Last night, we saw maybe the nastiest defense I think I've ever seen here (it should at least be in the conversation with 2007 and 2005). We made A.J. McCarron look like a UVA qb, and held Bama to 2.5 yards/rush. Kyle Fuller dominated. The entire D-Line dominated. I can't hand out enough kudos to that group, so I'll just do it collectively - that D is amazing.
And on the offensive side of the ball, we have a rb who is only a redshirt freshman, and looks like a total stud. We have an o-line that more than held their own against one of the most dominant defenses in football. This is an o-line made up from leftovers from last year's reviled o-line and a TRUE FRESHMAN. If Grimes can do that in one offseason, what's going to happen in 2 years? When Edmunds is a Junior with 2 more years getting Gentrified? What's going to happen when we pair a dominant O-line and running game with a Bud Foster defense?
Take heart - the future is very bright.
Comments
What was most gratifying to see was the quality offensive line play. In their first game. Against one of the best defenses in the country. On a big stage. Playing freshmen and second-string TEs. Their hard work in the offseason stood out to the entire nation last night. Kudos to Jeff Grimes and those linemen. #TipoftheSpear
I was stoked seeing some true freshman contribute mightily for the Hokies.
I used to wonder why other teams seemed to have some freshman play big time, and we did it last night.
Ke. Fuller and Edmunds were awesome to watch.
I like the direction that we are going, (but at the same time, it's frustrating that this wasn't done a few years ago. Oh, well.)
Don't forget Facyson!
I bet bama didn't have a 'walk on' on the bench much less the field.
And remember - some of Bama's walk ons are three star players who could have made the first group on some other D-1 teams. So a lot of the "aw their O line is new" talk is not that valid.
What surprised me the most was the play of David Wang as the center. He was lousy as a guard but shone as a center. It makes me wonder what the hell Newsome was doing in Blacksburg for so long.
Shout out also to Laurence Gibson and McLaughlin who played outstanding football all night long.
Easy, he was not reviewing film, not coaching up technique, and not holding players accountable enough.
Easier: he's a bad OLine coach
he was running a "multiple" blocking scheme to go with our "multiple" offense...multiple = not enough time to practice doing things right / confusing players
No, the "multiple" part refers to Thomas Edison. Edison was said to have found 10,000 ways not to make a light bulb. Newsome was just exhausting all possible options to find 10,000 ways not to gain positive yardage.
And....we get Shuman, JC Coleman, Caleb, Irick, hopefully Corey Marshall, and Exum back soon.
From what I saw, we can also ease Exum back into playing on terms best for his future and the team's. The last thing I want to see, are any more injuries, or someone to hurt themselves again, who could play in the NFL.
Sorry for accidental downvote. My bad
Restored.
You know what? I thought without RVD our LB corps would have struggled, but I didn't notice anything untoward about their performance. DiNardo and Trimble may not have been Tyler-level studs, but it looks like our linebacking corps will do fine. Especially with the support our secondary and defensive line can give them. I was surprised they didn't attack the linebackers much, but Tariq Edwards played well, and the other guys were just fine. And they'll only get better.
In Bud We Trust.
Yeah. This will go down as a great Hokie team, regardless.
And guess what. Next year we're going to take a lot of those same studs to Columbus.
Better win 14 this year, cause they're gonna drop one to us in the Big House.
Yes sir.
Regarding 2014 in Columbus.
Offensively, VT will return 9 starters. VT will lose LT and Miller. Defensively, VT will return 5 starters (lose 7 including Exum). So, maybe they'll struggle next year on D... We'll see what happens when they lose 5 of the front 7.
No chance. Reavisland is on it.
Im quite co concerned about QB after LT. Even as poorly as LT played this weekend (at least the perception of poor play), I don't see anyone else in he system (or committed) that I'm excited about seeing play.
There has been this progression from Vick to Randall to Tyrod to LT with a few lulls along the way but always the promise on the horizon. I'm concerned about the next "era."
I'm excited to see what Leal has to offer. I think he's going to be strong next year and give Ford or Bucky the chance to get their legs under them to step in the following year. I think there is a lot of promise at the QB spot for the future at VT
I am not too concerned...Leal or however comes in behind LT3 will have the advantage of a full year of working in Leoffer's (spelling) system/coaching....I am getting excited about the game in Columbus I may try to go now.
I think that this Hokie team could 10+ games and the teams in the near future could be very very good.
Statistically our offense and defense are ranked higher than Alabama after that game haha. Obviously someone can do a more in depth analysis, but I just checked this out and thought it was funny.
Only there special teams out played us.
