Virginia Tech-Cincinnati in-game blog
POSTGAME
I wrote about the beginning. I know that seems crazy, because the ending was so action-packed, but Andy will get you all those details in his game story.
I wrote about the beginning because the beginning is the trend. This team can’t start games on offense, and Beamer seems to be in denial about it. Those quotes will be in the column.
Here is what play-caller Mike O’Cain had to say about the slow starts:
“You don’t know until you go back and look. You go in with a plan – you feel like you can do this against them, and you don’t know it until you try it. Sometimes it doesn’t work. Sometimes it does work. The Georgia Tech game, we took the ball right down the field the first two times…
“Either we’re not getting things matched up right in calls or we’re missing a block here, we’re missing a throw here. We’re second down and 2. If Logan hits that pass we get a first down, we get something going. It’s no different today, probably than it was last week. You’re going to look back and say, if Logan hit that pass we get some first downs we’ve got a chance to go, or if somebody had stayed on a block a little bit longer of if a back had made this cut instead of that cut.
“It’s a combination of every position at one point in time not making a play or not doing exactly the right thing. And that’s the way offensive football is. It’s hard to overcome a mistake in offense. If 11 guys aren’t doing it right, it’s hard to be successful. And that’s kind of what we’ve had a little bit of…It’s not that anybody’s playing poorly when you look at the whole scope of the game. It’s just we’re not hitting on all cylinders at some critical times. And when you’re struggling a little bit, everything’s critical. Every play is critical right now.”
I asked Thomas what the deal is when he throws high. Here’s what he said: “It’s a mixture of things. Sometimes it’s being hit, sometimes it’s letting it go early and not getting my feet completely down. It’s a mixture of things.”
A few other quotes:
Linebacker Bruce Taylor: “We played with pretty good effort throughout the whole game except for a few big plays we gave up. That is still unacceptable. We have to come out on every play focused like it’s your last play, and we gave up a few big plays.”
Cornerback Kyle Fuller on the last play: “It’s really, really hard. I take responsibility. You can say that there [are] plenty of plays that changed the outcome of the game, but I put it on myself and all you can do is learn from them.”
Thomas on the frustration: “It is extremely frustrating. Just because you know you are one thing away from the play you want, the big game you want, the first down you want. It makes it tough on you, and hopefully we get those things corrected.”
Receiver Marcus Davis on the end: “You never really think of things like that. You always see it on TV or you see it in movies or something like that, and you just don’t want to be that team. The feeling inside of you is unreal, but it happens.”
That’s all for now. I’ll post links when they’re up. See you next week from Chapel Hill. As always, thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts.
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Final: Cincinnati 27, Virginia Tech 24. Back with more later.
THIRD QUARTER
Quarter expires with Cincy up 13-7, but Tech is lining up for a short field goal. Better job by the offense that quarter; the runs to the outside found some room, while Marcus Davis got involved with two long catches.
A high throw by Thomas on a well-designed play went off the fingertips of tight end Randall Dunn and got intercepted at the Cincy 3. That was the best chance to score during the period.
Cincy finding some room in the secondary, which has been shuttling Kyle Fuller in and out of the game.
SECOND QUARTER
The Hokies lead 7-6 at halftime thanks to their defense. An interception by Kris Harley (tipped by Bruce Taylor) set Tech up at the Cincinnati 13, and Logan Thomas ran it in from five yards away on fourth-and-2 to give Tech the lead.
As for the offensive struggles, well, they’re serious. Tech has 72 yards of total offense. Everybody gets tired of hearing this, but it all comes down to being able to run the ball. Right now, Tech just can’t. The Hokies are averaging 2.7 yards per tote, with Thomas leading all rushers with 13 yards on five carries.
Tech has won consistently over the years because it has played defense and run the ball well enough to control the clock and field position. Don’t underestimate the value that also provides the defense, which gets well rested and is ready to pounce whenever it takes the field. Without that element, the Hokies simply ride the winds of fortune, and the only way to win is by picking off passes and breaking long returns.
