Thoughts on Hawkins after week 1?
He didn't have a ton of room to run, but still had 15 carries for 58 yards — better than Tuten’s first game as a Hokie -- 19 carries for 55 yards against ODU, because he also didn't have a ton of room to run. However; for most people watching, I think Tuten still passed the eye test that night.
I was watching from the stands and Sunday, and have not rewatched the game yet, so did Hawkins also pass the eye test this weekend?
** Edited by Nomad_Hokie at 9/3/2025, 2:17:11 PM
36 Replies
11mo
My view is that the days of Suggs, Wilson, KJ, Evans, Williams and Ore are passed and not to return.
He appears to be at least equal to many past RBs we've had.
(In response to this post by Nomad_Hokie)
10mo
And it's Evans. (Though I was at that Maryland game when he went for that preposterous amount of yards, that was fun.)
2006 Branden Ore was insane -- one of my all time favorite seasons in terms of watching a VT RB cook. He carried that team. However; after 2006 he was never again the same back.
(In response to this post by Riverguy)
11mo
We could have seen what he could do with some room to run. He was pretty hemmed up most of the game.
He doesnt have the tackle breaking ability tuten had
(In response to this post by Nomad_Hokie)
11mo
(sorry. I felt a Napoleon Dynamite vibe for a second there)
:o)
(In response to this post by VBpescador)
11mo
but the portals to the upside-down are a little unsettling.
(In response to this post by Nomad_Hokie)
11mo
(In response to this post by Nomad_Hokie)
T
Tech76G
11mo
(In response to this post by Nomad_Hokie)
O
OGHookie
11mo
He’s alright. We don’t really have a real threat this year in the backfield
(In response to this post by Nomad_Hokie)
11mo
At least what I thought I read. A sturdy power back. I saw a burst in Tuten right away even though we didn't block ODU at all. He had a some no gainers that were quite impressive. Haven't been looking. What's the word on Stewart and is he more of a homerun threat?
(In response to this post by Nomad_Hokie)
10mo
I remember a tweet about him being #2 in the country in yards after contact, like ahead of Tuten (and behind Jeanty). I tried to find said tweet and couldn't so you'll have to take my word for it. I'm excited to see him tonight.
(In response to this post by crazylane)
11mo
(In response to this post by Nomad_Hokie)
11mo
(In response to this post by Nomad_Hokie)
M
MKD
11mo
(In response to this post by BG Hokie)
11mo
without a Tuten gamebreaker at RB, teams are going to force Drones to beat them.
Tuten may have covered up Drones' weaknesses over the past couple seasons.
(In response to this post by Nomad_Hokie)
11mo
He made the right decisions against USCe unlike the other RBs who struggled with picking the right hole.
Of course, USC was bringing 5 every play so to get 4 YPC is pretty good especially for someone who didn't break off any long runs.
(In response to this post by Nomad_Hokie)
11mo
difficult with the OL we're working with. Still, so much talk and want from posters about Stewart but IMO, the bell cow should be Hawkins. Why we're obsessing over someone who has been injured all camp, not drawing much praise from coaches, etc...is a mystery to me. Sure, he was good at Bowling Green, but that's last year. I go with who is physically and mentally ready to play and shows it in practice and meeting rooms. Hawkins could be pretty good by the end of the season.
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
11mo
(In response to this post by 91HokieBob)
11mo
(In response to this post by Maroon Effect)
11mo
much on the running game. Dinking and dunking down the field may be just as effective as an offense trying to establish the run.
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
11mo
There was nothing eye-popping about his play or how he moves but he looked like a solid back.
(In response to this post by Nomad_Hokie)
11mo
IF we had scheduled a preseason warmup.
Okay, I'll stop now, I can't believe there is not more support for this concept.
And we would know a lot more about the #2 and #3 running backs.
Hokies, stop shooting yourself in the foot in game 1.
End of my Rant.
GO HOKIES!
** Edited by jonnyhawk at 9/3/2025, 2:10:42 PM
(In response to this post by Nomad_Hokie)
11mo
To get our act together.
But this was about a running back who I thought delivered and I'm excited to see what he can do.
But to counter your obvious thought process of playing a weak opponent, we played a #1 USC, went on to have a 10 win season, played a # 1 Alabama, did the same thing. Played a number 3 Boise St, went on to a 10 win season, so I don't buy the cupcake deal.
(In response to this post by jonnyhawk)
11mo
How about you give it a rest created false narratives to make yourself look wise.
So you had to go back to 2000 and 2004, to find examples where strong game#1 opponents did not wreck entire seasons.
Nice. Indeed....those were the days.
(In response to this post by summervillehokie)
T
Truthahn
11mo
VMI warms up for ODU, who warms up for Maryland (who warms up for JMU!)
For the record, I think we should try to engineer wins with our non-conferences games as much as possible.
First games should be no higher than a low-range G6
Second game should be no higher than a mid-range G6
Third game should be a lower half P2 or a B12 team at the highest (I know the B12 has some great teams).
Then ACC schedule
Then another max mid-range G6 around week nine.
Then the rest of the ACC schedule
Nothing helps you more than wins, IMO. We should never schedule a team we will probably lose to, especially a neutral game that is closer to the other team's stadium.
Our 2026 schedule is almost perfect, IMO. We should avoid the neutral, Alabama in Atlanta type games. They are traps, IMO.
Look at Ole Miss this year, for another near perfect one. They mix theirs up a bit more, GSU, Tulane, Wash State, with some SEC in between, and then the Citadel in week 10, to give themselves a rest for the final two SEC games. They get a chef's kiss. No blockbuster one off preseason neutral games against Michigan in Detroit on that schedule.
(In response to this post by jonnyhawk)
11mo
Unfortunately.
It's sad we have come to being scared to play South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Rutgers, Purdue, West Virginia, etc!
That's not exactly a murderers row. It's exactly who we should be playing: mid or bottom tier P4 programs.
Meanwhile Miami is playing Florida and Notre Dame. Clemson is playing LSU. FsU is playing Florida and Alabama.
It's truly embarrassing.
(In response to this post by Truthahn)
11mo
Does anybody read any more?
Seriously worried about people's ability to read and comprehend lately.
SCARY
I just want the first game losses against top 15 teams (that always seem to be peaking when they play us).
Would prefer a 1 game preseason warmup. Is that too much to ask?
NFL games get several.
Many (smart) college teams already get at least 1 warm up game.
You have to transition from practice to game time, other wise, it's a huge disadvantage.
VT will be switching rosters every season now, sometimes with coaches.
Playing top 15 teams in game #1 is bad business for Hokies in this day in age.
GO HOKIES
(In response to this post by SpeakToDamien)
11mo
If the networks provide a high profile game to VT that brings in money and/or rating potential, VT has to accept.
(In response to this post by jonnyhawk)
11mo
VT needs to start supporting their football program. Stop selling out football program for trap games in game #1.
This IS the actual problem.
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
11mo
(In response to this post by jonnyhawk)
11mo
(In response to this post by Truthahn)
E
EDGEMAN
11mo
...you get a larger slice of the ACC media pie, or play cupcakes and build your wins towards bowl eligibility.
(In response to this post by Truthahn)
11mo
(In response to this post by EDGEMAN)