A Quick VPI Game Observation

[HtownOrange]

I am not sure whether VPI played games with the QB situation but the backup was prepared. They game planned to walk into the Done and smash the Orange in the mouth. And did so. Not only scoring but keeping McCord and Co. Nearly scoreless.

But ...

This game was a double header two halves.

Yes, VPI (or VATech or cHokies, whichever you prefer), thinking the first half would continue, it did for a few minutes, but flopped with the righted ship that is the Orange.

I have no inside information as to what went on inside the locker room during the break but this staff makes adjustments. And good adjustments.

After spotting VPI a 21-3 lead, the Orange beat VPI 35-10. Sure, VPI can cry their starters were out, so we're some of ours. Regardless, VPI suffered a beat down, not a meltdown, this was ORANGE drive from the top down, from HCFB to the walk-ons.

Just imagine what will happen when HCFB and staff bring in the new, higher ranked recruits. The right way, not the Raritan way where you pay of a recruiting analyst to pad reviews.

Anyway, Orange football is enjoyable. Go ORANGE!

 

[Nick44]

The backup QB has played a lot of football for them. Not this year, but a couple of years back he was a starter for them.

 

[FrancoPizza]

VPI injuries primarily affected their explosiveness on offense. Which is an indicator of how bad our defensive issues were. Nothing we haven’t seen before - just haven’t been witness to it for 4 quarters in the past month because of special teams and Kyle handing the other team points.

But let’s give credit to the SU offense for stepping up when they needed to.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

I think people are over assuming halftime was the change. VA Tech was up 21-3 with less than 7 mins left in the 3rd Q. We opened the half with a 4 and out while they had a 10 play 75 yard TD drive. When we had a 1st and 15 at our 25 after than with 7ish mins left in the 3rd Q, was anyone thinking what changed at half?

The big JRS play changed things. We then forced a 3 and out, score another TD, forced a fumble, and had yet another TD to take the lead. It was mainly momentum and happened so fast (about 7.5 mins).

After that the game went back to how it had been before that run. They outscored us 10-0.

 

[rocklloyd]

The backup QB has played a lot of football for them. Not this year, but a couple of years back he was a starter for them.

He hasnt played any football for them. He’s new this year. Played a lot at Kent state, transferred to ucla and then v tech this year.

 

[DPCuse]

I think people are over assuming halftime was the change. VA Tech was up 21-3 with less than 7 mins left in the 3rd Q. We opened the half with a 4 and out while they had a 10 play 75 yard TD drive. When we had a 1st and 15 at our 25 after than with 7ish mins left in the 3rd Q, was anyone thinking what changed at half?

The big JRS play changed things. We then forced a 3 and out, score another TD, forced a fumble, and had yet another TD to take the lead. It was mainly momentum and happened so fast (about 7.5 mins).

After that the game went back to how it had been before that run. They outscored us 10-0.

But you forgot the last and best part……then we outscored them 14-0.

 

[upperdeck]

its not like the backup qb/rb didnt play really well. they scored more than enough to win.

 

[Nicknack]

its not like the backup qb/rb didnt play really well. they scored more than enough to win.

Their backup QB played very well. I was really impressed (and disappointed) to see how comfortable he was beginning with the very first play. I think we were a bit fortunate (not to root for an injury) to see him hampered a bit late in the game.

 

[All4SU]

I’m refuse to downplay the SU victory due to VT’s QB injuries. In the last 8 years, SU has had more impactful QB injuries than any team
In the country. Sounds hyperbolic, but I believe it’s true. Fourth string QBs. Walk -on QB. NO QB! I mean, no QB! So no, I’m not saying “poor VT.”

 

[DomeHolmes]

its not like the backup qb/rb didnt play really well. they scored more than enough to win.

