense. Didn't look like either of our starting CBs were very healthy though. Something seemed off all game.
Far too similar to last year with ECU for a couple of plays near the end there. Hope it was just exhaustion.
I think a combination of exhaustion from being on the field to much, and playing across from a whole crew of NFL draft picks
I think the fact that pretty much all of osu players are elite athletes makes for fitted players.
Not taking anything away from our defense especially in the secondary but I think they all did a pretty good considering the competition. I feel like a lot of people are overlooking just how good Ohio State's offense is this year. So many weapons and so many things to account for. It truly is a pick your poison situation with them. I fully expect OSU to gash every team they play this year unless they get too cocky and just overlook someone. I'm way more concerned about our QB situation than I am the defense. They should be fine.
I think they lose week 3 to MSU.
Obviously anything can happen, and how teams match up play a big part in that, but based on what I witnessed on the field Monday night it's hard to imagine anyone on their schedule beating them.
Either you mean week 12 or Northern Illinois.
I appreciate the perspective here. Its way too easy to fall into despair when you literally spend the entire offseason looking forward to one game rather than the season itself. So we lost to the champs, we werent even supposed to be competitive, you can damn well be sure we had Buckeye fans everywhere nervous. Yes Brewer was critical to the offense, but still, one player does a football team not make. Lets see how things look moving forward. I hope the defense comes back out with a bruised ego and play like their hair is on fire the rest of the season.
it just feels like something so special was stolen from us.
There is only one thing I am sure about when it comes to football, and that is that everything evens out at some point. Whether its something micro during a single game, or macro that balances out a season, it'll happen.
I know, and I'll get over it. But we'll never get that game back, and it was a special night in Blacksburg
Kinda felt that way in '99 at the Sugar Bowl, too.
Yeah, except that we were leading that game after 45:00, not just after 30:00.
It felt that way in 2007 as well (just relating to the season... obviously it wasn't all that important when we put that year in perspective). We had dreams of the NC game before we lost to LSU, and suddenly there was a QB controversy. Tyrod went down against Duke and with him went our hopes for the season. We then lost to BC in a heartbreaker.
We ended up getting revenge on BC and went to the Orange Bowl. The next three or four years are generally considered our most recent glory days.
We've played one game against a caliber of team that we haven't really seen in Lane since 2001. There is no way to know what this season holds. Chin up!
I actually had the same thought and went in search of one of my favorite Hokie videos done by VTimHokie85.
Well said, but it sounded painful until you provided the context clues.
A bifurcated game, if you will.
I think motley has the potential to turn some heads if they just let him play his game, he isn't a drop back qb, he is more dangerous when you let him roll out and take off if nothing is there, his legs are a weapon and in that sense he is more of a weapon than brewer, teams will have to respect that. As far as his passing game, he can throw the ball I watched the kid all thru high school, he has a big time arm, he just needs confidence. I know both of his uncles donald wayne snell and Sidney snell, athletes run in his family, give the kid a chance I really believe he will be fine the more he gets reps and plays.
Motley definitely has an added element. Do they gamble and let him play his style of "game"?
I don't believe at all that's he more of a weapon than brewer, however. Until he learns to make the proper reads and go through his progressions effectively, that one additional weapon he has is far outweighed by the holstering of our other weapons (WRs and TEs). Call me crazy, but the most dangerous quarterbacks carve people up in the pocket...
I'll certainly give the kid a chance though, he's second on the depth chart for a reason, and I hope the kid proves me wrong. If he is the QB that gives us the best chance to win, then so be it. I expect the coaches to work in some looks and schemes that highlight his strengths, but he doesn't seem like a guy that's going to light it up in the passing game at the moment. To reach our potential, we have to be able to get the ball to our playmakers at WR and TE. If there's a better throwing option, I think you take that. Balance on offense will keep the running lanes open. I hope Motley proves me wrong.
Our staff designed our offense on the ability for Brewer to lead a complicated offense, run through progressions, etc. He was the most improved player this spring, and a shining spot in our offense. I think the change you're recommending is a difficult (not impossible though). Regardless, we may not have a choice.
This is what concerns me... he almost looked timid out there, afraid to play. I'm not sure if he just had limited practice snaps, didn't know the playbook, was just nervous, or some combination of the above. Something's gotta change though.
Sure, we have Ford, Phillips, Hodges and Malleck, but that doesn't mean much if we can't get a QB to give them oppurtunities to make plays.
