After big game at BC, receiver Marcus Davis glad he could give detractors ‘something else to talk about’
Marcus Davis got most of the headlines for his demotion last week, but receivers coach Kevin Sherman said the moves the Hokies made last week with their receiving corps weren’t designed to light a fire under any one person.
“I think all of our guys need to understand that there was a standard that we need to play to and we need to go out and make plays,” Sherman said. “And I think [Marcus] did that in the second half.”
Davis silenced some of his critics and earned back some of the coaches’ trust in the second half at Boston College with a five-catch, 104-yard performance, a striking rebuke to the viral video that made it up on Deadspin of his lackluster blocking in the Florida State game.
“It kind of hit me kind of hard, emotionally, but I tried not to let it control how I play,” Davis said. “I tried to let it go throughout the week. … But once the game started on Saturday, it was just like, that’s another chance for you to wash that off, give them something else to talk about. So my thing was, just make it good.”
At Boston College, after starting the first 10 games of the season, Davis sat out the first half, then went in for the start of the second. Sherman said it was a staff decision. Quarterbacks coach and play-caller Mike O’Cain, who is in the booth, said he did not even know Davis would be back in the game until he saw the senior on the field.
“I wasn’t expecting to go in,” Davis said. “When I was going out, [coach] was like, ‘Marcus, get ready.’ So I went and told [quarterback] Logan [Thomas], I was like, ‘It’s time to go.’ And he was like, ‘Well, I’m coming to you.’ And it just went on from there.”
It’s unclear who will start at receiver this week. Both head coach Frank Beamer and Sherman were non-committal about it Monday, saying they’ll continue to evaluate the receivers in practice this week.
But Davis’ big game puts him back on track for some significant milestones at Tech. He needs 105 yards to pass Andre Davis‘ single-season receiving yards record of 952 set in 1999.
With 858 yards, he could also become the first Virginia Tech player to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in a season. That would take the Hokies off a dubious list of Football Bowl Subdivision teams who have not accomplished that, a group that includes Army, Navy, Nebraska, South Florida and Temple.
“I’ve heard the talk,” Davis said of the milestones. “But at the same time, I really haven’t paid much attention to it. Just game-by-game, I just try to go out and play my hardest. If it happens, it happens. But if we win, that’s what I’m more concerned about.”
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Here are some more notes and quotes from interviews with offensive coaches/players Monday night …
- Running backs coach Shane Beamer said he’s been inundated with emails and Twitter mentions asking if senior Martin Scales is going to have a bigger role going forward. Scales had seven carries for 27 yards against BC, which doesn’t sound impressive, but they were hard-nosed runs. Four times he got the ball on third-and-short. Four times the Hokies converted, including a crucial one in overtime when he shook off contact from two BC defenders in the backfield and got a first down that set up Randall Dunn‘s game-winning score.
- Shane said Scales’ role is somewhat limited by the fact that he’s splitting his reps between tailback and backup fullback. He’s getting the fullback reps in place of an injured Riley Beiro. “You hate to put too much on the guy’s plate, if that makes sense,” Shane said. “So it’s hard. It’s two totally different positions, mentally what they’re doing.”
- Also, it hasn’t fit into the game plan the Hokies have employed this year. “With what we’re doing offensively, we haven’t been much of a downhill, pound-you team all year long,” Shane said. “So we kind of felt like right, wrong or indifferent, Tony [Gregory] and J.C. [Coleman] were the guys who brought speed to the table, quickness, make you miss, play out in space. And that’s kind of what we’ve done.” Shane said there’s still a place for Scales’ north-south running, though.
- Shane was a little surprised that Scales was able to break both of the tackles to get the first down late. “It was two big guys that hit him,” he said. “It wasn’t 190-pound defensive back. Those were two 300-pound defensive tackles that banged into him and bounced him around. He did a great job. When I watched the video, I was like god dog, how did he get out of that? It was just refusing to be denied and playing with a purpose. But that was a heck of an individual effort. Can’t say enough about it.”
- Scales, who if you couldn’t tell I’ll be writing about this week for the paper, isn’t bothered by the lack of carries he’s gotten (30 for 136 yards this year). “I’m just happy to run,” he said. “Anybody would say it’s frustrating, because you want to run. But at this point, the way I was raised, I’m just happy to be called on in that situation. That shows that they have some confidence in me.”
