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The Facts and Figures Behind Kick Blocking
by Chris James, TechSideline.com

Every time you turn on the television to watch the Hokies play, you can count on hearing the announcers mention many times the great work that Frank Beamer has done with kick blocking during his tenure in Blacksburg. So exactly how much of a difference has been made by blocking kicks during the Beamer Bowl Era (1993-2003)? Let’s take a look and find out. (Note: All information comes from the 2004 Virginia Tech Media Guide.)

From the years 1993 to 2003, the Hokies blocked a total of 71 kicks. The season numbers average from a low of 2 total blocks in 1999 to a high of 12 total blocks in 1998. That turns into an average of 6.45 blocked kicks per season during the Beamer Bowl Era, which is a very impressive number.

In those 11 years, the Hokies have turned those 71 blocked kicks into 101 direct points. In other words, they either returned the blocks for a touchdown, returned a blocked PAT for a 2 pt. conversion, or blocked a punt out of the end zone for a safety. That number has given the Hokies 9.18 points per season off direct points from blocking kicks.

Also during the Beamer Bowl Era, the Hokies have scored 129 indirect points off blocked kicks, meaning that while the blocked kick wasn’t returned for a score, the offense was able to either convert the possession into a touchdown or field goal. The Hokies average 11.72 points per year off indirect points from kick blocking.

Taking the two averages together, that means that during the Beamer Bowl Era, Tech has averaged 20.9 points per season either directly or indirectly from blocking kicks. Considering all the media attention the Hokies have received over the years because of their ability to block kicks, that doesn’t seem like a very impressive number, especially when considering that it doesn’t even add up to 2 points per game during the 11 year run. However, when you consider the backbreaking momentum that a team can gain from dominating a game on special teams, the results have definitely been worth Frank Beamer’s efforts.

Another point to consider is that the pressure from Tech’s punt blocking team, or Pride and Joy as it is officially called, has caused many an opposing punter to wilt under the pressure. If the NCAA kept a stat on the number of shanked punts that were forced, the Hokies would probably lead that category as well.

During the past few years, Tech has been successful in setting up the punt return just by their reputation of punt blocking. Opposing coaches have shown a tendency to use maximum protection in their punt formations, and Frank Beamer has taken advantage. Since 1999, the Hokies have returned at least 1 punt for a touchdown every season. Ricky Hall took one back that year, Andre Davis returned 3 for touchdowns in 2000 and another in 2001, and DeAngelo Hall found the end zone on 2 returns in 2002 and 3 in 2003. That comes out to 70 points off punt returns since 1999, with plenty of other very good returns that didn’t go for touchdowns as well.

Kick blocking came in especially handy in 1998, when the Hokies fielded the least productive offense during the Beamer Bowl Era. Despite not being able to move the ball or score consistently, Tech was able to win or play competitively in every single game because they blocked an amazing 12 kicks during the course of the season. That 1998 team blocked 8 punts, 2 field goals and 2 PATs. They converted them into 21 direct points and 24 indirect points, good for almost 4 points a game. In seasons where the offense isn’t very potent, it is critical to find ways to score in other ways or to get the offense great field position, and that is exactly what the Hokies did in 1998.

Fast forward to 2004. In a year that closely resembles 1998 in that there are no proven big time play makers on offense, kick blocking could be pivotal if the Hokies hope to have a successful season. A blocked punt could decide the outcome of any of the swing games this season. The Hokies play N.C. State, West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia all at home, and they have the ability to beat all of them. However, all of those teams could very well beat Tech as well, so Frank Beamer would put his team in a much better position to win if he can figure out a way to establish dominance in the kicking game. It could be Tech’s ace in the hole.

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Depth Chart Takes Shape as Hokies Prepare for USC
by Chris James, TechSideline.com, 8/26/04, 9:55 am
After spring practice, summer conditioning, and three weeks of practice in the sweltering August heat, it appears that most of Virginia Tech’s position battles have been settled. Let’s take a look, position by position, as the Hokies prepare for their season-opening clash with the USC Trojans.
in News and Notes

BCA Classic Preview: VT vs. USC
by Jeff Ouellet, 8/25/04, 5:00 pm
For the Hokie Nation, it doesn’t get much better than this: VT opens their season a week earlier than normal in a classic contest in D.C. versus a big name opponent. The only problem with that bit of great news is that the big name opponent is none other than reigning national co-champion USC, who is blessed with incredible talent, depth and coaching. For the BCA game to truly be a Classic, VT will definitely need to turn up the wick.
in Football

Advance Auto Parts Hokie Hotline Notes
by Phil Noftsinger, 8/25/04, 11:00 am
Bill Roth started off the show asking the Coach Rogers about the pre-season development of VT starting QB Bryan Randall. Coach responded by saying that Bryan was a very different quarterback this year than last year. He’s much more advanced in his reads and checks, and that he has picked up right where he left off in the bowl game. He also talked about the leadership that Bryan showed in helping to develop Sean Glennon and Cory Holt, Virginia Tech’s backup quarterbacks.
in Hokie Hotline Notes

Bringing Down Goliath
by Jim Alderson, 8/24/04, 11:05 am
Is there any reason to play the game against Southern Cal? Aside from the obvious one of the large amounts of money that have been collected for the enterprise, it would seem the national media has declared Tech utterly unworthy of challenging the Trojans, or Men of Troy, or whatever they are going by this year. According to the media, Pete Carroll has amassed an incredible array of talent, the likes of which has not been seen since ... well, since ... well, golly gee, perhaps ever.
in TSL Pass

2004 Preseason ACC Predictions
by Jeff Ouellet, 8/23/04, 11:10 am
College football has undergone some radical changes in the past decade, but none that have loomed larger than the creation of the BCS and subsequent reconfiguration of the big six conferences. The end result for VT was an oft coveted, yet seemingly impossible, bid to the ACC. With the addition of Miami, VT and eventually BC, the ACC suddenly looks to be at worst one of the top three football conferences in the country and arguably the best.
in TSL Pass

Randall's Performance Highlights Third Scrimmage
by Will Stewart, TechSideline.com, 8/21/04, 11:30 pm
With the Hokies one week away from playing #1 Southern California, Bryan Randall played well in fall scrimmage #3, going 14-of-22 for 154 yards and throwing one touchdown and one interception. The touchdown went to true freshman Eddie Royal on a short slant pass, and the interception was by redshirt freshman Chris Ellis on a screen pass.
in Football