Five Thoughts The Day After The Hokies' Controversial Loss To Miami

Andy Bitter

Senior Staff Writer

September 28, 2024 80

Hokies defensive tackle Wilfried Pene kneels after what seemed like a colossal road upset turned into a loss after a replay review. (Ivan Morozov)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — A new play has jumped to the top of the Hokies fan base’s collective misery.

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Five Thoughts 2024 VT-Miami Football

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80 Comments

Coach Dailey October 1, 2024 at 8:22 AM

4. The defense looked gassed at the end So that’s twice this season (Vandy) the Hokies have melted in heat/humidity. I don’t think that spending August in the shade of the Beamer Barn is creating the endurance and toughness required for Division I BCS success. It was eons ago but two-a-days in August heat/humidity got my ass in shape back in high school (Al Bundy style flashback)
NMB Hokie September 30, 2024 at 6:15 PM

I HATED the fake FG play. When I saw the pitch, before the tackle, I was yelling "Take the points!!" at my TV. I did not HATE it in hindsight.
abangor September 29, 2024 at 5:20 PM

Andy, always appreciate these columns. Perspective is such a hard thing to keep as a fan. If VT plays the rest of the year like they did at Miami (imperfections included), they'll go 6-1.
JC in FC September 29, 2024 at 2:47 PM

Great article and a lot of insightful comments on the replies. It was truly an agonizing loss and it is amazing how with both teams moving up and down the field at will it all comes down to a handful of mistakes that determine the game (including officials). One other thing I wanted to point out is comparing the arm bar that Strong had on that PI call at end of first half versus arm bar on Green on late throw in endzone. Should have been a PI on that Green call as well. It would have been a valuable 15 yards in that situation.
Hokiekeen September 29, 2024 at 10:54 AM

The big question I would like an answer to is what does the ACC think "indisputable video evidence" means? Indisputable is defined as "unable to be challenged or denied" by Oxford. If the ACC applied that standard to the Miami review, then they should have been able to explain the decision (in the moment, not 2 hours later) and people all over sports and sports media wouldn't have been arguing about the call the next day. But they didn't, and even folks who aren't biased as fans of VT or Miami don't agree on whether the replay decision was correct or not. Based on this, and other ACC replay reviews, it appears that the ACC defines indisputable to mean something like, "to be pretty sure, or almost certain". Indisputable is an absolute term, like yes or no. There is no maybe when something is indisputable.
VT One September 29, 2024 at 10:19 AM

The irony of the last play at Miami is that if VT had been at (hypothetically) undefeated Florida State on Friday night the review would have lasted 20 seconds with a firm “the call on the field stands.”
mwills98 September 29, 2024 at 7:58 AM

Same problem going on three seasons now, inconsistent coaching. Should have never been in the refs hands had we made better coaching decisions on several occasions. I didn’t see all the bad spots, I guess Pry lost his red flag too? Though he was working the officials, not a single challenge?
1. Andy Bitter September 29, 2024 at 8:55 AM
  
  There is no red flag in college football.
syee74vt96 September 28, 2024 at 9:09 PM

“I wanted to be aggressive with play calls and give us an opportunity to win the game.” Unfortunately, VT play calls are resulting in a losing overall record … currently 12 - 17 … and 1 - 10 record in close games
Atlee Hokie September 28, 2024 at 6:43 PM

RE: Fake Field Goal IMO, if you are going to go for a first down why not use your normal offense with Tuten, rather than turn a TE into your RB? Personally I believe it's easier to get yards with a regular offense than with a fake FG.
1. fishnpack_hokie September 28, 2024 at 8:02 PM
  
  Because they thought a trick play would work better?
2. HokieJB September 29, 2024 at 11:39 AM
  
  Clements whiff (again) allowed that cool play to get blown up.
Howell the Hokie September 28, 2024 at 5:51 PM

Hate to call players out, but this is big boy football…”That play works if Parker Clements blocks his man”….really tired of hearing that phrase. And yes…once again COACHES NEED TO DO BETTER! Love Pry from a cultural fit standpoint…he did a great job getting the recruiting momentum going (which it seems like we have squandered to an extent)…but he needs to improve his in-game coaching. Lastly…Bowen still underwhelms…situational play calling is a head scratcher…goes away from what’s working at key times. Lot of OCs out there doing more with less talent than we have on offense. Wouldn’t mind at all if we went another direction at seasons end…but doubt that happens.
1. tylerhokie September 28, 2024 at 9:19 PM
  
