TSLMail
#354- October 31, 2008 |
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Tech Sports News |
Stats Unimpressive, but Hokies Still Alive
by Chris Coleman, TechSideline.com
The Hokies are one of just
two teams who control their own destiny in the ACC Coastal Division. Looking at
their season statistics, you wouldn't know it. The Hokies rank at or near the
bottom of the ACC and even the NCAA in many important offensive and special
teams categories.
Let's start with the
offense, which as we all know, hasn't exactly been lighting the world on fire
this year.
Offensive
Stats |
Category |
ACC
Rank |
National
Rank |
Rushing Offense |
4 |
50 |
Passing Offense |
11 |
112 |
Total Offense |
12 |
113 |
Scoring Offense |
6 |
70 |
Pass Efficiency |
12 |
99 |
Sacks Allowed |
12 |
113 |
Average |
9.5 |
92.83 |
Those offensive rankings are propped up by a few things. First, Tyrod Taylor's
legs have gained quite a few yards on the ground for the Hokies. Many of Tech's
rushing yards aren't traditional runs, but rather scrambles when no one is open
downfield.
Also,
scoring offense is ranked sixth in the ACC. However, that is a misleading stat.
It includes scores by the defense (3 TDs) and special teams (one safety on a
blocked punt, one PAT return), not just points scored by the offense. The Hokies
rank 112th or below in three categories, and almost rank 100th in pass
efficiency as well.
The defensive rankings are
much better.
Defensive
Stats |
Category |
ACC
Rank |
National
Rank |
Rushing Defense |
6 |
40 |
Passing Defense |
7 |
31 |
Total Defense |
5 |
28 |
Scoring Defense |
8 |
39 |
Pass Efficiency
Defense |
11 |
72 |
Tackles for Loss |
4 |
29 |
Sacks |
5 |
29 |
Average |
6.57 |
38.29 |
The Hokies have a strong defense, and they are playing in a conference filled
with strong defenses. Of course, they are also playing in a conference filled
with bad offenses.
The Tech defense ranks
worse than 40th in the nation in just one category: pass efficiency defense. The
Hokies have given up some big plays through the air. However, it's quite likely
that ranking will improve as the season draws to a close. Defensive rankings
have been trending upward from game to game.
Virginia Tech is used to
getting good special teams play, but not this year.
Special
Teams Stats |
Category |
ACC
Rank |
National
Rank |
Net Punting |
12 |
114 |
Kickoff Return |
8 |
77 |
Punt Returns |
3 |
29 |
Kickoff Return
Defense |
3 |
25 |
Punt Return
Defense |
12 |
118 |
Average |
7.6 |
72.6 |
Tech's kickoff team is solid, and Macho Harris is obviously a top notch punt
returner. However, Frank Beamer's punt team needs a whole lot of work. They have
allowed two punts to be returned for touchdowns this year, and they've also had
two punts blocked, one of which was returned for a TD. Special teams has
arguably been the deciding factor in all three losses this year.
So if Tech has subpar play
in two of the three phases of the game, why do they still control their own
destiny at this point? Part of it is luck, but part of it is discipline.
Misc.
Stats |
Category |
ACC
Rank |
National
Rank |
Turnover Margin |
2 |
7 |
Penalties |
7 |
40 |
Penalty Yards |
2 |
15 |
Average |
3.67 |
20.67 |
With so many key players out on the offensive side of the ball, everyone knew
the offense would be limited this year. The least they could do is not turn the
ball over and put the defense in a bad position. That's exactly what they've
done. The Hokies rank seventh nationally in turnover margin, their only top 10
statistical ranking. They also do very well in penalties and penalty yardage.
Another
thing that helps is the overall poor play of other offenses in the ACC,
particularly in the Coastal Division. Virginia (97th), Duke (98th), Georgia Tech
(72nd), UNC (86th) and Miami (99th) aren't particularly affective on the
offensive side of the ball. Although they rank a little ahead of the Hokies,
Tech's penalties and turnover margin advantage has been enough to keep them in
the race.
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TechSideline.com
Updates From the Past Week
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Handicapping
the Coastal Race
October 31, 2008
In
case you didn't notice, the ACC Coastal Division race is pretty
tight. No team has lost more than two ACC games, but five of the six
teams in the division have dropped two conference games. Virginia
sits at the top with one loss, and they are one of two teams in the
conference that controls their own destiny. Virginia Tech is the
other.
more
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ACC
Weekend Football Preview: Week 10
October 31, 2008
The
ACC race is still up for grabs in both divisions, with only two
teams checking in with more than two conference losses. This
weekend's games will help shake some things out in each division.
The Miami-UVA game in Charlottesville is very important in the
Coastal Division race.
more
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McCray
Enjoys Success On and Off Field
October 31, 2008
6-5,
235-pound Brookville (Lynchburg, VA) defensive end/tight end Zack
McCray, one of the top juniors in the state of Virginia, claims
to have been offered by Boston College, Duke, Maryland, North
Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and West Virginia.
