I'm not sure how we won this game, but we did. There will be better analysis than this during the week. Until then, let's praise Bud. 2-1, have a safe weekend y'all.
Let's Hug Here
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Did Journell put his shoes on the wrong feet or something?
He has back spasms. At least, he did not practice all week.
Back spasms, missed kicks, is this what special teams practice looked like this week?
I guess kickers need practice too
He should contact Calvin Cambridge for some new shoes
*finishes whiskey*
*throws glass in fireplace*
I'll take it
We must also praise Montese Overton for dropping that Pick-6. Got lucky.
Facyson fell down on a possible pick-6 too. So it evened out.
"We didn't even get to second base.... well, maybe I did...."
holy crap, just took a shot of wild turkey for bud and the d
I'm also hugging Brandon Facyson and Tariq Edwards.
Edit: And how could I forget the amazing play from James Gayle?! He gets hugged too.
And I'm hugging Oregon because I hope they ANNIHILATE Tennessee. I'm sick of hearing of how amazing Tennessee is here in Bristol.
"Oh my god, we're 2-0! BEST TEAM IN THE COUNTRY!"
Ducks are going to whoop their asses
Ask and ye shall receive.
Since we're hugging, you guys have been great today.
I'm putting the computer down for a while. Had a headache all day.
WE LOVE YOU BUD! PLEASE DON'T EVER LEAVE US!
I would like to nominate Sam Rogers as the new kicker - he'll scare the ball between the uprights without having to kick it.
Lol ... that reminds me of the kicking game in Little Giants. I listened to it on the radio, and still got a headache.
We can't let our run game stagnate again like today
idk, I think Im more worried about the kicking game. Journell just completely disintegrated...
Although it was stuffed the majority of the time, I'm glad we didn't give up on it completely *ahem* like some Offensive Coordinators might have. Even if the run game isn't working, you have to keep up the attempts so that they have to respect play action.
I'm not too concerned here either. ECU plays us well consistently and they were forcing us into passing situations. Every time we ran, the box was loaded. As we prove that we can pass (which we did today), more teams will open up seams for running. I wouldn't walk away feeling too frustrated, offense has to work on finishing and we need journell healthy for next week
Shout out to Preak. couldn't have followed this game at all with out you. YOU'RE THE BEST!!!
Amen to this. Had his stream going and Bill & Mike on the radio. Pretty big delay between the two (tv was ahead), but so worth it
Weird stat of the game:
If I told you Logan out passed Carden by 100 yards. Would you believe me?
Yes because our secondary is the tits.
3 INT from the defense, none of which resulted in points. I can't say I enjoy the 2006/07 flashbacks where the defense works magic while the offense eats paste, but a win is a win.
Let's hug even more, because A&M is showing that our defense actually was outstanding against Alabama. It wasn't poor performance from Bama's O-Line. Fox acknowledged it, CBS acknowledged it in the broadcast, now will ESPN acknowledge it?
Probably not.
McCarron already has over 200 yards on the first half. We held him to 150 and a pick.
Given who has acknowledged it, who cares what ESPN has to say
True. I just like our underdog factor in that respect I guess.
I completely understand what you mean, but Im slowly trying to ween myself off of anything espn has to say myself
Especially since they took so long to report on the violations of the SEC with the NCAA and just regurgitated what other sources were saying.
At least for all things college. They aren't too bad when it comes to pro coverage.
ESPN dare not play that game against NFL and Goodell. Problem with college ranks is that the overall organization (NCAA) is weak and pathetically disorganized, whole the conferences are all powerful.
I don't know about ESPN proper, but multiple times on ESPN Radio on Friday the various college football heads mentioned that part of Bama's offensive struggles were likely due to VT being very good on defense.
saw some bama fans watching the game at a department store. Walked up after bama had a fifteen yard rush and said"that's no Virginia tech defense" after seeing my VT shirt they had nothing but good things to say about our D.
Give em the D.
They love the D.
How great would it be if that was a Maroon/Orange effect shirt?
Is there any news about that ECU kid? I think his name was Hawkins or something. I can't find anything about it.