  Sorry, but this one aint on Bowen. He called a damn fine game. Not EVERYTHING is going to work all the time. This was his best game so far.
  1. TexasHokie89 September 29, 2024 at 10:35 AM
    
    I agree on Bowen on this game. Give him credit for a great game plan and preparing the offense. Having said that, I think we need a change at OC next year. I’m on the fence on Marve.
Tim Lewis September 28, 2024 at 5:39 PM

Andy I think you were right when you wrote "but if the team shows up for the rest of the year, the Hokies should be ok." The problem is we already know the coaches aren't gonna show up, that's the real problem.
Minden Hokie September 28, 2024 at 5:04 PM

There are only 2 teams that the gets reversed Miami and Clemson any other team Hokies win.
DCL September 28, 2024 at 4:51 PM

Andy great article and as always on point. This is Pry’s third year. No excuses for continued game management skills and special teams errors. To call timeout with 25 seconds to go in first half in his third year demonstrates he doesn’t have it. Players served a win and better performance from the coaches.
1. MiamiSailingHokie October 3, 2024 at 3:09 PM
  
  Beamer did not shine until year 7. Granted, there were sanctions.
VicDrit September 28, 2024 at 4:38 PM

Take the damn points...don't get greedy! I absolutely hated it! The squib kick was also stupid. Kick the damn thing out of the end zone! Real head scratchers. The holding call was atrocious and I don't want to even talk about the overturned Hail Mary. We are Charlie Brown every time. Better get ready for Stanford...they can play.
1. VTAtlantaHokie September 28, 2024 at 6:54 PM
  
  Love the Charlie Brown analogy.... you are absolutely right......We cant seem to get out of our own way. I remember a time when the opposing coaches for every team we played would just shake their heads in disgust and stare aimlessly at how the Hokie Defense and Special Teams would embarrass their squads whether visiting or playing at Home. When got Mike Vick oh it was a wrap. It was how fast to 30,40, 50 or 60 points would we score. Now, we are shaking our heads at ourselves and becoming Memes for other Teams.
HokieAvalanche September 28, 2024 at 4:35 PM

That's good stuff Andy! Clock sherpa or sideline consigliere! Haha!?
VT4FR September 28, 2024 at 4:14 PM

I really appreciate your columns. As a football fan and beat writer, you write from the best objective basis. As for me, I'm just a Hokie fan (biased). I was a football Official for seventeen years and worked my way up to working the small college level in Texas. I totally agree with you and am not buying into the 'collusion in Charlotte' theory... at least not intentionally. I think the safe call down on the field (if they weren't really sure) should have made been 'incomplete'. That would put the impetus on the Replay Officials. A reversal would have gone against the home (Top 10) team, thus removing the appearance of 'collusion in Charlotte'. I do believe the Officials on the field thought it was a catch. On the other hand, the bias I'm most concerned about is **preconception**. I felt like that was the hardest thing I had to fight in my years of officiating. It's the expectations going into the game that Officials have that are hard to combat. To start with, Officials read sports columns just like fans. You can't help but know one team is playing far below their capabilities, while the other is a Top 10 team. Does that influence?..... We are all human and susceptible to human emotions. And, I'm not just talking about in-game officiating. It also plays a role in the selection of which Officiating crew will work which games. Ever wondered why we seem to get such crappy officiating crews for our games? If we were Miami or Clemson, maybe we wouldn't. The players and the fans did not deserve to lose in that fashion, but the Coaches—that's another question... GO HOKIES!!!!!
VTRB42 September 28, 2024 at 4:06 PM

A simple but direct answer to the overturned TD call - A Hokies win did not suit the promotional and financial goals of the ACC. Having the only top ten representative of the ACC being removed from its ranking was to big a price to pay - just sacrifice the Hokies instead.
1. DocMartin September 30, 2024 at 1:31 PM
  
  I'm not a conspiracy guy but that is the First thing that came to my mind. ACC needs at least 1 team in the Championship 12
Spartacusjones September 28, 2024 at 4:05 PM

They Hokies showed up for this game more ready and prepared than for any of their preceding games this season. They also came with an attitude that matched that of the Miami team. Coach Pry also seemed more engaged than in previous games. I didn't see any shots of him on the sidelines s rib king notes and he was much more vocal with both the refs and players. Maybe he got too in the moment and lost the situational awareness that he needed to manage the overall game. I hope he has learned something here
ChazB September 28, 2024 at 4:00 PM

