Yardbarker: Virginia Tech Hokies

For chaos' sake: Three plausible reasons Nebraska can upset Texas

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:03:36 -0500

Earlier this week, we laid out the contingency plans in case of BCS fallout, of which there can be only one cause: A Nebraska upset over Texas in the Big 12 Championship game. You probably know full well all the reasons that obviously won't happen -- namely, Texas' All-American quarterback, top 10 defense, 25 wins the last 26 games, etc. -- but a day before the crucial kick, it's worth reaching for a couple to give 'Huskers and BCS haters alike some hope that it will: • ...

JOHNSON, WILLIAMS COACH AND ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:55:00 -0500

To the surprise of nobody at T.A.H. Worldwide Media Headquarters (located not too many miles from the home of the world’s most famous undead White House gate crashers Tareq and whats-her-name Salahi – oh, and around here they pronounce it Tark, as in rhymes with bark, as opposed to Ta-wreck, which, coincidentally rhymes with turrets [as in the syndrome which causes unpredictable behavior among other things]), but, we digress -Paul Johnson of Georgia Tech has been named ACC Coach of the Year w...

Packers workout three defensive players

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:37:00 -0500

The Packers worked out cornerback D.J. Clark (Idaho St.), defensvie end Orion Martin (Virginia Tech) and linebacker Andy Schantz (Portland St.) today.Clark had been in training camp with the Panthers. Martin was in camp with both the Dolphins and Lions. Schantz was in camp with the Steelers.-- Rob Demovsky, rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com.http://twitter.com/RobDemovsky

WEEK 12: PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:47:00 -0500

OFFENSIVE BACK: Jacory Harris, Miami, QB, So., 6-4, 190, Miami, Fla. (Northwestern) For the fourth time this season, Miami sophomore quarterback Jacory Harris had the top performance by an offensive back after completing 25-of-43 passes for 348 yards and two touchdowns in the Canes’ win against visiting Duke. Harris’ 348 passing yards gives him four 300-yard passing games this season, including three in his last four games. Harris also went over the 3,000-yard passing mark in 2009 to become t...

NC State Football: When Does The Hurting Stop?

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:06:20 -0500

Tyrod Taylor (5) dives for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against East Carolina in Greenville, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)" />

More photos » by Gerry Broome - AP

12 days ago: Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) dives for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against East Carolina in Greenville, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

Browse more photos »

Probably not this week, I'm guessin'. A few reasons why the Virginia Tech game is going to be an unpleasant affair:

1.) Tech's improved passing game. The Hokies still don't ask Tyrod Taylor to do a lot through the air and he remains a bit erratic, but he's averaging almost three more yards per attempt than he did a year ago and he's completely turned around his TD:INT ratio. (2:7 in '08, 12:3 in '09. He's got a trio of big-play guys in the receiving corps, which doesn't hurt. Danny Coale (19.8 yds/rec.), Jarrett Boykin (18.6), and Dyrell Roberts (16.4) are in the top ten in the ACC in yards per catch.

2.) Ryan Williams. Oh god, Ryan Williams. Williams leads the ACC with 1235 yards and ranks 5th in yards per carry (5.8). I'll set the over/under on his YPC against the Wolfpack at 6.5. What do you think?

3.) It's still Bud Foster's defense.

OppYds/PassAtt OppYds/Carry 2008 7.1 3.2 2009 5.4 3.9

They've been more vulnerable on the ground this season but they've compensated with some huge improvement in their pass defense. Opponents are completing just 45.2% of their passes; 7 of 10 have been held to a completion percentage below 50%, 8 of 10 have been held under 200 passing yards.

Overall, the Hokies rank third in the ACC in both total defense and yards allowed per play.

Plus their leading tackler is a linebacker named Cody Grimm. With a name like that, I'm assuming he's unstoppable.

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Terps a little punchless early on

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:39:56 -0500

Quarterback Jamar Robinson is starting slowly against Virginia Tech in his first career start. Trailing 14-0, Maryland did not have a first down until its third possession. Robinson completed his first two passes of the game on the series. From the Virginia Tech 27, his throw into the end zone for Torrey Smith attracted a 15-yard pass interference penalty, sending the ball to the 12. Nick Ferrara followed with a 36-yard field goal, cutting the Hokie lead to 14-3. Virginia Tech d...

