Football fans have short memories, and members of Hokie Nation are no exception to the rule. This is a prudent practice. There's an ebb and flow to a football season. The same team that starts 0-2 and drops a home game to a I-AA program winds up ripping off 11-straight wins including the ACC Championship. Conversely, the team that knocks off eventual national champion Ohio State in the 'Shoe struggles to becomes bowl eligible and squeaks out just seven wins. From week to week teams progress and regress, and Virginia Tech has done both this season.
Virginia Tech's turnover-laden, 20-30 home loss to average-at-best Georgia Tech was clearly a step back. Games can be evaluated both in a vacuum and as a fraction of the whole season. It was easy to focus on how badly the Hokies bungled a chance to clinch the Coastal Division against the Yellow Jackets. Not only because it was botched so spectacularly well, but because it was a freshly prepared blunder, hot and ready to consume. It's harder to recall how Virginia Tech put itself within arm's reach of an ACC Championship berth and place the loss in the context of the season.
Virginia Tech's non-conference tilt against Notre Dame — a prestigious four-win opponent — had no bearing on the Hokies' ACC Championship aspirations, but presented Tech an opportunity to get the bad taste out of its mouth and remind media and fans alike how it earned its recently stripped No. 14 rank.
However, after the first half against the Fighting Irish, it seemed apparent the sloppy, inept play that characterized the Hokies' losses to Tennessee, Syracuse, and Georgia Tech constituted more of the team's makeup than anyone might have admitted to a few weeks ago. Flubbed snaps. Fumbles on quarterback-running back meshes. A Chuck Clark interception negated by a silly offsides penalty. A litany of errors on both sides of the ball exacerbated a poor opening act that saw the Hokies gain a paltry 135 yards and score 14 points to Notre Dame's 299 and 24, respectively (according to Tech's "quickie statistics").
The Hokies flipped the script that had them written off in the second half. Execution, while not flawless, was much crisper and more productive. Outside of a 67-yard run by ND RB Josh Adams, Bud Foster's defense kept the Irish out of the end zone and held Notre Dame to 150 second-half yards. Five of Notre Dame's seven second-half possessions ended in punts. (The other two: one was the aforementioned touchdown run, the other was ND's final drive that ended in 0:00.) Chalk that up to timely adjustments.
"We made several adjustments to what they were trying to do, and like I said, they had shown a lot of different things that they hadn't shown," Foster said. "And a run play early, they run a little trap and split zone look. They did a couple things in the passing game that stressed us a little bit early that we busted a couple things.
"But the kids settled down and played. Like I said, you're going to play good people and they're going to make plays and in the end we made more plays, and that's the bottom line. It's a mark on the left side of the column, which is all that matters."
Meanwhile, Jerod Evans guided Tech to 20 points on the back nine.
Virginia Tech trailed by 17; comeback was VT's biggest since 2012 vs Duke. Notre Dame had been 34-1 under Brian Kelly after leading by 17.— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 20, 2016
It's LIT pic.twitter.com/L3wyZJZbCk— VT Football (@VT_Football) November 20, 2016
All in all, Virginia Tech's upset and comeback bid from 17 down on the road was a great character builder for a program whose mantra is "Hard, Smart, Tough". It should also restore some of the luster to the Hokies' previous seven wins. Big picture though, a feel great non-conference win against a foreign foe does nothing on paper to get Virginia Tech to Orlando — a top priority.
"I think it's understood though, if you coach at Virginia Tech you're expected to compete for the Coastal Division championship," Justin Fuente said. "I think those kids know that too."
Some games matter more than others. And sometimes the outcome of one game has both macro and micro implications. A win over Virginia would punch the Hokies' tickets to Orlando and extend their winning streak over the Hoos to 13 years. A loss would lead to an offseason full of second-guessing. Success is a relative and dynamic concept, and the net result of Tech's previous 11 games add up to this: Eight wins aside, the success or failure of Fuente's inaugural season hinges on the result of Hokies vs. Hoos.
Comments
Was that the half time speech?? Prophetic
Looks/sounds like post-game
Getting this team out of park is a real bitch but once they get going it seems to last.
Like Tennessee? And Pitt?
Sometimes it's slow starts, sometimes it's quick starts, sometime it's all the parts not in sync at the same time. I honestly don't see much of a pattern to this team.
The only pattern I see is when this team plays and executes well, it's a pretty good team. When it doesn't, it's a pretty average, at best, team. There's nothing profound here; it's true for most 8-3 teams.