Depending upon Parker Clemons of doing anything other than fill out his #70 Jersey is the 1st problem as he has blocked no one all season-- why would he start now???
1. VicDrit September 28, 2024 at 4:27 PM
  
  100
2. phtbddh September 28, 2024 at 4:57 PM
  
  He plays really well until he doesn't... Crazy he continues to start
3. VTagr406 September 29, 2024 at 11:10 PM
  
  That's the problem I have with the fake field goal. The fake call is debatable (I think you take the points when you're an underdog on the road), until you stop and think ' should I call a play in which a key block relies on a player that got beat so badly last week that it made our QB a meme.How Clements remains a starter is inconceivable. The coaches may think they have no one better, but we already know their decision making is suspect.
scary1 September 28, 2024 at 3:59 PM

Action Whit.
scary1 September 28, 2024 at 3:55 PM

Don Strock, not Dave.
1. Andy Bitter September 28, 2024 at 4:01 PM
  
  Don was a QB. Dave was a PK.
2. Ronf September 28, 2024 at 4:01 PM
  
  Don’s brother Dave was the kicker
3. Hokie PE September 28, 2024 at 4:05 PM
  
  Dave is correct! Don was the QB, Dave the kicker.
4. Will Stewart September 28, 2024 at 4:10 PM
  
  Andy got the name right. Dave, Don's brother, was a kicker at VT.
LXNTN_HOKIE September 28, 2024 at 3:54 PM

Agreed, Andy that something doesn't seem right with that overturned call. I'm convinced that the powers that be saw an opportunity to keep a team undefeated and in the top 10 for the ACC. Most other situations, that call STANDS as called. I say scrap replay and live with the call on the field like in the old days. Replay mostly is a waste of time. The official call is usually right or too close or inconclusive to overturn.
1. bonedoc September 28, 2024 at 5:38 PM
  
  This!!
2. Atlee Hokie September 28, 2024 at 6:04 PM
  
  Unless we're playing in the Sugar Bowl against Michigan.
jesuisvtguy September 28, 2024 at 3:52 PM

Agreed with all points. You summarized it perfectly. If we wanted to extend it to seven thoughs instead of five we would add: THE BALL BOUNCED WORSE FOR US: Ward threw an airball a receive caught. Another one their receive fell down but caught it. They had a bobble on the first drive they still caught. WE MISSED THE KILL SHOTS: Gosnell dropped a critical catch near the ends zone. Drones missed a few throws that were pretty easy.
1. Tracy September 28, 2024 at 6:12 PM
  
  8th thought...defense gave up 508 yards and five touchdowns
Cheesehokie September 28, 2024 at 3:40 PM

Agree, Andy, with 4 of your 5 points. But not the fake FG. It was a bad call on both a strategic and a tactical level. With a 10 point lead on the road against a top 10 team, you take the points. (In fact, the preceding play should have been a QB draw by Drones to either get a first down or at least place the ball in the middle of the field for Love.) As for the specific fake play chosen, it had little chance of success. It required a lumbering TE to run the length of the LOS one yard behind it, all while most opposing players are crashing through that LOS in an attempt to block the FG. Lunacy.
1. bonedoc September 28, 2024 at 5:40 PM
  
  Especially with questionable OL blocking ability.
MMalmuth September 28, 2024 at 3:36 PM

The fake field goal is a better play than most people realize. That's because by leaving Miami to start on their own 11 is statistically equivalent to them losing (approximately) a point off their score. So, instead of a 3 point loss it's approximately a (statistical) 2 point loss.My only complaint is not that the fake field goal was tried deep in Miami territory, but why plays like this aren't tried more often.
George Baylor September 28, 2024 at 3:32 PM

Andy, I give some credit to Miami in making two great plays in the last 3 min. #7 Restrepo making a catch laying on his back for 1st down, and Ward's two handed basketball pass to # 88 that went to the 2 yard line. We had our chances, but again the loss like the Vandy loss is on the coaching. Our players gave all they had. Real question, can we over come this BIG EMOTIONAL loss and compete/win down the road?
1. WV Gobbler September 29, 2024 at 11:17 AM
  
  Go back and look at the two handed pass play again. The RT blatantly holds the DE (I think it was Nelson) not once but twice. The second time he tackled him and laid down on him. How the ref missed it is beyond belief. What ended up as first and goal should have been a 10 yard penalty.
Hokie Witch September 28, 2024 at 3:27 PM