Total Offense
VT Off: #107
ALA Off: #112
Sacks
VT Def: #9
ALA Def: #57
What i love about that defensive ranking is this: most teams played cupcakes abd fcs teams. We just played the #1 team in the nation.
Loved seeing Ke Fuller and Ky Fuller on the back of jerseys on the field at the same time. Also Facyson played lights out lockdown except for one play where he got turned around on an out route that the receiver made into a double move. And Trey Edmunds. Wow. What else can you say? Pushing piles of Bama defenders for 2-3 extra yards? Wow.
In backup roles Dadi Nicholas had 2.0 TFLs and 1.0 sack, and Nigel Williams had 1.5 TFLs and 1.0 sack. Did Ken Ekanem get any playing time? I'd like to see him play after hearing he is a baller in practice, and compare him with Eli Harold who is starting for the Hoos. The 2012 & 2013 recruiting classes are contributing significantly already.
Who is comparing Ekanem to Eli Harold and why?
I'm interested to see who has the better college career since they were in the same recruiting class, play the same position, both are rumored to be beasts, and both VT and UVA were offered them. I know Harold is starting now, so I'm not necessarily comparing them at this point, only interested in Ekanem's progress.
Harold is starting. But it's for LOLUVA. Ekanem is sitting because, well... #DepthAtDTAtVT
Maybe I should stay away from hashtags
#UnnecessaryHashtags
#Hashtag
#AllTheHashtags
Isnt Ekanem an end? Did you mean depth at end?
Yes! I did, good catch. I should have said Depth At DL At VT. I was victimized by the DT/VT alliteration
Ekanem's big hit in high school against Hermitage in the state semis. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150511373010530&set=vb.1771722594...
That...is...awesome. Kinda feel sorry for the QB. He must have pissed off that right tackle in homeroom one day.
I don't care who says it or what they say. This team is already as dynamic as the top ranked teams in the nation.
Be proud. I'm sporting all orange and maroon today. I was going to anyways, but anyone who knows college football, or one who can even get the gist of "you can't beat momentum swings" knows what they saw last night.
We've hit the lottery. The coaches. The players. The Nation. All forming into one. I will go so far to say this, I haven't seen the sparks of our magical run in 99... Until now.
This is a team that would have held and possibly won against Clemson and Georgia last night. This is a team that believes in themselves as a unit and we are reutilizing our talent. Hiring Loeffler, Grimey, an Vince Vaughn might be our most pivotal hires since CFB HIMSELF.
i like the enthusiasm, but there's a ton of work to do.
We're going streaking!!!
i know its early but can i start the #ACCchampionship trend?
Let's get a couple of ACC wins under our belt before we go that far.
Let's get 1/2 way through Pitt, UNC, GT, and Miami before we go that far
#overoptimism? haha
Its all going to come together in time, but we need to first get these next few wins strung together before we get too excited about a double digit win season. Nevertheless, plenty of positives from the game last night. I would have liked to seen logan make a few more plays night. Hope to see him really have some games here in the next few weeks against WCU, ECU, AND Marshall.
these two are gonna be doing things the next few years
I agree wholeheartedly that this is an uphill battle, I know that I might be drinking too much of the KoolAid, but I can't remember a time when I've felt this good about our football team.
Getting to 10 wins was great, but it was like eating chicken over and over and over. Especially with the coaching staff. I like chicken, but looking at the surge of Oregon, I envied other programs because it felt like we were doing the same thing over and over and over.
Last night, Logan threw his arms up in the air like he just didn't care. WR's shifted like they had spurs on their nuts. We witnessed kids who were playing high school games literally a few months ago, come in and locked down #9 so badly, even Chris Speilman had to make an excuse for him.
They won't say what they saw. It infuriates me that McDonough didn't bring his good mojo like he did for numerous big games that he's called and we won, but it pisses me off more that he didn't call it like it was.
The Hokies didn't win, but we sure as hell made them bleed. A lot like a team that sent USC to a national title with Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart at the helm.
Agreed. I feel so good about this team. I think it will be a great year.
Yea, I feel you on that. I was always pissed when QB's like Boyd, Manuel, and Simms would leave the state of VA to play in someone else's better offense. Bud Foster has been a saving grace at this school.
I'm an Al Hokie. Proud of both teams but when the two play I'm all Hokie. I am rooting for VT to win the ACC and Alabama to take the National championship. Go Hokies - Roll Tide
I agree we definitely need someone to step up at WR and make a play. I am excited to see Joel Caleb get some playing time this week since he is off double secret suspension. The D was beast.