
Who: Virginia Tech Hokies (8-4, 5-3 ACC) vs Kentucky Wildcats (7-5, 3-5 SEC)
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at 12:00 PM EST
Where: Charlotte, North Carolina | Bank of America Stadium (75,412)
Watch/Listen: ESPN / Virginia Tech IMG
Spread: Virginia Tech -3
Weather: 53Β°F, Sunny
Series: Kentucky holds an 11-6-2 advantage in the all-time series, although the last matchup came back in 1987, Frank Beamer's first year as the head Hokie.
Reppin' TKP: French is lurking in the stands.
The Key Players Club: TKP's benefactors group is 771 strong, make a move to become No. 772 and access exclusive content.
Discuss today's game and festivities here. Avoid leaving play-by-play, we're all watching. Remember to follow the community guidelines.

Comments
Go Hokies!
Sadly I will miss the game today - funeral for an uncle at noon.
Someone needs to keep track of time of possession for me.
I got you HOAT.
And sorry to hear about your uncle, man.
Let's go!!!!!
Hokies!!!!!!
I was gifted bourbon and moonshine (Cape Charles Distillery, apple, tastes great!) by my boss and coworkers. It's just about 8 am. What should I start with first?
Yes
Is there a bad time to enjoy a gift of bourbon and moonshine? Go Hokies!
Not "what" but "when'"
This answer is:
I'm not sure what they call Bourbon and Moonshine mixed together...
Death?
A fun time?
I'll go with fun time
Delicious.
LET'S GO!
HOKIES!
HOOO-KIIIEEESSS
Why didn't I ask for a half day off??
I didn't ask. I'm "working from home".
I haven't been to work since 12/17 (we shut down over Christmas and I took a little extra time).
I'm having a hard time remembering what day of the week it is.
At first, I read 12/17 to mean Dec 2017, and I'm thinking β a little extra time.....yeah, like 2 years extra! LOL
Now, I get it - Dec 17. Ha!
It's game daaaaay!!!
It's Hokie-day, the best day of any week!
I worked from home too!
And I went to the game.
You need the "don't ask, just take" attitude
Skin the cats fam
Apparently, there was some trask talk at Charlotte Motor Speedway between teams.
Trash talk?
Hopefully, this doesn't give Bowden extra motivation. I hope the good guys hold him to his lowest output of the season, but I have the sinking feeling that he is going to shred our defense like Bryce Perkins on steroids.
Meh.
Time to queue up Enter Sandman for 80 times in a row π
First key to the game: Hoping HH (tweaked his knee 2 days ago) gets through warmups and feels good enough to play. Will be eyeing that one from the field for sure.
Let's GOOOOOOO
HOKIES!
HOKIES!
So, if QP has to start we will see <10 total passes from both teams./s
Talking trash before the game and
I really wish I could up vote this more than once.
Kyle Tucker is a name from the past.
Per Bitter a minute ago, HH looks fine
Having to work today when I've never lived closer to Charlotte. Real life jobs stink.
That won't stop me from watching the game on my phone while I'm "working."
can't call in sick or "work from home" ?
Let's Go Hokies!! (Turn the sound on)
https://i.imgur.com/KKaeUAF.mp4
Anyone know the list of players sitting out? Im sure there are a few due to either the draft or injuries.
If any players for us don't play, it's due to injury. Farley probably won't play but he already announced that he's coming back, and it appears that Waller might be injured as well.
Not sure about the Kentucky side.
247 reporting Waller and Farley aren't even warming up ...and they're saying Waller was suspended?
That's wrong... it's just an injury
Yeah that's what I thought
This is going to be fun.
Can someone do a solid and post the picture? Can't see it AW.
Doubt we get through the first quarter without a unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on both sides.
I understand some dumb stuff was said on social media between the two teams but why is this even a thing. These two teams have basically no history and this game means nothing in the grand scheme of things and won't be remembered in six months. I am a little surprised at how much this is being blown up by some of the beat writers and the animosity on the field already.
I know, right? When would you ever expect sports journalists to focus on useless details to add a little spice to an otherwise insignificant sporting event? /s
I get that and I don't mind a little spice being thrown onto this game but with the way this has all happened you would think we were playing West Virginia or something.
Because the powers that be are trying to get eyeballs on the game. Sort of like how E$ECPN had Steve Levy and Brian Griese sucking Perkin's schlong all game last night.
This games means everything. Every game means everything! Recruits will remember it, other teams will remember it, and the players will remember it which will carry over to next year. If it doesn't mean anything why even play it.
It's a bowl game between an 8-4 and 7-5 team. Let's not make it out to be a playoff or NC game here. Bowl games like this are a chance for schools to play each other, get some swag and get some additional practice time in. Animosity like this in a bowl game like this between two schools with little history just isn't warranted.
We werent the ones playing in it though.
Was that coaches beefing?
At least they'll be playing with a fire inside
247 reporting Bowden walked up to Cunningham and swung on him in pregames.
Bowden now has a police escort.
Bowden better watch out or we will put the VT water girl on him.
Wait he threw a punch at one of our guys? He's still gonna play??
It was outside the 1 hour window that officials could eject him
I feel like that's a stupid precedent (maybe because it favors our opponent today), but if there's film of a guy throwing a punch at a guy on the other team, and he is clearly identifiable, they should be sitting in the locker room for that game.
A lot of what I'm seeing is that a VT player swung on Bowden
Oh boy
Haven't seen any of that. ESPN showed Bowden punching Cunningham.
Just did a search for "Lynn Bowden" on Twitter or google "Lynn Bowden punch"... probably a bunch of KY folks being the victim then.
Picture of Bowden's fist connecting with Cunningham's jaw.
Photo credit: hokies123 on VTScoop.com.
Can you eject people before the game??? That's some Marcus Vick crap.
Whelp, I hope they have their big boy pants on. If you talk the talk, you better walk the walk. Don't get bitched by a team willing to go harder than you are.
Jermaine Waller out due to injury today. Same for Farley
We dun goof'd. Have a feeling kentucky is going to murder us.
Kind of starting to get that feeling.
What is this chick wearing? Uber professional
whit babcock getting some TV time. Put that foot down Whit!
Unreal that Bowden can do all that and still be playing today
Fuck Bowden, but anyone know what song was playing when they showed his stats?
Hazelton with alligator arms
bailed out there
TJ Jackson starting... did we know this?
Looks like we get bailed out of a horrible first series with a penalty.
What the hell is this game plan?!
Hooker looking rough passing to start
0-4 to start
Boy we've looked terrible throwing so far. One drop and three bad passes
I already hate Kentucky as much or more than the rest of the SEC. And I have only watched them for about 187 seconds...
How about a couple easy throws to start if we're gonna come out slinging.
My feed looks about vhs quality through vue. Going to switch to yttv on break. Anyone else having issues?
mine also looks terrible on youtube tv
same
It's bad in DirecTV as well. Watched the Gator game last night on the same channel and it had a beautiful picture, now I feel like I'm watching someone play Techmo Bowl. Anyone know why the quality varies so much from game to game?
DirecTv here too. I was starting to worry about why my vision seems so blurry.
Awful on Cox. Looks like I'm watching a recording from a flip phone or something
We getting bailed out so far big time
Hooker looks bad
What is going on?!
Wrf is up with this play calling
Is it just me or is the camera work poor?
