Virginia Tech 44, Florida State 33: Hokies Win Fourth ACC Championship
by furrer4heisman on Dec 5, 2010 12:44 AM EST
in Virginia Tech Football
Email
Print
I don't know why I don't listen to Joe more often. He is the Id to my Ego and always has been. While I cower in fear and await the worst, Joe is always yelling at me to quit being a wuss and to face my fate with my chest puffed out and two middle fingers thrust brazenly at the opposition.
Today, Joe was right again. While I feared The Spear like I always do, Joe had no doubt today's game would end in a Virginia Tech victory for one reason and one reason only.
"We have Tyrod Taylor and they don't."
Tyrod came through with probably the best game of his career when it mattered most. He did what he had to do to help the Hokies move the ball and find the end zone. Every time FSU scored and it looked like the Seminoles were going to make this a game, Tyrod had the answer.
The stat sheet isn't going to show anything completely spectacular for Tyrod. He completed 64.3 percent of his passes, but did so at 9.4 yards per attempt for three touchdowns and no interceptions. For the most part, Florida State held him in check on the ground, but he came through when it counted and wound up with 24 rushing yards on 11 carries and another touchdown.
But what Tyrod brought to the table in Saturday's game can't be measured on a stat sheet. He made throws on the run I didn't think he could make. He converted third-and-long and after third-and-long that resulted in Tech being 13-of-18 on third down. That, over anything else, was the key stat for the Hokies.
The defense, while it did allow 33 points, wasn't completely awful. We're used to seeing the defense give up big yards on the ground and play air-tight defense through the air. Against the Seminoles the Hokies allowed 1.9 yards per carry (including three sacks) and 9.0 yards per pass attempt.
For the first time since probably the Boise State game, it was the pass defense that caused the Hokies moments of trepidation. But thanks to two interceptions and a crucial three-and-out at on the Seminoles first drive of the second half, the Hokies were able to extend their lead and put the Noles away.
Credit this game to Tyrod and the coaching staff. There were some frustrating play calls (there always are in a game like this) but I thought Byran Stinespring called a good game and I thought Bud Foster made the halftime adjustments that were needed to get the job done.
The Hokies had a couple of drives where they threw an incompletion on first down and ran out of the shotgun on second down to force third-and-long. But in almost every occasion, Tyrod somehow managed to convert. Still, the Hokies took advantage of where they thought the Seminoles were weak and finished with 442 yards of offense.
The wild, crazy, magical ride that has been the 2010 season will finish in a BCS game. I didn't think it would, but Joe did, even when things seemed at their worst. And while I'll probably fear a repeat of the 2007 Orange Bowl whether we play Stanford or UConn, Joe will probably predict another Hokie domination.
One of these days I'll learn to trust him and Tyrod Taylor and give in to my Id, wherever it may be.
Tomahawk Nation has the FSU side of tonight's game covered.
31 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Congrats to the Hokies
Clearly the better team this year and a worthy champion
This team will improve in '10... on its 16-16 conference record over the last 4 years.... after losing 20 games in the last 4 years... after having the 7th worst major-conference defense... after not even winning its own division in the ACC in the last 4.
Tomahawk Nation: Nole-Holds-Barred Analysis of FSU Sports!
Follow Tomahawk Nation's Twitter feed!
Thanks
Manuel is going to be a helluva player. Seriously doubt this is the last time he plays for a conference championship.
A bullhorn, a bottle of whiskey and a dream. Gobbler Country | Twitter | Facebook
by furrer4heisman on Dec 5, 2010 12:52 AM EST up reply actions
I expect us both back next year with less than two combined conference losses
The schedules are both there to do it.
This team will improve in '10... on its 16-16 conference record over the last 4 years.... after losing 20 games in the last 4 years... after having the 7th worst major-conference defense... after not even winning its own division in the ACC in the last 4.
Tomahawk Nation: Nole-Holds-Barred Analysis of FSU Sports!
Follow Tomahawk Nation's Twitter feed!