Not all of these offers are official offers, but the ones that
aren't are expected to become official soon.
more
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2008-09
Men's Basketball Preview
October 30, 2008
In
less than a month, Virginia Tech's men's basketball team will begin
its most anticipated season since the 1995-96 campaign. The Hokies
return four starters and all of their backups from a team that was a
game away from making the NCAA tournament. Tech made it to the
quarterfinals of the NIT and won 21 games, with six freshmen as part
of the playing rotation.
more
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Deep
Run Star Talks Senior Season, Recruiting
October 30, 2008
Antone
Exum has performed extremely well in his senior season, leading
Deep Run (Glen Allen, VA) to an 8-0 record heading into a big-time
district match-up against the Hermitage Panthers tomorrow night. The
6-0, 200-pound athlete has gotten the job done in all areas, scoring
touchdowns passing, rushing and on special teams.
more
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The
Latest on Logan Thomas
October 30, 2008
Brookville
(Lynchburg, VA) star athlete Logan Thomas narrowed down his
list of schools in July and he has taken unofficial visits to most
of those programs. Is the 6-6, 225-pound senior close to a
commitment or, at the very least, close to narrowing his list again?
more
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Florida
State Game Analysis: Hokies Show Mettle on the Road
October 29, 2008
I
am not sure what to make of this game. The Hokies lost, but they
actually played pretty well for long stretches of the game. The
offense rebounded after a miserable performance against BC, only to
lose both of their experienced quarterbacks to injury. The defense
continued to represent, only to be struck again by the big play bug.
And the Hokies got a couple of long kick-off returns, but the
special teams continued to struggle with key mistakes at critical
junctures. It all added up to a strange, roller-coaster of a game
that was both fun and frustrating at the same time.
more
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TSL
Audio: The Jerry Miller Show, 10/28/08
October 29, 2008
On
Wednesday's show, Chris Coleman and Jerry Miller talked about the
quarterback situation for the Hokies, and they discussed VT's
chances to run the table, with three of their last four games at
home (WMA format, approx. 3.0 MB, approx. 13 minutes long).
The Jerry Miller Show appears on The Sports Addict Radio Network
every afternoon from 1:00-3:00 pm in Blacksburg (1430 AM),
Charlottesville (840 AM), and Bluefield (1050 AM), and from
2:00-4:00 in Martinsville (1160 AM).
more
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VT
Commitment Notes
October 29, 2008
TSL
caught up with Pulaski County (Dublin, VA) running back Nubian
Peak for a "Q&A." Peak, a 5-11, 190-pound prospect
who is being recruited to play wide receiver, is turning in another
fine season for Pulaski. Through eight games (Pulaski is 8-0 on the
season), the versatile speedster has totaled 100 carries for 874
yards, 12 receptions for 190 yards and totaled 15 touchdowns.
more
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Hokie
Hotline Notes for 10/27/08
October 28, 2008
This
week's guests were offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring, athletic
director Jim Weaver, and head football coach Frank Beamer. They
talked about the Florida State game, the status of Tech's two
injured quarterbacks, and the upcoming game against Maryland.
more
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Sims,
Hailes Headline Oscar Smith's 2010 Class
October 28, 2008
When
college recruiters make their stops in evaluating the state of
Virginia's 2010 recruiting class, the first stop likely is Oscar
Smith High School (Chesapeake, VA). The Tigers boast two top
juniors, including one - quarterback Phillip Sims - who
promises to be one of the most highly recruited prospects in the
country. As a sophomore last season, the 6-2, 215-pound standout
threw for 2,797 yards and 33 touchdowns.
more
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Monday
Thoughts: Florida State
October 27, 2008
Once
a season, you get a game that is jammed full of drama and more
twists and turns than Watkins Glen. Some games are snoozers, some
games are doozies, and this one fit the latter category. The Hokies
absorbed their second loss in a row, which is never anything to be
celebrated, but in the loss were encouraging signs, despite the
injuries to Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor.
more
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Around
the ACC: Week 9
October 27, 2008
Another
week of ACC football is in the books, and there are still just two
teams in the conference with more than two losses. Clemson and NC
State are pretty much done in the Atlantic Division, but every other
team in the league has a chance to play its way to Tampa.
more
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Hokies
Picked Sixth in the ACC
October 27, 2008
ACC
men's basketball players and coaches met with the media on Sunday in
Atlanta. During the meetings, the media revealed their 2008-09
preseason ACC selections and predictions. As expected, North
Carolina is picked to win the league.
more
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David
Wang Adjusting Well to DT
October 27, 2008
Primarily
an offensive lineman last season as a junior, 6-2, 302-pound Stone
Bridge (Ashburn, VA) star David Wang has primarily played the
3-technique defensive tackle spot this season. It has been a
transition, but as the weeks go on the standout senior is getting
more and more comfortable with the new position.
more
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Taylor
and Glennon Questionable for Maryland
October 26, 2008
Quarterbacks
Tyrod Taylor and Sean Glennon were X-rayed in Blacksburg on Sunday
morning, and the X-rays turned out negative. Taylor injured his
ankle on the first play of the game, while Glennon hurt his lower
leg in the third quarter.
more
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Seminoles
Knock Out Taylor, Glennon, Hokies, 30-20
October 25, 2008
Tallahassee,
FL - Virginia Tech lost both Tyrod Taylor and Sean Glennon to
injuries and managed to battle Florida State to a statistical draw,
but the Seminoles took advantage of Hokie mistakes to post a
physical 30-20 victory. The Hokies led 13-10 at half time, but a big
roughing the punter call on Tech helped FSU score the go-ahead
touchdown, and the Noles held on for the win.
more |
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