- A lifelong Virginia Tech fan, Scales said the memory that stands out for him in the rivalry isn’t a positive one. It’s the 2003 game in Charlottesville, the last time the Hokies lost to the Cavaliers. “I felt so bad,” he said. “I went to school mad. I remember seeing UVa people go, ‘Ahhhh.’ So that’s the one that stands out the most in my head. And I don’t want to have that feeling.”
- Making a bowl game, even a lower-tiered one this year with the number of losses the Hokies have, is still a big motivator. “Me growing up, I don’t remember when Tech was bad,” Scales said. “So I just remember Tech being good. And it’s hard. You don’t like this feeling. So just to keep going 20 straight years of bowl games would just be great. … To say we were the year that messed it up and didn’t make it [to a bowl], that’s horrible. Just to beat UVa. I’m happy to go to a bowl, but I’d just love to beat UVa. Because that’s our big rival. And you just always want to beat them.”
November 19, 2012 - 9:54 PM
Did Davis block. Video shows him not bothering on a run by Scales..Could have scored a TD rather than a FG. I don’t get why catches by Davis erases the criticism of his effort on blocking. It isn’t there.
Criticism was on his effort. And that included running routes, even when he wasn’t the primary target. The coaches think he did that well. Gave no indication that he wasn’t giving effort on blocking.
On the routes I saw, which of course were receptions, he looked very good. As much as I would rather not admit it, he seemed to be a catalyst in the second half.
Most people don’t criticize your talent idiot! It’s your lack of heart. Additionally genius, you had a great game against BC, a pathetic team in a “who cares” type game. Where are you when he team needs you in a big game against real talent??!! You’ve got no heart and you’re a typical spoiled all talk all show no go kind of look at me, I’m great, I’m entitled ’cause I’m a start athlete and don’t have to work hard spoiled baby that typifies your generation… Just go away Marcus, we’re better off without you, you arrogant classless baby.
way to tell ‘em milf cougar!! Go Scales. !!!! Looked a bit like Sonny Utz.”’uh,,,,well..
So Shane Beamer says Coleman should be used out in space because of his speed. Then why did he think Coleman was the right back to run it up the middle very late in regulation of the BC game. Coleman hit those 300+ pound D linemen, and it was like hitting a brick wall, with no gain and I think even a slight loss. This was when we had been driving the ball and had to settle for a field goal to tie the game. A touchdown would have won the game. If the play was to run the ball up the middle, why wasn’t the more powerful Scales used on that play Shane?? Talk about questionable coaching decisions.
86 Cougar- well put.
Cougar
Look in the mirror if you want to see a classless baby. Why don’t you start watching Christmas movie reruns on TV and stay off this page until football season is over.
This site would be better without people who call others an idiot. Be civil or go away please 86.
It’s too bad this guy IMHO has cooked his own goose. This lack of effort unless he is the primary target will follow him when he leaves VT. On Sundays he’ll be watching the game along with the rest of us, in our living rooms…
MD, I hope you read this stuff. Nobody is questioning your talent MD. Just your heart. One half is not enough to earn my respect. Show me something on Saturday against UVA. Show me you know how to block. We know you can catch, but show us you can block. If you are lucky, there will be some NFL scouts in the stands.
Eagle, seriously, trolling on someone else’s board at 6:30 a.m.? What a life…
Come on Bitter, get real! MD is not an exceptional player, only an exceptional disappointment. Same old VT tripe.
The run by Scales where Davis once again failed to block and allowed his man to tackle Scales on what otherwise would have been a TD, is the type of play that earned Davis criticism. Nobody ever questioned his ability to make plays at times when the ball comes his way.
He did show more natural ability on that sliding over-the-shoulder catch than I thought he had. That was a tremendous play. VT would not have beaten BC without Davis’ 5 catches in the second half. But to quell the criticism built up over a career’s worth of non-blocking and backside route-loafing, Davis will need more than one excellent half of pass catching.
The frustrating thing is that even with his poor blocking VT is definitely better with him on the field than without him. He’s a net positive on the field. The frustration comes in that he could be a much greater net positive, if he dominated DB’s blocking them in the running game the way his size and athleticism says he ought to. And you do wonder what it does to the rest of the team’s psyche when a senior playmaker gives such inconsistent effort over most of his career and still plays, and gets kudus when he makes big catches to help win games.
I don’t know about tripe Ancient Bobcat, Davis has talent but little heart. I think that characterization is accurate. It is really too bad but as I can’t see him making the NFL, CFl or AFL.
