Boise State 33, Virginia Tech 30: Same Story, Reruns of Depression
by Mark Trible on Sep 7, 2010 1:21 AM EDT
in Virginia Tech Football
Email
PrintAt this point, I don't know that there are words to describe it. We, as Hokie fans have been here before. We've seen the team bounce back and have successful season after successful season. All of the heart-wrenching defeats seem to be pushed aside for bigger and better things eventually. A loss like the one endured on Monday night brings us all back to square one. It brings back the pain, and in doing so, effectively washes away most of the optimism.
I won't rip the Hokies apart for what went wrong Monday night. I won't praise them for what went right either. I don't feel that they are deserving of one or the other. They spotted a highly ranked opponent 17 points like boneheads. They came back and took the lead like warriors. What they truly are is somewhere in between the two right now. What they become will be determined down the line, as one game does not define a season or a team. All we know about the 2010-11 edition of the Hokies is what we saw on Monday. The positives don't necessarily outweigh the negatives or vice-versa. Therefore, there's no need for me to dwell on one or the other.
What hurts the most is that I could see it coming. I had strong feelings before the game started of what would happen. Tech would start slow, battle back, and come up short. We've seen it too many times before. Obviously, the Alabama game last season brings us back to the same storyline. The same script. The same movie. The story goes beyond that game, but it's the most glaring example to remind us all of how the story goes. It's a sad story. It's a story that almost every fan of any team in any sport has followed one time or another. Yet, it feels completely connected to Virginia Tech. It feels so unique. It feels like our story. And ours alone.
The ecstasy of taking the lead Monday night was completely invisible when faced with idea of the agony of defeat. There was a part of me that wanted to fully embrace the lead, and with it, the seemingly inevitable victory. The Tech Triumph! But the nagging existence of my conscience wouldn't let me do so. It kept pulling me towards the conspiracy theories. It took hold of me and forced me to wait for the worst to happen. It ruined the game. It scared me into believing that Boise would come back. It terrorized me into remembering the pain. It was right.
What I fear, is the conscience that exists and has little to no chance for memory loss will always win out. The cynicism of play-calling, lack of discipline and preparation will always be on my mind. The agony of defeat will always weigh down the scale with the thrill of victory on the opposite side. What scares me most is that there will be little enjoyment as the risks and rewards will never even out. I will be left tired, bruised and beaten. I will be reduced to what I am right now. Broken.
Next week is a new week, a new game. The week after that will provide another chance to push the memory of Monday a little bit further back in this thick skull of mine. Soon, ACC play will begin and our attention will be turned towards the possibility of another ACC Championship. Who knows? The team could win out and have aspirations of making the BCS title game. I'm not betting on it, but it could happen. There is a way to move on from Monday night's loss. It's just extremely difficult. And that's putting it lightly.
Despite everyone's best efforts at moving on, don't count on forgetting this loss. Put it with the Pittsburgh game when Larry Fitzgerald owned Lane Stadium. Put it with Matt Ryan in the rain. Put it with Ronyell Whitaker's inability to cover Peter Warrick. Put it with Morgantown on a Thursday night. Put it with our players dancing while being pounded in Chesnut Hill. Put it with all of them. Put it with the countless others, each one seemingly more agonizing than the last. You won't forget this one.
Somewhere, between the ability to move on and the inablity to forget is where I am. I don't know where I go from here, folks. I just don't. I'm actually stunned that I was able to come up with words to type after that game. I'm stunned that I didn't write a hate filled post about how remarkable it is that Virginia Tech seems to always be ill-prepared for early season tests. I'm stunned that I didn't use any profanity thus far. I'm stunned that my computer isn't in the trash can, or scattered around my room, splintered into a million pieces. Stunned.
You may be stunned to see how depressing this post is.
However, the story's depressing.
We all know that by now.
57 comments
|
2 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
i felt so much better after the alabama game than i do now
we didn’t just get hammered again and again and again until the defense couldn’t stand.
we played well. just…choked.
and the first quarter. that first quarter will live in infamy.
retire the black jerseys please.
