Glimpes of 2008: ECU Game Review

The 2008 Virginia Tech team had two defining characteristics. A defense that allowed just 16 points per game and sometimes single-handedly won football games, and then an offense that was absolutely nauseating to watch. The team only topped 30 points once all year, and beat DUKE 14-3. Ultimately that same offense managed to pull a '06 Chicago Bears move and make it to the postseason, and actually won the Orange Bowl behind Darren Evans.

Today, I saw many signs of that '08 team in that the offense was stalled repeatedly, and the defense basically won the game for us. Not only did Bud Foster's D force three turnovers including the safety, but the defensive backs all let at least two or three other picks slip through their hands. Outside of the first drive by ECU, the defense looked absolutely immovable, and will probably be the top-ranked defense in yards allowed after this week. A few key points I took away from Saturday:

Where Did the Run Game Go? A few factors contributed to the disappearance of Trey Edmunds and the run game as a whole. First, at one point late in the third quarter, Tech had run the ball on first down 11 out of 14 times. That's ridiculous. It would be different if we weren't averaging 1.6 yards per carry, but we were. Running on first down was what the ECU defense expected, and we paid for it. This led to 2nd- and 3rd- and long situations, where Logan had to pass the ball for further downfield, lower-percentage attempts. Another factor was the line. Although the pass protection was decent on the day, the line couldn't get the push that we saw in the first two games. Perhaps more gaps could have opened up if we changed up the first down play-calling, but ECU's defense isn't that good. We should have been able to run the ball on any down, and especially for more than 53 yards.

Special Teams is Almost There, But Almost Not. Kyle Fuller came close to blocking not one, but two punts. I was personally glad to see CFB going after the kicks more, but when you send the forces to block, the return game consequently suffers. Jarrett had one solid return, it just unfortunately was from the 4-yardline. On the other hand, Cody Journell will be everybody's scapegoat all week long. Yes, he had back spasms throughout the week. But if he wasn't fully recovered from those, why was he put in even after the first two missed kicks? I don't think it was his back. The first kick got into his head, then it just got worse and worse, forcing the offense to go on 4th down (which totally should have been run out of the pistol formation btw). Let's just hope he'll get his sh*t together by next week.

Just When We Thought the Defense Was Downright Nasty, it Got Nastier. Seriously. We have not allowed more than 206 yards in any game yet. And those 206 yards were to the top-ranked team in the country. Not only that, but it looks like Bud can get back to his three turnovers per game rule. Around the time of the 2008 team, he wanted his defenses to force at least 3 turnovers every game, and many times he got them. The '08 team intercepted 20 passes, ranking 8th in the nation. So far this season, the Hokie D has picked off seven passes in just three games, and has 12 sacks. Wut. Plus, four of those sacks came against Bama. I don't know what coaches will do with Antone when he comes back, but Facyson and Kendall are playing at the level that Exum was at the end of last season. Good problem to have, though.

Lastly, Logan looked infinitely better today than he did a week ago. You want to know why? HE DIDN'T THROW DEEP BALLS. He tried it once in the second half towards Knowles, and if the ECU defender was physically coordinated at all, he would have easily picked it off. Sure, Knowles didn't make a good play on it, but the guy is 6'0. You can't ask him to be Marcus Davis. The longest completed pass was the 30 yard touchdown to Knowles, and that was a dart over the defender. It was the loft jump balls down the sideline that needed to be eliminated, and I didn't see a single one today. Logan's one interception on the day? A 48-yard attempt. Case in point.

Also I liked the move of Chris Mangus to a flex wideout position where he can line up all move the field. I wrote that I wanted that move last week, and I think he can really be successful there.

Marshall should be an easier test than ECU was, and I'll be looking for the running game to dominate. If the defense is on point and the line is playing well, TruckEmTrey and hopefully JC (if he's back) and Caleb will run all over Marshall.