I made my one trip down to Blacksburg for the year on Saturday, lugging the family down for a fun Hokie football weekend. It was a good one. Friends, tailgating, food and beverages, and a big Hokie win. Will Stewart called for it in his column on Thursday, and boy did we witness it in Lane. It was about as impressive as the Hokies have looked in a long time, and I got to see it live!
Here are some of my thoughts on the BC game and other games from the weekend:Seeing the game live has both its advantages and disadvantages. I'm completely addicted to the pause, rewind, and fast forward of my DVR. I also spent much of the game Saturday running to get drinks, making sure they weren't spilled, taking kids to the bathroom, and other things besides watching.
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However when I was watching, I found my eyes on places the TV camera usually isn't. I like to key into the lines all the way through the play. I also like to watch the receivers and secondary down field, even on running plays, and get a feel for what the quarterback has open. Most of what I saw on Saturday was good. Some thoughts:
- I couldn't be more thrilled with Tyrod Taylor. The kid is maturing before our eyes. Now that he has a ground game and some protection, he's letting his smarts, his mobility, and his arm do great things. We knew the potential was there, now we are seeing it.
- The WRs (Dyrell Roberts, Danny Coale, Jarrett Boykins, and Xavier Boyce) are athletic guys who can catch and made great plays. But as a group they still struggle to get separation. Taylor had to create this extra time on many of those pass plays.
- Ryan Williams was open coming out of the backfield all day. Will be interesting if the Hokies go back to that this year.
- As much as this defense was maligned, I knew they were coming around. The defensive line just dominated what was supposed to be a big and talented BC o-line. John Graves back in there helped.
- Rashad Carmichael has impressed / surprised me more than any other player. He he rock solid at field corner. I keyed in on him several times and he simply blanket covered his man every time.
- In general, the defensive backs are the strengths of this Hokie team. Carmichael, Virgil, Chancellor, Porch, Morgan, Whitley Just solid all
around. - What more can be said about Ryan Williams? I'm just glad he's on our side. He's got about all you could want in an RB - inside, outside, big plays, short yardage, nose for the end zone...WOW.
- Of all the back ups that got in there in the 2nd half, Bruce Taylor at LB was the one I noticed the most.
- You play your back ups to get them minutes, but also so your starters don't get hurt. Let's hope Jayron Hosley (a very important "starting" punt returner) wasn't injured playing as a back up corner back
We've got a big one versus Georgia Tech next week. The Jackets defense is very shaky, but the worry is stopping their offense. Traditionally, this is Bud Foster's strength. He figures out how stop these option or other unusual offensives, and prepares accordingly. But with the big plays we've given up this year, it will be a killer against GT if that's not corrected.
Let's hope the team puts this blowout behind them fast and is laser focused on prepping for a tough road game next week.
One final thought: what is going on in Charlottesville? I'm starting to wonder if Al Groh gets any paychecks until October. He doesn't seem to care until then.
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Hosley was back in a few plays later. Think he just had the wind knocked out of him when he came down.