I remember reading an interview where Beamer said
that they got absolutely manhandled on special teams one day early in his career and since then made that area of the game a focus for the coaching staff. I hope similar lessons are learned today regarding first quarters.
But I’m especially disappointed for Tyrod Taylor. Dude was stellar tonight. Absolutely awesome, as good as I’ve seen him. Almost Michael Vick like tonight. I’m excited to see what he does this year.
He did a decent job
rushing and scrambling but it looked like he held onto the ball too much. Took a lot of shots for loss that he should have just thrown the ball away in.
Not an alcoholic, just an FSU grad.
He made a ton of plays though
He was basically the reason we ever got the ball moving.
Agree there.
Was disappointed with the running backs. Think the Oline is more of a concern than some knew going into Techs season. After the first quarter, VT’s defense played better than I thought they would. Glad to see that. Lot of young guys out there on the field on the Dline.
Not an alcoholic, just an FSU grad.
Plus
I guess hard to blame the first quarter all on the defense…
Not an alcoholic, just an FSU grad.
Tryod was a man
among boys out there and I am truly disappointed for him that his terrific night is overshadowed by this loss. Here is what frustrates me the most about this loss….what did Boise State beat us with? Did they complete deep pass over and over and over? Did they constantly gash us with long runs? Did they destroy Tyrod in the backfield? No. We gave this one away. Taking nothing away from Boise State’s game, they played their hearts out. But it kills me that it wasn’t like we were unable to stop them. We DID. Multiple times. And Tyrod looked mid-season form out there. I don’t know who to blame for this loss (leaning towards Frank and the special teams), but all I know is that, in this moment, I don’t want to go down for the JMU game, I don’t want to buy new Tech merchandise, and I don’t want to travel to see Tech play. My heart just isn’t in it.
You're not alone
It will take a little while to be excited about a game this season. I hoped to express that to some extent. Just tired and sick about the game
I'm so dissapointed with this game
I almost feel like a VT fan. I was pulling hard for them. Still plenty to be excited about. VT still has a lot to play for this year.
Not an alcoholic, just an FSU grad.
chokies?
If your offense can’t burn the four most important minutes of the game then you don’t deserve to hold the playbook. Five years of wasted talent. I don’t know what they promise these boys and their parents but it’s total bullshit. At this point I wish we were back in ’91, expect a loss…ecstatic with a win. What a joke.
Yikes.
I didn’t get to watch the game until midway through the third, but I heard it was a nightmare before then. Once I got to the tube, it looked like the Hokies had things under control. The thing that blew my mind was the 3rd and nine play. Tech elected to throw, instead of keeping the ball on the ground, even though Boise State was out of timeouts. The ending was so predictable that it lacked drama at all, even though Musburger and Herbstreit tried their best to create some.
agreed
plus, who taught thoseguys how to run a two minute offense or one minute offense for that matter. BSU was giving you everything under 10 yards in that last drive. Run quick 5-7 yard out plays to steadily move downfield while stopping the clock. (like BSU did). Instead they ran 3 straight plays where they were trying to get it all in one play. You had a little over a minute and 2 timeouts left. I was very disappointed. I was pulling for VT last night. Now I have to listen to all that BSU crap about national title games for the rest of the season. Disappointed.
The Beamer/Stinespring train
has one less passenger today.
Hokies always. That tandem? Not so much.
If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!
Robert Hunter
A little too dramatic
Your team played well against another very good team and came up slightly short.
I think even the best of college football teams can have slow starts to the first game of the season.
For what it’s worth, your team looked a lot better than many of the others with high preseason rankings — my own, for example. Pretty sure Va Tech would whip the crap out of my beloved Gators right now.
Orange and Blue Hue: The World through GATOR-colored Glasses -- http://www.orangeandbluehue.com
It might sound dramatic to an outsider
But only we know that this happens time after time. Its a regular occurrence.
I ♥ the HOKIES!!!!!