I'm slightly disappointed that we saw no snow
but w/e.
ACC!
maybe 3-4 years down the road
let it sink in imo.
we didn’t go to the national championship, nor really compete for the national championship with tyrod at the helm. great player, one of the greatest ever at tech, but let’s wait before we give out the honor.
Retire #5 only if you retire #3
They were basically the same player. Tyrod is a very good player but not a great player. The greatest receiving corp we have ever had at Tech has bailed him our for the past two years and made him look great. This was the greatest game he ever played, but let’s not make him the 2nd coming of Michael Vick.
Couldn't disagree more with VTinACC.
I don’t know how you can say Tyrod is less than a fantastic player. He is clearly one of the best to ever play at Tech. Mike Vick is a freak of nature and, in my humble opinion, no one in the entire NFL is as gifted an athlete as he. So that’s not really a fair measuring stick for judging a “great” football player. I don’t think the receivers bailed Tyrod out either. The receivers did what they were supposed to do. Keep working to get open and let Tyrod find them, which he did. That’s great qb play. If our D had been more seasoned at the beginning of the season, Tyrod would be leading us to a national title game. I feel bad for him in that regard.
He may get it to them, but you watch where a great QB throws and where Tryod throws it.
Notice the difference on how Cam Newton throws a deep ball over the shoulder with the receiver still on the run and notice how Tyrod throws a deep ball where the receiver has to come back for a jump ball EVERY SINGLE TIME. Or get a PI call.
Notice how even Tyler Yates can hit a crossing route with the runner still in stride while Tyrod almost always throws it behind his receiver. Just go back and watch some of his throws and you’ll notice these things.
Now he’s obviously learned to thrive in the big moment and has amazing scrambling ability, but his lack of throwing ability prevents him from being a great QB.
Crossing Routes
I think Danny Coale caught a couple in stride last night… But I have to say, Randall was really good, but Tyrod is simply a better athlete. Tyrod’s throwing ability may not be of the level of other elite quarterbacks, but I think it’s at least similar to Vick during his VT days. I don’t think Randall could carry this team with the defense having a down year.
by Chazz Micheal Michealzz on Dec 5, 2010 1:44 PM EST up reply actions
oh, it's better than Vick
But that’s not setting the bar too high. Vick’s passing has progressed a whole lot since his days at VT. Randall and Tyrod are different players, both very good players that I’m very glad we’ve had/have, but I’m not sure about retiring the jersey of either (we don’t retire numbers). You save that for the guys that just dominate. Randall and Tyrod have been excellent… but did not quite reach that level.
There's mroe to it.
I think that Vick very much deserved to have his number retired. He was a great player, competitor, and hokie fans owe him a lot (not everything…this is a team sport…but a lot) for bringing us into the top tier of college football. But Vick also left early to go to the NFL, and that does count against him in the jersey-retiring calculation (to me at least…because my opinion is so important and all). There’s nothing wrong with leaving college early to get 30 million dollars. I would advise my own children to do the same thing…but it doesn’t get your number retired either.
Taylor deserves much of the credit (not all…) for keeping tech in the top tier. Until we win a national championship (or join the SEC…) VA Tech is going to be viewed as a good program…they’ll always say good things about Beamer & Foster and the lunch pail…but I think everyone is just assuming that Tech’s success for the past 10 years is just somehow Michael Vick aftershocks.
This season could have been a total disaster. The haters were out in force. But tech recovered in a way that the season was a much bigger success than if we had had just one loss to GA Tech or something. Tech made a statement about what kind of players they (I hate to say “we”) are. I would like to see Taylor’s jersey retired as a way of formalizing our thanks to the man as well as to the 2010 team. He may not be great in the form of perfect passing and perfect decisions (I think he’s pretty damn good, but I also don’t know THAT much about football), but he (and all those who played alongside him this year) played with greatness.
by Bean_Delphiki on Dec 5, 2010 9:12 PM EST up reply actions
The Hokies Need a National Championship For Respect
First of all, Congrats to the Hokies – for beating my Noles. They were – by far – the better team. Taylor was the difference maker.
