VOLUME 006 ISSUE 002 (2005.09.08)
CONTENTS
Hurricane Katrina
Game Recap - Virginia Tech vs. NC State
Three Key Plays
Game Preview - Virginia Tech vs. Duke
Understanding the ACC's Instant Replay
ACC Standings
*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*HN*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*
Hurricane Katrina
While the Florida State Seminols reduced the Miami Hurricanes
to a tropical depression on Labor Day evening, much of the Gulf
Coast still recovers from the effects of Hurricane Katrina.
Virgina Tech head coach Frank Beamer in cooperation with other
NCAA coaches has created a website for coaches to donate
money and coordinate their efforts to aid the victims of Hurricane
Katrina. You can visit that website at http://allcoachnetwork.com/.
If you would like to donate your time or money to the Red Cross
to aid the victims of Katrina, you can do so via their website:
http://www.redcross.org.
*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*HN*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*
Game Recap - Virgina Tech vs. NC State
"The Good, The Bad and The UGLY"
by "Mad" Jay
The Good
Marcus Vick - what a performance. He showed poise that I thought
would be impossible to maintain for an entire game. No one can
comprehend how difficult it was to play within himself considering
the size and intensity of the spotlight on this young man. Some of his
incompletions were drops or balls that were thrown as good as
ANYONE in the country could have thrown them, but they were to a
receiver in double coverage. I think Marcus has a ways to go in his
decision making as far as who to throw to and when to get rid of the
ball, but the skills and poise are there and now to go with those is
the confidence in winning a game against the toughest defense the
Hokies will probably play all year. Oh yeah, he also had two scrambles
late in the game that only he or his brother could have made - just
jaw-dropping.
Jimmy Williams - let the Thorpe talk begin. He made big hit after big
hit (including a huge hit on NC State's star RB, Darrell Blackman,
that caused a turnover) and ran down running backs and wide receivers
the entire night. Not much else to say. Williams is a star.
The kicking game - Yes, Brandon Pace missed a 45 yarder, but he
made two big FG's when the team needed them. A kicker needs a
start like this to gain his confidence as the season goes on
especially after missing that chip shot in the Sugar Bowl last year.
Nic Schmidt just blew me away. He boomed the ball when he needed to
and pinned the Wolfpack deep on several occasions.
The Bad
In every phase of the game - offense, defense, special teams - the
Hokies were out-coached. The least pathetic was Bud Foster and his
defense.
At least Foster has an explanation, in that no one, coming into the
season, had any film to study what Marc Trestman (offensive
coordinator for NC State) would do. The adjustments by Foster were
mostly ineffective, with NC State beating themselves with penalties
and miscues. Marc Trestman comes directly from the NFL and he
was nothing short of brilliant in the way he attacked the Hokies
man-to-man defense and blitzing schemes with short passes and
crossing routes. Most of Foster's adjustments were weak, but the
defense did rise up at the end and Aaron Rouse's interception to
win the game was reminiscent of the Hokies' defense last year
winning game after game by making a huge play at the very end.
In disbelief, I watched Frank Beamer's special teams have an
offsides on two kickoffs and then get beat badly on a fake punt call
that almost turned this game around. The Wolfpack just played
better special teams, with no FG's missed. Again NC State beat
themselves when they were flagged for running into the kicker
and gave the Hokies a first down late in the game.
I save the offense for last because it was the worst. In stark
contrast to Bud Foster who had no film of the Wolfpack offense
to work with, Stinespring had an entire game of NC State
defensive footage lighting up the Hokies. The NC State defense
returns 9 starters and ran the same scheme they ran all last
year. And I wish many of you could see how encouraged I was
after the first quarter. It seemed that Bryan Stinespring
(offensive coordinator for the Hokies) had actually watched and
learned from last year's NC State game. There were slant routes
and crossing routes, short dropbacks for Vick and even a mini-
screen to the fullback (even though it was incomplete, I was
ecstatic to see the play call). There were early miscues but
they were in execution (dropped passes or poor throw by Vick)
and I knew that once the Hokies warmed up, putting points up
would be no problem.