Looks like I'm watching a recording from a flip phone the video quality is so bad
Truck is pumping out 240p
how did King hold onto that!?!?!?
Payoff from Fuente pushing ball security.
/ kind a s
That was the most obvious play call ever, sheesh. Nearly got King beheaded
Sounds like a big Kentucky crowd
Media is on the Kentucky side. Crowd 50/50 according to the radio guys
tre turner having a bad bad game so far
Hooker just does not look comfortable throwing right now.
He's thrown at least 3 lame duck balls with no spiral
Garbage...
Edit: meant to post above. The feed is garbage. Definitely flip phone quality on some cameras.
The offense looks like it's still in Blacksburg...
how badly is hooker hurt?
Hopefully it's that and he will let the adrenaline seep into his arm
#25 powers activate
While the jet sweeps aren't really working right now we can gas their linemen making run sideline to sideline. And what a kick!
JOHNSON!
25 MAGIC JUST HAPPENED
3 free points early. Hopefully the defense plays better than the O just did. That was pathetic
Holy shit...
25 with the 3
Awful first possession. Clutch kick though
What is Johnson taking? HH needs to get going!
Offense looked terrible, but 30 free yards and the best FG kick I've seen from a VT kicker this decade later and we have 3 points. I'll take it.
Tech not looking prepared at all. Hope the defense is ready to play better than the offense.
Boy, the entire offense looks terribly rusty right now...
Liked the aggressiveness to push the ball down the field early, but Hooker looks very unsettled right now throwing from the pocket. Other than that, very bleh first drive.
Can someone answer for me how a kid can throw and land a punch on an opposing player and still be playing??
Someone said it was because it didn't happen within an hour of the start of the game so he couldn't be ejected.
So since it was outside of the jurisdiction of the game, should be charged with assault and battery.
This is such a strange rule to me.
Lucky to get 3 on that drive. Corny with the predictable calls and poor execution.
I am the #1 Corny hater but the passing on early downs I liked... hooker just doesn't look 100%
Not good Bob
we're getting bailed out hard
Yep, and we look ridiculously undisciplined so far. Too much jawing.
Abusive language?
Whatever he said the ref reacted physically very quickly
Dumbass move by Chatman...I just don't like anything I'm seeing from our guys so far
Agree. They don't look prepared or present...at all.
lmfao "Abusive Language" gets you a foul but literally punching a guy in the face is OK because of the time of day it happened
Language?! Are we in elementary school? Homeboi threw a punch in the pregame and we got flagged for language?
I think it was to the official based on the way the flag was thrown.
We about to get owned .....they are too big and too fast. We look lethargic
chatman can't wait to say it at any time besides right in a refs face?
What in the world belmar
Watching this garbage broadcast with this garbage announcers against this garbage team and VT playing like garbage makes me sad and wish this season was just over already
Yeah, me too...Just garbage all around. I don't have any optimism for this game, so far.
Where is the hold on the edge?! Even with this shitty quality I can see the jersey pull!
I don't know if I can watch this shit!
We look awful today... this gonna be ugly quick
WTH are out corners?
Credit to the refs for being consistent and not taking shit
So they're just gonna run up the middle at will all game huh. Every time they run up the middle it looks like the fucking Red Sea parted
We're getting physically dominated on both sides
There's the old break but don't bend. Geez.
I guess Kentucky's WRs can mug on the edges all day and it's fine...
Counted 3 holds on the edges so far.
I noticed that too. Maybe the refs don't want to throw a flag on every play?
Why aren't the refs calling holding?! This is ridiculous!
A little surprised Bowden didn't get called for the taunting there
Exhibit A as to why this soft ass defense shouldn't be talking shit to ANYONE
We'll need at least a +2 turnover margin to win this game. And considering they never pass, I don't see it happening.
Well fuck me sideways...
Sheesh... this is gonna be Pitt/GT 2018
I didn't get enough alcohol for that kind of game
I do not like that young man.
VT is getting beat by one guy setting the tone and literally punching them in the mouth
It's not just me right? They've been holding on almost every play.
That's just football man. Unless it's blatant and around the ball, it usually doesn't get called.
Its actually looked pretty obvious to me as well.
It has been blatant and has caused huge running lanes to open up.
How wasn't that taunting on Bowden's TD? NFL players were getting fined this season for similar stuff.
He used polite language
Textbook taunting. Should have been called at the 1-yard line and taken back 15 yards from there.
Do we not have the personnel to run the Bear front (or double eagle)?
Defense is going to get gashed and it's going to take CornFu an entire half to get something going on offense. We need to be able to score to win this game, period.
Give the defense a couple series. We have 25 years of evidence that Bud can adjust on the fly.
That was a weird drive. I foresee us getting some stops here moving forward.
Yup, we are getting bullied. They are getting penalized for it, but the net result is negative for us. Hopefully our boys can strike back quick to maybe silence some of this mess.
Why is our team so unprepared for so many bowl games?
Radio guys saying Hooker was throwing practice passes that entire Kentucky drive... very unusual
there we go RunDMC!!!!
I am here in Charlotte and let me give you the field view. Kentucky is kicking our ass on the field. Running over our guys and stomping them physically
You aren't seeing the holds
There we fucking go!!!
So, Bowden punches a VT player before the game, and literally taunts a defender going into the end zone and doesn't get called for anything...yet a CB says something and gets called for Abusive Language?
Nice run up the middle by Clease and pass to Mitchell... but our defense is already tired after that long last drive so we go hurry up?
If it scores points it may work itself out in the end.
It worked, leg.
McClease!!!
LETS FUCKING GOOOOOO!!!! THATS HOW YOU RESPOND!!!!!!
Great response by the offense
Great body control by Hazelton.
Good answer!
Corny's coffee finally kicked in
We needed that.
Great response, but the big improvement there was execution. Play calls weren't awful first drive.
Agreed. That throw over the middle was pretty.
Yep, Keene needs to get to his blocks better. Solid job this drive
He should just hold. They're not calling it.
I have watch tonight so I was going to get some sleep. Making it hard to "just watch a little bit".
Let's see if that offensive drive sparks a fire in the defense. Was the reason Jarrod Hewitt jumping around on that td run legitimately a false start?
Either way he should stay ready to play regardless
True, but was there really a false start that wasn't called?
Ashby with the stone cold stunner!!!!
Damon Hazleton = Wed Zone Wizard!
Good series. We had that play covered up without the fumble.
Ashby likely saved a big play on the first run but they couldn't manage much of anything after that.
god damn Grimsley fair catch plz
God Damn
He was smiling on the sideline after... I'd be dead
He started shadow boxing after he got up from the hit
I'll count that as an almost turnover, as it ends the drive
Bad pitch was forced by our defender.
Grimsley has to call a fair catch... hope he's okay
Sorry but I have not been a fan of Grimsley's PR play this season
Eyeroll at grims...Shouldn't be returning punts at alll.
That'll show em
Belk Bowl must be loving this matchup. Damn.
DMC is on fire today.
Hooker: "I'll just stand here a few seconds and see if they bought it..."
I love to see McClease having a big game in what is likely his last.
Could the Kentucky DTs be any bigger? good lord
Why the refusal to throw a fade in the RedZone?
STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL!!! WHAT A DAMN CATCH
SPECIAL DELIVERY TO KEENE
RAMBO
Rambo
I'm so happy Rambo is back next year. Awesome
BICEP CATCH BRO
Their big boys are getting tired. If we can get off the field quickly again we have a chance To go up big.