Pitt was not a fast start on offense. We managed 9 points after having the ball inside the Pitt 25 on our first 3 drives. Good field position =/= a fast start.
What is a fast start though really? Is it but our affliction that we suffer not to know?
Bristol, BC and ECU. In one of our three fast starts, the bottom fell out. The other two, we managed to maintain the pace.
It was a very fast start defensively and on special teams. Thus the "not all parts in sync". As it was with Duke too.
The point was there is no pattern with this team.
We are definitely a team that doesn't naturally dominate, but a team that 'can' make adjustments to be competitive. I would prefer us to be a team that can simply impose our will on opponents, but that's not the case, now. (And may never be)
I'm proud of the effort in the comeback, but the silly mistakes and sloppy player needs to come to an end. Yes, mistakes happen, but they need to learn from them, quickly, and not continue to repeat them over and over again in the same game.
"Insanity, repeating the same action expecting different results"
We're not giving up on you. You have our support. GO HOKIES
http://www.thekeyplay.com/comment/491621#comment-491621
Not trying to beat a dead horse, but "we're not giving up on you" seems like a relatively pessimistic comment after a great comeback win from a team that isn't deep enough or talented enough for us fans to have expectations of dominance. For now I'm ecstatic for every victory we squeak out, ugly win or otherwise.
Go Hokies!!!
Excellent write up, Joe! Time to take care of the Wahoo LOLhoos.
The difference between what this game was before the season started and yesterday was interesting. I bought tickets to check off Notre Dame on the bucket list, fully expecting to lose to a CFP contender and then to get here and it almost feel like a trap game.
This VT team has ALL of the hallmarks of a first-year head coach. Difficulty in simple plays, mesh point issues, silly penalties - all are indicators of either a young/inexperienced team (which in some respects you could say that at the positions making silly mistakes) and/or a new head coach with a vastly different offensive scheme (which we really do have, no if's, and's, or butt's).
Fuente has done what he can with this offense, and it is miles ahead of where it was last year. Run blocking is an issue, but that's expected after the OL coach changed AGAIN this year, after years of instability at that particular staff position. The passing game is based on a new starting QB who makes mistakes when he presses too much. Evans is more of a RS sophomore than a Junior in my eyes, as JUCO just isn't the same as D1 football.
This team has things to iron out this offseason. They have been very up and down, and like many young/inexperienced teams, they make dumb mistakes on simple plays sometimes. If this is a glimpse of what the future could be under Fuente, I'm extremely optimistic. Being an Auburn alum, soon-to-be Virginia Tech alum (graduating in a few weeks with M. Eng), and being raised a Hokie, I've learned one really important lesson about fandom: during the game, get as high or as low as you want. Once the game is over, you can't remain too high or low. The team is never as good as their best, and never as bad as their worst. Those are just EXTREMELY far apart with this particular team; however, IT WILL GET BETTER!!!
GO HOKIES!!
Coming into the year I would have been happy to split ND TENN. Doesn't feel the same as it did in the beginning of the year, but great nonetheless.
Good writeup. In spite of Notre Dame's record, and the fact that it doesn't really count for much other than another win for the year, this was a win over a storied program on a national stage, so I'm happy to get it. It will be nice if people get used to seeing VT win these, regardless of implications. Almost like a bowl game.
More importantly, I like that I see fight in this VT team. They don't give up, and while I hate that they always seem to be digging a hole for themselves early, they play to the end even if they get behind. Evans once again demonstrated his toughness.
UVA is going to be an important game. VT can't play down to them or underestimate them based on their miserable record.
Great write up, Joe.
This game was frustrating but ended up being one to remember. As much as we all wish that a first year under Fuente result in a perfect record season, I am ultimately happy with our squad and coaches this year.
It's worth it to mention that there is one more meaningful statement to this game - it was a game of firsts:
our beloved team handed Brian Kelly his first losing season as (edit:) ND head coach;
this is ND's first Losing season since 2007;
this is our team's first game against ND;
this is our program's first win against ND;
this is the first time putting ND turf in the Lunchpail;
this is the first ND senior day loss for the ND seniors playing; and
this is the first time we've collected ND fanbase tears.
Here is the image from an earlier post:
We're in the new week now. Time to go 1-0 this week! (but we all know its 13-0!)
Saw somewhere he had a losing season at central Michigan.
Thanks for the catch! I fixed it to say ND.
Leg to you.
Reading the ND forums, it appears that they are used to their team laying eggs on Senior Day almost every year. This could also be fan-psychosis exaggeration. IDK.
Really? I thought the announcers said this was the first senior day in quite a while they had dropped.
