Rarely does a 35-10 loss bring out any sort of optimism from me, but I left the Georgia Dome late Saturday night feeling a lot better about this team than I did on Saturday afternoon. That's because of two things: a great defense and a seemingly improved running game.
The Defense
Let's go over some of the defensive accolades, though there are so many that I'll probably forget some:
1: Tech held Alabama to 96 yards rushing and 206 yards of total offense. Throwing out last year's Western Kentucky game in which Alabama surely didn't even show up, the closest anyone came to holding Alabama's rushing offense down was Texas A&M. The Aggies held the Tide to 122 rushing yards, but that was basically because they got an early lead and forced Alabama to pass. The Tech defense had no such luxury. No opponent last season held the Tide below 300 yards. LSU was closest at 331 yards. Again, that throws out the Western Kentucky game. Somehow they held Bama to 103 rushing yards and 328 total yards, but Alabama likely didn't try.
2: Alabama scored just two touchdowns on the Tech defense. Both of those scoring drives began on Tech's side of the 50. The second one came on a deep ball against backup rover Desmond Frye (So.), who was only in the game because Kyshoen Jarrett was briefly out with cramps. Their first touchdown drive came with Kyle Fuller on the sideline with a shoulder injury. If Fuller and Jarrett don't get hurt, and Alabama doesn't start on Tech's side of the field, would the Crimson Tide have even scored on the Tech defense? Maybe, maybe not.
3: Kyle Fuller intercepted A.J. McCarron in the first half. McCarron threw only three interceptions all of last season. Bud Foster said after the game that Tech knew what route Alabama was going to run on that play based on their formation and wide receiver splits. Torrian Gray and Foster are certifiable football geniuses, as far as I'm concerned.
4: Alabama's last three games of last season saw the Tide dominate on the ground. They ran for 267 yards on Auburn, 350 yards against Georgia and 265 against Notre Dame. That's an average of 294 yards per game. Tech held them to 96 yards on the ground and 2.5 yards per carry.
Tech's defense has been dominant going back to the Florida State game last year.
FSU: -15 rushing yards, 311 total yards
BC: 167 rushing yards, 296 total yards
UVA: 30 rushing yards, 217 total yards
Rutgers: 67 rushing yards, 196 total yards
Alabama: 96 rushing yards, 206 total yards
Average: 69 rushing yards, 245.2 total yards
Throw out the Boston College game, which Tech sleepwalked through, and those averages drop to 44.5 rushing yards per game and 232.5 total yards per game. Foster's defense had some big issues early last season, but he's fixed it. No question about it. For anyone who doesn't agree that Bud Foster is the best defensive coordinator in the nation, I challenge you to nominate a better one.
I was really worried about true freshmen Kendall Fuller and Brandon Facyson being forced to play so much, and I was equally worried about manning the whip spot with Josh Trimble (r-So.) and Derek DiNardo (r-Jr.). But, all those guys did a good job. I was impressed.
Those cornerbacks in particular were put on an island, and they responded. Kyle Fuller has always been a great player, but if he's had a weakness it's been turning and running with wide receivers down the field. Cincinnati and FSU beat him last year, and Arkansas State did it in 2011. I've seem Demitri Knowles do it a few times in scrimmages as well. But on Saturday, Fuller was a lock down corner, and he looked as good as any corner Tech has had. And you can't say enough about Kendall Fuller , who locked down his side of the field as a true freshman.
Also, you've got to tip your cap to backup defensive tackles Woody Baron (Fr.) and Nigel Williams (r-Fr.). Those guys had to take on the Alabama offensive line in their first college game. Not only did they hold their own, I would argue that they got the better of Bama more times than not.
Want a comparison of Tech's 2009 defensive effort against Alabama to the one this past weekend? It's not even close:
Rushing: 96 in 2013, 268 in 2009
Passing: 110 in 2013, 230 in 2009
Total: 206 in 2013, 498 in 2009
Yards per play: 3.3 in 2013, 6.3 in 2009
Sacks: 4 in 2013, 2 in 2009
Virginia Tech's defensive performance was much better this time around. The Hokies have more talent on defense than they did in 2009. What makes the performance particularly impressive is that the Crimson Tide have All-Americans at quarterback, tailback and wide receiver, and their offensive line is traditionally the best in college football.
Overall, Tech looks like they have an upper-level SEC defense. In fact, if the Hokies were in the SEC, this might be that league's best defense. In short, it's a National Championship level defense. If only that old offensive staff had left the offense in a little better shape. Speaking of which:
The OL: An encouraging start, but questions remain
Virginia Tech's offensive line displayed better technique, better toughness, and better football IQ last night than they ever did during the 2012 season. Considering the opponent, and the fact that the passing game was no threat, the performance of the offensive line in Jeff Grimes' first game was better than anyone could have expected. I thought it was quite good, in fact.