Thomas doesn’t look good, and not all of that’s on the running game, but a big chunk of it is. How hard is it to defend the pass when you don’t have to respect the run?
It’s fashionable to bang on play-calling. I view it more in totality than individual plays. In other words, what is your identity, and what are you committed to doing well? You guys are going to blast me for this, but in general, the play-calling is pretty much how would have done it — trying to run the ball until you can get it right. The problem is the blocking isn’t there and none of the backs has separated himself.
The Hokies ran it on first down to start five of their seven possessions (including each of their first four). Only once did they get more than three yards. Once they got nothing, once they got one, and twice they got three. That’s the problem. And until it’s fixed, you’re gonna see this offense struggle, and you’re gonna hear boos.
FIRST QUARTER
The Bearcats lead 3-0 but it could be worse for the Hokies, who forced a field goal after a first-and-goal and got away with a turnover in their own territory when the Bearcats came up short on a fake field goal.
Not much going on with Tech’s offense, which looks strikingly similar to the first quarter last week – not much running room for the backs and there’s been significant pressure on Thomas.
Cincy has outgained the Hokies 112 yards to 21. Hokies are averaging 2.1 yards per snap.
SCORING SUMMARY
FIRST QUARTER
UC—FG Miliano 20, 6:02. Drive: 13 plays, 77 yards, 5:46. Key play: Thompkins 37 pass from LeGaux to VT 40. Cincinnati 3, Virginia Tech 0.
SECOND QUARTER
UC—FG Miliano 43, 8:25. Drive: 12 plays, 34 yards, 5:53. Key play: Winn 1 run on fourth-and-1 to VT 24. Cincinnati 6, Virginia Tech 0.
VT—Thomas 5 run (Journell kick), 2:41. Drive: Four plays 13 yards, 1:08. Key play: Harley interception at UC 13. Virginia Tech 7, Cincinnati 6.
THIRD QUARTER
UC—Thompkins 29 pass from LeGaux (Miliano kick), 6:59. Drive: Eight plays, 80 yards, 3:53. Key play: Julian 30 pass from LeGaux to VT 29. Cincinnati 13, Virginia Tech 7.
FOURTH QUARTER
VT—FG Journell 28, 14:56. Drive: Nine plays, 62 yards, 4:08. Key play: Coleman 24 pass from Thomas to UC 17. Cincinnati 13, Virginia Tech 10.
VT—Holmes 3 run (Journell kick), 8:37. Drive: Eight plays, 76 yards, 3:02. Key play: XXXX. Virginia Tech 17, Cincinnati 13.
UC—Abernathy 76 pass from LeGaux (Miliano kick), 7:51. Drive: Two plays, 75 yards, :46. Cincinnati 20, Virginia Tech 17.
VT—Fuller 56 pass from Thomas (Journell kick), 1:49. Drive: Six plays, 93 yards, 2:43. Key play: Roberts 25 run to VT 32. Virginia Tech 24, Cincinnati 20.
UC—Julian 39 pass from LeGaux (Miliano kick), :13. Drive: Nine plays, 85 yards, 1:30. Key play: Kelce 15 pass from LeGaux to UC 30. Cincinnati 27, Virginia Tech 24.
PREGAME
Greetings from FedEx Field, where we’re about an hour away from Virginia Tech-Cincinnati. The Hokies (3-1) are a 6.5-point favorite over the Bearcats (2-0), who haven’t played in two weeks.
The Hokies are just 12-18 in neutral site games under Frank Beamer, including an 0-2 mark at FedEx Field.
Decided maroon advantage in the parking lots.
The Hokies have scored touchdowns in 10 of their past 14 red zone trips.
Tech opponents have returned just six of the Hokies’ 21 punts this season for a total of 19 yards.
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Cincy is getting $3.5 million for moving this game to FedEx.
Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. See you then (actually a little before for the pregame, but you get the idea).
September 28, 2012 - 11:09 PM
Cincinnati 28 – VT 13
Awesome! The Bumble Bees are now bumbling around. They suck!
I have Cincinnati winning this game by 3. Cincinnati had the week off and had ample time to dissect Tech’s weakness. They may run the ball more to set up play action. I don’t see Tech putting up a lot of points unless they become more assertive with their running game. And as Aaron already mentioned, 0-2 at the FedEx field doesn’t inspire confidence.
Yeah Gag Tech (see what I did there?) is feeling the curse of Al Groh… fitting.
Are you Choking ME!!!!!!!!!
I know Bryan well. This is a young team. He said next year would be much better. Can’t win the acc every year.
What a shame no team play, poor coaching.
It’s almost halftime same old &**& from Stinespring’s offense, don’t tell me that the field position is dictating the play calling. It sucks just like it always sucks and Beamer doesnt have the balls to make any changes. If the Hokie Nation is satisified whith this type of play every year well sit back and enjoy it!!!
John, chill out. You obviously weren’t around in the early 90s when tech only won a couple of games. Bryan is a good coach. We can’t win the acc every year. Don’t be a bandwagon fan.
Not much offense from either team, both living up to their number 75 ranking. This will come down to who wants to give the game away from turnovers. VT very lucky to be in a position where they only had to come up with 15 yards of offense to score. Still think Cincy will edge them out.
It cannot be overstated how much Danny Coale and Jarrett Boykin meant to this offense.
I was a Hokie before Beamer was a player. All of the conferences. The time before Beamer was a coach at VT ‘BB’. Beamer’s bad seasons and then the of rising of expectations. The final acceptance into the ACC. The placing of the empty display case. Then came this season and it is so hard to be a Hokie again. I know it is time for some coaching staff changes OC, OLC. If there is no change then there needs to be some ‘AB’ time.
Yes….this game is over. Hokies pride rises and Thomas with a great game. And the rest of the ACC sucks!!!!!! WE ARE BACK!!!!!!!!!
That was terrible……..ball hit ground!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG these refs suck. They kept drive alive all day for Cinn…….Horrible!
The knee was on the ground
Jason,
Don’t want to hear about the 90′s. This program is stuck in neutral. You may be satisfied with it but that’s a losers mentality.
Are you watching this game? Our offense moves in slow motion. No imagination, play calls don’t fit the situation on the field. Poor execution all around by the O.
Dave in Florida, I hope your drive home was pleasant since you never miss a game to watch losers (1500 miles). Grow up and demand that we have a winning team. Stop with the excuses. Now you leave the stadium. We don’t need your support, we want fans who demand a winning coaching staff.
My feeling of a choking effort here today for the hokies “Chokies” were right. You Chokie fans get use to it and its great to see all the Chokies start making excuses because you might want to same some because more Choking efforts are on tap. HA HA HA Chokies you suck!!!
What a Joke of an offense. Let’s have an OC that doesn’t call plays. Lets have a line that does not block and hasn’t for years! Talented running backs have covered a multitude of offensive sins. Beamer PLEASE either step aside or higher an OC! TWO is not better than One when it comes to this phase of the game. How many years has makeing that one call cost you? I never thought I would ever wish Ricky Bustle would come back! But even Ricky as bad as he was, is 10 times better than Stinespring/O’Cain put together.
Unfortunately Cincinnati showed the heart and character we can only dream about this year.
And what’s up with Beamer?? He stood there on the SL and didn’t say a word to anyone- not into his headset and not to anyone on the SL. His facial expression reminds me of my Aunt Nel, and she had dementia.
Frank we love ya, but it’s time to go buddy.
Defense played first half. Offense played second half. Too bad coaches aren’t able to get them to come out on field and play a full game together.
Would someone please offer a 5-energy drink first to the coaches, then to the quarterback, then to the offense. The defense will be fine with de-caf.