Damn what a catch!
Really impressed with this increased execution.
Bowl practices were something that I felt would really benefit a mid year starter like Hooker.
Weird flex, but ok
After starting 0-4, HH is 6-6 with 2 TDs
(6-10 total)
In a position to dictate the pace...just can't do anything stupid
Hooker has made two great throws into two really tight spots. Looking sharp after that rough start.
How is that not unsportsmanlike conduct?!
Bowden's an ass but he is so damn good
Their QB seems to be a terd
He said his bowl week was "ruined" by the altercation
And another almost turnover to kill the drive
Need to get a TD here
Time to step on their necks and score on this drive
Wear. Them. Down.
Not like that Bro.
oh come on a run on 3rd and long!?!?!?
Corny is gunna corn.
No sense risking a turnover on a forced throw
Hewitt... I like him.
They are about to drain the clock and score a TD. They get the ball coming out after half.
This drive is HUGE
Hey, didja know that Bowden was a receiver to start the year?! I had no idea!
No idea!! Is he even versatile?
He may just be one of the most versatile players in the country, dontchaknow?
KY offense good at abusing that line between low key holding and blatant holding
This is horseshit...such a good chance to put the pedal down that last drive and we didn't do it...
welcome to Corntown
Oh I have been living here a while. The taxes are high and the public services leave a lot to be desired. Definitely looking to relocate as soon as possible.
That's cuz all the all the corn public service $ go to kissing Fuente's behind
Just me, or does our entire D just look slow today?
Their QB is not a natural thrower. That does not mean he can't hurt us, but I think we can control the damage.
Go Hokies!
I'd love the team to force a turnover right now.
we better not try to run out the clock we better try to score here
You know thats exactly what we are going to do
Welp....
And here comes our conservative ass offense with 2 timeouts still
Time for some big play Tre.
The more I see, the more I do not like this Lynn Bowden guy. Seems like the kind of guy who's a jerk but people let it slide because he has talent.
I think the Kentucky coaching staff should've done something to reprimand him for punching an opponent and then shoving a member of his own staff.
But because he's their only chance to win, he gets a pass
lol did Beth Mowins really just essentially ask the question 'Where does Lynn Bowden stack up against guys like Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck, Aaron Rodgers, etc."
Lol this is a joke. 53 seconds, two timeouts, we give them the ball to start the second and we go into a shell.
Hey man, playing conservative when up by a small lead is how you win games, right?! /s
And a kicker who hit from 54 yards already today. Along with that, O goes into a shell last series and gives KY the ability to score.
This is the shit with the way the offense is handled that I hate.
That should have been the first down play on the last drive!
We are going to have limited possessions in this game, I hate these conservative calls
Edit: Welp...
No reason to run the clock here. Unbelievable.
The offense just seems so aimless at least one quarter a game.
Conrelsen sucks. We could be getting so much more out of our offensive talent.
I agree. Im personally starting to hate our offense. Starting to get predictable and stale. We don't really attack a defense and just throw out the same old bag of tricks until something works.
Surprise surprise, we do jack at the end of the half
Ok, so I have the CBS app for score alerts. Is anyone else's app showing weird wrong scores for this game or is it just me?
Wow... Hooker really isn't seeing the field very well yet. I guess thats why the conservative play calls.
I have to be at work watching this crap?
It's frustrating to say the least
Good god this is awful...
Hooker has got to learn to throw it away...
Hazelton was open and Hooker missed him.
We get the ball to start the 3rd correct? Let go! We got a shot!
Edit:this moonshine hits
Nope
Kentucky gets it
No they do
Man y'all like to complain a lot
That's what message boards are for. I'd be cheering my lungs out of my throat if I was at the game.
I love when we waste the first thirty seconds then don't have enough time to score after we get a few first downs
And go into the half with 2 unused timeouts
Seriously. Wtf was up with the clock management.
I just imagine Fuente and Corn debating what they want to do the first thirty seconds, then deciding yeah ok let's try to do this, then just don't have enough time.
We get 5 possessions tops in the 2nd half. What the fuck, you have 2 timeouts, run the offense and get some points there. That's some Mike London level dumbassery
Yeah why the hell weren't we aggressive on that first down, I'd have been happier if we had thrown it downfield on every down and went 0-3 instead of that.
Corn probably thinks the players didn't execute for Mike London
Our drive that started around 5:30 left in the half was unforgivable. Three straight predictable runs, three and out, give them the ball back with ~4:00 left. Horrible decision making. Horrible play calling. These guys want to jaw and push and shove, but don't stay aggressive when it matters.
Corn calls some good plays but then goes away from it. It's like he mixes things up just to mix things up rather than paying attention to what is working
He evidently doesn't understand how to watch film after-the-fact, why would be expect him to be able to dissect what the other team is doing live?
I like spotting them good field position to start the half
Yikes, bad omen to start the half
Jamie Newman just entered the transfer portal...
Y'all remember when I said free agency will benefit the big dogs way more than the smaller teams... watch this dude transfer to Georgia..
Murray's gone...
Edit: glad I'm wrong
Conner
That's gonna be targeting.......and it is total shit
He's gonna be gone
He's going to be ejected because Bowden lowered his head...
Man, these refs blow dogs for quarters!
Not a defenseless player and not with the crown of the helmet. Not targeting.
whew
Does it matter if the offensive player initiates helmet to helmet contact? If not, that is bullshit...
It's supposed to now. However, refs are still the adjudicators.
It should and does. Refs don't call it tho. Blatant offensive targeting there
What????
Conner hit him from the side. Bowden wasn't initiating anything.
Bowden clearly dropped his head and lead with his helmet. Clear as day.
Holy hell. Common sense from the refs.
Wow. The correct call?
Yes
how the hell did that happen? I thought he was stopped
I love Bud but I'll be glad if our new D-coordinator teaches the defense how to tackle.
It really comes down to how physical you want to get in practice... maybe DHam will be more aggressive
Ugh. This is awful. I feel bad for Bud. Tough draw to get this QB in his last game.
Arm tackles. Effective as always.
Settle for a 3. I'll take it.
Moral victory
Holding to a FG is a win after the big run on 3rd down.
So glad they attempted to throw it.
That's why not having either of our starting corners hasn't hurt us too bad
Be nice if the O can do something now.
McClease is the MAN! [Edited for spelling.}
McClease having a huge game is awesome!
RUN DMC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FANTASTIC blocking by the OL there!!
I don't think I've seen a play call where they pull the OL away from the running lane before. Super sneaky play call. Love it
Alright so that was good drive, props to Corny. Why is this offense so off and on it seems?
Also, wouldn't mind if McClease came back.
If the D can figure their shit out then the Offense can win this game
Now we need a stop.
I don't know what this song is on the commercial breaks, but it needs to stop. I don't want your fucking love you random singer!
Holy shit. I could've scored with that gaping hole. Giggity.
Okay now I feel even more like that penultimate drive in the half was bad play calling. If Corn isn't seeing the off tackle down block on the big slow D line working and abuse it we have a problem.
Edit: I see coach Kill on the sideline and I KNOW he is diagnosing this stuff
"He can take a punch"
Yeah ... he can also dish them out too
He can throw one too.
