After struggling against UVa's offense in the second half, the Hokies dominated both sides of the ball in the second en route to a sixth consecutive win over their rivals from Charlottesville. The three stars were pretty easy this week, especially the first one.
First Star: RB Ryan Williams
It wasn't the yeoman-like performance he turned in against NC State. No, this was much more electrifying. He had 183 rushing yards, averaged 7.6 yards per carry and had a second consecutive game with four touchdowns. Williams is not just the team's rookie of the year, but its offensive player of the year. While Tyrod Taylor may be the most valuable, irreplaceable offensive player, Williams is by far the best as far as production.
If he has another big game in the bowl, Williams will break the Hokies' single-season rushing record held by Kevin Jones. He's a freak and has been a joy to watch.
Second Star: WR Danny Coale
Early in the game, when Ryan Williams was still struggling to find running room, Danny Coale was coming up with big catch to continue drives for the Hokies against the team he grew up rooting for. Coale may have grown up a Wahoo, but he's all Hokie now. He had six of Tech's eight receptions and 135 of its 185 receiving yards.
His catches were either vital to his team at the time, like his 36 yard grab on 3rd and 17 on Tech's first drive or spectacular, like his fully-extended, toe-dragging catch late in the game. Coale had the best game of his career when the Hokies needed it most. While the Wahoos focused on Jarrett Boykin, Coale was busy making them pay.
Third Star: ROV Davon Morgan
It's about time to start giving Morgan some pub. The guy was all over the field Saturday, led the team in tackles and was in on Tech's lone sack of Jameel Sewell. He almost shares the third star with Kam Chancellor, who was as equally ubiquitous as Morgan, but Morgan gets the nod of how much he's come along this past month.
Morgan came in for the struggling Dorian Porch in the middle of the ECU game and has earned more playing time as the month went on. Porch is a senior, meaning the rover job will be all Morgan's in 2010. I think if Eddie Whitley is as good a free safety as the coaches are saying, the two could be a very formidable pair in the middle of the field next season.