Yes, too dramatic!!! You take a bunch of young players and it took them only one quarter to gel. You take away that one quarter … and the rest of the game was bliss (until the last minute, lol). GO HOKIES! We are proud of you. & hats off to the Broncos. A stupendous game. Well done, all. I think a remarkable job by all.
The great ones come back
Tech came back after 17 point loss when it was totally bleak…Broncos came back at the end (when it counted)…well done by both.
Refs favored Boise
I thought you guys were screwed by a missed holding call on Boise’s 3rd quarter TD run. A DB was being held so bad that he couldn’t turn around and pursue the RB and the RB ran right by him as a result.
I also thought that was a block in the back on Boise’s punt return before their last drive.
Why wasn’t there more of a sense of urgency with running out the clock when VT had the ball with 5 minutes left? Taylor was snapping the ball with 17 seconds still left on the play clock at times. Why not run that down to under 5 seconds?
Ever Grateful. Ever True.
by PurdueMatt on Sep 7, 2010 9:18 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
As for the refs, they are number 3 on my list of reasons we lost this game. The worst calls were the ‘taken back’ block in the back and the personal foul on bruce taylor. That is 40+ free yards on the final drive. I’m not sure how you are supposed to expect a player to not hit a guy who is still running down the sideline when the whistle has not blown.
The first two (and most important) reasons we lost are giving up 17 pts in 10 minutes and our inability to just call running plays when trying to run down the clock. The first 10 minutes were inexcusable. Well, I can excuse the fumble, that happens, however I have become so accustomed to VT forcing it to happen to the other team. The blocked punt? Unacceptable. The kicking game in general? Unacceptable. One blocked punt, two missed FGs, and a kickoff out of bounds. A top tier team can’t do that.
As for running down the clock? Again, if you want to compete, you have to be able to run down the clock. I don’t know if this is more on Stinespring or Taylor, bit I choose to blame Stinespring. Its like he has never had to run the clock down, so he has no idea how to do it. Also, with 40 seconds and two time outs, your playbook needs a little more depth beyond “fuck it, i’m going deep.” There was time to move the ball 10-15 yards at a time. Its like they never practiced the hurry up.
One more point, when Boise was driving at the end, the VT defense was confused as all sin. Call a fucking time out and get everything settled down. They could have thrown off Boise’s rhythm instead of getting their own rhythm screwed up.
Fire Bryan Stinespring!
by renstar on Sep 7, 2010 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I agree completely with everything you said
But also, I wasn’t very happy with the play calling on our final possession. We had a full minute left and 2 timeouts. Why did we have to take so many deep shots downfield? VT seemed to be going for a big play instead of a game-winning drive.
Agreed
Agreed on both your and renstar’s post.
A friend who was at the game asked if the commentators talked about clock management at the end. Truthfully – I don’t remember. The final 5 minutes of the game (our lead… their drive.. our “hurry up offense”) went by in an absolute blur. I think that’s what makes it even tougher to take – that the wheels came off FAST.
Like taking a timeout for our Defense to get situation.. to say they were on their heels was an understatement in that final BSU drive.
Given the context, I'm guessing those are penalties
We want to build a university our football team can be proud of. -- Dr. George Lynn Cross
Those are
indeed, the penalty stats.
A bullhorn, a bottle of whiskey and a dream. Gobbler Country | Twitter | Facebook
by furrer4heisman on Sep 7, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Doesn't tell the whole story
VT’s running into the kicker penalty was bogus and led to BSU points.
VT’s late hit out of bounds was bogus and led to BSU winning TD.
Refs missing block in the back on the last punt return gave Boise an extra 30 yards of field position and led to winning TD.
Refs missing blatant hold of DB on the outside during the 70 yd 3rd qtr TD run was inexcusable. The VT player couldn’t even turn around to pursue the RB, so the RB ran right by him without being touched.
Ever Grateful. Ever True.
the running into the kicker was legit.
I mean, that’s just what he did. he ran into the kicker. He could have easily avoided him. I guess he was trying to block him? And DJ Coles went and got another 15 yards of penalties so it was a first down anyway.