Ashby with another stunner!!! So glad he folded that punk.
Clean hit too, can't be remotely considered dirty. Love it
I might have missed it but who is coaching DL this game? Any thoughts on whether Charlie's absence has impacted performance?
Ugh..
These refs fucking suck.
Terrible call
What the hell man...
Absolutely unacceptable to commit DPI on a QB that shows no throwing ability
He didn't. Awful call
I agree it was an awful call but still... so aggravating in a 3rd and long where I might as well be the passer
Dude just slipped! These refs need to be fired. They've been shit all day.
Total bullshit
I'm glad the ref ran over and helped Bowden up.
I really do no like this qb
Jesus fucking Christ this team sucks
I figured it out. The one ref looks like Pat Nardouche. Explains everything...
FUCKING HOW SWAY
Score one for the refs.
Come on D, make that bullshit call not matter. Stop them here.
Bullshit PI call leads to a TD.
Kind of knew that was coming. Although our super shitty tackling attempts did not help at all.
Hope the ref's feel great about that. Fuck them.
another terrible PI call that negates a turnover and then the other team scores. God I feel like I have seen this before... Notre Dame.
Why the fuck aren't they calling the blocks in the back or holding?! This is a fucking travesty!
What the hell...shouldn't have even got to this point with that BS PI call.
Fuck this shit...total gift touchdown. Fuck that zebra. Horseshit call...
I'm still fucking pissed this guy is even playing after the BS he pulled pre game
That PI took away all our momentum
UVA 1st half flashback there...ugh
This defense has no clue how to handle this guy. Garbage
Dax come on.
Are we spying #1?
Horrible call by Bud there
Great call by Bud, terrible execution by his players
More poor angles, more arm tackling...
Once again, a WR holding the DB downfield.
These refs are legit keeping KY in this game.
You could say the same for Tech with the early penalties on UK
You mean the indisputable hands to the face calls?
Complete fucking bullshit that referees in this sport can single handedly fuck a game. That pass interference call was horse shit
As the ref picks up Bowden off the ground he whispers "you're in good hands"
Great now I lost my voice yelling at the tv
The refs strike again.
Bowden got away with a punch and a pick, lucky guy.
Why blitz on that play? You know he is gonna run
The story of VT defense for as long as I can remember is the defensive front getting too far up field and ceding wide open running lanes for the opposing QB.
Hopefully Hamilton changes this.
Beth Mowen has a voice like nails on a goddamn chalkboard
and the outfit of someone who got a $10 gift card to Belk for Christmas
These are the lower tier announcers we get until we regain prominence.
Reminds me of Pam Ward.
What's worse is, she fucks.
I wish someone would knock that dumb ass mfer's teeth in. Shouldn't even be playing after the pre-game fuckery...
So I guess the refs were punishing Chatman with another PI after his offensive language earlier in the game...
Woo girl near the field mic is annoying as fuck
Really would like to see our D get stout and do Bud proud by smacking down #1.
Are you kidding me? This dumbass announcer thinks shithead is a first round talent. Give me a break. So much SEC bias...
No bias. She's just an idiot.
Have you heard the bud love fest? Safe to say they're neutral at best lol.
Except Bud is retiring and this is his last game. Of course they're going to talk him up.
Eh, yeah. Some of what I said is hyperbole. But aside from that, first round draft talent?
I mean the kid is really fucking good. I don't think he'll go first round but certainly 2nd or 3rd to a team looking to an offensive weapon. I hate his ass today but would love for my Packers to have a weapon like that on offense
Yeah he is good. But is he "first round talent expected to be just as good against NFL talent where everyone is fast as hell" good? Perhaps my temporary hatred is impacting my viewpoint.
These refs are from the Big12; they don't know what offensive penalties are.
Take that MF'ers !!!
Oh so *NOW* we go ultra aggressive?
Launched! Let's go!
Whoa! Make-up call?
Lowered his head... head or neck area... launch
Check, check, check
Not defenseless, not the crown of the helmet... Not targeting.
Also no malice... it's my understanding that factors in as well
That shouldn't be targeting. These refs are horrendous
At least they are just proving to be horrible rather than just biased
I was hoping for another "language foul" . The hit was nice, but that was definitely taunting
Ballsy call on 4th and 8.
Targeting is super hard to call, but it does look like he launched head down, which would be targeting. Looked like a good hit at first, but the review doesn't look great for the defender.
I love our guys but IMHO that was not targeting.
Eh I'll take the gift penalty and the ejection would help. But thats a good tackle to me
This is going to be an interesting call. Closer to targeting than our call.
wait I stepped away for a sec, wasn't it 4th down ? did we go for it?
Man this guy really does not want it to be targeting
Ok that is targeting
That doesn't feel like the intent of the targeting rule
Beth says "down here, around the chest area" and "was that a thrust". Whatcha y'all doing in the booth?
Right call again.
Right call imho
Her voice asking "is there a thrust" is the thing of nightmares...
Bad execution on that pass
May not have technically been targeting. That's just not safe for either player though...
What's not safe? Tackling?
leading with your head....
Terrible fucking playcalling. An edge rush to the short side of the field with no fucking blockers
That play hasn't work most of the day too
Those are the calls that are head shaking calls to me. Total waste of a down.
Since "targeting" now encompasses everything from going for the head or neck to launching helmet-first, I think the definition has been muddled.
Call hits to the head "targeting," and since "spearing" already exists in the rulebook, dust that term off and use it.
Not sure of the exact wording of spearing but they might need to change up the wording so that it reflects what they want to penalize.
Per Wikipedia (FWIW), they changed the term "spearing" to "targeting with the helmet or crown." It's the same penalty with a new name.
Tre.........he had a similar drop vs UVA
Tre with the drop... damn
I hate settling for field goals
Me too. Because it leads to fucking losing...
Can't blame Corny on that. Tre has got to catch that.
Brian Johnson must have had a good Christmas.
Two huge incompletions there at the end of this drive. Hope we can stop them from scoring.
Three rather than seven. That's going to come back on us later.
Absolutely. Almost always does.
Didn't like the HH keeper, but other than that, you can't complain about Corny there. Guys were open on all three incompletions that drive
Agree that drops are on the players, but that wasted play is what leaves you with one less down to work with. That's the worst kind of unforced error, IMO.
Seems even when we have their QB cornered behind the LOS he still gets 4-6 yards. Tentative pursuit and tackling.
I feel like our defense is really going to start getting gassed...really hope I'm wrong. Need a turnover very, very badly.
Please let my comment have jinxed us into this fumble. That literally happened 5 seconds after I clicked post.
You should request turnovers more often.
man we cannot stop them on third down to save our lives. damn.
5-9 on 3rd and 1-1 on 4th
Funny when announcers try to outsmart each other.
These announcers are awful. Slobbing that UK knob.
LET'S GOOOOOOOO
Poor camera angles may help us here
There is an angle that shows it, this crew is just blind.
is there not a better angle?
This game brought to us by: 1990 camera technology
I hope not
Beth: "who gets on it?" Is there a line?
The best angle actually shows it out .....we will still get screwed
If that fumble stands it'll help make up for that garbage PI call and negated INT
we just need to score here to negate the long TD run
Get off the field #10
Hewitt's arm raking across the ball. It's coming loose before he hits the ground. It's a fumble. Wouldn't be surprised to see it overturned though...just because
Hell yeah! Hewitt!