Released from the hospital with a concussion. Tweeted him to tell him that we (Hokies Nation) wished him well.
I think Cody Journell needs a hug and a back masseuse to work on him.
I thought that maybe Cody had hit the old peace pipe before the game but my buddy brought up the point that maybe he WASN'T high and that was the problem.
Hero of the game was James Gayle. Shoulder popped out, trainer put shoulder back in, and he came back to play. For good measure, he had a hand in the safety.
MAD RESPECT.
More than a hand. His entire body.
I was going to say he had a HELMET, then a hand, then a shoulder...
I heard he maced himself and couldn't see the goalposts
I'm gonna go ahead and say not too soon. In fact, perfect timing
Seriously, can you ever remember a kicker who was as big a distraction off of the field? He had the mace in the B-dubs, he was arrested when he tried to steal drugs back from someone with a pellet-gun... And it's not like he's the greatest kicker we've ever had. I'd trade him for Meyers in a heartbeat. How much rope does he have left after a performance like today's?
EDIT - forgot about him missing the Sugar Bowl because of the aforementioned shenanigans, which forced a 3rd string kicker/kickoff specialist into the starting role, who missed the kick in OT...
Not for us, but Sebastian Janikowski and Brad Wing come to mind.
Well Janikowski is legitimately awesome. Accurate and long ranged. I guess my point is that if you're going to be a kicker who is a problem off the field, you'd better be amazing...
Duly noted and turkeyed.
Granted Myer made 4 FGs to GET to OT...outcome might not have been any better with CJ.
Fair enough, I'm just saying in a tight game we were missing our kicker because he's an idiot.
So many points left off the board today.
13 by my count
Pros: The defensive line owned the line of scrimmage (assisted by ECU abandoning the running game after having enough success to make play action effective early.) The young corners played a spectacular game (as predicted, people will pick on Fayscon, and they will pay for it. He got 2, he could have had four interceptions today.) The passing game allowed the Hokies to get first downs and keep the defense off the field. The coverage teams were excellent.
Cons: Kicking goes without saying. I need to see the film, but it is clear that the offensive line didn't have a good day, especially on running from the pro formation. Both Bonner and Jarrett will be picked on in coverage. I got frustrated with the play calling (I formation was a guaranteed run from the 3rd quarter on) and then 1st down became a guaranteed run call. The Hokies did good things with play action and especially bootleg last week, and did very little play action and no bootlegs this week.
Hey, we won the game in a brutal environment. The defense bounced back and played a terrific game after a lousy first drive. The offense left a bunch of points on the field. Build on it next week, and get ice on Gayle's shoulder.
Benedict definitely isn't a Tackle.
was gibson hurt? i feel like i missed something.
I think that's what we're all wondering.
Either undisclosed injury or undisclosed "violation of team rules."
Whatever it is, I have a feeling the OL will have quite the workout with their buddy, Jeff Grimes, this week.
Andy Bitter earlier today:
http://hamptonroads.com/2013/09/game-day-post-virginia-tech-east-carolina
But before the season, he had game experience! That means something, right?
Without the benefit of film yet, while he had some iffy moments early, I suspect two other hawgbodies had rougher games. Maybe more.
My wife said Wang got no push up the middle. I giggled like Beavis.
Did it look like ECU flooded the zone running plays? Instead of getting upfield, they just scraped down the line looking for the tailback. Also, I saw few counters and designed backside zones.
Yep. It seemed to me that Edmunds cut too early and ECU did a great job with flooding the back in pursuit and got contact behind the line of scrimmage. They defended it well.
It also seemed to me on the read/keep plays Logan makes the wrong read.
I'll be curious to read what the gurus say.
Another pro was that the receivers where getting open and CATCHING passes! Logan was on point, but I only was able to watch 2nd half since my son played a game at noon. His team lost though. Oh well, Go Hokies!
I have said it before and I'll say it again until I'm purple in the face and pass out: Facyson is my favorite player. He has been my favorite ever since it was announced he wanted to be a heart surgeon. How could you not pull for a kid like that?
facyson is my second favorite player, right behind Kyshoen.