That being said, Taylor and the rest of the Hokie Nation say that they never got the respect that they deserve or deserved – for having 10+ winning seasons (I believe the last 5 years) and multiple ACC Championships – the last few years.
Please let all young Hokie fans learn a lesson from an old Nole. You earn respect by telling the Football Gods what you are going to do – and then going out and doing it.
The Noles did it in the 90’s. Top 5 finishes – multiple times. They said that they would finish there (before the season began) – and they “did” and executed with 2 National Championships in 93 and 99. Top 5 recruiting classes for the Noles was the way of the road. After the 1999 NC – the Nole coaching staff got decimated – due to the success of their program. Assistant Coaches got head coaching jobs etc. The Noles then got stuck with Coaches – who couldn’t coach – and the Nole Football program hit rock bottom about 2006-2008.
Then Jimbo and Stoops came to save the day. In one year – they have turned around a dead team into real good team. Jimbo and Stoops know how to coach! – with top 5 recruiting classes – this year and projected for next year. In two years (not next year) – the Noles will be a “scary” team playing for the National Championship.
In retrospect, the Hokies had all the hype at the beginning of the season (top 5 team – to play for a possible NC). This year – as was the case in many past years (with all those 10 win seasons) – they have shot themselves in the foot – by not backing up the talk. The Hokies – had – by far (on paper) -and IMO – the best team coming into September – with the best coaching staff in College Football. Amazing what Beamer and Foster can due with an average (at best) recruiting class – per Rivals Inc.
In a nutshell – this was the year of the Hokies – to win a NC – with Taylor and with a seasoned team – at the right -critical spots. After the losses, VT won’t earn that “Respect” from the FB Gods and leaves the door open for the reemergence of a sleeping Nole Machine – two years from now.
VT is well VT
While I totally agree VT needs to get that respect by getting to and winning the national title, I do see some flaws in your statements.
First, VT started the season ranked 10, and it looks as if they’ll be right there, and possibly top 5 if they beat Stanford in the Orange Bowl
Second, I think it is inherently more difficult to recruit the “top” players to VT. The state of Florida ALWAYS has more 4 and 5 star athletes (slightly attributed to media bias). And the best players in Virginia, often want to go south, such as Percy harvin and Curtis Grant. Why is that? Well, Florida is a lot sexier to football players than the mountains of SW Virginia. And, I don’t think the VT brand is respected as well as it should be (catch 22). VT really needs to get that grass-roots hometown college theme going in the 757 and NoVA, which it currently lacks.
Third, in all actuality, I think VT has a better chance to win an NC next year with Logan Thomas at QB than with Tyrod this year, and it has everything to do with the right supporting cast at the right time. Essentially, VT will lose 4 playmakers (possibly more if Williams leaves) and the rest are coming back. Logan Thomas will be the crutch, obviously, for VT to get to the NC. And the backups to those 4 playmakers have all seen significant time, and they’re pretty good. A lot fewer questions going into next year than this past year. But one big one… Is Logan Thomas as good as Beamer and Stinespring say He is?
And lastly, VT has 8 consecutive seasons of 10+ wins, but who is really counting (6 in the ACC)….
by Chazz Micheal Michealzz on Dec 5, 2010 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
actually, it's 7
We started off the 10-wins-a-season streak with the 2004/5 season.
I haven't Seen Logan Play at QB - This Year - For the Hokies
Does this guy start out raw – with no true game experience – other than finishing off opponents when VT was up 38-0? Just asking.
Or does he start out like EJ Manuel for fsu – who won’t miss a beat (has loads of big game experience – from start to finish).
If he starts our raw – it is going to take at least half a season – for him to take his lumps. Don’t care that he will have a great supporting cast – inexperience is inexperience! So – the first half of next season – will be real interesting – because the Defense is going to have to carry the team. If I am the opposing team defense – I stack the box – and let the fun begin.