Probably not a fumble but the lack of a camera angle helps us.
McClease is having a damn game.
If this is his last game as a Hokie he's leaving us something to remember
Remind my of some end of season jc coleman
Amazing how the off tackle down block keeps working... Does Corn notice?
Off tackle 1st down for big dick McClease
Alright our last 15 minutes of Bud. Everybody blast sandman really quick and get pumped.
I have a feeling that wasn't a fumble, but thank God for the low quality ESPN camera work.
No one:
Beth: the last 15 minutes of the bud foster era.
Did I do that right?
Offense needs to be aggressive here. We may not stop the Ky offense again.
I've said it before, Deshawn McClease is having JC Coleman senior season and bowl game. Low key offensive MVP this season
Literally just said the same thing. Cheers
McClease has really shown up today.
Come on Hokies, one quarter left to honor Bud.
Pound that rock...HARD!
Another off tackle with the counter blocks. That play has literally worked all season
that designed qb run to the outside hasn't worked all game, why are going back to it ?
Well it *did* work once
Trying to wear their big lineman down?
They can stop the QB sweep anytime! Now!
*alien guy meme* Cornelsen
WTF CORN STOP CALLING THE HH STRETCH
Don't settle for another field goal!
Yeah they can stop with that run play.
I hate that HH keeper in the RZ. Why the hell is Corny still calling it? It's literally the only complaint I've had about his playcalling today
No need to defeat ourselves. Better play calling must prevail!
Hooker could've made it with less jukin and jivin.
It's his MO. Drives me nuts sometimes
No field fail!!!!
Edit: that FG will be the end of us.
classic Cornball
Hey another field goal. Stop waisting a down with the fing qb sweep.
Exactly!!! Every play call matters now.
Not only did we waste the down we lost just enough yards for HH to be short on 3rd down.
D has to step up again
I have a bad feeling about settling for these FG's. Go up and down the field at ease then have a brain fart inside the red zone.
The QB sweeps are just wasted downs. We did the same thing last time we were deep and had to settle for 3. Did the same here. These are points left on the field which have bitten us many times the last couple seasons. Sometimes need to dissect a little to see where improvement is needed. This is where Corn sucks.
We need touchdowns
Time to go down by one on a busted assignment or missed tackle
We still haven't seen a fade in the RZ yet.
1st TD was close to that.
Good ankle tackle - Bowden would still be running.
Not sure if I've ever seen a player get helped up by the refs more than Bowden
Yes!!!
Budball!!!
Nice D and a pick on the arm punt.
Guess Bowden's draft stock just took a hit.
Great INT. When are the refs going to call holding? Rhetorical BTW...
I believe my earlier comment about it might as well be me as the passer still stands
Anyone else notice us helping their guys up after plays every so often now?
I like that everything has gotten back to football.
Also, BRION MURRAY?
Bowden just seems supremely unlikeable. Throws an ugly INT and then barks at his receiver
Gotta make those clutch catches.
JFC
Why does corn fake the off tackle counter when it was only run once and went for 12 yards? STOP BEING FANCY AND RUN WHAT WORKS CORN JESUS
Alligator arms again. Hazelton
Wasted turnover
Back to wasting possessions...
God damn this offense.
HH off a bit today
Nope, hazelton stopped his route. Perfect throw
That was a perfect throw. Hazelton has to not slow up.
What is going on with the WR's today. These play calls are fine the WR's have 7 drops. But Hooker has thrown some not pretty balls too.
If we lose it will be because of all these drops. What is that, the fifth drop today? Come on guys...
And the 2 bad calls by the refs.
I swear this is some bullshit offensive performance when it is needed most...
Hazelton is a head scratcher
Our receivers dropping passes all game long has killed us. There's been 3 separate instances where Hooker delivers a very catchable pass on a crucial down and the receiver fails to do his job
Even field goal there would have been huge.
I don't know everything about the wide receiver position, but I'm throwing that slant to Robinson ever single time.
We have 100 percent chance of fucking this up
Cannot afford high speed three and outs.
That's 6 if Hazelton gets that
The play calling is getting the team into 3rd and manageable....just drops and missed blocks
Another hold
That's five dropped passes today. Yeah they have not been the most accurate or HH has too much heat on it, but they still need to be caught.
C'mon, smash Bowden in the mouth! You know it's going to be all about him.
Techs gonna lose this game if they don't get more aggressive offensively
UVA receivers seem to be ble to catch the ball when it hits them in the hands.
Gonna score a TD with little time left
Yep. Good call...
If we don't get a stop or give up a big play you might be right.
My heart is in my throat. Please don't let this be a repeat
Yes we CAN fuck this!
Kensucky is going to take all 5 minutes to score a TD here. Our two last possessions will prove to have been awful
Can't shake the feeling we will lose this game by 1 point.
I felt the same when we settled for field goals, that dreaded 1 pt difference.
UK go down and score. Up one with less than a minute, just like ND. We should have 38 right now, this shouldn't even be a concern.
offense needs to show up here.
No idea why they don't run on 3rd down
Huge stop on 3rd down. Need a stop here.
That didn't happen
Letting them hang around....
Oh boy... not again.
Yep it's happening
not liking the look if this drive by KY
Late in the fourth. 4th and long. Quarterback had completed less than 30 passes ALL SEASON. And of course we give up a completion to extend their drive when stopping them might have ensured victory...
They're going to score a TD and leave us with no time on the clock, aren't they?
Welcome to Hokie Nation! Where we kill your hopes and dreams slowly and surely
People can talk about our WR drops all they want but we had the off tackle down block or counter giving us 10 yards all day and Corn didn't use it once in our last drive.
Duh! They were expecting that. /s
Should never of come to this at 1 min!
Bowden... what a teammate. NOT!
Good thing we can convert those timeouts from the first half plus our unused timeouts this half into 3 points, right?
Come on DEFENSE stop them!
Ugh, not again.
There better be zero coverage in the secondary
I swear their QB is the biggest cry baby.
We are clearly playing in hopes they run out of time, which against a run only team isn't the worst idea... but I'm nervous.
CAN WE STOP THEM HERE PLEASE
Unfortunately this is the legacy of late-era Bud Foster. Can't get a needed stop at the end of a game. This would make the 3rd time this year alone.
Honestly, the D did enough to win. They obviously could have done more, there is always something left out there on the field. However, there were too many drops by the WRs today. I'm sure there were way more good than bad playcalls, but the boneheaded calls stand out .
Left the reddit thread to spend the last minute of the decade with my family, I love you all!
Here's to Virginia tech football!
Everybody in the house knows Bowden is running it on fourth and 1 and still can't stop him.
Fuck this shit. I am so tired of losing or nearly losing to teams we have no business not beating by two scores...
Ughhhhhhhh
Classic.
LOL OH MAN
Lol as I said before. This team sucks. Fire cornelson.
Fuck this shit!
No idea why this reply went here. I agree with this post
Of fucking course
This was a must win game. What a joke.
Lol at a meaningless low tier bowl game being "must win"
The continued perception of VT being at best a mediocre program is perpetuated by us losing these lower tier bowl games. At some point they need to win them consistently. If not, VT continues to look like a C level program, so yea, it's must win in my eyes.
After this BS loss are you excited about the offseason and next year? I sure as hell am not. Fuente needs to clearly win all that he can. A win would have taken a bit of the sting out of the UVA loss. Instead, the fanbase is left more frustrated and apathetic.