Facysinterceptor
A big pro I saw was that the offense was consistently moving the ball into the red zone, or close enough to score. Journell wasn't putting the balls through the upright and the offense was struggling to find the endzone...but at least the hokies were moving it more consistently and through passing.
I agree. Our offense moved the ball and converted third downs. We actually led time of possession at the end. Our D was able to rest. In my eyes, major improvements over O'cainspring. Makes me better about our future.
maybe cody has some serious gambling debts?
and that sure was some predictable play calling on offense.
played out a lot like the '11 game, it was ugly but a win is a win is a win.
bring on marshall.
And I now understand why we held out Corey Marshall this week. How fitting.
Gambling debts.....Damn I thought the same thing. I don't know the kid and was just pissed but after he missed that last one I just looked at the wife and said there is no way that was accidental. I got over it after the win but still I had my doubts for a little while.
dude, the way it shot straight left off his foot? ecu thought they blocked it but their guy was nowhere near with the crazy angle.
nice sig
I think it went so far to the left because he saw the pressure coming from the right side and was trying to kick around it while still sneaking it just inside in the left upright. If he didn't push that one to the left, its a blocked FG instead of a Running into the Kicker Penalty.
Catchable drops were less pronounced today, the only one that really stood out was Stanford at the end of our 3rd possession. We're making progress, people, just don't expect the results to be night and day. As long our defense keeps playing tough ball, we have a great chance in every game.
He (Stanford) had two bounce off his chest today FWIW...he is averaging two drops a game
Logan was also treating him like wet laundry most of the game. He made some solid catches when you factor in that he left himself defenseless 3 feet in the air 4 or 5 times.
...<thinks for a moment> Oh! He's leaving him out to dry!!! Tracking like a train, now.
Yup, today was the first step in the redemption of Demetri Knowles.
Could've used both Gibson as well as Moore. Other teams would've played them to give themselves a better chance. I'm sure we did the right thing, but this tough love crap is giving me a heart attack!
Rewatching the highlights provided by VTPhreak...
Good concepts in the passing game by Loeffler. I would focus much more on the Rushing attack out of the shotgun rather then pistol because I think that fits our personnel better, but it's hard to blame a guy for installing and coaching what he believes in. Eventually his personnel will catch up to his system.
I would probably let this slide, if you weren't listed as "columnist" right next to your name, and everyone is entitled to mistakes, but you used the wrong word in there.
"...shotgun rather THAN pistol..."
This message brought to you by your local Grammar Nazi.
Personally, I think of him more as any offense's devil...
Can we get him some horns....??
From Bitter:
Collins, too, played a heck of a game.
What a game by the D. 7 sacks, 11 TFL, 3 INT, and only 30 yards allowed in the second half. Insane.
don't forget that safety either. hell of a game for the D
Ah, of course! Not seeing the game live is killing me. I did catch the highlight, though, so no excuses really. Thanks for reminding me. A turkey leg for catching my omission.
So I didn't watch the game because I was flying back from a Hokie wedding in Maryland yesterday. Apparently, I didn't miss much. Though my husband did send me frantic text updates with every kick that CoJo missed.
I would have liked to have seen us run some sweeps to try to loosen up their D stacking the box in the run game. At least force the linebackers back a step to have some initial holes up front.
I too was a little confused why the run game continued to focus on running between the tackles after the first quarter when ECU was obviously flooding the middle with bodies. Wanted to see some toss sweeps but do not recall any happening. Will wait for French's analysis before making any judgements, but it seemed to me that we were not able or willing to run wide on them. Mangus or Caleb could have been used that way, but maybe those types of plays are not installed yet.
speaking of hugs check out this hug from Dadi on luther after the safety
That reminds me of that Steelers running back (cant remember exactly who it was) who started humping Big Ben when he went down for the kneel or whatever in the AFC Championship game a few years ago
I believe it was Mendenhall?
Yup. I remember getting texts from everyone about that after the game.