CODY GRIMM: UNDERWEAR MODEL?

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:02:00 -0500

Linebacker Cody Grimm (#26) and quarterback Tyrod Taylor were the models for Monday's unveiling of Tech's new Nike uniforms, which the Hokies will wear in Saturday's game at Maryland.When asked if his runway moves could launch a career for him in the fashion industry, Grimm said: "Yeah. I've been getting calls from Jockey, Hanes, stuff like that. I guess they want me to be an underwear model, but I'm going to have to wait until after the season to get to that, though....

HOKIES TOP PIRATES

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:28:00 -0500

AP - Greg Williams ran for a season-high 179 yards and the Hokies (No. 23 BCS, No. 22 AP) avoided their first three-game losing streak in six years, holding off East Carolina 16-3 on Thursday night.Tyrod Taylor had a 13-yard touchdown run, Matt Waldron kicked three field goals and Williams atoned for his critical miscue last week against North Carolina by cracking the 1,000-yard mark for Virginia Tech (6-3)."That fumble did something to me, mentally, last week," Williams said. "...

Another Look at Virginia Tech

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:45:32 -0500

Virginia Tech plays East Carolina tonight on ESPN. These Thursday night matchups have given me a chance to see Tech before and there's some names on their roster worth watching. I am not sure if I will tune in or work more on the Seahawks tape, but this is a game thread for those interested in Jason Worilds, Kam Chancellor, Sergio Render or freshman Ryan Williams.

UNC 20 #13 Virginia Tech 17

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:09:28 -0500

Barth II?

Time will bear out what I am about to write but this could very well be the game we all look back at as the one where Butch Davis and the program got over the hump. One week after a crushing loss in their first ever home game on Thursday night, the Heels traveled to Blacksburg facing an unenviable situation. Playing against Virginia Tech in Lane Stadium on ESPN with the Hokies coming off a loss everyone assumed, myself included that this would be a ho-hum affair. UNC would show up, make a few decent drives but ultimately be roughed up at the line by the Hokie defense who would squeeze some points out a few turnovers giving VT enough for the win.

Welcome to the wackiness of the ACC.

First off, T.J. Yates. For all the nasty things literally thrown his way not to mention criticism upon criticism as recently as the 2nd half of this game, the junior stepped up in the 2nd half and led this team on two-time prolific drives. The 2nd of those drives tied the game and included Yates completing a pass on 3rd and 7 to extend the drive. Three plays later, Butch Davis opted to not make the same mistake as a week ago when he chose to punt it away near midfield but instead goes for it on 4th and 7. Yates again delivered hitting Greg Little for 19 yards. UNC went on to tie the game but in the process Yates atoned for the atrocious INT that resulted in UNC giving the lead away in the first place. In short Yates and the offense did their job, especially Little who finally is showing signs of the brilliance we thought he had in him. It was nice to see the offense keep up their end of the bargain on the same night the defense kept up theirs. From the drive that opened up the 7-0 lead before the half to the 2nd TD on a drive that included so many wrinkles in the playcalling, much maligned UNC offensive coordinator John Shoop should absolutely be congratulated for making all the right adjustments in this game. UNC was not afraid to use anyone and everyone to catch passes and run the football. When the run was stagnant in the first half, Ryan Houston was used as a blunt object to punish the Hokie defense. That seemed to open things up for Shaun Draughn and even Little saw some time rushing the football. Shoop chose to use a variety of misdirections in an effort to keep the ball moving on the ground and it worked. The mixture of rushing plays was enough to throw the Hokies off balanced which in turn eventually bought Yates time to work.

The defense was outstanding. It was incredible to see both units play well at the same time. The defense that got run over in the 2nd half of last week’s game against FSU not only showed up in both halves but shrugged off a couple of tough scoring drives by Virginia Tech to eventually make the big play in recovering a Ryan Williams fumble to setup Casey Barth for the game winner. UNC collected three sacks on the very mobile Tyrod Taylor to go along with six tackles for a loss. Ultimately the defense came up when it counted the most. Even the two Virginia Tech TDs came on late down conversions and where both borderline calls. The Heels lived up to their defensive reputation holding the 17th ranked rushing offense in the country to 95 yards, well below the 203 ypg the Hokies came in averaging. Only two teams this season have held VT below 100 yards rushing in a game. Nebraska and #2 Alabama.