No way I compare the Felton non touchdown to the Danny Cole debacle. Why? Be accuse Cole caught the damn ball! I never thought this one was a catch, but how they over turned it is quite ridiculous. Danny caught it!
MidloHokie September 28, 2024 at 3:19 PM

I think we finally saw the team that the NIL check-writers were told they were purchasing. It's good enough to finish 8-4. The talent is there.
1. Durham Hokie September 28, 2024 at 6:13 PM
  
  VT talent is that of an average ACC team, a 4-4 league record
Mark3216 September 28, 2024 at 3:12 PM

Great article. With respect to the refs, how about the inaccurate spot foul on the offensive holding on Miami’s last drive that resulted in a 3rd and 4 vs a 3rd and 8ish.
1. Newt September 28, 2024 at 10:08 PM
  
  Absolutely! That one was sneaky huge. Delane was held on the VT 45. Yet Miami ended up with the ball on the 50 after the ten yard penalty was assessed. Miami was charmed in the final quarter.
TomTurkey September 28, 2024 at 2:53 PM

Nice write up from a more objective perspective. As I posted, it was a complementary slopfest by all. But football isn't paint by numbers and color inside the lines. What it is is 60 minutes of hard work, grit and perseverance.
1. markws1 September 28, 2024 at 3:03 PM
  
  I have a simple question on the last play of the game. Can the Miami laying out of bounds continue in the play to strip the ball from the Virginia Tech player with the ball in bounds?
  1. VTAtlantaHokie September 28, 2024 at 7:12 PM
    
    It's a great question. I'm afraid Refs were prepared to come back and say all bodies were ineligible to retain the catch because all bodies were touching a player whos butt was outbounds touching the ground. So the only way we the reception would have stayed a catch by either player was for both or all players to timelessly remain suspended in air. Only then, would the Refs be forced to decide who truly had possession longer between Felton and Horton longest or if simultaneous possession would be correctly awarded to the Offense. Crazy right?
Strat Man September 28, 2024 at 2:40 PM

Fake FG: Look at the replay again. Even if the tackle or end doesn’t blow it up behind line, the pulling LB in that direction was going to eat it up. No chance at all. You don’t hate it? I do. Nothing this team has shown so far in consistency of on field execution leads to believe they are going to successful pull tricks against a very good team. The flanker pass play got blown up by poor execution. Going to that call for this silly fake when every other sane coach would take the points the very valuable points, after they have already shown once they are inconsistent at best in field execution in tricks is just straight silly. It’s unnecessary risk gamble when every point is extremely important in this matchup. Take the easy points. Every time. Take them.
1. George Baylor September 28, 2024 at 3:23 PM
  
  I agree, the fake into the most congested part of the field is dumb. and St. G is not fast..
2. HOKIE SEAN September 28, 2024 at 3:59 PM
  
  Take the points. The massive energy boost to the opponent and home fans is not worth the risk to get an extra 4 points. Take the points; keep the crowd and opponent stewing.
  1. Cheesehokie September 29, 2024 at 1:31 AM
    
    ??THIS??
3. VTAtlantaHokie September 28, 2024 at 7:20 PM
  
  I saw the same thing you saw- dumb!. Miami had the play covered and maybe even snuffed out. There were 3 to 4 penetrating defenders and the safety waves off the blitz of the 2 players to the left of him and they step back in unison just prior to the snap. No longer were they planning to launch to stop a kick, they knew and saw a run coming! Coaching staff completely overthinking the simple, smart, and easy play.
spudman September 28, 2024 at 2:40 PM

I didn't watch the game as I didn't want a 4 hour stomach ache. I tought my time would be better spent sitting in the rain watching the Rutgers- Washinton game which turned out to be a decent but unspectacular game. They were posting the score of the Hokies game so I could not escape the stomach ache. My 5 thoughts the day after; 1) They played harder then they have all season but the end result was the same 2) There very well may be strength and conditioning issues 3) 1-10 in one score games 4) We were robbed 5) Coaching and game management are horrible. Bonus # 6) This will either inspire the team to play hard or throw theirs hands up and quit
hokie_world September 28, 2024 at 2:40 PM