Also both lockdown cornerbacks were pretty poor last game.
Appreciate the writeup but I'm still deeply cut by the loss. I didn't expect a win even with Brewer in, but...god damnit. What if. Not like this.
Funny enough, this was EXACTLY what I said (and pretty much how I said it), when UVA took the lead late in the game last year.
Then Michael Brewer did Michael Brewer things, and now I'm sad again.
Chinup, little buckeroo.
They lost one game to the #1 team in the country... hell, if the Hokies could somehow run the table the rest of the way and win the conference, they're still in contention for a playoff spot. (That's assuming the usual suspects choke at least one game, and we witness the standard SEC cannibalism.)
Everybody has a bad night. First game of the season, more times than not, is always pretty weird.
It is absolutely unreasonable and unfair to judge how Motley will play the rest of the season based on his performance the other night. The coaches have already stated that they did not tailor the rest of the game to emphasize Motley's skill set. Basically, Motley already had one hand tied behind his back. They will roll him out more next week for sure. That's going to make a huge difference.
Motley will now get a majority of the practice reps. That's going to be mentally huge for his progression.
We get Shai back this week. As French pointed out in his review, the line opened up highway sized cutback lanes that JC and Trey couldn't get back to. I believe Shai has the vision to get back to those lanes, and 4 yd gains are going to turn into 24 yd gains. Once the Hokies can get teams to truly respect the run game, Malleck, Ford and Hodges are going to be running free off of play action.
The defense is going to look better. OSU's OL was immensely improved over last year, and they OBVIOUSLY spent A LOT of time preparing for the Hokies. We're just not going to see another team that is going to be able to hatch this elaborate of a plan again this year, and with that many options on offense. It's time to admit the obvious. Last year's game was a perfect storm for the defense. Inexperienced front playing Coach Foster for the first time, no Braxton Miller spin moves, and Brewer was ridiculously lucky on more than a few of his 3rd down throws. (I remember one 3rd down conversion he made early in the game throwing back across his body over the middle for a first down. That same throw against GT was a pick six.)
With that said, who knows? Maybe Motley is not the leader that the team needs, and they have to look elsewhere on the roster. But the key is "who knows". We as fans certainly can't judge that from part of the 2nd half of one game against #1 OSU where probably one of the more stronger leaders of the team went down unexpectedly..
Have faith, and enjoy the season. Fall is coming, better temperatures and turning leaves are on the way. The world will be beautiful.
Thanks man, that did cheer me up.
Just looking to help. It's the Leonard Way.
It's in the forummate agreement.
I had to log in simply to say...
Thank you.
Am I the only one concerned about Kendall? He definitely didn't look like himself out there. Just a bad game or something more? Facyson didn't look too hot either.
I'm chalking it up to a combination of fatigue and playing against the best team in the nation. There was a visible depression on the defense once Brewer went down and they had to keep trotting back out there.
fuller looked a bit off all game to me as well and I think after that PI he pulled a hamstring. He was out the next series and then the following was the one where Thomas dusted him. Even when he tried to come out of his break after Thomas' move it looked like he came up grabbing his hamstring before he even turned.
I have committed to not judging Motley based on his second half performance, especially after hearing Lefty's comments about being worried about him turning an ankle. Motley was both wide-eyed and handcuffed, an unwinnable combination.
The question now becomes, will Lefty allow Motley to play his game as the starter? Was the fear of a twisted ankle merely a survival instinct to get us out of a non-conference game with hopes that our roster will suffice to win the ACC? Because the one thing I am certain of is, if we attempt to turn Brenden Motley into Michael Brewer, this offense will fail. Brenden can't make all the throws, but he has the mobility to make up for it with his legs. He wasn't allowed to do that against OSU, but he must be allowed to against whichever other opponents he faces as the starter.
Well said and I think your spot on, let motley be motley, I think fans will be impressed if they do.
which is where I see Durkin as possibly being the better option.. just don't now too much about Durkin's accuracy but we know he has a ton of arm strength.
If we let Motley be Motley then we will turn into a zone read team that will be 1000% predictable on when we will throw the ball.. ala Ohio State 2nd half
But isn't this what we've been thinking about Motley as well? The accepted consensus is pretty much "he has a cannon but needs to reign it in"? Just from the outside perspective, if each has a high THP with questionable/unknown THA (please come back NCAA football games) I would rather have the more experienced player that is a more known commodity.