Although, I don't think there's a better hug than Tom Compton and Kirk Cousins:
WTH?!!! I am crying laughing at this...great spot.
I think that we proved that if the opposing defense places too much attention on our running game that we can be competitive in the air. I was glad to see Knowles looking the part. Byrn on the crossing route was nice to see as well. Another step forward in getting ready for conf. play. Journell hopefully never does that again.
And, I think we created a season's worth (for most other teams, that is) of highlights on the defensive side of the ball yesterday. Not sure I have ever been as excited to see the OTHER TEAM get the ball as I was during this game and anticipate being in upcoming games. STIFLING, SWARMING, NASTY, LUNCH PAIL D.
Was it me or is our O super-tentative with passing the ball downfield? I feel like there was way too much dink and dunk with our offense. Understanding that are receivers haven't been the model of separation from the dbs, it would have been nice to see them try and stretch it out a few more times. We need the practice.
I think the point was that both Logan and the WRs need to still develop some sense of rhythm, and short passes help do that. Given the inability of the WRs to hang on to the ball in previous weeks, taking the high-percentage option is often a good idea. A few shots downfield are always fun, but given the 3 INTs Logan has thrown on those type of plays, and the lack of a really physical WR who can fight for the ball in the air, I'd say it's best to avoid the deep ball until we have really gotten the fundamentals down. In that sense, what we did yesterday was still practice, and it was building towards a larger goal. No sense taking the risky option when the short game is working reasonably efficiently.
If it's any consolation, this is what Shayne Graham said on Journell.
I'll take Shayne's word for it. He's more of an expert on kicking that I will ever be.
And here I was, thinking he was out drinking all night...
Well I wouldn't say those things are mutually exclusive. In fact, when he missed the second of his three, I texted my buddy that Journell needs to stop hitting the bottle so hard. Unfair, probably. But dammit!
But the question then becomes, why was he out there in the first place? Give him a rest and let someone else kick.
Do you think that if he had back spasms maybe the coach(es) should have sat him if he couldn't even make an extra point? There are other kickers on the team. This goes into the category of another special teams blunder, of which there have been many over the past few years.
Nothing makes my morning more than seeing, one, us being third in the nation in interceptions, and two, being ahead of Tennessee.
As an aside, NW'ern looks real good this year. I'm calling them over Wisconsin and Michigan this year, with a good chance they beat OSU as well. Let's hear it for a NW'ern/Stanford MNC!
I'd be delighted if they beat osu
When's the last time two private schools played for it all?
What's so promising, is a lot of these young defenders will be around next year and beyond, to keep punching opposing offenses in the neck.
Colin? is that you? Tell us how you really feel about LOLuva.
Sometimes I wish our defense could play offense too
They do...
EDIT: or at least they used to.
It doesn't? Didn't we score more points against Rutgers in the Oh-Please-Let-Me-Forget-I Saw-That-God-Awful Bowl on defense than we did on offense?
EDIT: Thanks to hokiebuzz's comment, above, I realize no, we didn't. Comment stands as originally posted!
<---chuckles
Can we get an official name change?
sometimes it feels like thats the only way we'll get six.
That's nice..do that for "sacks"...see that '12'? I like that more.
This offense is a process. I think it's getting better every week but it's getting over shadowed by our D. Like I said in a earlier post, as long as our O is humming by the time we hit conference play we'll be fine!
I don't think our offense will be "humming" before we play GT, but I do think it is slowly improving. Yes, our running game was non-existent this week but ECU knew that Thomas and our Receiving Corps was struggling and they game-planned to stop the run and force Thomas to beat them with his arm. I think that Thomas made some pretty good throws and the receivers didn't look quite as piss-poor as they did against Bama. Progress has been made and with over 250 yds passing we've shown that we can at least move the ball some. Teams will eventually have to start respecting the passing game which will open up the running game. I think Thomas looks better every week and that's encouraging.
I don't know when our offense will be to the point that it's "humming" but I think Thomas and Co need more than 2 weeks to get there
The best thing to improve our offense is likely having to play against our defense in practice.