Virginia Tech Hokies: Road to Turning Around Misfortune

[gorillapittpray]

Tech meant business if that QB didnt get hurt it might be a different ending to that game, good to see you found a way to get the win had to be the song before the 4th that got the players ready to go

[mm boost]

Oh yea, it had to be. I saw Reid on the sideline headbanging as the 4th quarter began (LOL)

Yea man, they meant business! I mean last year, they took me to the very last minute, and then this year, they jumped on my ***. The first 3 years, we absolutely romped them no problems at all. It's been a different story the last 2 years. We have become quite the rally team lately, atlthough we haven't had much choice lol.

[TomahawkChop10]

I love developing rivalries in a dynasty where there's that "one team" that gives you fits. Looks like this season you're going to have some growing pains, but at least you bounced back and got a very quality win.

[mm boost]

-Virginia Tech Hokies: 4th Quarter Warriors-

The 2014 season is young, but has already seen some historic match-ups that has brought a lot of excitement to millions of college football fan's tv sets around the world. One team sticks out that has been a part of this, has been the Virginia Tech Hokies. After having a dominant run in 2013, it appeared as if the Hokies took that next step to becoming a prominent school in collegiate football, and had developed into a perennial powerhouse. However, it is the step back that has surprised everyone. Yet while they have transitioned from top dogs to the underdogs, they have become a team that has been exciting to watch to say the least. Their games so far have been really tough, and very close. And both of their games have 2 things in common: they have scored 21 points in the 4th quarter of both games (that is 42 points in just 2 4th quarters for you non-mathematical geniuses), and have rallied like a team possessed. After only two games, they have become the 4th Quarter Warriors, and have certainly earned the moniker of "The Comeback Kings."

The Hokies have been showing their resiliency so far, and while it is only 2 games into the season, and things could change severly, this is an interesting point because they will be playing the #2 team in the nation this weekend - the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Buckeyes have become a team that has been known to start out their games quickly and abruptly, more of a shock factor if you will, and score a lot of points early to ruin the opposing team's morale. They then play more consistent mistake free football in the 2nd half, and normally cruise to victory. The Hokies, on the other hand, have become the 4th quarter Warriors, by being down in both of their contests, but rallying fiercely behind their sophomore quarterback Brandon Reid to come from behind and either tie the game, or take the lead (and win). Against Texas, they scored 3 touchdowns within the matter of minutes, which was sparked by a huge interception by sophomore cornerback Kevin Logan. Their scoring rally included two 2 point conversions, and sent the game into overtime which eventually ended in a loss after double over time. Against Georgia Tech, they were down, and almost out until a interception by Tyler Lopez late in the 3rd quarter gave them a breath of fresh air, and they rallied to score 21 unanswered points and to cruise to an 11 point victory.

The major question this week will be whether the Buckeyes are able to jump out on the Hokies early, taking out the momentum that they have built up, as well as the home field advantage that they have in little-big town 67,000 seat capacity Lane Stadium. If the Buckeyes can jump out early, take this crowd out of it, and put Brandon Reid in a state of frenzy, look for Ohio State to control this game. However, someone better remind them that they can not give up until the fat lady sings, because the 4th Quarter Warriors will be waiting after Psychosocial rings over the loud speakers, and 4 fingers are held high in the air.

Tune in Saturday, September 20th at 3:30 pm E/T as the #2 Ohio State Buckeyes travel to Blacksburg to take on the #11 Virginia Tech Hokies.

__________________

The Battlefield: Lane Stadium

#2 ___________VS._________ #11
Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0) ______________________ Virginia Tech Hokies (1-1)

[mm boost]

Lane Stadium: Battlefield 2014

(AP - Blacksburg, VA) - On Saturday, the #2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes traveled to Blacksburg, VA to take on the #11 ranked Virginia Tech Hokies in a match-up that will be etched in the memories of millions of fans around the country, and especially in the minds of Hokie Nation. Buckeyes, having celebrated the last 5 season being ranked inside the top 10 through the whole season, expected to cruise to victory on Saturday. However, there was one obstacle standing in the way: the resilient #11 Hokies.

Re-Cap
Buckeyes won the opening coin toss, and elected to start the game on offense, to try and live up to their namesake as being one of the most explosive teams in the first half. However, with Arnold at quarterback, the Hokies were able to step up and shut them down, forcing a three and out, and a punt to give the Hokies great field position after a solid return by sophomore Greg Arnold.