Every game we play can be called a "must win" if we use the thought process that a win would have been better than a loss.
I dont disagree that a win would have helped shape a positive perception of the program heading into the long and dreaded offseason, but to me a "must win" game is factoring into some kind of championship or other actual achievement, not just it would be better to win. It is ALWAYS better to win.
Not so much a "must win" as a "would have been nice to win". Hopefully, the team learns from that loss. What was up with the fighting with Kentucky? They talked a good game, but performing was more important. Performance is measured by results.
Beat Penn State and UVA next year. Much more important.
Coaches completely blew this game. Unbelievable.
What?
53 seconds in the first half with timeouts. 2 timeouts but don't use one to review a incomplete pass that could effectively end the game.
Thanks for everything you've done Bud, but it's time.
This is bullshit. I swear...
Corny can leave now.
Yep. Does this game still not mean anything. They played not to lose and they lost. Coaching lossed this game.
Huh? Cornelsen isn't the one who botched a wide open slant on the last drive.
classic
Chatman got toasted.
And there you have it! I've been doing this too long! F/:; it. I just knew it.
This fuckin team. If I thought I was unexcited about VT football after last season...oh man
Fuente
Cornelson
And Bud all blew it
None passing QB wins game with pass. Lol. Perfect ending to yet another head scratcher game and season.
Fire EVERYONE!!!
Lol classic. If anybody didn't see that coming idk what to tell you. Absolutely sickening
That piece of trash QB should've been benched the entire game for assault pre game
And there it is
Wow. The one play in which we might miss Farley or Waller, and it comes this late in the game.
What a clusterfuck of a game. Total team loss.
What a fucking choke job
Sad. See everyone in 6 months. What a waste.
Someone start a damn thread about how our coaches fucked this up please
Cornelson is a gutless hack.
He should not be back next year.
An anonymous message board poster calling someone a gutless hack is rich. He called a perfect play and Hooker and Hazelton blew a 7 yard slant that likely would've won the game.
He totally should have caught all those passes to keep the drives going
This next off season could last a decade and I don't know that I'd be excited for the next season yet...
We can put our Orange and Maroon glasses on and talk about all the talent we have coming back, but this team and these coaches leave a lot to be desired. We play to the level of our competition and make too many dumb mistakes.
Thanks Fuente for being conservative and kicking that last fg when they cant stop us
I think everyone in maroon knew what was going to happen as soon as we opted for the FG
After the pick we had our chance and blew it
We were battling the refs and KU. (and some bad play calling).
With how Kentucky's D was able to control the boundaries, a reverse would have shaken things up nicely, but never called.
Just like ND. This is why I stopped being passionate about this team. I watch if I'm home, but I stopped changing my plans just to watch. Pure shit. I'm now just a passive fan, thanks to the predictable failing of this program.
Same. Hard to be excited knowing they will screw it up.
Def true. Least passionate I've been in a long time. There is just not much to be excited about when you know what is going to happen.
I fucking hate sports so much. The same shit.
THE SAME SHIT
Play not to lose and guess what, you sure as hell aren't winning.
Add another game to the list of games we lost that we didn't have business losing. This staff sucks.
Predictable. Sad.
Glad it's over.
This is the problem! We have the same O mindset next year. And HH fumbles......
I am so glad this season is over.
Where's Danny Coale when we need him?
I'm not going to miss Buds approach to stopping running QBs. He's done a lot of great things, but mobile quarterbacks has been his kryptonite.
WTF IS THIS PLAYCALLING AT END OF GAME?
So many lost games under Fuente which easily should of been won if we had somewhat above average coaching
I know the usual suspects will blame the defense and yes, they could have played better. The offense lost this game for us. Got to capitalize on your chances when you get them.
No, no, the refs lost this game for us. This was worse than the Danny Coale catch. Tisdale had the ball!
We shouldve at least called a timeout and maybe forced the refs hand to take a second look at it.
I imagine the thinking is that:
1) the booth can initiate a review of any play (and should have in that case)
2) the clock started after the chains moved and UK was down to 1 timeout and 55 seconds (and the clock running) and still needed to gain 25 yards with a heavily run oriented offense to win the game
We only needed to tackle them in bounds 2 times after that play and the game would be over.
It really shouldn't have come down to their calls. We should have score TD's not FGs.
You have got to be fucking kidding... did you watch the game? Any one of 15 3rd or 4th down stops and we win, any fucking one of those.. lol they fucking went 19 plays and 8 minutes to win the game. If this game is not on the defense, no game ever is. FFS
I regret that I have only 1 leg to give this post.
People will snap at it because it's dcwilson writing it more than the content; but he's spot on. Now remember, friends, JHam may run the Same. Damned. Thing. I sure hope that all it's missing is some better overall quality on DL and LB to get right.
I'll go on the record to say that I agree with DC on this one. I mean, how could anyone not? It's fact.
Preach. I realize it hurts to admit that Bud is not putting out the best D in the land any more, but it is what it is.
30 points on both UVA and KY should be enough for the win. Need a little more help on the D
Overall, it's not fun watching VT football anymore. The further this program spins into mediocrity, the worse the perception is, the less donations we will get, and it will continue from there. 1999-2010 were the years.
I can honestly say I get minimal enjoyment. It's weird to literally feel nothing about a team that I used to be so passionate about. It's a different experience watching my wife (with no previous football or VT interests) get nervous and look at her like "eh, is what it is *shrug*"
It was a special moment in time rather than the birth of a football institution.
Ridiculous. So many drops, such bad tackling. And coaching scared.
fuck this
Imagine hugging and cheering for an asshole who punched opponents and shoved a coach
Ew.
That's my analysis.
Fitting end to the Bud Foster era vs a running QB
Ironically he was beaten with a pass though
Pretty sure that was chatman
Can someone repost the deep stat gotcha on me that shows bud is actually great against running QBs? That was awesome - would love to see those deep stats again.
I'm done with this program. Gutless
And we love ya Bud, but it's clearly the right time to hang it up
L
Sorry to see Bud end his time at Tech with two disappointing losses. He deserved better.
So disappointing....just needed to finish
Happy fucking new year. Can we get a new OC or is this just the torture of being a VT fan?
There's rumor that Cornelson might be up for a few other jobs. But Fuente won't get rid of him. He's here unless he's hired away. Which is a shame. But you can only get so mad at Corn. This is Fuente's offense and we are stuck with it.
That's been the rumor, but who in the hell is hiring Corn? Where is he actively interviewing? Dude is terrible.
Agreed. I don't see anyone hiring him unless it's a massive step down.
Still, at the end of the day this is Fu's offense. Corn is just calling the plays and implementing Fu's vision. I don't look for anything to change or an outside influence to come in and change things.
Oh I know his words of a high power offense and Bud not needing to field a world class D still burns my ears. Ain't seen none of it.
Corny sucked on Kentucky's 19 play 8 minute drive where they converted 2 4th downs and needed a TD to win. Corny sucked in that 2% probability scenario. Fire him
Aren't known as the chokies for nothing.
Brutal and sad.
Here's to another year of disapointments
This season was so dissapointing for a farewell for bud the offense let this team down so many times.
Staff needs major changes. We need to recruit better players.We need to change the culture. I get we have some staff changes, but I'm not sure If all that is possible with Fuente and Corn employed.