I’ve known lots of guys with incredible athletic gifts but almost none with the desire it takes to elevate oneself from college to pro sports. The mental part of sports is really under rated. Lots and lots of guys look great at one level, have all the tools but can’t make it.
The brain is clearly the most underappreciated aspect of athletes. Davis is a case in point. Jeff Allen another.
And then there are the guys who make it despite the fan view or scout assessment. Hosley, Jeff King, Grimm. All guys who aren’t prototypes at their positions. They make a living in the pros. Good for them.
Mr. Whitaker, thanks for your support. Life could not be better.
I hope peppers ferry, who claims the players are demoralized by the coaches, read the quotes from Martin Scales. Doesn’t sound demoralized to me. Sounds like a team player who is motivated.
Davis probably lost a lot of his desire to excel once the Hokies were exposed as just a mediocre team which most of us knew from the beginning. Davis will be fine once he gets to the pro level. The NFL revels in types of players like the Vick brothers, Deangelo Hall, Josh Morgan etc etc.
Davis’ talents was never the question. It was his consistency that was the target of cricticism. The viral video just confirmed what fans were saying all season long.
I hope that the benching, which can be a powerful motivator, lit a fire under his butt, and he plays like the wide receiver everybody thought he would be. He showed up in a big way last season against LOLUVA and he will be needed again Saturday.
The NFL is a business Barry. If you can play you can stay. What is your point? There are bad actors from every college in the country and you know it. Marcus Vick was kicked to the curb by the NFL for one reason…he couldn’t play. The Steelers and Ravens have multiple thugs, and they also have the best defenses in the league. If you don’t like the NFL don’t watch it. If you want to point fingers at thugs, you’ve got hundreds of colleges to choose from.
#16 Eagle I’m guessing it doesn’t take a whole lot to keep you happy. Being simple minded must take a lot of stress out of life.
#20 Barry is convinced all Hokies are thugs as are the fans who apparently throw bottles from the stands. Happens all the time. Of course what the clown forgot to mention was that Marcus not only didn’t play in the NFL, he never finished at VT. I’ll personally take MV over many guys in the NFL. Served his time for what he did but not once have I ever seen him lose his temper, show boat excessively or act like a jerk on the field. So Josh Morgan did what Barry, tell us more than the one incident? You had never heard of him until he got flagged that one time. Deangelo Hall was a very talented player at VT but a jerk in the locker room. Nobody was sad to see him leave. Barry’s still smarting over the fact his team’s graduation rate is one of the lowest in the conference.
Actually, scott, not trying to defend Barry, but Marcus Vick was in the NFL for one year, technically. He actually played in one game. I think they made him a WR or something. I tried to forget him as soon as he was kicked out of VT, so I didn’t follow his ‘career’.
I think Barry’s bigger point was about the actions of Marcus Davis being detrimental to the team’s success, not about the NFL stats of the previously mentioned players. To me, it’s been an issue for over 3 years, not just the last two weeks. At this point, knowing how much of the season is left, it doesn’t matter how apathetic MD is, just as long as we beat UVa. It seems obvious that he still doesn’t care to block, but he sure cares when the pass is supposed to come his way. As a senior & headline player, he sends out a call for ‘leadership’ on the team. That strikes me as really ironic, but evidently went over the head of Marcus Davis.
Again, only two games left in his Hokie career, so it doesn’t really matter.
Very very well said Crooked Road, it really doesn’t matte anymore. Good riddance Marcus Davis!
I wouldn’t start MD on a high school team. He shows he doesn’t care unless the ball is thrown to him. Once again the coaching staff doesn’t coach well. If they did they would have seen his blocking issues in previous games. I say goodbye MD, Frank Beamer, Spriney and Newsome.
As i stated last week i posted very early in the season on this blog that MD needed to be benched hes been a sorry lazy teammate the whole year again not just against Fla st, and i completely disagree with everyone saying ohh well we did’nt have any other options this year cause he was so talented that’s straight BS period. How do we know how Fuller Knowles or Asante would have played had they started over MD and DR? we don”t cause they never had the opportunity!!!! It also irks me that the coaching staff is still trying to defend this dude cause he had a good game against BOSTON COLLEGE woooaaahhh give me a break REALLLY? Wow its almost as if they’re trying to justify starting his sorry tail all year knowing he was’nt a team player its BS and everybody on this blog knows if they’re honest with thereselves!!!!!!!