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Box Score | Highlights

Well, it looks like Nebraska coach Bo Pelini will have to keep those black shirts hidden for a little longer. What a great road win! The Hokies played by far their best and most complete game of the season in beating Nebraska 35-30 in Lincoln … on NATIONAL TELEVISION! Of course, the win was tempered somewhat with the news after the game that rover Davon Morgan tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season. His backup, Dorian Porch played well and even recovered the fumble in the closing seconds of the game to secure the win and had the presence of mind to fall down instead of risking getting hit and fumbling the ball.

This game marked the best offensive output of the season for the Hokies with 377 total yards. However, even Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer voiced his concern after the game about the offense’s struggles in the red zone. Four times the Hokies were inside the Huskers’ 20, but only managed a field goal on those four trips. But, the important thing to remember is that the offense was moving the ball with a very balanced and effective attack, which was a major improvement over Tech’s first four games. The red zone efficiency will come, of that I’m sure.

I was very impressed with a lot of things the Hokies did against Nebraska. The first was quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s command of the offense. Not just his ability to make plays, but it was clear he was playing with a great deal of confidence that was lacking in his previous starts. Taylor was barking out orders, getting his guys in the huddle and showing some emotion – he is emerging as the leader of this offense and it was a welcome sight Saturday night. The team as a whole played with fire, determination and a newfound level of confidence. Guys were making big plays and getting after it.

Breaking Down the Offense

It took five games, a lot of public criticism of offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring, and some defensive press conferences by Beamer, but the Hokies finally looked like a real Division I-A college football offense Saturday. What I find interesting is that it came against what was supposed to be the toughest defensive opponent of the season … on the road … in front of more than 85,000 people. Go figure.

Tech piled up a season-high 377 yards, more than 100 yards better than their season average of 272. More importantly, the Hokies got their passing game going and racked up a season-high 171 yards. Taylor was able to spread the ball around to five different receivers as Nebraska’s soft secondary left Hokies wide open.

Redshirt freshman Darren Evans continues to lead the Hokies running backs with 72 yards and two touchdowns against Nebraska. Evans leads all RBs with six TDs and 336 yards rushing this season. Tyrod is the team’s second leading rusher with 308 yards. Though, Tyrod average more yards per game (he didn’t play against ECU) with 77 and more yards per carry with 5.5.

The offensive line had its ups and downs against Nebraska, but for the most part, played well. They gave up a pair of sacks and the Hokies had trouble running the ball at times, but then the line would open up gaping holes and either Evans or Kenny Lewis Jr., who would run for a big gain. The big uglies are definitely playing better up front and are beginning to show signs of being able to dominate.

Lastly, NO TURNOVERS!

Breaking Down the Defense

Bud Foster’s lunch pail defense, like the UNC game, had its good plays and bad plays in this game. It effectively game up 23 points, which is a bit much for Foster’s liking, but just like the UNC game, the guys made the big plays when they had to, including Macho Harris’ interception and Stephan Virgil’s forced fumble and Dorian Porch’s recover in the final seconds to secure the win.

Kam Chancellor got burned on Nebraska’s first touchdown of the game; Harris lost his man on the Huskers’ final TD of the game; and on Nebraska’s second TD, three Tech defenders missed tackles as Roy Helu ran for a 12-yard score right up the middle. Tech lost containment on several plays, allowing Nebraska to get outside and pick up big chunks of yards. Check out Foster’s reaction to his defense losing contain at the 6:00 mark of the highlight video – he was not happy.

Look, defensively, it wasn’t pretty, but finally, the offense was able to step up and help the D out a little. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again … bend, don’t break. The defense continues to improve and make big plays – Foster’s got his guys going in the right direction.

Breaking Down the Special Teams

Talk about the good, the bad and the ugly. Beamerball got off to a great start with a blocked punt (first of the season) early in the first quarter. Stephan Virgil came through unblocked to bat the punt down and out of the endzone giving the Hokies a safety.

The Hokies also did a pretty good job of returning kicks averaging 21 per kickoff return and 23.5 per punt return. Tech’s kicking game was also solid as redshirt senior place kicker Dustin Keys was 4/4, booting FGs of 19, 38, 27 and 36 yards; he also nailed all three PATs.

Punter Brent Bowden also had a solid game, though he did shank a 21-yard punt early in the fourth quarter. Outside of that, he dropped three punts inside Nebraska’s 20 yard line and averaged about 35 yards a kick.

Of course, the glaring failure on special teams was the 88-yard punt return for a touchdown by Nebraska that cut the Hokies lead to 28-23 in the fourth quarter.

What does it all mean, Basil?

The Hokies now have a viable offense, which means that the rest of the teams on Tech’s schedule are now on notice … the Hokies appear to be back. Next up is Division I-A transitional team Western Kentucky, which lost 41-3 to Kentucky on Saturday. Well guys, I was up pretty much all night watching the game (again) and putting together highlights and reading all of the recaps from other publications, so I’m pretty beat. I’m heading to bed with thoughts of Hokie touchdowns dancing in my head. Great win, gang. We get a quick tuneup game before we go on the road against BC and FSU … those games won’t be cakewalks, trust me.

Closing Notes:

• The 85,831 fans at Memorial Stadium represented the largest crowd in stadium history.
• The Huskers lost to an ACC team for the first time in the school’s history (5-1).
• The Hokies scored nine points in the first quarter, the first game all season they’ve scored in the opening quarter.
• Tech has yet to have a running back rush for 100 yards in a game this season.
• For the third straight game, personal foul calls against Tech’s opponent have sustained 4th quarter drives for the Hokies, which helped them to burn time off the clock.
• Tyrod Taylor is now 8-0 as a starting QB for the Hokies.

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