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Hokies
Struggling in Recent Years Against SEC Teams
by Chris Coleman, TechSideline.com,
TSLMail #396, August 28, 2009
With the season opener
against Alabama only eight days away, it's about time for Virginia Tech to kick
their recent habit of losing to SEC teams. The Hokies are 0-3 in their last
three games against the SEC, with their last win coming against LSU in Lane
Stadium in 2002.
VT
vs. the SEC |
Season |
Opp. |
Result |
1994 |
Tennessee |
45-23 L |
1998 |
Alabama |
38-7 W |
2002 |
LSU |
26-8 W |
2004 |
Auburn |
16-13 L |
2006 |
Georgia |
31-24 L |
2007 |
LSU |
48-7 L |
With the notable exception of the LSU game in 2007 and the Gator Bowl in 1994,
the Tech defense holds up well against SEC opponents. However, the offense
generally doesn't fare so well.
VT's
Stats vs. SEC Opponents |
Opp. |
VT
Yards |
Opp.
Yards |
Tennessee 1994 |
426 |
495 |
Alabama 1998 |
278 |
274 |
LSU 2002 |
231 |
214 |
Auburn 2004 |
375 |
299 |
Georgia 2006 |
189 |
200 |
LSU 2007 |
149 |
598 |
Averages |
274.67 |
346.67 |
The Tech defense is allowing 346.67 yards per game through six games against SEC
competition, which is a respectable number. That number is somewhat skewed by
the 598 yards LSU rang up in 2007. In the previous four meetings with SEC teams,
the Hokies allowed fewer than 300 yards per game in all four contests.
However, the offense
hasn't kept up their end of the deal recently. Tech has failed to gain 200 yards
of total offense in their last two games against the SEC. The Tech offense was
completely outclassed in losses to Georgia and LSU. (To be fair, the defense was
outclassed against LSU, as well.)
The first time the Hokies
faced an SEC opponent in the Beamer Bowl Era was in the 1994 Gator Bowl against
Tennessee. The Hokies faced Peyton Manning, James Stewart and a very talented
team and walked away with a 45-23 loss. The Hokies had three total turnovers,
and they fumbled the ball five times. The Vols had no turnovers, and they took
advantage of every opportunity the Hokies gave them.
Tech got another chance
against the SEC in the 1998 Music City Bowl when they faced Alabama. Neither
offense did much in that game, but the Hokies walked out with a 38-7 victory
thanks to two blocked punts, three interceptions and a fumble recovery. It was
the perfect example of a "Beamerball" victory.
Tech
followed that up with a 26-8 victory over LSU in Lane Stadium in 2002. The
Hokies controlled that game from start to finish, holding the Tigers to 214
yards of total offense.
That was a very talented
LSU team that went on to win the National Championship in 2003. A quick look at
the box score reveals the following names for LSU: LaBrandon Toefield, Domanick
Davis, Joseph Addai, Matt Mauck, Michael Clayton, Devery Henderson, Marcus
Spears, Chad Lavalais, Marquise Hill, Bradie James and Randall Gay. All of those
players went on to the NFL, and many have had major impacts.
The Hokies won the 2004
ACC Championship, and as a reward they got to play undefeated Auburn in the
Sugar Bowl. The Hokies held the Auburn offense to 299 yards, a big
accomplishment since it featured future first round picks Jason Campbell, Ronnie
Brown and Cadillac Williams. Tech gained 375 yards of total offense, but they
dropped a touchdown pass and missed a chip shot field goal.
The 2006 Chick-fil-A Bowl
against Georgia is one of the low points for the Virginia Tech offense. The
Hokies held a 21-3 halftime lead, but managed to lose the game 31-24, despite
surrendering just 214 yards to the Bulldogs. Sean Glennon threw three
interceptions and had a fumble behind an offensive line that couldn't block the
Georgia defensive front.
The 2007 game at LSU saw
another poor performance by the offense, but it was also an uncharacteristic
terrible game by the defense. The Hokie D allowed almost 600 yards to the
eventual National Champions. This game was more of a fluke than anything. The
Tigers were obviously better than the Hokies, but not 41 points better.