David Wang , who seems healthy, did a nice job attacking the nose tackle and inside linebackers. Andrew Miller and Caleb Farris were very good. Jonathan McLaughlin …wow, what else can you say about that guy? The true freshman was as cool as a cucumber in his first college game. Laurence Gibson really whipped his man on Trey Edmunds ' long touchdown run. In general, there was running room up the middle all night, and Alabama rarely got penetration. Throw in the fact that pass protection was excellent, and it's hard not to be pleased by Tech's offensive line play.Despite all of that, there will be new challenges as we go forward. Nick Saban noted in the postgame that Tech didn't run any plays that Alabama prepared for. They were totally unprepared for the formations and plays that Scot Loeffler showed, particularly all the option plays. How will the offensive line perform when opposing defensive coordinators have film to study?
Also, how will the offensive line perform when they have to block a 4-3 rather than a 3-4? They are two very different schemes. I don't know the answer to either of those questions, but I'm going to temper my expectations for awhile until we see how this group responds against a defense that has a month worth of film with which to prepare.
Nevertheless, I think we can all agree that it was a promising beginning for Tech's new line. It also helps to have a really good running back!
Don't give up on Knowles yet
I don't give up on guys after one bad game. There has to be a developing trend before I'm willing to take action, otherwise you run the risk of grasping at straws and shattering a guy's confidence. If Demitri Knowles showed in scrimmages and practices that he was better than the receivers behind him, then he probably is. I trust this coaching staff to make those decisions.
Knowles dropped a bunch of passes on Saturday night. There's no way around it. But he caught 19 passes last year in a backup role, and I don't remember him having a case of the dropsies. On the contrary, I remember him having this one-handed catch in the endzone with a defender draped all over him. That's not an easy catch to make.
In 2011, and even into the spring of 2012, I never thought Corey Fuller would be able to help us at wide receiver. I remember doing a video of him royally screwing up a route in the 2011 Clemson game. Every time I saw him in a scrimmage he was dropping passes over the middle like he was scared to take a hit. He appeared to not be able to catch or run routes, and even worse, he appeared to shy away from contact.
What ended up happening? He developed into Tech's best over-the-middle receiver in 2012, and he became an NFL Draft pick. I gave up on him based on what I saw in one game and 5-6 scrimmages. I made that mistake once, and I'm not going to make it again. I've seen Knowles have one really rough game catching the football, but it's not an issue that he's had in multiple scrimmages or games in the past. The main culprit of drops that I've seen has been Carlis Parker and some of the younger receivers…not Demitri Knowles . I'm in his corner, unless it becomes a trend.
That being said, I hope Charley Meyer gets healthy quickly. I've never seen him drop anything, and the more options Tech has the better they'll be.
Special Teams
Ok, let's get one thing out of the way in a hurry. Frank Beamer can't go out and hire a special teams coach! The NCAA limits the number of assistants that are allowed on a staff, and Virginia Tech has already reached that limit.
Also, Frank is Tech's Special Teams Coach in name only. In reality, he coaches the punt team and the punt return team. Other coaches handle the kickoff return, kickoff, field goal block and field goal protection teams. The responsibility is split amongst the staff, just like it is at other programs. There isn't enough time in the day for a coach to handle his regular position, and then all of the special teams. That's why the responsibilities are split up. Only in the NFL do we see one guy dedicated to all the special teams.
Everybody, let's say it together: hiring a dedicated full-time special teams coach is not an option!
Okay, now that we've got that clear, let's talk about the special teams. The big issue, as Frank Beamer pointed out after the game, is personnel. Thanks to TSL Poster bigdaddy, who went over Tech's kickoff team personnel in this thread. To recap, here it is:
Kendall Fuller : starting CB Matt Roth (r-So.): Backup DE, 13 games and 140 ST plays in 2012 Josh Trimble (r-So.): starting whip, 11 games and 165 ST plays in 2012 Tyrel Wilson (r-Sr.): major DE contributor, long-time ST veteran Sam Rogers (Fr.): starting fullback Brandon Facyson (Fr.): #2 CB Deon Clarke (r-Fr.): #2 backer, 3 games on ST last year before redshirting Desmond Frye (So.): #2 rover, 13 games and 108 ST plays in 2012 Chase Williams (r-Jr.): #2 mike, long-time ST veteran Zack McCray (r-Jr.): #3 TE, long-time ST veteranIf you trust Kendall Fuller and Brandon Facyson enough to play a lot of defense, then obviously you would trust them on special teams. Tyrel Wilson and Chase Williams are proven special teams guys, and Josh Trimble was an excellent gunner last year opposite Alonzo Tweedy.
I thought Alabama's kickoff return for a touchdown was a little bit of a fluke. Sam Rogers had the ball carrier wrapped up, but he and Josh Trimble simply knocked each other off the tackle. The coverage itself was outstanding. I think I might get backup mike linebacker Devin Vandyke (r-Fr.) in there, but I really don't have a problem with that personnel. Tech's other two kickoffs went for a touchback and a return to the Alabama 15. Right now, I'm not really concerned about the kickoff team. It's something to monitor, but that personnel doesn't leave me concerned.