The late hit out of bounds sucked, but I don’t think we were stopping BSU anyway.
The block in the back was iffy. I can see why they picked it up, but its still an unfortunate break.
The holding doesn’t mean a thing if we don’t arm tackle.
I truly do hate using the refs as an excuse. I really do. Unless its something blatant. But there’s more dignity in saying that we made mistakes and we got beat.
Yeah, Coles was at ramming speed and didn't let up
and decided to compound it by committing the late hit after the play. It was really one of the more amazing things I’ve seen in a Tech game, and that’s not a good thing.
A bullhorn, a bottle of whiskey and a dream. Gobbler Country | Twitter | Facebook
by furrer4heisman on Sep 7, 2010 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
doesnt tell the whole story
like your team didnt get a whole lot of non calls!!!!! their were three pass iterferences that you guys got away with! here is the thing it is football either way we won i know it is hard for you to believe that we walked into your house and handled it !! I willsay this it was amazing to be in the stadium and feel the energy of the crowd on the walk out of your team! it was an amazing game and you guys will have a great season good luck
by Michael J Hill on Sep 9, 2010 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Well said
The initial post said it all.
For me the loss was the most painful one I can remember. All the stuff I worried about came thru in that final BSU drive at the end.
Not much else to say. I’m exhausted. I didn’t fall asleep until after 4am following that one.
Very hard to take
I was so hyped for this game, for this season, and boy it hurts! Here we go with another 10 win season…Woopty doo, but yet the season has lost it’s luster now. Living in Alabama and hearing all the crap from last year and all the crap this morning on the radio just stabs the knife deeper. People down here think Tech is a joke. Wish we could prove them wrong. I sometimes wish I din’t care so much. I guess here we go again dances in all our heads. An empty case stays empty.
Not every team can schedule georgia state, or whatever to open their season. though at this point I’m tired of big games to open the season. Schedule a cupcake and let the team gel for once. It sucks too, because I got the feeling that if we were going to compete for the title, this year was going to be the best year for a while.
Fire Bryan Stinespring!
Also, that case will always stay empty. I’m not a superstitious person, but leaving a space for a trophy seems like you are just asking to never actually fill it. Bad move, bad bad move.
Fire Bryan Stinespring!
The worst thing...
You know what makes the whole thing even worse… it’s a little too much success too fast for BSU and their fans.
I can see why someone would want to punch a BSU player or fan. It just feels like things fall in to place for Boise State a little too often.
I’ve been very level headed as a fan leading up to this game. And, actually expected BSU to win. Too much talent and experience coming back for VT to deal with out of the gate.
Watching last night.. I wasn’t that impressed. If I was a poll-voter, I wouldn’t be that impressed either. Eeeking out a win when the opposing team flounders in every way, shape, and form isn’t going to impress anyone.
Enjoy the win in Week 1. Start preparing for your bowl game.
Kinda reminded me of how the Saints barely beat the Vikings in the NFC Championship Game despite the Vikings giving the game to them.
Both losses hurt a lot though…
Pirates, Vikings, Hokies. I'm used to heartbreak. At least I have the Penguins....
"When I put on my uniform, I feel I am the proudest man on earth."
-The Great One
by blackjackfishtaco on Sep 7, 2010 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions
ha ha
REALLY REALLY !!!WOW You can see why someone would want to punch BSU in the mouth! First off get over it BSU has been working their butt off to get where we are @ without all the $$$$$ or recruits. But then again i sensed that most vt fans wanted to punch us in the mouth walking through the parking lot after the game i experienced a whole lot of disrespect and physical confrontation i sensed that the fans would of liked nothing more than for me to fire back so that they could jump on us .andi you just confirmed it in writing GOOD JOB! BE happy you guys hung with the #3 team in the nationget over it !!!
by Michael J Hill on Sep 9, 2010 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions
On the bright side...