This game was perfect redemption after the way the Heels fell last week. Of course now last week’s loss sticks in the craw a bit but given that FSU was winnable and this was considered a sure loss, UNC is exactly where they would have been anyway had it come according to expectation. Now the Heels only need to get two more wins to qualify for a bowl game. Of the four games left, three of them are winnable versus Duke, BC and NC State. Butch Davis is 2-0 versus Miami and the Canes come to Chapel Hill. If the defense plays as well as it did in Blacksburg, winning against Miami is certainly possible. The key for UNC is to ride the momentum of this game and play some consistent football the rest of the way.

It is amazing what a difference one week makes or simply winning a big game like this does to the outlook on the season. Additionally, UNC has two extra days to prepare for Duke. Time will certainly tell if this is the watershed win UNC fans were looking for to move the program forward but now it feels good to get a huge win in football.

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ACC Roulette: North Carolina lives; Hokies are alpha dogs no more

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:54:35 -0500

North Carolina 20, Virginia Tech 17. In the big picture, the Tar Heels' season-saving upset is on the ACC-leading defense: Carolina shut out Virginia Tech for a half, held the Hokies to 256 yards, sacked Tyrod Taylor three times and forced two turnovers, one setting up the game-winning field goal. Twice with its back against the goal line, the Heel defense was inches away from turning Tech away on its only two touchdowns. The Hokies had to work for everything they got, and they didn'...

Hokies leaving 'Enter Sandman' in hands of rock 'n roll punter

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:41:42 -0500

I'm not a Metallica fan, but I have always respected Virginia Tech's (usually successful) effort the last few years to blow the traditional, peppy field entrance into smithereens with the country's most hardcore kickoff: Nothing says "impending doom" like 65,000 people screaming for blood at the top of their lungs over thumping heavy metal lyrics about uncontrollable night terrors, sure. But somehow I sense that, once you decide to prominently feature the punter in the r...

Sporting News' Top 100: No. 6 Virginia Tech

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 10:11:10 -0500

Ken Tysiac, Sporting News Yearbooks Sporting News is counting down its top 100 college football teams for 2009, featuring one team each day leading into the season opener Thursday, Sept. 3. More countdown: Nos. 1-50 | 51-60 | 61-70 | 71-80 | 81-90 | 91-100 As they stood on the sideline during the Orange Bowl, Stephan Virgil told Brandon Flowers he had something for him. On the next series, Virgil snared an interception in the end zone that negated a Cincinnati scoring threat and led...

Hide the Children

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:42:03 -0500

I’m really sorry about this guys, but it had to happen… AHHHHHH! /runs away

Virginia Tech Going For Oranges!

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:02:23 -0500

The Orange Bowl probably didn't expect this matchup, however it was expected that this bowl game would be the least watched and anticipated bowls in the BCS. The game will be a very ugly game offensively. Virginia Tech's offense ranks 107th (out of 119) in the nation compared to Cincinnati's defense who ranks 26th. See who this InGameNow user picks to be the winner and more of his analysis by following the link!

Internal Virginia Tech Memo: Please Shut Up

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:28:16 -0500

According to the Roanoke Times (and they follow the Hokies very closely), criticism of Virginia Tech's anemic offense is now coming from a new location -- inside the locker room. Evidently, Tech linebacker Purnell Sturdivant said the offense is too predictable as he offered little support for ...

How well do you know Virginia Tech football?

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:32:50 -0500

Are you a real Hokie? Test your knowledge with this Hokie football quiz.

Virgina Tech Cow....

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 13:51:23 -0500

Man people will do anything for a little publicity. I can sort of see the resemblance, but it is faint

Virginia Tech Fans to Cheer For Opposing Team?

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 00:05:21 -0500

Viriginia Tech fans should give ECU some support

Brandon Ore

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 16:42:44 -0500

VT Hokies running back Branden Ore highlight video...