Bud ends his career with back-to-back games where he's unable to stop a one-dimensional team. It's the third time this year. I'll always love what he's done for VT, but it was time for him to go.
Eff that, he stopped them enough. We didn't go score points and left the door open. Last drive was pitiful but not the root cause.
Yeah the D got turnovers on two straight series and the O got 3 points....heads better fucking roll
I'm gonna need you to explain Chatman then. Need you to explain Dax being out of position so much.
Lol yep... offense didn't score 50... Kentucky's QB running for 8 yards a pop and not pretending to try to throw is VTs offense's fault
You think we're better without him? Given we're doing nothing to the staff where it counts on offense
15-0 next year baby LETS GOOO
Tech has killed my love for football
bowden can't catch his breath and we call a TO on defense. Wtf is that?
Defense got it's ass handed to it in back to back games against a running QB
given this is where the game is going, it's probably best that we are looking to change the scheme up a little next year
did JHam hint at that?
Justin Fuente is not a good in game football coach. He might be good at other things, but his lack of situational awareness and inability to adapt to the opponent will never get VT football back to where it once was.
Ok I'm officially in the fire Cornelson camp. We had absolutely no business losing that game.
You want to fire the coordinator who helped put together the highest scoring points Kentucky has given up all year? Give me a break.
That's the style of thinking I don't get. We fucking lost a game we should have won. Who cares if it was more points? There were plenty of points we left out there. We should have scored more and won. Corn isn't optimizing the product. He's been a weak link all season.
Everyone is aware that a loss is a loss but if you're going to throw the OC under the bus for it (and you have only placed the blame on him), then I'd say it's probably relevant that we put up more points than any other team did against them all season.
I didn't like the conservative drive before the half and the last series, though pure desperation, was unbelievably horrible. That said, the offense actually played well as a whole, ran the ball on a stout Kentucky defense, and was a couple dropped passes (execution errors by players, which I know people always hate to hear) away from a win.
The offense has performed worse than the sum of its parts since he got here. The offense is a weakness that keeps us from winning games. I can be mad at Bud, but he took a unit with way less talent and got more out of them. He's also got a bit better of a track record than Corn, but maybe I'm crazy. Safeties we're fucking awful this year, but that coach is now our DC, not the position coach.
Corn is a terrible recruiter, he hasn't been able to develop a single QB since he got here, his play calling loses games, and was hired bc he was Fuentes buddy - anyone could have looked at his resume and see he wasn't prepared for a top 25 program. Maybe you're good with 8-5, with losses to UVA all with the worst schedule we've ever had. Maybe you're cool with the 61st best recruiting class we've got coming in. Just because you're cool condoning all this, doesn't make you some more holier than thou fan.
What are you gonna do though? Like, what is the point of figuring out who and what percentage of blame to assign when all of us have jack shit to do with hiring and firing of coaches? All of this is shouting into the wind unless someone ponies up the big bucks demanding some staff changes.
Play calling will always be subjective, but the Kentucky loss shouldn't be on him. Hasn't developed a single QB? He's been able to produce the top three passing seasons in school history the past three seasons despite using three different primary starting QBs. Have you checked to see how Josh Jackson is doing since he left?
Look, I'm not saying he's the greatest OC out there, but every loss shouldn't be solely on him. You want a new OC? You're going to have to pay significantly more than Corn. is making to get him.
We punted twice and had zero turnovers until the last play, which wasn't really Corn's fault. One of those punts was after a slant where the receiver looked to stop on the route for some reason. Our receivers dropped a number of passes that would have made a huge difference in the game. Corn can't catch the ball for them.
He can also call the same game that was scoring at will when it was tied, when we had the lead. We went from aggressive side to side plays and deep balls over the middle, to ride into their 300 lbs linemen. That's what makes me mad. He had a good game plan and then just ditched it.
Soooo we lost two games this year in the final minute and lost to UVa? Ugh...
Fire FU!
We punted two times the entire game and everyone wants Cornelsen fired. LOL
We should have scored more points if you're touting 2 punts. We left points on the field and it's another game where it looks like we're getting about 65% of what our O could be. But hey, screw another loss that shouldn't have been, we only punted twice
It's easy to bitch and moan about the offensive coordinator and play calling but if you get off the emotional high horse and watch the film, you'll see plays were there for the taking. Coaches aren't out there making the throws and catches.
Wtf are you talking about? It would be different if this were a one off game, but this is our program now.
Not going for points at half, red zone play calling had multiple sweeps that were going nowhere and we're wasted downs where we settled for 3, running QB draws right into the middle of the biggest DL we've played all season, RZ play calling was bad at the beginning of the game but Keene made a hell of a catch on 3rd, we go into a play calling shell after 2 TOS where we could have put the game away... Maybe you should go back and "watch the film" and tell me where Corn is making the product better than the sum of its parts. He calls the same plays over and over, doesn't matter at all where we have advantages. We've seen 4 full years now and I'm not sure how you and a couple others can CONTINUOUSLY make excuses for the product on the field, which is pretty garbage.
We were 3/3 in the red zone with 2 TDs and 1 FG, which doesn't seem like a fireable offense to me. I have rewatched the games, examined specific plays, and cited them here before but a lot people don't care because they'd rather go on emotional rants. I tell you the players blew a simple 7 yard slant that was potentially game winning and you come back with, "tell me where Corn is making the product better than the sum of its parts." That's meaningless, subjective nonsense.
How about the fact you get close to a month to prepare for a single team and your offense looks like it did in week 4? Predictable all day long.
A predictable offense wouldn't have scored 30 on U.K. with our players.
We could hire Don Fucking Coryell and have mike fucking Vick back at QB, and if we give up 8 yards a fucking rush, we are going to lose. Fact. You can't stop the run? You fucking lose- all levels of football
And when your defense is letting up runs, but also gets you 2 turnovers, it would be great if the offense didn't go 3 and out on both subsequent drives and give the ball right back to them.
And when your offense gives you a lead with 8 fucking minutes left and 85 yards needed to beat you and you can't get off the fucking field once in 8 minutes you suck. I don't care if the offense scores 70 points. If you can't stop the run, you lose. Period. VT punted twice today and only trailed once. The fucking offense was fine. The defense couldn't stop a one dimensional QB that ran about 3 different plays all game. They sucked.
With this defense did you think we would stop the run the whole game? Hell Vegas didn't with the over/under. Points were going to happen. At least Vegas thought we would play to be on top!
Situations, trends, execution, and lack of consistency are all issues. The end of the first half and getting 3 points on two turnovers in the second were killer in this game where we would have limited possessions. That is a complete lack of situational awareness.
It appears that we get a small lead and play not to lose every time. Another bitter loss in a very winnable game.
This is 100% the problem. At some point we need to trust our QB.
Almost seems like Cornhole threw the fuck into Bud on his way out.
Nah. But their qb did.
Never saw a good angle to if it would have mattered on that potential fumble on 4th and 1, but Fuente was stupid to not call a TO there to at least give the booth a chance to review. Also, it was foolish to burn the TO later in the drive because 2 TOs with 15 seconds left is a hell of a lot better than 1. Poor game management there in the final seconds.
Not sure how much it really contributed to the loss though. Foster has been great his career, but the last decade he has struggled against QBs that can move. So its not surprising this was more of the same.