Time to do the Hokie pokey….What a defensive let down…!!! Way to go Hokies,,!!! Time to discuss the changes..
It is so amusing to listen to the Hokie coaches and the fans blame everyone from the refs to the freshman who was in for Fuller. Now you can understand how the Yellow Jackets felt when you stole the game from them with 46 seconds to go. Looks like Bud’s defense had too many holes in it once again, and the competition wasn’t even ranked. The question now is not whether VT can win the Coastal but whether they will win 6 games, a very realistic question. Didn’t miss the score prediction by much.
I’m guessing a majority of the comments on this message board are from bandwagon fans who didn’t start watching the Hokies until their national championship season. I’ve known Bryan for about 10 years. He’s a good guy and an even better coach. The coaches put the players in a position to win but the players didn’t execute.
Guess you can’t expect anything better from this team…,,
LOL @ Beamer Best! What a 360 post.
What national championship season!
They just don’t do the little things required to win games. Exum’s worst game ever. No way that last TD should have been scored. DB was watching the game, not his responsibility, broke late on ball. Can’t win by playing one half, on and on. The ACC sure has made the Big East look good. We have almost as many problems as UVA.
Prevent defenses work- they prevent you from winning.
To not win 10 games or even 9 this season would be a good thing. But I am guessing Frankie would not do squat even then.
Special teams play was poor, penalties and fielding punts inside the 10.
Red Zone offense is pathetic.
No first downs until 25 minutes were gone from the game? 2nd and 1 on possession #1 and we end up punting?
And what is with the timeout called with 6+ minutes left in the game on 2nd and 6? That timeout probably left, uh, 13 seconds on the clock for someone to score…..
Barry, how did Georgia Tech do today?
That was a heck of a catch by the Cincy receiver but I don’t think he was in the end zone when his knee hit the ground, but even though they would of gotten it in on the next play…That;s life in the fast lane Hokie fans…
Some changes to the offensive side of the ball were needed after the loss to Georgia a few years back. The loss to Kansas should have been a wake up call for Beamer. And last years loss to Michigan should have inspired the AD to force Beamer to make changes. But when everybody is good buddies, it makes it difficult to take care of business. Does the AD even have enough balls to can him! Because the proof is there that this ship has run its course!
The game at UNC next weekend is going to be interesting.
Losing two games in September is not a good omen for this team, but October could be an even tougher ride. VT will probably beat DUKE and UVA at home but the away games and the home game with FSU can be marked as a W for the opposition. 6 wins will be a stretch.
Aaron, You nailed it, VT can’t run the ball because the O-line isn’t playing well. It goes to the quality of O-line coaching and recruiting. I may be wrong on this, I don’t have the lists from past years but it seems like VT, on a yearly basis, is recruiting as many running backs to fill one position as they are linemen to fill five positions. And the quality of those linemen is not the best, it seems like they are two and three stars and are the players who commit early then Tech stands by them even when there is someone better. It is time for a coaching change and it needs to be done this year before things go totally in the tank. Remember, once before Beamer would not make coaching changes until he was threatened with being fired if he didn’t. Now he needs to go. Find some fiery new blood. Someone not content with being okay. And if Weaver won’t do it, and he won’t, Stieger needs to let both of them go.
Beamer came along at the right time and did a good job. He gave VT some name recognition but, he did it by playing defense and special teams. Special teams used to be the best players on the team offense and defense, now it’s not. The talk about not being able to block kicks because of the bubble doesn’t hold water, other teams are blocking kicks. Same as the O-line, quality of coaching and putting the best players on the field.
