via: @markumansky
The scrimmage started at 11:00 AM and lasted 96 plays. The Hokies will hold their final, closed, scrimmage on Wednesday. Again I wasn't able to make it down to the 'Burg ($172 hotel room!), but followed along closely via #Hokies on Twitter and updates and video from HokieSports.com.
Thoughts on the Frankinator's remarks and the highlights.
- Beamer is still looking for consistency in the kicking game. Even though he had an average afternoon Cody Journel will be the starting kicker. Scott Demler had, "good height" and will be the starting punter. Even though Beamer mentioned him as an option, Danny Coale didn't punt at all. It was fun while it lasted, RIP #Coale4Punter.
- The coaches are still searching to fill the two-deep along the defensive line and in the defensive secondary.
- James Gayle made a tremendous play to force Oglesby's fumble. He fought down into the line, pushed, who I believe to be George George, into the hole, and helped pop the ball out. Also, great awareness by Kyle Fuller to scoop and score.
- I really like David Wilson's patience when he's carrying the ball. From everything I've seen, that includes today's touchdown run, he's doing a great job or letting his blocks set up, then accelerating once he's hit the hole.
- Why isn't anyone covering DRAGERBOMB? To his credit that score looked entirely too easy.
Notable Tweets
Statistics that Stood Out at Me
- Wilson averaged over 10 yards a carry (9 rushes, 94 yards, 1 touchdown), albeit against the second team defense. I'm running out of superlatives to describe him.
- Logan Thomas completed 7 of 15 for 73 yards a touchdown and pick. There's nothing sexy, or too alarming with that line. Whitley nabbed the pick during the ones versus ones session. I still believe Logan is going to gain a healthy portion of his yards on the ground via designed runs and in the option game. It makes sense to me that the coaches would keep the brakes on him and limit his carries during the scrimmage.
- Branthover averaged almost six more yards a punt (46.7) than Demler (41). Judging by his stats Michael Branthover had a hell of scrimmage punting the ball.
- New starting backer Telvion Clark led the defense with eight tackles. Beamer should send home more players from bowl games on the bus.
- Zack McCray had with seven tackles and two sacks. I'd like to know what group he was going against. I know he can dominated the third team, but can he hang with the big boys?
Like last week, for those of you that were there in person I encourage you to leave your observations below for the benefit of everyone who couldn't make it.
Comments
i noticed during one series, david and STRAIGHT BURNER were tossing the ball on the sideline. when the first string offense came back in, LT3 handed the ball to david and he jogged west with the ball, eyeing the hell out of STRAIGHT BURNER who was going deep but very well covered. david had the ball in his hand like he was going to throw it. but when STRAIGHT BURNER was too well covered he tucked it and ran for like 5-6 yards. i really hope we see some interesting plays like that this year.
overall though i thought david looked lightning fast. he was breaking tackles like it was his job (or avoiding tackles altogether by being too damn fast). lt3 looked very inconsistent. some passes looked great, others were terribly inaccurate. i remember in the final scrimmage last year tyrod went like 16/17 for 200+ yards and 2 tds or something like that. i think lt3 will be able to pass better once he is allowed to scramble because right now the defense can blitz and lay a hand on him and the play is dead so he is rushing all of his passes. leal looked pretty good out there i thought. i'm not sure i'd be comfortable with him coming in on 3rd and 16, but i think he'll be a great game closer in our cupcake schedule.
defensively it was pretty obvious we lacked depth. while the first string looked like it had gelled, i thought the 2nd and 3rd had some difficulty wrapping up and finishing plays. that worries me when we play clemson and their fast tempo offense; we will need to get our guys some rest and the backups might give up some big plays. hopefully we can make some big strides in the backups by week 4.
special teams looked good. i know we'll somehow find a reliable kicker, justin myer will boot kickoffs over the south stands, and our punter will good enough. jayron/danny will have some highlight-worthy punt returns and we'll have some talent returning kicks as always (be it STRAIGHT BURNER, david, tony, jayron, or whoever). i'm not really worried there.
that's all i can think of right now. if i remember anything else i'll post it.