Brandon Reid took to the field to start the game, after coming off of 2 300 yard performances to start the season. The Hokies looked like a different team from the onset, as they abandon the running game to start, and look to the arm of Brandon Reid to help lead them down the field. This proved to be the best call, because it took little time for Reid to connect with a plethora of receivers en route to a first down from the 4 yard line. On first down, Reid drops back and connects with freshman wide receiver Anthony Washington on a quick fade to the corner of the endzone, and he pulls the ball in and walks into the endzone for a touchdown - VT 7, OSU 0.

On the ensuing possession on first down, Arnold tries to change the gameplan, putting the passing on hold for a play, as he runs the read option out of shotgun. As he takes off to the left, Chris Pitts comes off the edge and takes the pitch man out, as Arnold keeps the ball, but Nick Acree breaks free from the inside and completely blind sides Arnold, forcing the ball to pop out, and Kevin Logan pounces on it to give the Hokies the ball deep into Buckeye territory.

It doesn't take Reid long to cash in, and on 3rd down, he connects with Lee Hendrix on the left side inbetween double coverage on a post, and he walks right into the endzone for the touchdown, Hokies up - VT 14, OSU 0.

The Hokies have jumped out quick on the Buckeyes, something that either team is not used to. Usually it is Ohio State that comes out with the shock factor, and puts up a lot of points early, and then relies on their consistent running game to keep them ahead on the score board. Instead, it is all Hokies early in the game, and the Buckeyes looked shell shocked.

After getting the ball back, Arnold is finally able to connect with some nice plays, also mixing it up with the running game as Smith is able to make some solid inside gains on the ground. After getting deep into Hokie territory, the 3-4 defense of Bud Foster comes up strong, and they are able force the Buckeyes to a 4th and 5 at the 33 yard line. Instead of calling the field goal, Coach Tressel sends his offense back on the field, and on 4th down, Chris Davis comes rushing hard off the edge, and hits Arnold as he releases the ball, as it flies just over the head of his star receiver, and out of bounds as the 4th down conversion fails, and the Hokies resume possession.

On first down, Reid brings out a 3 WR set, with his freshman receiver Anthony Washington split out left in the slot. Washington runs a quick out route, Reid hits him in stride, as Washington hits the jets and flies up the sideline 58 yards to torch this Buckeye defense before he is tripped up deep in Ohio State territory:

EA Sports: NCAA Football 11 Video

Anthony Washington goes 58 yards on a quick out late in the 2nd quarter

On the very next play, Reid drops back and hits his hot receiver Lee Hendrix over the middle in the back of the endzone for yet another touchdown, his 3rd touchdown pass in just the first quarter, as Hendrix hauls in his 2nd touchdown of the game:

EA Sports: NCAA Football 11 Video

Reid connects with Hendrix with :36 left in the first quarter for Reid's 3rd td

Virginia Tech takes a commanding lead early in the first quarter - VT 21, OSU 0.

However, it was the following possession that showed exactly why Ohio State is ranked #2 in the country, and why the Hokies have been having to rebuild on defense this season. Arnold calls the option left with only 6 seconds left in the first quarter, and as he is hit, he pitches the ball to Robert Smith who hits the corner with a head full of steam, rips through the arm tackle of Tyler Lopez, and breaks it 77 yards for a touchdown to put the Buckeyes right back in this game - VT 21, OSU 7.

EA Sports: NCAA Football 11 Video

Arnold pitches the ball to Smith on an option for a 77 yard touchdown as 1st quarter expires

2nd Quarter

After this touchdown, Ohio State proved that they were here to play, and that the first quarter was just brushing off some jet lag. The tides started to turn, as Reid throws an interception on the Hokies ensuing possession, and Ohio State capitalizes with a quick touchdown shortly after from a quick pass from Arnold, and they crawl back within 7 - VT 21, OSU 14.

The score remains unchanged going into the locker room, as it turned into a defensive slugfest from this point forward.

Half-Time
____________________________
Erin - "Coach Foster, how do you feel about your team's performance in the first half?"

Foster - "I felt like we played pretty solid there in the first quarter, but we have lost some of our focus in the second quarter after that big touchdown run from Smith, and the interception early on. Obviously our offense is playing well so far, but we have got to protect the ball. When you are playing the #2 team in the country, you can not give them the game. If you give up turnovers, they will take advantage of them and make you pay."

Erin - "What will be your game plan in the second half Coach Foster?"

Foster - "Our plan will be to play mistake free football, to block better and keep pressure off of Reid, and to try and force turnovers on defense. if we can keep Smith contained, I like our chances in this game. I reckon that we will be alright if we can do these things."

Erin - "Thank you for your time Coach Foster, good luck in the second half."