I must remember that as close as that game was and that we did play 4 quarters rather than a half, as a VT Alum from the early '70's the team as a whole is not bad. I've seen and lived bad in the 70's, where we played VMI, Richmond, W&M and maybe won along with 'Bama losing 77-6. However, I'm tired of being close. We've won 2 by multiple scores and lost 3 by 7(OT), 3 and 4. My heart needs clear wins and not last-minute losses. So, to the team for the sake of my heart could you please get a lead of 30 so I don't need a Defibrillator. Thanks.
1. jfhokie September 28, 2024 at 5:58 PM
  
  My freshman year
vtgriff09 September 28, 2024 at 2:32 PM

Mostly agree with all of this. I am tired of the I didn't hate the fake fg. You answered why that was bad earlier....Brent Pry is 1-10 in one score gms. He is trying to be a coaching hero, and HE wants to win the game. That always equals disaster. You missed the officials inability to spot a football all night long. The Hokies got 1st downs on plays they were 1.5 yds short, then they didn't get them on plays they were a yd passed the sticks. Same for Miami. Bad officiating in every aspect. Nothing definea bad coaching more than bullet 5. If the team atleast showing fight 5 gms in is a celebration, it asks a lot of questions about why so flat the first 4
naynay136 September 28, 2024 at 2:22 PM

Thanks Andy - excellent analysis as always. You’re the best.
flucos September 28, 2024 at 2:18 PM

On the road up by 10 you kick the field goal and take the points. No doubt about it. Go Hokies!
MKD September 28, 2024 at 2:15 PM

Tuten is phenomenal but I blame Pry for not recruiting any other top notch running backs into his program. I just don't know how sustainable the run game can be over the next 7 conference games because Thomas just doesn't have the talent to play at this level of football. Pry is all about the running game, but yet he can't get any talent at that position to commit to the Hokies. It just doesn't make sense to me...
MKD September 28, 2024 at 2:00 PM

The players absolutely played with more grit than the previous 4 games, however coaching mistakes, missed tackles, and depth were all huge issues that ultimately cost the Hokies an opportunity for a W at Miami. This kind of loss can either inspire a team or take the air out of the room. I guess we'll find out soon. Go Hokies
133003Hokie September 28, 2024 at 1:56 PM

Hate the loss but super evaluation in this article. Thanks, Andy
gemrooty September 28, 2024 at 1:52 PM

Well done, Andy. Us old-timers still have an ingrained sense that the defense will ultimately save the day. But in our three losses this year, we just could not keep the opponent from taking it down the field and scoring late in the fourth quarter. I was talking recently to a former DE at Tech under Beamer. He said there was a firm belief in the locker that the fourth quarter belonged to the Hokies, especially the defense, because of conditioning, determination and confidence. I hope we can get back to that.
catamount hokie September 28, 2024 at 1:48 PM

This team is under performing their potential after being together for 17 games..... Fuente was a game coach, but not a program builder. Pry appears to be a program builder, but not a game coach. Ah, what to do?
Diehard Hokie September 28, 2024 at 1:34 PM

You missed the spotting of the ball after the hold on Delane in your first point. That can't happen.
slday55 September 28, 2024 at 1:29 PM

The way the team comes out against Stanford will be critical. The way the team played (not coached) the games left on our schedule are mostly winnable. PLEASE get someone to check special teams and manage clock! Double numbers once is dumb - twice is incompetent.
olemisshokie4life September 28, 2024 at 1:25 PM

I think your underestimating rest of the season. We’re going to win out
1. slday55 September 28, 2024 at 1:33 PM
  
  Is there a clause in the ACCCG tiebreaker that says “any team in the lower half of the alphabet and two words automatically drops out of consideration.”??
2. PenthouseAlumni September 28, 2024 at 1:35 PM
  
  Agreed^
3. Brue77 September 28, 2024 at 2:03 PM
  
  I’m with you on this!!! Let’s go!!
  1. Brue77 September 28, 2024 at 2:04 PM
    
    Let’s Win out!
    1. TimmyBarkVT September 28, 2024 at 2:44 PM
      
      Yes! Go Hokies!
4. HokieinSD September 28, 2024 at 2:47 PM
  
  This team the way they played against Miami is capable of doing that. Let's go HOKIES!! Just imagine if the team was 4-0 coming to Miami. That would even be a harder pill to swallow.
  1. Cappydave September 28, 2024 at 3:15 PM
    
    It would be an easier pill as the Hokies would be 4-1 rather than 2-3 and scrambling to qualify for a Tier Bottom bowl game.

Five Thoughts The Day After The Hokies' Controversial Loss To Miami

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