It was an ugly and heartbreaking loss (21-24) to a good and well-coached Kansas team. It reminded me of Virginia Tech’s 1995 win over Texas in the Sugar Bowl. The Hokies were an up-and-coming team that knocked off a perennial powerhouse in a big bowl game.

With apologies to all the Kansas fans, these are only the Hokies highlights. It was painful enough to watch the dropped TD, blocked FG and fake punt the first time, so I didn’t see any need to relive it.

Go Hokies!

NOTE: The video was removed by YouTube - sorry!

Shane! I think the X-factor that I haven’t seen mentioned anywhere is that this marks the first time in the Beamer Bowl Era (circa 1993, my freshman year) that Tech fans will get to take a shot at FSU. This is the first time since we arrived on the scene that fans will be able to show the ‘Noles a whole other level of football madness and crowd noise. They have heard about it, but even the teams who say they are prepared for it and that it won’t affect them, let it affect them.I truly believe that this game will rival the ‘99 Syracuse and ‘03 Miami game in terms of crowd participation. It is perfect Blacksburg weather and I feel a storm rising in Lane Stadium and it will come crashing down on the ‘Noles with one relentless wave after another pounding away at their game plan, their confidence and their morale. I envision post game interview with FSU players shaking their heads in disbelief while sunken back in their lockers repeating the words, “Man, they were loud. I couldn’t hear anything. I’ve never played in a stadium like that.”

I see Weatherford, huddled in the trainers room, flinching every time he hears footsteps coming around corner, shellshocked from the brutality he just endured.

I see Deddy Bowden on the phone with son Tommy who is consoling his dad, telling him that it is okay and at least they didn’t lose on their home field … again.

I see Beamer slapping that monkey on this back and we can quote him saying “It’s about damn time, isn’t it?” and the whole press corps will burst out in laughter, which will lead the SportsCenter highlights.

I see Glennon and Tmobile grinning ear to ear while being asked questions about their dual backfield set in the red zone with the direct snap to Tmobile who rolls right while Glennon slips through the line undetected and into the middle where Tmobile delivers a perfect strike to Glennon who falls across the goal line for what proves to be the game-winning TD. This highlight is a landslide winner of the Pontiac Game Changing Performance.

Lastly, when Bowden finally retires, he will cite Lane Stadium as the toughest road game he, or any other coach, has ever played in. The guys at Tailgatefever.com rejoice and all legally change their names to Beamerball Forever.

Hmmmm, that might be a bit too much to ask for. How about a double digit win? No? A win? OK, it’s settled, we’ll win. Who cares what the score is.

OK, I went back to the game tape and here is what I came up with statistically:

• 68 total defensive plays (that I found)
• 60 defensive plays featured 4-man rush (or more)
• 8 defensive plays featured a 3-man rush
• 2 of the 3-man rushes occurred during the game-winning drive (out of 6 total plays)
• The game winning touchdown was during a 3-man rush

So, Bud was a little off on his estimate of running a 3-man rush 12 times, but, I have to admit I was a little surprised that there were only two 3-man rushes on the final drive. Bud balanced his 3-man rushes to four per half.

There’s no shame in admitting you are wrong - though I believe there is a bit of humiliation that goes with it - but no shame! That being said, after further review, the call on the field has been reversed. Bud was not running a prevent defense … buuuuut it sure seemed like it!

If you haven’t read the Roanoke Times article about Bud Foster’s denial of running a prevent defense in the final minutes of the infamous Boston College collapse, you simply must. It is a great attempt at deception! (Click here to read it.)

After reading the article, it sounds to me like Bud was downright defiant of anyone even mentioning the words “prevent defense.”

“Anyone saying that doesn’t know what the hell they’re talking about. That’s why they’re fans and we coach, OK?” said Foster.

Geez, Bud, take a chill pill dude. While you’re at it, take a reality pill. I don’t know what you consider a “prevent defense” but a three-man rush and dropping your LBs back into coverage and giving up 12 yards a completion is what most rational football fans consider a prevent defense.

Here is part of the definition of prevent defense: “A prevent defense backs up the coverage so far that it will often give up long yardage, but it makes scoring a touchdown in a single play very difficult.” Source: Wikipedia

Sound familiar? Now, as an example … I went back and watched the BC highlights I put together and of the 11 defensive plays I chose (the best I could find), guess how many featured a three-man rush? Ding Ding Ding! NONE! That’s right kids, our 11 best defensive plays featured at least a four-man rush. And on every one of those plays, the Hokies were putting pressure on Matt Ryan.
Bud, the fans are not stupid. If it drops back like a prevent defense, rushes three like a prevent defense and gives up two touchdown drives in the final 2:11 like a prevent defense … it’s a PREVENT DEFENSE! Go sell crazy somewhere else, we’re all full here.

The Hokies have four ACC games left on the schedule and despite the loss to Boston College, they still control their own destiny with regards to the ACC title game. Below is the remaining schedule for the top Coastal Division team and how I feel the final games will play out.

• Hokies close with GT (2-3), FSU (2-3), Miami (2-2), at Virginia (4-1):
  • VT wins 3 of 4 with a loss to FSU - finish 6-2 in ACC play
• Hoos close with Wake Forest (4-1), at Miami (2-2), VT (3-1):
  • UVA loses final three to finish 4-4 in ACC play (the loss to NCST opens the floodgates, but a 7-win season secures Groh’s job for a few more years, yeah!)
• Canes close with NCSU (1-3), Virginia (4-1), VT (3-1), BC (4-0):
  • Miami beats NCSU and UVA, but loses to VT and BC, finish 4-4 in ACC play
• Wreck close VT (3-1), at Duke (0-5), UNC (1-3):
  • GT loses to VT, but closes with wins over Duke and UNC to finish 4-4 in ACC

I really like the Hokies chances at making it to the ACCCG. Hopefully the crushing loss to BC will only piss them off and take it out on the rest of the division. And hopefully we will have Tyrod Taylor back for at least part of the game. And hopefully Brian Stinespring can find enough offense to put more than a field goal on the scoreboard.