The good thing about – your side of the ACC is that there are a load of Creampuffs – with graduating Seniors in key posts (Yates – UNC is gone, Miami will be horrible, Russel Wilson is out of here, UVA is lousy, and GT may be your only competition)
FSU really is a middle of the road ACC team
I really don’t think too highly of FSU anymore. JoeNole82 says that they are “a real good” team now, but I don’t so. Who did they beat this year? They didn’t look that good last night and they really didn’t beat anyone of consequence this season – lost to NCST, OK, and NC – the only decent teams they played. The rest of their schedule was fairly soft.
I remember 10-12 years ago they were a big deal and had an embarassment of riches at all positions. I think Jimbo is doing ok and he will probably make FSU an ACC power over the next few years, but I am not looking at his program and shaking in my boots that they will be national title contenders in 2 years. They won a lot of games a long time ago, but frankly they are not anything special yet. Anyone can say “we’ll be great in two years because we recruit well.” Let’s see what happens before we declare them a “scary” title contender in 2013.
FSU fans should acknowledge that the respect it earned long ago has been spent and VT is the new FSU for now and until FSU does something special. Maybe we don’t have a national title yet, but we are the premier program in the ACC – far ahead of FSU right now. With what appears to be a great qb coming in next season and lot of talent coming back, I think there is good cause to think we will stay there for the forseeable future.
And VT fans should acknowledge that they wouldn't have sniffed an ACC title if FSU didn't run its program like a museum
and not a football program.
And VT is far ahead of FSU right now? As soon as Tyrod leaves you’re sure as hell not.
This team will improve in '10... on its 16-16 conference record over the last 4 years.... after losing 20 games in the last 4 years... after having the 7th worst major-conference defense... after not even winning its own division in the ACC in the last 4.
Tomahawk Nation: Nole-Holds-Barred Analysis of FSU Sports!
Follow Tomahawk Nation's Twitter feed!
Congrats to the Hokies
Well deserved after starting the season in an 0-2 hole.
Now go out and win our BCS bowl game for the conference. Respect.
BC Interruption, SBN's Boston College Eagles blog
Congratulations, VT
You earned this one the hard way. Lotta respect for a team & a leader who keeps its head up & continues to take care of business.
You’re next, Jimmy.
If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!
Robert Hunter
loa777 - Like Your comment about FSU Being Middle of the Road
That is very true. But the future race for a National Championship (in the next few years) favors FSU over VT.
It all starts with a top 5 recruiting class and top coaches. Check – FSU did this last year – both in coaching and recruits. This year they are doing the same – top 5 recruiting class – with coaching in place. Future players like Jimbo’s ties to the SEC (he coached there) and Stoops strong resume. It is a proven fact – from FSU in the 90’s – and the other great football teams that have won NC’s – that you need both.
Virginia Tech has great coaches (IMO – the best in the country) – but can not land that top 5 recruiting class. (see VT is well VT post above – this really hits home). Sure – they have top players in the country – at some of the skill positions. I admire Virginia Tech’s hard nosed blue collar “lunch box” mentally – towards recruiting which is to get the right “type” of Beamer recruit (buy into the system) and VT will mold these recruits into champions. However – without that top talent – per top recruiting classes – you are missing the last ingredient for a National Championship.
If you don’t believe – what I just stated – look at the last 10 years – where VT took over – with multiple 10 win seasons and multiple ACC Crowns. The best Coaching in College Football – molded with players – who buy into the VT way – should have been able to crack the top 5 in football – many times – and possibly play for a NC. It appears that VT is missing that top 5 recruiting class. I just can’t see any other reason – why VT has not beat the top 5 AP poll – at year end or won a NC. Maybe You can help me understand.
Just to show you – that I am not picking on VT. Let me show you how it will work at FSU – in the future. Fisher and his “top 5 recruiting classes” need to produce – in two years-three years (max) – with top five finishes – or Fisher will be gone. That is how it works at big name Football schools. Give the Football coach – all the tools – and he must produce.
