Bitter: Hokies' Defense Punishes ODU With 'Let's Do It Again' Attitude

28 Comments

1. 

   florida_hokie September 13, 2026 at 9:30 AM

   Yeah I like your total yards analogy but ODU had several chunk plays (QB run, long sideline passes) and yes while they count, it was really all they were able to achieve. Thomas Williams was in pretty good position on those passes too. Their sustainable offense was non existent. Conversely we really didn’t have much down field passing or long runs so our 400+ yds was sustainable drive oriented football. Clean up each side a bit, OL emphasis, hit some deep throws, and reduce big plays against us and we will remain competitive.
   1. 

      Hokiestud September 13, 2026 at 9:42 AM

      I agree. Sometimes the other guy just makes a great play. #8 for ODU (Rodriguez, I think) simply made three fantastic catches on very well-thrown balls by Henicle for big gains. The coverage on all three was tight. Henicle simply put the ball where either Rodriguez was going to catch it or it was going to be incomplete.
2. 

   florida_hokie September 13, 2026 at 9:26 AM

   Yeah I like your total yards analogy but ODU had several chunk plays (QB run, long sideline passes) and yes while they count, it was really all they were able to achieve. Sustainable offense was non existent. Conversely we really didn’t have much down field passing or long runs so our 400+ yds was sustainable drive oriented football.
3. 

   middletennhokie September 13, 2026 at 8:34 AM

   Good win for the home team. Hoping we have a great crowd at MD to support the Hokies.
4. 

   mwills98 September 12, 2026 at 9:19 PM

   Just thrilled that we have a QB that can run the play, distribute the ball on target and convert 3rd downs. Sure, we have some things to improve, what teams don’t in the first few weeks? We pass the eye test so far, let’s keep it up.
   1. 

      Spartacusjones September 13, 2026 at 10:07 AM

      I would like to see him hit a long ball. The Hokies need to legitimize the deep ball threat or opponents will just schene sgsinstvthrnmid range stuff.
5. 

   George Baylor September 12, 2026 at 9:01 PM

   We played a big bunch of different guys on "D" at all three levels. That has got to help us down the road. IMO, Maryland had a good QB that can both Run & Pass. How we control him will determine the outcome of that game.
6. 

   Tidewater Hillbilly September 12, 2026 at 8:31 PM

   Did George Ballance play on defense today?
   1. 

      mghokie September 12, 2026 at 8:45 PM

      Yes, I saw him there in the 4th quarter.
7. 

   eokhokie September 12, 2026 at 8:29 PM

   I just want to know why the "Students " think it is not important to stay the game. Maybe having a beer is more important to them.
   1. 

      VT_Consul September 12, 2026 at 9:39 PM

      It was a blowout at halftime. There were a lot more empty seats than just in the student section.
      1. 

         3011Cochrane September 12, 2026 at 9:58 PM

         Students leave at halftime regardless of the score
         1. 

            GoFightingGobblers September 13, 2026 at 8:08 AM

            Sadly, this is true
            1. 

               atlhokie1 September 13, 2026 at 4:40 PM

               Not just a Hokie thing - happens all over.
8. 

   Aero81Hokie September 12, 2026 at 8:21 PM

   I was watching Coach Pry on the sideline all game. I have never seen him more focused and dialed in. Clearly more in his element than as head coach. This may end up being one of those cool redemption stories. And who doesn’t like a cool redemption story. I am sure Andy can come up with a good reference. Lots of football left to play but encouraging signs.
9. 

   cliphord September 12, 2026 at 8:17 PM

   I refuse to be negative about this game. Every Hokie fan I talked to this week was anxious about this game. We took care of business easily. It’s just another sign that the program is back on the right track.
   1. 

      Hokiestud September 13, 2026 at 9:43 AM

      Last year this same team humiliated us. So by any measure, this is progress.
10. 

    ToledoHokie September 12, 2026 at 7:47 PM

    I wouldn't be drawing any major conclusions based on the opponents we have played. Promising, yes....but improvement was certainly expected with the coach we hired and the $$$ we have invested in players, plus we couldn't have been much worse than we were last year......but the whole team is a work in progress. Too many drives ending in fg's, 1st and goal on the 1 at home against ODU and you can't score a TD, you give up a 76 yd run even if it was against backups, all this needs to be corrected. The jury's still out, each week will tell us how far we've come, or how far we have to go.
    1. 

       JC in FC September 13, 2026 at 6:04 AM

       All true, but please let us soak up these changes and improvements. We have a tough schedule but seeing the speed and aggression is a sight for sore eyes.
    2. 

       Spartacusjones September 13, 2026 at 10:10 AM

       These first few games are s blessing. The Hokies get to test themselves with little risk, and the coaches get a good diagnostic on strengths and weaknesses before games against more stout opponent. The next 2 games against Mary to and and BC will just help more. They need to be resllyvtigeecup before the Pitt game.
    3. 

       hokiepro September 13, 2026 at 2:44 PM

       Two things can be true. We’ve played lesser competition BUT we’ve also DOMINATED especially our defensive front. That’s not what we’ve done for a long while
11. 

    TomTurkey September 12, 2026 at 7:36 PM

    More relieved than thrilled. Looking for improvement in mental game. UMD should be a good barometer, win or lose.
12. 

    Hanover Hokie September 12, 2026 at 7:30 PM

    Going about as well as expected? No one expected 14 TFL’s, 7 sacks. 4 forced fumbles and a defensive TD. That’s as good as a defensive day in how long?
    1. 

       Andy Bitter September 12, 2026 at 8:44 PM

       Yeah, meant “as well as hoped.” That was more in reference to the Pry hire overall. Stats are great, obviously, but still have to see them do it vs. comparable competition.
13. 

    GO_HOKIES_GO September 12, 2026 at 7:22 PM

    The score flattered ODU and this could easily have been the same scoreline as VMI - next up is Maryland and I expect the defense to travel to College Park.
    1. 

       VT GUY September 12, 2026 at 7:51 PM

       Except you take a look at total yards and it’s a different story: VMI: 619-83 ODU: 416-310
       1. 

          hokiepro September 13, 2026 at 2:52 PM

          76 yds on one play vs our 3rd team D
    2. 

       Hokiestud September 13, 2026 at 9:44 AM

       If we had played the second half the same way we played the first half, it might have been. But our second half was pretty underwhelming.