Interestingly, the Wolfpack stayed the course on defense. They
kept running delayed blitzes and bringing them on almost every
play. The only variation was sometimes they were up the middle
to stop the run and other times they were from the outside to
get to Vick. I felt that VT's very inexperienced line did the best
they could in only giving up 3 sacks. What was INEXPLICABLE
and so frustrating that I started eating the beanie bag I was
sitting on, was Stinespring's decision to start running last year's
offense. The same ineffective plays were being run over and over
again. HB draws up the middle and long-developing 5-step and
7-step dropback passes made up 90% of the offense after the first
quarter.
In STARK contrast to Marc Trestman, Stinespring showed a
complete lack of comprehension of in-game play-calling. How
else to explain an effective answer to NC State's defense in the
first quarter and then abandonment of that strategy for the
remainder of the game? I understand Frank Beamer's loyalty
to assistant coaches, but he his hitching his wagon to the
wrong horse in Bryan Stinespring. PERIOD.
The Ugly
The ugliest aspect of the NC State-VT game was the implementation of
the ACC replay system. To recap, if a play call on the field is
deemed, in the eyes of the on-field officials, to need review by the
booth, they can call for it to be reviewed. ACC coaches are not
allowed to challenge plays, discretion is in the hands of the
officials.
In the third quarter, with VT up 20-13, NC State QB Jay Davis was
hit from behind and the ball was scooped up by Aaron Rouse and
returned for a TD. The call on the field was TD and the score was
26-13. The officials decided they needed to review the call. No
problem so far. The replay shows that as Jay Davis was about to
bring his arm forward the ball was knocked loose. If the play call
on the field was incomplete pass, and someone argued to me that
the replay didn't show conclusive evidence that it was a fumble, I
might have disagreed, but I could at least see the argument
However, to suggest that the replay shows conclusive evidence
that it was a fumble is ridiculous!!! Yet that is what the officials
ruled.
The second instance of blown replay was on NC State's innovative
(damn I wish the Hokies had Marc Trestman) "double" hook and
ladder play at the end of the game. The pass receiver caught the
ball, and before he was tackled he lateralled it to another running
receiver. This running receiver also tried to lateral the ball before
he was tackled, but the replay clearly shows the second lateral
was a forward pass, which is illegal. NC State should have been
penalized for the 2nd lateral attempt. Without coaches' challenge
and in the frenzy of the end of the game and trying to get the ball
spotted for the Wolfpack, theofficials did NOT decide this play
needed to be reviewed. It could have been a game-deciding play.
The implementation instant replay in this first game of the season
between two ACC teams was very ugly.
*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*HN*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*
3 Key Plays - Virgina Tech vs. NC State
by "Mad" Jay
This section identifies three of the most pivotal plays that
influenced the outcome of the game.
1) In the 3rd quarter, the Hokies start a drive from the 2 yard line.
Facing 3rd and 5 from the Hokies' 7, Marcus Vick rolls out of the
pocket and fires to Justin Harper who can't hang onto the ball
bringing up 4th down. I shudder to think what would have happened if
the Hokies had to punt at that point in the game from that spot on the
field. However a flag is thrown and a personal facemask foul is called
on NC State away from the play. The penalty keeps the Hokie drive
alive and they take the ball 88 yards down the field to kick a field
goal and tie the score at 13.
2) Early in the 4th quarter, Vick rolls out to his left (he's right
handed) and lofts a perfect TD pass to David Clowney to put the Hokies
up 20-13. This proved to be the game winning score.
3) With 2 minutes 24 seconds remaining, Hokie kicker Brandon Pace
misses wide right on a FG try, but a running-into-the-kicker penalty
*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*HN*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*
Game Preview - Virgina Tech vs. Duke
by Brian "Where's the Ice?"