Bob – The Yellow Jackets did poorly today, that loss to the Chokies has pretty much demoralized them, won’t recover. You no longer need to worry about GT, I think Miami will seize control of the Coastal. VT is going to be very fortunate to win 6 games this year, might happen if they can put 4 quarters of football together in the same game. If you lose to the TarHeelsnext week, and I have said it before, the Alumni will be calling for Frank’s head. 10 wins per season against mainly cupcake teams won’t get it in today’s college football culture. Soon Frank will join the ranks of Bobby Bowden, mark it down, it is coming sooner rather than later. The loss to Cincy today is no one’s fault except the defense that allowed the big play. It wasn’t holding calls, penalties, bad breaks, freshman play or any other whining excuse given by Foster and Beamer.
As much as I hate to say it – we just aren’t very good.
All of this mediocre play by the Hokies does some serious harm to recruiting! Who would want to come play for these jokers called coaches! Our recruiting is already pathetic as it is!
Jared is correct. This mediocre playing and these “content” coaches is killing the present and the future of the Hokies. Football is Virginia Tech’s god and their cash cow; when the cash looks to be suffering, changes will be made. Beamer looked lifeless out there today.
I thought the defense would be better this year than last because of the returnees. That’s definitely been a disappointment. I felt that it would not be a good year for the team and at this point can see them losing to North Carolina, Florida State, Clemson and Miami. Watching other games today it seems like many of them have more dynamic offenses than Tech. Getting beat by two Big East teams kind of leaves a bad taste. No matter what the record ends up I’ll still root for the Hokies.
Looking at remaining schedule and I honestly don’t see more than 2 more W’s. If you think that sounds pessimistic, wait until next Saturday. Fedora will be licking his chops all week after seeing our secondary yesterday.
I can’t believe I nailed the margin of victory. I also think the official didn’t call the final touchdown correct. The receiver’s knee clearly touched the one yard line before sliding in the end zone. It is final and nothing can be done about it.
The ACC continue to be the conference that sucks. 3 out of conference games went for losses. Georgia Tech, Virginia, and then Virginia Tech.
Clemson hired a high school coach that does better than ours!!Ha,Ha.
But true!
So where are all the people who were bashing Keith the other week when he pointed out how bad the Hokies are? I’d love to have the maroon-tinted glasses and orange Kool-Aid concession in Blacksburg right now, I could retire on what I raked in. And it requires multiple pairs of those glasses to cut down on the glare from the Emperor’s nakedness. But according to Frank Beamer, all is well and this latest round of mistakes will be used as a learning experience so the team can get better. Yeah, and I can sell your the Wasena Bridge for a nice price.
As someone pointed out on another blog, Jim Weaver needs to retire after he tells Coach Beamer to shake up his coaching team. After all, how many coaching malfunctions have there been under Weaver’s watch? There isn’t a need for him to mess up football (more than it is) with poor choices in replacement coaches.
It’s sad to see the VT program in this state. Beamer took the damaged program left by Bill Dooley and brought it to national prominence. He showed that defense and special teams could score just as much as the offense. He picked up the athletic players others overlooked and sloted them into positions where they did well. But then he picked up some easy money on the side by running seminars to tell other coaches his secrets of BeamerBall and then it wasn’t secret any more. Our opponents knew what to look for and planned how to defend it.
Add to that the questionable offense we have had for years, the predictability of what plays would be run when, and big wins didn’t happen. Sure, it was easy to wear down the cupcakes and weaker teams with size and speed and Foster’s defense, but the wins against the major programs just haven’t been there (yeah, we beat FSU when it was at the bottom of its Bowden slide).
So here we are with a team that would be hard pressed to beat Old Dominion or Liberty — but there is still this “but we had a great recruiting year” cry. Yeah, lots of Virginia players, but how many true blue chip players? When VT picks up ONE blue-chipper, it is big news. If this season continues on its downhill slide, what will recruiting be like next season? There is already a problem attracting players who want to play in the mish-mash offensive scheme (if there is a scheme) we have now.
FSU was slipping and Bowden was shown the door. Fisher in a short time has turned the team around and it is getting back to where it was in the past. Clemson did a coaching shuffle, but it hasn’t taken long for Dabbo to put the team back into good form. Even Pitt, with its coaching problems, has great talent and is moving back up. VT? Does “stagnent” come close to describing the state of the program?