_____________________________

3rd Quarter

The 3rd quarter takes over where the 2nd half left off, as we have a defensive slug fest. These teams started getting after each other, and a little bit of shoving after the play showed that tempers were flaring. It is obvious 2 of the best teams in the country showed up this afternoon, and that it is going to take a complete effort to win this game. As both teams slug it out back and forth throughout the third, the Hokies finally get something going right at the end of the 3rd quarter. For the third week in a row, the Hokies come up with a huge play late in the 3rd quarter that completely swung the momentum in their favor. Facing a 3rd down in long, on a desperation heave, Reid threw a pass across his body intended for tight end Trae Fisher. However, the ball sails over his head, but showing great awareness, Junior receiver Adam Singletary breaks back on the overthrown pass, snags the ball before it hits the groud, and jets up the sideline 77 yards before being tackled deep in Buckeye territory:

EA Sports: NCAA Football 11 Video

Reid's 77 yard pass and run by Adam Singletary as 3rd quarter expires

-4th Quarter begins as Hokie Nation are on their feet, and jumping to the tune of Psychosocial, a tradition here in Blacksburg-

After only 2 short plays, Reid hands the ball off to his star running back Brian Matthews, as he punches it in from 4 yards out, and the Hokies take a commanding 14 point lead in the 4th quarter - VT 28, OSU 14.

EA Sports: NCAA Football 11 Photo

Matthews scores from 4 yards out in the 4th quarter to give Hokies a 14 point lead

Ohio State is not able to answer on their ensuing possesion, and punt the ball away with 8 minutes left in the game after a quick three and out.

Reid takes to the field, but Ohio State proves on 3rd down that they are not out of is, as Reid tries to catch the Buckeye defense off guard with a playaction pass, but instead Hall breaks off the edge and spears Reid in the back, as the ball is coughed up, as Henderson picks the ball up and returns it 50 yards for a touchdown, and puts Ohio State right back in the ball game - VT 28, OSU 21.


Reid takes to the field with 5 minutes, as the Hokies try to run some clock and put the pressure on Ohio State as they are still up 7 points. After a few big runs from Grayson and Matthews, the Hokies do just that as they end up getting around midfield. On 3rd down Reid drops back in the pocket, and as nothing develops, he rolls out left. The right end breaks free off his block, and guns for Reid. As Reid is running toward the sideline, he catches a glimpse of Brian Matthews with a step on his defender, and Reid does a jump pass over the defender, unloading the pass down the sideline, as Matthews leaps and snatches the ball right out of the defender's hands for a huge 25 yard gain:

EA Sports: NCAA Football 11 Photo

Reid's jump pass to Matthews for a 25 yard gain late in the 4th

It takes only a few plays, but Grayson eventually punches the ball in from a few yards out to give the Hokies back a 14 yard lead - VT 35, OSU 21, 3:32 left in the game.

Arnold takes to the field, and after a first down pass gets a small gain, a timeout is called on the field as Tech's star strong safety Tyler Lopez is shown holding his knee, and is helped off the field, a scary sight for Hokie fans. In comes Theron Norman, his unproven backup. Arnold comes out on 2nd down, and takes advantage of this mis-match in the Hokies' secondary, as he unloads a strong pass down the right sideline to Chad Thomas, who snatches the pass, jukes Norman right out of his shoes, and takes it the distance down the field for 64 yards and a quick Ohio State touchdown - VT 35, OSU 28.

EA Sports: NCAA Football 11 Video

Arnold connects with Chad Thomas for a 64 yard touchdown late in the 4th quarter

With 2:31 left in the game, Greg Arnold is able to get a really nice return on the kickoff, and on first down, Matthews breaks a run to the 45 yard lin, but is pushed out of bounds. Hokies then try to run the clock down, but is shut down 3 plays in a row, and they are forced to punt with 1:41 left in the game. James Rivers finally comes up strong for the Hokies, and shows why he is one of the premier punters in all of college football. His punt is boomed down deep to the goal line, and it is downed at the 5 yard line by Kevin Logan - there is a holding call on the play, and the ball is pushed back to the 3 yard line.

