Five Thoughts The Day After Virginia Tech's Win Against ODU

Andy Bitter

Senior Staff Writer

September 03, 2023 43

Keli Lawson and the linebackers have plenty of room for improvement after struggling against the run in the opener. (Jon Fleming)

When he finally addressed the media as the clock ticked past midnight, Brent Pry looked exhausted from a full day of football, giving the kind of measured response you’d expect from a head coach after a rousing but not dominant season-opening win against an Old Dominion,

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Tucker Holloway 2022 · WR Kyron Drones 2021 · QB Jaden Keller 2021 · LB Keli Lawson 2021 · LB Jaylin Lane 2020 · WR Grant Wells 2019 · QB

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43 Comments

VTHAM September 4, 2023 at 6:29 PM

Pretty sure Coach Pry and our QB were the only ones oblivious to the fact the play clock had run out on that 4th quarter red-zone play. I think the whole stadium was screaming to call a timeout! We had all three of them at that point. Great crowd out there Saturday night. It was great to see how this fan base supports our Hokies. Our receivers looked dangerous out there. They were finding space and beating coverage. It is encouraging to see. Excellent article, Andy.
Mamajc September 4, 2023 at 5:40 PM

I totally agree. Andy needs to stay with Tech Sideline. This is a strong group of writers and their podcast is really improving and getting a groove ???????
Engineer88 September 4, 2023 at 12:51 PM

Agree 100%! Offense would have looked better if Wells didn't have to pick up the ball off the ground every snap.
JC in FC September 4, 2023 at 12:13 PM

I was commenting on the bad snaps all game. That caused some issues with some of the quick throws that were called. That split second bending down to get the snap threw some of the timing off and even affected some of the hand offs.
Walkin` Willie September 4, 2023 at 11:06 AM

So glad Andy is with TSL - got a great group of writers on the TSL staff for sure.
bluetickhound September 4, 2023 at 8:05 AM

The article was on point, good five point reflections.
Tyhifam September 3, 2023 at 8:34 PM

Andy, Is it true there is a official in the booth or watching the game from somewhere that can call the official and make a late targeting call. That Back Judge was really delayed on that one call?
1. Andy Bitter September 3, 2023 at 8:37 PM
  
  Yeah, they can call for a review from the booth.
GilliesBlue September 3, 2023 at 7:29 PM

Yeah Wells deserves props for playing well with bad snaps all game.
1. HokieJB September 4, 2023 at 10:19 AM
  
  ^^^
2. JC in FC September 4, 2023 at 12:09 PM
  
  I was commenting on that all game. That caused some issues with some of the quick throws that were called. That split second bending down to get the snap threw some of the timing off.
3. Engineer88 September 4, 2023 at 12:49 PM
  
  Agree 100%! Offense would have looked better if Wells didn't have to pick up the ball off the ground every snap.
4. MD Hokie September 4, 2023 at 12:59 PM
  
  Agreed! Nobody has written about that on TSL in their articles after the game, but that definitely needs to be cleaned up. I now Moore is new at center this season, but he needs a LOT of reps in practice to get this solved. It definitely affects Wells' mechanics and timing, and could be another reason for our slow start. Once Grant got used to those snaps and adjusted his timing, I think his performance improved. Just think if he had that extra time every play!
HokieLF1 September 3, 2023 at 6:40 PM

Thanks Andy. Have enjoyed Five Thoughts everywhere you’ve written it. As many have commented, happy for the win but concerned by what I saw. Wells was OK, but he seems to lack touch on his passes as well as zeros in on one receiver, missing open ones. The read option doesn’t appear to be something he trusted to run. The O line and run blocking…ugh! The inability of our defense to stop the run…ugh! The DBs…not as shut down as I hoped. There was good, and there was bad. Hoping for a marked improvement in game two.
hokies1693 September 3, 2023 at 5:08 PM

I always look forward to the five thoughts. Thanks Andy.
RustyHokie94 September 3, 2023 at 4:24 PM

It's so weird for the OL to give up zero sacks and then not be able to run block anyone. Bizarre. If the OL can't run block, do we not have any backups who can step up?
1. hokiehowl September 4, 2023 at 1:11 PM
  
  I thought the same thing. Grant was not running for his life and seem to have time back there but 2.6 yards per rush doesn’t get it done.
2. mrbutler52 September 4, 2023 at 8:51 PM
  
  It looks like the OL isn’t getting to the 2nd level on run plays, leaving opposing linebackers to fill and find the ball. Unlike Tech’s linebackers, who were consistently out of position.
VaPoly07 September 3, 2023 at 4:02 PM

Lots of preseason talk of how our players “look the part”. Now they need to play the part.
vtbball80 September 3, 2023 at 3:58 PM