The ACC of today really doesn't stand too far apart from the Big
East of yesterday. Then again, Louisville has all the potential to
defeat any team in the ACC, so maybe the Big East hasn't sunk
quite so far into mediocrity as many of us thought. If the Big
East big wigs would have had their wigs screwed on right, they'd
have done three things: 1. told Notre Dame to get in or get out
(I believe Notre Dame would have caved on this one), invited
Louisville and Cincinnati and maybe Marshall into the conference,
and treated Virginia Tech with quite a bit more respect. That
would have made the Big East the sleeping giant of Collge
Football. But oh well, the fools who run that conference just plain
missed the boat on that one. They only care about basketball.
So why the long yackity-yack about the Big East? When my
fellow Hokie fans like to say that the move to the ACC means
better match-ups, I like to remind them that the football
powerhouse [sarcasm intended] Duke Blue Devils have a place on the
Virginia Tech schedule. The Carolina's have never consistently
produced a strong football program, a region that comprises nearly
half the ACC. So no, maybe the ACC doesn't mean such a stronger
schedule. But it sure does mean more respect!
Now before getting too overloaded with confidence, let's not rule out
the not so ridiculous. Historically, when Virginia Tech looses, they
loose games to opponents of lesser ability, so by no means do I
suggest that the Hokies don't have any reason to worry. However, the
worst enemy lies within their own ranks. Overconfidence has shot this
squad from high rankings and standings more than once over the
seasons. Remember the loss to Miami of Ohio in 1997? Remeber just
barely getting by Temple in 2003? If the Hokies just forget the fact
that they have the Bluke Doo Devils as their opponent and play as
though they line up against a team more formidable, they should easily
prevail.
What firepower does Duke have, and what do the Hokies need
to contain? On offense, the Blue Devils will lean on Justin Boyle
and Cedric Dargan for rushing yardage. These two tailbacks
produced a majority of the yards gained in their contest against
ECU. Quarterback Mike Schneider will aim to utilize receiver
Jomar Wright for passing.
Virginia Tech will most likely try to develop the leadership role of
Marcus Vick. After last week's victory, signs of a team following
Vick showed, but with more progress needed ahead. Expect to
watch Vick use all of his offensive assests, possibly in an almost
round-robin fashion. If the team does gain a commanding lead,
expect for second string players to take the filed in the third
or fourth quarter.
Wide receiver Josh Morgan strained a muscle in his lower right
leg Wednesday during practice. Originally listed as not
playing on Saturday, he now has a status of questionable. Virginia
Tech head athletic trainer Mike Goforth plans for Morgan to dress on
game day, and the coaching staff will make the final decision.
I hope this game lends a change for Sean Glennon to play. This
could serve as an early preview to the post-Vicks era of Hokie
Football. Also expect Beamer to give kicker Brandon Pace a few
kicks that he may not otherwise call should the Hokies command
a strong lead. Pace needs to get his confidence up. The mental
state of a football kicker compares closely to that of an ice hockey
net minder. More than %50 of the player's ability lies in his self-
confidence and mental state.
Virginia Tech should command this game beginning to end with a
potential slip when the second string players enter the game. In
light of the exchanged taunts, "It's not basketball!" and "It's not
football!" between Hokie and Blue Devil fans, don't expect the old
ghosts of Bobby Hurley, Christian Latner, and Grant Hill to rescue
Duke.
12:00 p.m., Saturday, Sept 10, 2005
Television: Jefferson-Pilot Sports/Raycom
Radio: Virginia Tech ISP Sports Network; XM Satellite (Ch. 192)
*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*HN*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*
Other Games to Watch
Pittsburgh vs. *Ohio, 8:00 p.m., Thursday, ESPN2
Clemson vs. *Maryland, 12:00 p.m., Saturday, ESPN
Wake Forest vs. Nebraska, 7:00 p.m., Saturday, TBS
*North Carolina vs. *Georgia Tech, 3:30 p.m., Saturday, ABC
Kansas Sate vs. *Marshall, 10:30 a.m., Saturday, ESPN2
* Denotes teams on Virginia Tech's 2005 schedule
*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*HN*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*
Understanding the Instant Replay
from hokiesports.com
Objective: To allow for specific types of officiating calls to be
immediately reviewed & corrected.