What did you guys expect? That VT was going to rise to the occasion and win a big game on the big stage? C’mon people, really. Here is some good to take away here…
1. Tyrod looks good. BSU tried, and they could not stop him.
2. The defense grew up with every series. They’re going to be OK.
3. Jarrett Boykin is going to be a BIG time receiver.
4. Eddie Whitley looks to be the best free safety VT has had in awhile.
5. VT will not be wearing the black unis anymore this year.
6. We open up with ASU in Blacksburg next year. No top five team.
by Leonard Thompson on Sep 7, 2010 12:27 PM EDT reply actions
Despite the loss...
I would agree with your points. (Although the black uniforms grew on me…)
I definitely came away with the feeling: if this team continues to grow and gel, they are going to be tough to beat the rest of the season.
Don't worry be happy
Good lord. Its football….not war!!! The 2nd & 3rd quarters…and most of 4th quarter…are what college football is all about. I love the game & I always will. HOKIES are #1 in my heart and always will be. Stop being down in the dumps!!! They did fine. So they didn’t win….picture this: Hokies go undefeated the rest of the season…BSU winds up at the top of the heap…..Alabama flubs up, Florida’s not that great…don’t know about Ohio St. & etc but just picture everyone flubbing up a bit…it wasn’t that big of a loss…Hokies could still do great the rest of the year…and VT & Boise play again for the National Championship at the end of the year…huh? Whaddya think? I know I’m dreaming but its not impossible.
an honor & privilege
It would be an honor & a privilege to play them again. I like their attitudes & their spunk. The coach is a humble man just like Frank Beamer. This is the way to play the game. Boise is OK with me…it takes guts to do what they did…coming across country and showing people what they got.
Its all good!!
I thought the black uniforms were badass...
I like them….but….I think they are jinxed now & hope not to see them again!
I liked them, and I don’t believe in jinxes, so I wouldn’t mind seeing them again. But would be very surprised to… I’m pretty sure it was already stated that they would only be used in this game, and I wouldn’t expect them to change that now. At least for this season. But bring ’em back next year, or something like them. Looked good.
I hope they put them away.
They weren’t bad, I just don’t think very well of them anymore.
One more comment..
The killer is I was prepared for a loss leading up to the game. I just had serious doubts about the inexperience on defense going against a tough team right out of the gate.
So, in the weeks (months) leading up to the game I was playing doom-and-gloom and expecting a loss. A loss I think I would be fine with. But this loss? This one stings.
As the game progressed I started to become a little more cautiously optimistic. I never truly enjoyed the lead, but did allow myself to let the thought of “we might win this” start to enter my mind.
But the way the loss happened. In that blur of confusion on defense, bad ref calls, bad play calls, etc … In the span of about 5 or 10 minutes in real time (not “football minutes”) it just felt like a punch to the gut – or numerous punches with it happening so fast.
I’m still shell shocked. Like I said, I was pessimistic going into the game and expected Tech to be beat. But a loss like this? whew
Nothing But Respect
I just wanted to let you know how much respect Boise has for Coach Beamer and the Hokies. It was an honor to play you last night and a hell of a lot of fun to watch.
Thats the way the ball bounces
I stayed up til 2:00 a.m. & haven’t felt right all day…I waited for this game all summer long… waaaahhhhhh
I still love the Hokies. There’s no game that competes with college football, I just love it.
Respect
I like Boise State too, BoiseFan. They are a great team. Thanks for your comments.
Love the Boise respect
I love hearing all the respect from the Boise fans. “You guys have a good team.”
At what point did the Boise State become Texas / Florida / Ohio State / Alabama / USC / Oklahoma or whoever else is in the who’s-who in CFB history. While I appreciate the respect, don’t patronize.
Guys I was pulling for you
But trust me, you can still bounce back from this and have a successful season. Huskers would know since one of our opponents last year ahem dealt us a loss that was considerably more agonizing than this one early in the season.
But to be honest, I don’t think this hurts you in the long run. Probably makes you better. Obviously VT is one of the top teams in the ACC, so you’ve got a great shot at a 10+ win season, and hey, if you run the table from now on, who knows…
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