Arnold takes to the field, with 1:34 left in the game, no time outs, and 97 yards to go to be able to tie the game up and send to over time. On first down, Arnold drops back and sends Smith on a screen. It is sniffed out by Chris Galloway, the freshman corner, and Arnold is forced into a panic situation. However superb blocking knocks Galloway off course enough for Arnold to dump the ball off to Smith, and he takes it to their own 27 yard line, where the ball is then downed to stop the clock. Just 2 quick plays later, Arnold connects with Chad Thomas on a big gain from an inside seam route, and the Buckeyes are at the Hokies 30 yard line with around 1 minute left in the game. The ball is downed on first down to stop the clock, and the Hokies try to re-group. Ohio State is 30 yards away from making the unthinkable happen. Foster calls a time out to get some fresh players on the field, and get his star defenders a water break. Arnold comes out on first down, unloads a deep pass at the endzone, and hits his receiver right in the hands, but it is batted down by Kevin Logan, incomplete. 2nd down - Arnold is hit while trying to unload the pass to an open receiver on a drag route, and it falls to the ground incomplete. 3rd down - Arnold drops back in the pocket, feels pressure from the middle, scrambles left, and Nick Acree breaks free and crushes Arnold for his only sack of the game! It is 4th down, Buckeyes hurry to the line, but Foster calls a time outs. He needs to regroup and give his players time to catch their breath. 4th down 17 yards to go, :47 seconds left on the clock. Arnold takes the snap, drops back in the pocket. He has 2 open receivers, he cocks his arm, and just before the release, sophomore Greg Blankenship comes from behind, beats his blocker, grabs Arnold by the collar, and slams him to the turf for the sack, and it is Blankenship's 2nd game-clinching sack for the second week in a row.

EA Sports: NCAA Football 11 Photo

Blankenship sacks Arnold to turn the ball over on downs, and clinch the win for the Hokies

Reid kneels the ball 3 times, and the Hokies hang on to win a tough game in Blacksburg.

Final - Virginia Tech 35, Ohio State 28

On Saturday, the Hokies have defeated the highest ranked team they have beaten under Coach Bud Foster, and the highest ranked team in over 6 years. The Buckeyes fell to #9 on the season, 1 spot behind the Hokies. It is a possibility if both teams win out, that they could be meeting in a rematch in a bowl game. Brandon Reid got his 3rd 300 yard passing game of the season, but was also sacked, stripped, and returned for a touchdown for the 4th time this year. It will be interesting to see if Reid remains the starter, or if senior Trey Gresh will get a second shot. Tyler Lopez was injured late in the 4th quarter, but the x-rays turned out negative, as he had only a mild MCL sprain. Doctors feared the worse, that he tore his ACL when he went down violently. The Hokies have pulled off another strong 4th quarter for the 3rd game in a row, and has shown why not many teams can hang with them in the 4th quarter. Through 3 games now, the Hokies have scored 54 points in the 4th quarter alone. It will be interesting to see if they can keep up their 4th quarter dominance throughout the season.

Play of the Game: 77 yard pass on an overthrown pass from Reid to Singletary at the end of the 3rd quarter

Player of the Game: Brandon Reid - 19 of 32 303 yards 3 td 1 int; 11 car 18 yards

Stats
Reid - 19 of 32 303 yards 3 td 1 int; 11 car 18 yards
Matthews - 25 car 84 yards 1 td
Grayson - 8 car 56 yards 1 td
Washington 3 rec 62 yards 1 td
Hendrix 5 rec 67 yards 2 td
Singletary 4 rec 100 yards

Arnold 21 of 36 267 yards 2 td
Smith 25 carries 149 yards 1 td
Thomas 5 rec 101 yards 1 td

News

- Notre Dame has moved to the #3 team in the nation lead by Frank Beamer

- Brandon Reid has thrown for his 3rd 300 yard passing game in a row, and is just 2 yards shy of 1,000 yards passing on the season (6 td, 6 int)

- The Hokies moved to #8 this week, and are primed to move up next week if they can win, as #4 Wisconsin plays #5 Michigan this week

- The Hokies travel to Texas to take on SMU and the Pony Express. SMU is 3-0 on the year, and their passing attack ranks 1st in the nation, as they have racked up 1,600 yards passing in only 3 games - astronomical numbers by anyone's standards. The Hokies will have their hands full, as they have the #96 ranked passing defense

[hoopla32]

Man that option pitch for a long TD for Ohio State is one of those borderline "BS" computer TD's that normally tick me off, but I've learned that I'm usually going to give up 1 or 2 of those every game against a good team. That's still a very nice win, though. It'll be interesting to see if you move ahead of Ohio State in the rankings. You should, be going on my experience, I can see you moving up to 6-8 and Ohio State moving down to 6-8 somewhere.

[xcrunner4623]

Huge win! Got to love those types of games. I just won the national championship with Penn State in 2013 in my dynasty. Check it out!

[Howie5]

Huge win! Keep it up with this squad. I cant wait to play Ohio St next season