Perhaps with the loss to FSU and Clemson (and maybe even Duke), the Kool-Aid will finally begin to taste bitter and people will shed their maroon-tinted glases so they can see the phone to call to complain. Maybe the checks will stop flowing and fans (already unhappy over yet another season-ticket reseating) will demand something better. We can only hope.
Hey, Jason I’ve been watching VPI since 1968, even Jim Sharpe had better football fundamentals than we do now. We don’t have depth, our defense first string is fair but Fuller is only one with coverage skills. 4 th quarters are played exhausted so its easy to pick on corners. Offense is pathetic no imagination , team work or good fundamentals. !0 or 12 years ago Alabama was like this ,change is needed before recruiting is derailed.
Jason, you are correct. Many who post here are bandwagon fans with unrealistic expectations. Does anyone ever consider the fact that maybe this team isn’t as good as the teams of the last few years? Replacing 9 starters on offense is not easy. You’re either a Hokie supporter or you’re not. Support the players and the staff. You should never boo your own team, home or away. They’re your guys, it’s like a marriage, better or worse. If you want out, divorce the Hokies and jump on the WVU bandwagon.
Not this Ron.
I see the Beamer apologist are out in force. Typical.
To Jason and all the other Stinespring supporters. This is not an indictment on how “nice” the guy is or what a “good” person he is. It’s simply stating the obvious, our offense has struggled for several years. The defense has consistently bailed us out and kept us in tons of games. When the defense is lacking, we suffer, it’s a fact. Our recruitment of athletic QB’s and the fortune of having great RB’s hse deflected away from the fact that all other aspects of our offense is weak at best. The play calling in general, never seems to have a rhythm and our schemes are not creative at all. Combine the offensive coaching with the lack of skilled guys coming here because of the “vanilla” playcalling and this is what you have! Get used to it, unnless they force Beamer to change things, this will be what we have for years to come!
I’ve been a VT fan since before the recent run of success, and they have stagnated. Changes do need to be made. Stiney may be a great guy, but under his watch the offense has nosedived. The defense has too many holes for an inept offense to make up points for…and the special teams simply aren’t that special.
It’s going to be a rough slog in the conference. They should win the games against BC, Duke, and UVA, but none are going to be easy. UNC, FSU, Clemson, and Miami are going to be tough games too. And unless their play picks up significantly, 7 wins may wind up about as good as they can hope for.
1-4 in the last 5 games against BCS programs. If it weren’t for the faceplants in season openers and bowl games, I could shrug this off as a run of bad luck. But it’s a trend of repeatedly poor performances in big spots. What’s it going to take for Beamer & company to accept that their formulas need work and that they have fallen behind the competition?
I’m a fan, but I’m not a blind-to-reality homer.
It is amazing that folks on here criticize me when I have been telling you the truth about VT since before the season began and now everyone is saying what I had been saying all along: Tech is overrated, they have no offense because they have no cohesion and they don’t have the caliber of players they once had, they will not win over 6 games this year, their head coach is on his way out if Tech loses to UNC and DUKE. Big money ruins folks and gives them less of a desire to excel and give it 100%. Times are going to change at Hokieville.
Apparently no talent and horrible coaching, a synopsis of the blog.
Boo hoo hoo! I’m depressed. Think I’ll go jump off the New River Bridge, of course tied to Beamer and all his coaching cronies to end this fiasco in B-burg. VT would have to hire a decent coach if (and a big if) they can find one willing to accept the position. Gotta admit, a drastic approach but looks like the only way to get the Beamer Buddies out of town. Yes this includes Foster too, defensive? god of the ACC and only the ACC.
Gosh, have they even played a ranked team yet?? I doubt it.
Barry,
One of the problems with your posts is that you were telling us all how great GT was with the same breath. It was more VT bashing than it was analytical and even you didn’t have the defense coming apart at seams.