Virginia Tech 34, Duke 26: What They're Saying

The Hokies captured an ugly win Saturday at Duke to move to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in league play. While there were plenty of bright spots, mostly on the offensive side of the ball, this game showed the Hokies still have a long way to go to be the kind of team most people thought they would be at the beginning of the season. And incredibly, it starts with the defense and its ability to defend the pass. Here's what the mainstream media and blogosphere has to say about Tech's win in Durham.

National Media

Duke's effort falls short against Virginia Tech (Annette)
"As for Virginia Tech, it can exhale. The Hokies' validity as a top-10 team will come into question, though, from outsiders unfamiliar with Duke's progress. You have to credit Duke's defense for holding the Ryan Williams under 100 yards rushing. Tyrod Taylor deserves credit for winning with the passing game, and that's the difference in Virginia Tech this year. We just didn't think Duke would be the team to point it out."

Hokies Too Much For Blue Devils (850 the Buzz)
"Although Virginia Tech played a sloppy game committing 12 penalties for 105 yards, don’t make the mistake of thinking that was the reason for the close score. Duke played well and had a realistic shot of winning the game. They might not have won, but Duke definitely knows they are moving in the right direction."

Hokie Beat Writers

Hokies Get Unconvincing Win Over Duke (Mark Viera)
"Virginia Tech did not perform like a team that appeared to be the class of the Atlantic Coast Conference with a win over Miami a week earlier. Against the doormat Blue Devils, the No. 6 Hokies (4-1, 2-0) were sleepwalking until the fourth quarter, when they roused themselves with two touchdowns to put away the game before a crowd of 26,211."

Devil in the Details (Kyle Tucker)
"P.S. How about Josh Oglesby. The guy has absolutely MAXIMIZED his playing time this season. Today, he had six carries ... and scored two touchdowns, 12- and 19-yard runs that sealed the win. He finished with 59 yards. He now has 190 yards on 31 carries this season (6.1 ypc). But kudos, too, to starter Ryan Williams. He was bottled up for 28 yards on 14 carries in the first three quarters. When Tech needed it, however, he ran for 55 yards on 10 carries in the fourth."

Hokies take to air to top Duke (Randy King)
"While Tech's offense was efficient, amassing 477 total yards (327 passing, 150 rushing) with no turnovers, the Hokies' defense was victimized by long-yardage plays that kept Duke alive. Tech (4-1, 2-0 ACC) also was hurt by 12 penalties for 105 yards, both season highs."

Virginia Tech wins despite warts in Durham (Darryl Slater)
"The Hokies had plenty to wince about today, including 12 penalties for 105 yards, their most since the 2005 ACC championship game against Florida State, when Tech had 17 penalties for 143 yards. But the Hokies’ offense, especially their passing offense, didn’t leave them sour. Tech gained 477 yards—its second most in 26 games against ACC competition dating to the beginning of the 2006 season, which is when the Hokies’ offensive swoon began. The only game during that span in which they gained more: Georgia Tech in 2007, when they had 481."

Hokie Bloggers

No. 6 Hokies passing game emerges (VT Hokie Fans)
"The final score is not indicative of how close the game actually was. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Hokies only led 20-16, but Virginia Tech’s depth eventually wore the Blue Devils down on both sides of the ball."

3 Key Plays - VT vs. Duke (Tech SuperFans)
"And finally, it was on a play-action roll-out which is a play that this offense has been needing for years. Last week against Miami, Coach Stinespring FINALLY decided to use this play as a way to defeat the blitz. It was really great to see that last week wasn't a one-time fluke in the use of this play."