They lost in '08, '09, and '14. I was basing this off of comments about ND "always laying an egg on Senior Day" from some ND football forums. Appears that this is indeed fans hitting the PANIC button too often.
I may be in the minority, but daaaaaamn do I love the all white uni combos with our maroon helmets. The new collar can be a little odd at first, but it meshes with the bucket color really well.
Now I just wish I could buy one online somewhere...
I've always liked our maroon helmets with all white the best. 2004-2007 was my favorite rendition.
I thought Saturday's uni combo is great. Much better than the white jersey/maroon pants.
That was a great one, would have loved to be there, but I can't complain about a the warm house, warm meal and big screen TV when watching that sideways snow in HD!
Last night was a great night to be a hokie at home, as I was able to turn the bball game almost immediately after the football win.
I do hope that the defensive coaches give Terrell a talking too, he is lucky to not be serving another targeting suspension. You don't want to see anybody hurt out there, he was playing too reckless.
Last night was a great night to be a hokie at home
It was also a great night to be a hokie in South Bend. Notre Dame's people were friendly and a class act and the campus was beautiful as well. The shear number of Hokies at the game was amazing, didn't know they would sell that many tickets to opposing fans.
The ND staff was very impressive. Whether I was getting warm in the basketball arena or getting some hot food from a concession stand they all smiled and said "Welcome to Notre Dame"! People around us in the stadium and at the tailgate were great. I'm sure there were a few a-holes out there, there always are, but overall this was a great fan base.
ND fan really called Season ticket holders out on radio this morning; recounted the VT fans he saw at hotel said tickets were easier to get than a home game, and that their were 20k+ Hokies at the game. Heard two ND callers, not happy, but everyone was respectful and took nothing away from our victory.
Most of the ND fans I talked to said they expected to lose, but were glad it wasn't a blowout.
There weren't 20k Hokies there. More like 10k-12k. But it sounded like a lot more than that.
What doesn't show up on the stat line is how winning in South Bend will aid recruiting.
I don't know how much one game matters, but it certainly doesn't hurt.
I liked the ~2 minutes spent talking about how ND pulled Ken's scholarship after his knee injury and how VT honored it and showed they were more invested in him as a student athlete and not just a football player. I'm hoping that will be huge for us recruiting in the future.
Great stuff. I hope we can look back on this game and point to that unsportsmanlike penalty that Fuente took and say that moment changed the final stretch of our season. It sort of feels like the kind of moment that where if you collapse you let it snowball. I hope we can kick UVA's ass now. Go Hokies!
Fuente going off reminds me of my childhood. Neither I or my brothers cared about making Mom mad, but when Dad finally got angry, holy shit...
Dad finally got angry, and holy shit ;)
Foster said he'd never seen Fuente lose his cool in that manner.
"I hope he doesn't do that to me," Foster said.
So wait... Foster was intimidated by Fuente's anger?
He probably just doesn't want to have to reciprocate and get someone hurt.
My first reaction was "that's not a good look." It's too easy to look like Pat Narduzzi arguing with officials. But CJF seems to be almost too stoic on the sidelines. Sometimes that's good -- he can remain calm and in control while his assistants keep the energy level up. But sometimes the Big Whistle needs to set the emotional tone himself, and I think this was one of those times.
I know a lot of people that were excited about this moment but I hated it and don't consider that moment as a turning point for the game. It put our offense in an impossible 3rd down situation which led to great ND field position and a TD drive. I get that showing passion can be a catalyst for things but you have to pick your spots. We had a chance to convert even after the bad false start call but another 15 yards killed the drive.
Has anybody else noted that every third down and really long (15+) our offense has called a run up the middle (at least to my memory). It is like they would rather try to get some room for a punt than risk a 15+ yard pass play.
This staff does not appear to like pass plays on 3rd down or redzone. Seems maybe a tad bit over protective in my mind. My favorite long yardage plays give the qb a chance if a play is open but keep him on the move to fall back to his feet if needed.
Well we had some dominant wins early, but with a new offense we can't expect it every game. It's takes a lot of effort, focus and staying injury free to continue to be perfect. I think the stroman injury is definitely having an impact. Meanwhile I was happy seeing Murphy get his chance to show some of that speed.
Averaged over 30 yards per return, did Henri.
He was awesome. Get the ball in this kids hands!
Hear, hear! I want to see Stroman on offense and defense, and I want to see Murphy on punt returns.
Speaking of injuries, what's the status on Stroman? Any chance we see him in the lineup this Sat??
I think we should bookend our ACC slate with shutouts. What do y'all think?