There was one where they are pushing the pile and tiadalenis laying on the ground with the ball on the other side of the first down line.
Depends on when the whistles were going and forward progress too. That's what came to my mind at least
Happy New Year everyone.
Unfortunately, I sat next to my brother and mom and told them the outcome of that game after the first field goal in the second half, right after that dropped pass for a first down. Drops killed us, and in the end, this is the usual outcome for the Hokies for the past 8 years. Play conservative, make some mistakes, and leave a defense that's slowly getting gassed out on the field too long.
Hard to figure out what needs to be fixed first. Has hooker regressed or is it cornelson? Obviously defense didn't help either.
All of our other qbs showed such great progress under Corn...
Don't like Corn anymore. On the cobb, popped, creamed.... fuck'em all!
Happy New Year(same results)!
Offensive players didn't execute. Not capitalizing on gifts that Kentucky (and probably a bad replay no angle) gave us. Defense had too much trouble tackling. Hooker was okay, but unspectacular IMO today when it came to moving the ball. There were a few meh playcalls, but I'm not going to put this one on Corn and I was definitely calling for his head earlier this year.
We took defeat from the jaws of victory, and that's just the way she goes sometimes. I'm disappointed as hell, especially mixed in with the Cup being in the wrong part of the state, but next season is a completely new era and who knows what it will bring.
Lastly, thank you Bud Foster for being a cornerstone of something that has given us reason to be this disappointed in the outcome of a relatively meaningless bowl game. We have high expectations in large part to the backbone he helped to establish with a defense that was generally speaking top notch. May your retirement on Claytor Lake be peaceful and fun as hell.
Well-reasoned and even keeled post.
Thinking about it objectively, the drops by the WR's were HUGE. In particular the drop by Turner in the red zone and then the drop by Hazelton on 3rd down after the pick which could've sealed the game
This. No question this. Room for one maybe. Two - death.
Not that it would've mattered, but what the hell were the twelve yard outs to the sideline for???
One we had a timeout, and two a first down stops the clock and we aren't throwing less than ten yards.
Also Fuente always stressed limited possessions vs GT, why kick the field goal to go up 6??? We needed a two possession lead to win. They weren't gonna kick a field goal to tie unless it was 4th and ten
These are the kind of terrible decisions that good football coaches don't make. A 3 point lead is virtually the same as a 6 point lead with 7 minutes left against a good ball control team.
This is not a matter of hindsight being 20/20. It's an objectively bad call that already burnt us once this season.
Fuente has shown me literally nothing in 4 years to suggest that he is a good in game coach.
You, me, my 62 year old mother, and everyone else on TKP knew kicking that FG was the wrong call. And yet I wasn't even in the least bit surprised
I'm done. The change in guard has ruined my two decade long hobby since enrolling in 1999. I expect something every year, game, play, etc. that will never happen again. This team, program, and fan base is not Hard....Tough, I just do not see it. Current students do not know what it is like to expect and be a winning program that blows out your mediocre conference foes each week, not be one. So, they are passive, not to their fault, and sit through Sandman then leave at half. Eat shit to those who want to argue. I also see tentative, conservative, and scared coaching coming from the top which infuses our players and I cannot watch it anymore. It is too painful and wait until next year is not worth the continual disappoint. I guess, I have an unrealistic expectation that somehow, someway, what I witnessed during my time as a student will be reproduced "this year" or another "next year." Bye VT football. It has been great and appreciate all the wonderful memories. I have to spend my time doing other things for my OWN sanity.
For me the worst moment of this game was the abusive language call. We are going to get the ball back on the holding call, but instead this immature moment gives Kentucky a first down that they turn into a TD. Stupid beyond stupid, not to mention an extremely bad image for the school. Lack of class tacky imbecile moment.
Anyone else feel like the timeout right before KY's go ahead TD was a terrible idea? Bowden was gassed, squatting trying to catch his breath... make him work, don't let him recover
That was on old school Time Cop type deal. Huge WTF moment.
What bugs the hell out of me is the entire country knew UKs game plan on offense, we had a month to prepare, and we still couldn't do enough on defense to stop it. I don't care that we left points on the field on offense - no team that gives up 31 points should have any expectation of winning at any level in college ball.
Gave you a leg because I understand but playing with the injuries we had on D made it a little harder to scheme on D. Against this offense only giving 31 is good for us.
I get the injuries (more specifically Farley) but we still had time to prep the backups.
The whole argument from the crowd that claims the bowl game provides a huge difference because we get the extra practice just lost the footing for their entire argument today. I saw zero improvement today on either side of the ball.
The only player that got a helmet sticker today is Brian Johnson.
Yeah the lame injury excuse doesn't work in a bowl game, sorry
This.
Bowden is good, but he's not a generational talent. We should be able to beat a WR pretending to be a QB every day.
I agree. Maybe I am looking at the amount of youth on D? Maybe I am giving Foster a pass? Not sure yet. But I know 100% the product on offense was not what we had towards the end of the season.
I'm tired of giving Foster a pass. He's been mediocre far too long now to continue crediting him because the standards he set in his prime. I haven't trusted our defense to win a game in close to 10 years.
Amen. Some will give J ham a pass too cause, well he played for Foster
I am disappointed also but the two shutouts toward the end of the season exceeded almost everyone's expectations. I can not join those who say Bud's time had passed.
There is plenty of blame for this loss to go around to both sides of the ball and their staffs.
Hope everyone is looking forward to Cornelson's 2020 game plan: If it's hitting on all cylinders then go away from it in critical situations
Corney was making me gag in the 4th along with about all the rest of TKP, but the D had several shots to stop them and didn't.
Not sure what to expect next year. Could be good, meh, or bad. Penn St, Louisville and UNCheat are going to be tough games. Add in their usual WTF game and bang another so so season.
Well I had a New Years eve party to sip wine and think about this disaster. And the more I thought the more I realized this loss was on the entire team coaches and players. Everyone above has talked about the defense. Eight minutes to go 85 yards and not only cannot get a stop but let UK drain the ENTIRE clock. And the offense. A multitude of problems. HH accuracy issues. Dropped passes. Bad blocking. Too many stalled drives with field goals, on and on. And then the fourth and 2 with eight minutes left and we kick a field goal to go up by six. We know how that panned out.
But there is another element here that must be mentioned: the ability to make plays. UK made plays and VT did not. I was at the game and got a whole field view. There were so many UK plays on offense that were busted and ended up with five yards. UK guys were kicking our butt, tossing aside our guys who were trying to block. Even a busted run play with UK was often a good play. When all else was equal with position and technique, UK won the vast majority of the one on one matchups. It was sad.
Bud Foster's defense depends on every one buying in and everyone fulfilling their responsibility. Against many teams, we can have a screw up and get away with it; the play went the other way or the offense did not recognize the opening. Against Bowden and Perkins, their style of play allows them to find that missed assignment many times. I think the game-winning touchdown is a prime example. Chatman(I think it was him) let the receiver run by him because he was looking back at the line of scrimmage to see if they needed help. His job was to make sure the receiver did not get open; it was someone else's job to stop the run. I think that has been the case in many games this year. Players try to do too much rather than just doing what they are supposed to do. That is one of the reasons young players usually do not do well in Foster's defense; they don't understand how all the pieces are supposed to fit together and try to do more than they need to. This can lead to breakdowns causing big plays.