Shame on Fisher if he can’t take those top 5 recruiting classes and bring a NC – very soon.
I think our primary issue is timing
I agree with you that there is no doubt that when you combine top notch coaching and Top 5 recruiting classes, it is the easiest route to national title caliber teams. And maybe that is the surest recipe for consistent top 5 finishes, but I think that the talent pool in the college game has changed to where you really aren’t going to see the same teams there year after year.
Particularly in the current era when 1 loss likely means you are out of the title picture, it takes more than talent and coaching to make it to the top 5. You look for those teams that do something much better than most of the competition that also have noticeable chemistry, a favorable schedule, and a little luck along the way. VT is never going to be a glamour school but we have slowly and steadily improved our overall talent from what it was 10 years ago and at the same time we are bringing in a fair share of elite players now. And each year without fail, we are expected to compete for the ACC title and maybe for it all and that has been with a weak offense. I think with the formula at VT, if we can keep the offense playing well instead of just mediocre, I don’t see why VT can’t continue to win the ACC and consistently make it to the top 5 or 10 in the country. Hopefully occasionally find that right mix for a national title shot.
For many years, VT had defenses that dominated the competition but offenses that were medicre to bad, and VT won a lot of games with just a great defense. Everyone used to say that the offense is what stopped us from playing for the title. This season, we finally got a very good offense and a very good, mature qb, but our defense was uncharacteristically young. If we had a typical Bud Foster defense to start the season, we are playing for the national title. Even with a disaster of s start in the BSU game and crappy defense almost all game, we were just a few plays at the end of the 4th quarter in the BSU game from being undefeated this season. It wasn’t lack of talent that got us this season. It was just an usually young Bud Foster defense.
Next season, we bring back a lot of talent and our new qb is allegedly a stud. What little we saw of his this season was impressive. So, I don’t see why we shouldn’t be favored to win the ACC again and be considered a potential title contender again, particularly because our defense should be back to being quite good again.
I have nothing major against FSU (except for all the losses we used to have to you). You may be right that FSU will be awesome in a couple years and I don’t doubt it. But, as we know even with the top talented teams, nearly all of them will lose a game or two, and that just makes them another very good team that fell short.
Ironically, like you have said, football is all about walking the walk and at least in the ACC, VT has been walking for a long time now. After reading your earlier post about the FSU glory days and how we don’t get respect without a national title, I was making the point that FSU should just start walking again because they sure haven’t walked in a while. Until then, I will enjoy VT’s position at the top of the ACC. But I do wish you guys good luck. It would be exciting to face FSU in its old form again. It would be good for the ACC.
loa777 - Who is Defense Coach to Replace Bud Foster - when he leaves
More importantly – success opens up HC jobs for the great coaches. I know Foster is dedicated to VT and Beamer. But what happens if the Defense plays great and beats Stanford?
FSU and UF gators – both got “raped” of their great coaches – when they won NC’s. Hard for me to believe that Foster would stay – other than the $$’s he is being payed.
Age old question
Everyone in Hokie Nation would like to know who might replace Bud if he leaves. I am very surprised he has not left yet and all Hokies dread the day it happens. I would love to hear his candid explanation of his perspective on leaving. Is he just waiting for an established near-the-top program in the midst of a few down years to lay out the red carpet because he doesn’t want to have to “build” a lowly program? Is he mostly happy with his role with the Hokies and just putting in a few more seasons trying to get that national title before he leaves to start a new phase of his career? Has he decided it wouldn’t be so bad to just enjoy his success at VT take over the program when Frank retires?
Regardless, I am at least very encouraged by the fact that Beamer has a sterling reputation for being a great guy to work for and he has been around a long time and made a lot of friends. I don’t know if you can just replace a guy like Bud Foster, but does Beamer have a list of great coaches he has known for a while that he could turn to in that event? I would suspect so. I bet he is one guy a lot of great coaches would love to work for. For that reason, I think there is hope for our defense after Bud…
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Gobbler Country
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