Principles: There must be INDISPUTABLE VIDEO EVIDENCE for
any on-the-field call to be changed. In addition, a review must have
a direct, competitive effect on the game, such as a change of
possession, scoring play, etc.
The ACC will be using instant replay in all conference games. It is
also the intent to use instant replay for all non-conference home
games, pending prior approval by the visiting team.
Reviewable Plays:
1. Plays governed by sideline, goal line and end line:
1. Scoring plays, including a runner breaking the plane of
the goal line.
2. Pass complete/incomplete/intercepted at sideline, goal
line and end line.
3. Runner/receiver in or out of bounds.
4. Recovery of loose ball in bounds.
2. Passing Plays:
1. Pass ruled complete/incomplete/intercepted in the field of
play and end zones.
2. Touching of a forward pass by an ineligible receiver.
3. Touching of a forward pass by a defensive player.
4. Quarterback (passer) forward pass or fumble (if ruled
incomplete, the play is finalized).
5. Illegal forward pass or illegal handing beyond the line of
scrimmage.
6. Illegal forward pass or illegal handing after change of
possession.
7. Forward or backward pass thrown from behind the line of
scrimmage.
3. Other detectable infractions:
1. Runner ruled not down.
2. Forward progress errors with respect to first down.
3. Touching of a kick.
4. Number of players on field.
5. Clock adjustments.
6. Fourth-down/try fumble plays.
Not Reviewable Plays:
1. Holding.
2. Offside/encroachment.
3. Pass interference.
4. Personal fouls (e.g., late hits).
5. Illegal blocks.
6. Illegal formations.
7. Face mask.
8. Taunting/excessive celebration.
9. False starts.
10. Roughing the passer/kicker.
11. Fighting participants.
*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*HN*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*
ACC Standings
ATLANTIC DIVISION
Florida State 1-0 1-0
Boston College 0-0 1-0
Clemson 0-0 1-0
Maryland 0-0 1-0
Wake Forest 0-0 0-1
NC State 0-1 0-1
COASTAL DIVISION
Virginia Tech 1-0 1-0
Georgia Tech 0-0 1-0
Virginia 0-0 1-0
North Carolina 0-0 0-0
Duke 0-0 0-1
Miami 0-1 0-1
*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*HN*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*
TSF Trivia
(1) Duke won the first ever ACC title in football and now faces
Virgina Tech who holds the last ACC title.
(2) Duke has seven titles in ACC football history
(3) Tech’s win at NC State makes the fourth win for the Hokies
when
the end of the third quarter had a tie under Coach Frank Beamer.
(4) Hokie Football earned its first ACC victory against Duke
last season.
*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*HN*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*
---Writers:
"Mad" Jason Oakley
Anand "EhhTee" Trivedi
Brian "Where's The Ice?" Wrenn
*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*HN*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*
An EhhTee Production, llamas not included; 170.
*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*HN*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*-*VT*-*TSF*
Disclaimer:
This news magazine is in no way affiliated with, or supported by,
Virginia Tech, the Virginia Tech Athletic Department, the NCAA, the
BCS, the Big East Conference, the Atlantic Coast Conference or any
other organization other than EhhTee Productions. EhhTee Productions
is an institution created by the author of TechSuperFans for the
further advancement of the media through electronic means.
TechSuperFans and TechSuperFans.com are trademarks of EhhTee
Productions. EhhTee Productions and its staff are in no way
responsible for any losses or actions taken by its audience.