Now, if it turns out they feel Durkin gives us a better chance to win games, I'll trust the coaching staff and fully support whoever they choose to trot out there. I really wouldn't be surprised if we see all 3 in some capacity during these 2 upcoming games.
maybe.. i don't think motley has a cannon or else the td pass would have been crisper and the int he threw wouldn't have hung up as long as it did.. almost looked like a punt.
But agreed on your last point, trust the coaches and at this point is 1 isn't working then 2a or 2b will be coming in quicky
It's hard to throw a bullet when you just got done breaking a tackle and are still running away from the LB whose tackle you broke.
From the stands Moto looked like he had a terrible game. I feel like I constantly saw him near the ball carrier, but never touching him
No question. This was one of the most blatant issues that I noticed. He'd find the gap and charge in and then seemingly either back off or freeze up. No idea what his issue is.. No disrespect meant to him but if he's afraid to make hits or something what in the world is he doing playing football?
I doubt he's afraid of contact. I think he's just not mentally quick/decisive enough in the game yet. Has the physical skills, but his mind is making him afraid of making a mistake. Rather than aggressively attacking what he knows should be his play to make, he's playing to not screw up. Unfortunately, that's not how Bud's system works and it does, in fact, end up with mistakes.
From my perspective, i didn't see anything that wasn't fixable. Other than letting our guys get inside a few times your CB's made some good plays. Your D Line kept up the pressure except for what looked like some blown assignments by the MLB.
Losing Brewer hurt but a collarbone should be a quick heal and it wasn't his throwing arm IIRC. Your backup didn't look bad as much as not having an offensive scheme tailored to his talents.
What I don't understand is why Foster kept the Safety in the box and left the middle open when our guys were getting inside. I realize he wanted to bring pressure at the line but it seems he didn't think 12 Gauge could make the plays or that our backups wouldn't be consistent. In fairness, they dropped some catchable balls, however he really gambled on that, IMHO.
I think you'll do fine in the ACC and if you win out will be in the playoffs.
Yes, thanks.
Some of what these guys forget is that the Bucks really are very good and have loads of talent.
And the game was still very much in doubt until the QB went down.
The Bucks in front of us were holding their breath until just about that point.
Without big analysis, I'd say we wont the Special teams battle. the rest was going to be a shootout but, Bucks win. We would have tired by mid 4th and not be able to keep up.
What ifs, what ifs.
Agree though. If we can get the next QB prepped and confident, I think we've got a strong point for the ACC.
I think that's unquestionable. Our kickoffs were mostly touchbacks, and OSU had that turnover on special teams plus a kickoff out of bounds and another that almost went there. Both sides missed FG's. No question that Beamerball showed up this time.
I really needed to read this...Brewer being out for awhile really might hinder the progress of the offense, but our schedule looks somewhat favorable (at least the next month) if the team comes together regardless of whose under center. It's just one game and as much as it would be great to have won, it doesn't define the season. We can still do great things this year and it starts Saturday against Furman. Hope the players come out focused and intense and start moving forward!!!
Remember, coach always says we make the biggest improvements between week one and later that same week.
I'll take the silver lining approach:
I was sick watching Brewer take that shot.
But it happened.
But.....that means.to me that Furman and Purdue better put their big boy pants on because I would run the $%@+ out of the football the next two games, and then run it again.
I would tell my offense if we don't get at least 200yds rushing each game I will take ALL of everybody's bowl money and make you wash my wife's car wearing uva jammies from the clearance rack at the thrift shop.
I would rotate each QB 1 series each and say 'May the best QB win.' (and I would include Sam Rogers in that rotation.)
And those are some of the many examples of why I am not a coach.
WINNER!
But you do play a doctor in real life and you probably stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night!
I'm an Econolodge kinda guy.
so frustrating to know that vt could have hung with OSU and made a game out of it. hell, maybe even won. not many opportunitys like that come to blacksburg. it's a real shame, to not be able to live up to potential that this team has (or had).
now to wonder if our bowl chances are gone for this year?
Have we already lost 7 games? Man, the season really flies by.
There's a Patrick Star "This is a hotel?!" reference here, but I think most people here are too adult and would have no idea what I'm talking about...
No, this is Patrick.
Some replies just deserve more than 1 turkey leg...
My final thoughts on this game. We scored three more points against them this year than they scored against us last year and they beat us by only four points more this year than we beat them by last year. It doesn't seem so lopsided when I think of it like that.
I like how you think.