True, Their running backs ran hard (and against our three man line, and arm tackling, anybody could have). But still Tuten was probably missed more than Drones.

they put up 450 yards against us and I’m not sure Drones and Tuten would have done any better.

lots of teams have quarterback controversies, and if you read the VPI board, they mostly though their back up was a better passer than Drones, and clearly he was every bit his equal as a runner, and between the tackles for sure was a better runner, (much like Haynes King in that regard). He was excellent on the read option.

now you’re seeing with NC State their back up was probably better than their starter. (18-20 yesterday). And SMUs all ACC quarterback was replaced early in the year as well with a better QB.

so I agree, I don’t think they would’ve been much if it all better with Drones.

 

[Newhouser]

I think people are over assuming halftime was the change. VA Tech was up 21-3 with less than 7 mins left in the 3rd Q. We opened the half with a 4 and out while they had a 10 play 75 yard TD drive. When we had a 1st and 15 at our 25 after than with 7ish mins left in the 3rd Q, was anyone thinking what changed at half?

The big JRS play changed things. We then forced a 3 and out, score another TD, forced a fumble, and had yet another TD to take the lead. It was mainly momentum and happened so fast (about 7.5 mins).

After that the game went back to how it had been before that run. They outscored us 10-0.

Excellent post. One huge play gave us enough momentum to sneak a win. Take it and run.

 

[Oakland]

True, Their running backs ran hard (and against our three man line, and arm tackling, anybody could have). But still Tuten was probably missed more than Drones.

they put up 450 yards against us and I’m not sure Drones and Tuten would have done any better.

lots of teams have quarterback controversies, and if you read the VPI board, they mostly though their back up was a better passer than Drones, and clearly he was every bit his equal as a runner, and between the tackles for sure was a better runner, (much like Haynes King in that regard). He was excellent on the read option.

now you’re seeing with NC State their back up was probably better than their starter. (18-20 yesterday). And SMUs all ACC quarterback was replaced early in the year as well with a better QB.

so I agree, I don’t think they would’ve been much if it all better with Drones.

UNLVs backup was probably much better than their starter that quit.

 

[hoopsupstate]

The backup QB has played a lot of football for them. Not this year, but a couple of years back he was a starter for them.

He was a three year starter at UCLA.

 

[TampaLaker]

The backup QB has played a lot of football for them. Not this year, but a couple of years back he was a starter for them.

He was a starter for Kent State not VT. Transferred to UCLA last year, back to to the east coast this year as he is from MD. So, he has a lot of game experience but not at VT.

The backup RB played quite a bit for VT previously. He was just beat out by Tuten this year.

 

[OrangeTarheel]

We also had two first half drives end in turnovers. We did move the ball but just shot ourselves in the foot along the way. It wasn’t like there wasn’t any offense - we did stall out due to a lot of dropped passes and two turnovers but we found ways to move the ball.

The difference was that turnovers were a VTech problem and not a cuse problem in the second half …

 

[swish7]

I think people are over assuming halftime was the change. VA Tech was up 21-3 with less than 7 mins left in the 3rd Q. We opened the half with a 4 and out while they had a 10 play 75 yard TD drive. When we had a 1st and 15 at our 25 after than with 7ish mins left in the 3rd Q, was anyone thinking what changed at half?

The big JRS play changed things. We then forced a 3 and out, score another TD, forced a fumble, and had yet another TD to take the lead. It was mainly momentum and happened so fast (about 7.5 mins).

After that the game went back to how it had been before that run. They outscored us 10-0.

I noticed an increased sense of urgency from our O after we got down 2 scores .

Seems they were on a path to repeat the Pitt beat down & decided 'No. Not again.'

Not being ready to start these games haa become a pattern. Hope we avoid it going forward. Would be nice to play a complete game.

 

[PhatOrange]

I’m refuse to downplay the SU victory due to VT’s QB injuries. In the last 8 years, SU has had more impactful QB injuries than any team
In the country. Sounds hyperbolic, but I believe it’s true. Fourth string QBs. Walk -on QB. NO QB! I mean, no QB! So no, I’m not saying “poor VT.”

Agreed, nobody puts asterisks next to our name in their win column when we’re missing half our starters. A win is a win in the books and that’s all that matters.

Syracuse fans have this weird thing where losses are overblown and wins are downplayed.

if we lose missing guys it’s an excuse and if we win when the other team is missing guys it counts less. Weird.