Great thoughts. Well written. I'd be interested hin hearing more from you and Chris on what you think about the "itchy targeting trigger."
1. KiloZulu September 3, 2023 at 5:02 PM
  
  In my opinion, every targeting call was legit. The 2 by VT were stupid and late hits that did nothing to assist the tackle. Play smart football.
  1. vtbball80 September 3, 2023 at 5:46 PM
    
    How about the one they waved off?
    1. GilliesBlue September 3, 2023 at 7:26 PM
      
      If you watch the reply there's a point where the runner's head snaps back abruptly, looks a lot like helmet to helmet. Guessing the ref who called it had an obscured view and threw the flag when he saw the head snap. Glad they didn't take forever watching the replay since it wasn't in the same zipcode as targeting.
  2. TomTurkey September 3, 2023 at 7:15 PM
    
    I agree.
  3. TomTurkey September 3, 2023 at 7:19 PM
    
    I agree. Waved off 2nd to avoid being criticized for being flag/targeting happy. A foul is a foul is a foul. Especially one as serious as targeting. Penalty needs to be modified as in basketball; 1 (ejection) and 2 (PF).
steves13 September 3, 2023 at 3:51 PM

Here’s another 3: 1) Why do we continue to run inside zone (inside the box) in year two and continuously putting ourselves in unfavorable down & distance? Poor scheme. 2) Why don’t we use our weapons at the skill position, spread the field and force defenders to defend the whole field? Poor scheme. 3) Why do we want to throw the ball to a big man (Wright) behind the sticks while running away from Wells and making him twist his body to make a catch? Poor scheme. When we throw it, we moved the ball. I get wanting to establish the run but we’re not there and we have to accentuate what we have. Spread it out and air it out. If we don’t, it’ll be a long season IMO of providing our opponents an advantage. We made ODU look much better than they are. Certainly glad to be 1-0…but hopefully the staff learns from Game 1.
1. HokieLF1 September 3, 2023 at 6:27 PM
  
  Amen!
2. westsidehokie September 3, 2023 at 6:46 PM
  
  Best comments I have seen so far. I would go a step further and say the more we spread it out and throw it down the field, the more it will open up the run game. Just don’t understand the insistence on running the ball straight into the line on 1st and 2nd down.
3. middletennhokie September 5, 2023 at 9:18 AM
  
  Double amen Steves13
ANDYISGOLD September 3, 2023 at 1:50 PM

Great 5 things but the sixth has to be all those low snaps that do nothing but limit the time for the QB has to make reads of the defense.
1. GilliesBlue September 3, 2023 at 7:28 PM
  
  Yeah Wells deserves props for playing well with bad snaps all game.
2. JC in FC September 4, 2023 at 12:12 PM
  
  I was commenting on that all game. That caused some issues with some of the quick throws that were called. That split second bending down to get the snap threw some of the timing off and even affected some of the hand offs.
Cau12 September 3, 2023 at 1:30 PM

Why are we not seeng more of Holloway? The kid is a weapon and had a major spring game. He was virtually nonexistent in the game until his punt return.
1. hokietom87 September 3, 2023 at 1:53 PM
  
  He was hurt alot in preseason camp
59 Burst September 3, 2023 at 1:26 PM

Why wasn't the bad snap for a safety counted as a turnover? If VT had recovered on the 5 or score a TD, wouldn't that be a turnover?
1. Andy Bitter September 3, 2023 at 1:33 PM
  
  It’s just not how the count them. Turnover on downs is the same way.
59 Burst September 3, 2023 at 1:24 PM

Why wasn't the bad snap for a safety counted as a turnover? Say VT had recovered the ball on the 5 or in the EZ for a TD. Wouldn't that be a turnover?
fosterD1 September 3, 2023 at 1:12 PM

There were gap integrity issues by the ILB’s…no doubt. But there were more concerning physical issues with the DT’s not being able to shed blocks. I’m wondering what the DT ratings were??
Ronfarmer27 September 3, 2023 at 1:04 PM

It’s SO GREAT to see Andy’s “Five Thoughts…” back!
1. naynay136 September 3, 2023 at 1:12 PM
  
  Yes!!!
2. Andy Bitter September 3, 2023 at 1:33 PM
  
  Now in its fourth different publication!
  1. G83Hokie September 3, 2023 at 8:38 PM
    
    Sure - but here's hoping the fourth time is the charm - this is a good place for it to call home!
  2. cpogilvie September 5, 2023 at 7:21 AM
    
    Yes, nice to see the five thoughts back! I will keep following wherever it goes, but happy it's here!

Five Thoughts The Day After Virginia Tech's Win Against ODU

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