"Have Another Donut!"
-Jim Schoenfeld
I personally think 49-0 bookends would look good on the shelf.
Very happy for the win. Glad Foster and unit were able to make adjustments for the 2nd half (wish they had stared from the get go). Some of my faith in the staff and coaches have been restored. I wish our secondary (and, really, our entire defense) did better in terms of causing and creating turnovers. Maybe next season.
As a few have stated earlier, this Sat the coaches need to have the whole team more than ready to take UVA's better than best shot and successfully dish it out a thousand fold. Otherwise, things could move south REAL quick (a la Ga Tech). I'm still nervous, but starting to feel a smidgen more optimistic. Thanks Joe.
It was not really a meaningless game. It is only meaningless in the scheme of the ACC. But in the national picture, perception of the program, etc...every win and loss is meaningful.
I think, this particular game, win or loss only has minor impact nationally. Win, and VT beat a prestigious program on a very down year. Loss, and VT loses to a prestigious program that was battling for bowl eligibility. Thus, the outcome won't mean much. I imagine, the pollsters would agree (no matter the outcome, VT would be right around 26-27).
This win may have identified VT as the better bowl team to select over UNC. With so many factors in bowl selection, however, that even a win/loss here probably had a negligible impact.
Both UVA and Clemson will be meaningful games both nationally and in the ACC, dependent on outcome. Loss to UVA would have huge repercussions in the ACC standings, bowl selection and the possibility to be ranked by the close of the year and likely unranked to start 2017. Win over Clemson, would win the ACC, garner an Orange Bowl invite, and probably rank VT in the top 15, with a likely top 15 ranking to start 2017.
I think that's what is implied by what is a meaningful game.
If nothing else, the game proved the Hokies travel well. We represented at Notre Dame.
At one point there was a pretty loud "LETS GO - HOKIES" chant going and a ND fan in front of me yelled out "This isn't a home game for you!" He was a nice guy but I think they were all surprised how many hokies showed up for this game.
It has to be somewhat shocking for opposing fanbases to experience Hokie Nation taking over their stadium. Especially storied programs like Notre Dame. Some people chalk Fuente's talk of how special Virginia Tech is as coachspeak, but there's some truth to how well we travel.
Didn't that reputation get us the Sugar Bowl one year when we really should have been home for Christmas?
Danny caught that ball.
And not home for Christmas, just home for Jan 3rd (or whatever day after new years the game was.)
We were 11-2 with 2 losses to Clemson. The last really good year before the slide. I think getting drubbed by Clemson twice really looked bad for public perception, but going undefeated against teams not named Clemson is pretty good going into bowl bids.
I just remember Kirk Herbstreit going into an epic rant on how we didn't deserve that at large bid to a BCS bowl, but statistically and record wise, we deserved just as much as any other team that was eligible.
Does anyone have video of Fuente getting heated on the sideline. Wasn't able to watch the game and have had no luck on twitter or YouTube
I did see one on twitter. It might have been treadmillhorse or one of the TSL guys, but I don't remember.
I disagree that it is a meaningless win. A win over Notre Dame whether or not they have a winning season looks good. I'm sure that win will help us get into a better Bowl when it comes down the Bowl pecking order
With UNC having 2 FCS wins, this should keep us ahead of them in all aspects of the pecking order.
Don't tell the coaches poll. UNC is #25 and we're unranked.
Just proves everyone's point that such a poll is pointless.
That's because hurricane games don't count
That and because coaches fill out the top 5 or so and let a GA do the rest.
I mentioned it elsewhere, but worth noting UNC is the only loss for both JMU and the Citadel, who are ranked #5 and #6 in FCS (or #3 and #4 by one rating system), and Heels dropped 40+ on them.
(btw Liberty just had their first conference loss and it cost them their championship)
What this game showed me was that our new head whistle must have spent some of his early years on the high seas. That was some salty language on the false start penalty in the 2nd qtr.
Can we please get a bad lip reading video of that tirade?
The actual lip reading at one point was, and I quote... "WTF was THAT bullshit!!!"
WAFFLES WITH THAT! WAFFLES WITH THAT! Where's the butter plate?
Can confirm.
Didn't get to watch the game on Saturday, currently watching it on YouTube and I gotta say it's a lot easier to watch this first quarter knowing how the game ends
It was not fun in real time, that much I can assure you.
dear god yea. My ND friend and I were both arguing who was actually going to lose. I was saying I have seen this play out, we just lose our composure after a few fumbles and miscues and it spirals from there. He was saying they get a two digit lead and then give the game away.