A New Energy

For the first time in a long time, some leaders emerged from the Virginia Tech locker room. On the road, at night, in a tempestuous environment at Carter-Finley Stadium, a group of Hokies stepped up and set the tone. Aided by some adjustments to the run game and angry running by Bowling Green transfer Terion Stewart, the Hokies bullied the NC State defense. And defensively, Kemari Copeland and Christian Ellis were amongst many contributors. Ultimately though, the entire tenor of the game changed when true freshman linebacker Noah Chambers replaced longtime starter Jaden Keller on NC State's third drive. Chambers' physical play seemed to light a fire defensively, and suddenly Tech's lunchpail unit started to look like they rediscovered themselves.

Enter the 36 Chambers

One of the most consistent and painful themes of film reviews over the Brent Pry era was noting how both the technique and physicality of the Hokies linebackers has been abysmal for the Power Four level. A true freshman may be the first piece to turn things around. Noah Chambers (please someone convince him to change his number to 36) took turns replacing a struggling Jaden Keller and Kaleb Spencer and delivered notice that he is going to take time away from the long-time incumbents.

On this inside power blocked run, the Hokies were in a nickel look. Right Guard Spike Sowells (No. 72) pulled to kick out defensive end Ben Bell (No. 33). Right tackle Teague Andersen (No. 54) and tight end Cody Hardy (No. 44) had gap down assignments. Andersen washed defensive tackle Kody Huisman (No. 98) inside, but Hardy inexplicably bypassed linebacker Jaden Keller (No. 24) to climb to backside linebacker Kaleb Spencer (No. 3). Meanwhile, left guard Anthony Carter (No. 75) pulled and led up into the space between Sowell's kickout and Andersen's down block. He found Keller and safety Jordan Bass (No. 6) in the gap.

Carter picked off Bass, leaving Keller unblocked in the gap, and Hollywood Smothers (No. 3) ran through his arm tackle. You expect your starting inside linebacker to make this tackle for a one-yard gain, and Keller barely laid a finger on him.

Keller and Spencer were spelled for stretches by Chambers (from Dematha Catholic HS in Maryland). He was getting his first meaningful snaps, but showed a physicality that I have not seen from a Virginia Tech linebacker in a very long time. Sam Siefkes relies on defensive movement up front to create seams and expects his linebackers to identify them in the flow of play and either fill the gap or make the tackle.