What I'm going to question is the personnel on the punt team. How can Frank Beamer reasonably expect true freshman Chuck Clark to be able to handle Alabama as a gunner in his first college game? Also, Donovan Riley (So.) is much better suited for the kickoff team than the punt team. He's never struck me as the type who would be a dynamic open field tackler, and I've said before that I view him more as a safety than a corner. I think he has the potential to be a very good rover.
I like Clark and Riley both as football players, but I don't think they were put in a position to succeed on Saturday night. I think a guy like Riley could be an asset on the kickoff team, however. If I were Frank, gunner is the position I'd make the changes. Who are the best options? First and foremost, Kyle Fuller is easily the #1 option. He's the best open field tackler on the team. After Fuller, I'd hold an open tryout. Trimble was good there last year, but he's bulked up to 216 and may or may not be a great option there this year.
I think Der'Woun Greene (r-Fr) is a guy who could get a look there. Kendall Fuller (Fr.) would be a good option. He seems to handle everything else that's thrown at him with relative ease, so I have no reason to believe that it would be any different as a gunner. Joel Caleb (r-Fr.) is also a guy who intrigues me there, along with Desmond Frye .
At any rate, I would expect to see different personnel on the field this weekend.
Helmet Stickers
Who on the starting defense does not deserve a helmet sticker? Everybody played a helluva football game.
Jack Tyler : 8 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack. Tyler came away with a huge third down stop early in the game and showed himself to be a great middle linebacker against an excellent offensive line. Tariq Edwards : 6 tackles, 1.5 TFL. Edwards looked like his old self out there. Dadi Nicolas : 3 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack. I was really worried that Nicolas wouldn't match up well with Alabama's huge offensive line. I was wrong. He really stood out. Luther Maddy : 4 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack. Charley Wiles always said that Maddy was ahead of Derrick Hopkins from a pass rushing standpoint, but was behind when it comes to stopping the run. I think he's made major improvements to his run defense. Kyle Fuller : 4 tackles, 1 interception, 2 passes broken up: Fuller was all over the field against the run and the pass. Kendall Fuller : 4 tackles. Fuller looked like he belonged in his very first college game. Derrick Hopkins : 3 tackles, 1 TFL. Hopkins whipped the interior line of Alabama. James Gayle : Though Gayle had no tackles in this game, Nick Saban made a point to talk about Gayle in the postgame, saying that he pushed the pocket and made A.J. McCarron really uncomfortable. J.R. Collins : 3 tackles, 2 QB hurries. Collins won the battle with Cyrus Kouandjio. Most SEC defensive ends won't be able to do that. Kyshoen Jarrett : 4 tackles, 2 QB hurries. I thought Jarrett was very active against the running game. Detrick Bonner : Alabama never beat Tech deep when the Hokies had a safety deep. When VT had a safety deep, it was Bonner. Derek DiNardo and Josh Trimble: Tech's walkon whips (who were rewarded scholarships just before the season began) combined for 6 tackles and 1.5 TFL. Bud Foster has to be very pleased with their play. Nigel Williams : 3 tackles, 1.5 TFL and 1 sack in your first college game against Alabama? Goodness. Trey Edmunds : 20 carries for 132 yards and a TD in his first college game, and against last year's #1 defense. And remember, Edmunds is only 18. He's supposed to be a true freshman, not a r-freshman. He's going to be a star, plain and simple. David Wang : Wang has never really been healthy, and he's taken too much heat from folks (I'm not excluded from this, FWIW) for his play in the past. It's not easy to play hurt while being poorly coached. Tech's OL outplayed Alabama on the interior and that can't happen without good center play. Caleb Farris : Jeff Grimes said on BeamerBall that Farris played better than he's ever played. That's good enough for me. Jonathan McLaughlin : For a true freshman to play that well against Alabama is very impressive indeed.Up Next: Western Carolina
Western Carolina won exactly one game last year, against Mars Hill. Who? Exactly. Mars Hill is a Division II program. Not Division 1-AA like JMU, Furman, etc. But Division II.
Western Carolina's other games looked like this:
52-24 loss to Marshall
49-20 loss to Wofford
25-21 loss to Samford
45-24 loss to Furman
45-13 loss to Georgia Southern
45-31 loss to The Citadel
42-31 loss to Elon
38-27 loss to Appalachian State
45-24 loss to Chattanooga
49-0 loss to Alabama
In those losses, Western Carolina allowed an average of 43.5 points per game. Even if you take out the 1-A teams that they played, they still allowed 41.75 points per game against 1-AA competition. That's really, really bad. As bad as it gets. Last week they began their season by losing to Middle Tennessee State 45-24.
I'm not even sure Frank Beamer's top notch coach speak can cover the stench that emanates from the Western Carolina program. This is a terrible team and an easy win the for the Hokies.