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TechSideline.com
Updates From the Past Week
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Alabama Update: Crimson Tide Have Questions at Quarterback and Offensive
Line
August 28, 2009
You've
spent the month of August learning about Virginia Tech's football team,
but you might be curious as to what's been happening in practice in
Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide have been preparing for this football game as
hard as Virginia Tech, and today we'll bring you an Alabama update.
more
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Robinson
Puts Recruiting on Hold
August 28, 2009
Recruiting
has taken a backseat for Alcoa (TN) tight end/defensive end Tyler
Robinson, who is now focused on finishing out his high school career
in style. The 6-3 1/2, 255-pound senior, Class 2A Mr. Football lineman in
Tennessee last season, looks to help Alcoa capture its sixth straight 2A
state title.
more
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2009
ACC Football Preview: Projected Standings
August 28, 2009
With
every other website and newspaper making their preseason predictions, it's
about time for TSL to jump on the bandwagon. Here are the projected
records and standings for ACC football in 2009.
more
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2011
Profile: Osbourn Park's Dominique Terrell
August 27, 2009
Dominique
Terrell has emerged as one of the top overall prospects in the state
of Virginia's 2011 class; in fact, he is rated number one overall right
now by VirginiaPreps.com. College coaches have taken notice of the 5-10
1/2, 165-pound Osbourn Park (Manassas, VA) standout, who has been verbally
offered by Liberty, Maryland, Pitt, Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Tech and
West Virginia.
more
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Andy
Ross: Representing Hokies in the NFL
August 27, 2009
Four
long years ago, TSL ran an interview with Andy Ross, a sports agent with
the Octagon Agency. A Virginia Tech grad, Ross represents several
high-profile NFL players, including four Hokies. His four Tech clients are
Xavier Adibi, Duane Brown, Brandon Flowers and Macho Harris. Ross checks
in to update their status, as well as to describe his relationship with
them.
more
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Hokies
Hold Last Scrimmage, Will Now Focus on Alabama
August 26, 2009
Wednesday
afternoon, in a scrimmage closed to the public, the Hokies got strong
performances from Tyrod Taylor, several wide receivers, running backs
David Wilson and Josh Oglesby, and the number one defense. The scrimmage
pitted the #1 offense against the #2 and #3 defenses, and the #1 defense
against the #2 and #3 offenses.
more
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Bonner
Talks VT Visit, Senior Season
August 26, 2009
Three
of Virginia Tech's 2010 class recruits committed to the Hokies before ever
stepping foot in Blacksburg. Two of those prospects, including Luella
(Locust Grove, GA) cornerback Detrick Bonner, have since visited
Tech. And like Atlantic (Delray Beach, FL) quarterback Mark Leal, Bonner
left Blacksburg with a good feeling.
more
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2009
Preseason Practice Report: Top Storylines
August 26, 2009
After
another week of practice, the Virginia Tech coaching staff has almost set
their playing rotation. The Hokies have decided that five true freshmen
may have a chance to travel with the team and play this year. All five
will have one final shot to impress the coaching staff during today's
scrimmage, which is in Lane Stadium and closed to the public.
more
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2009
ACC Football Preview: All-ACC Team
August 26, 2009
After
yesterday's ACC unit rankings, today it's time for the 2009 TSL Preseason
All-ACC team. The Hokies are represented on offense and defense, and 11 of
the 12 conference teams have at least one player on the list.
more
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2009-10
Men's Basketball Schedule Released
August 25, 2009
Virginia
Tech released the 2009-10 men's basketball schedule on Tuesday afternoon.
Besides the typical 16 games against ACC competition, the Hokies will also
play four other power conference teams during their non-conference slate.
more
|
2009
ACC Football Preview: Unit Rankings
August 25, 2009
Unit
rankings aren't easy to do, and you'll rarely find any two individuals who
will be in complete agreement. Nevertheless, they are fun to do. Here are
TSL's ACC unit rankings for the 2009 football season.
more
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Hargrave
Notes: Norman and Rhodes Looking Good
August 25, 2009
There
is no question about it. Theron Norman and DeAntre Rhodes
would much rather be suiting up for the maroon and orange of Virginia Tech
than the black and orange of Hargrave Military Academy. But both
prospects, recruits in Tech's 2009 class, are embracing the Hargrave
experience as much as possible... and they are determined to enroll at
Virginia Tech in January of 2010.
more
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Tech
Talk Live Notes for 8/24/09
August 25, 2009
Presented
by Bull & Bones Brewhaus & Grill: The new "Tech Talk
Live" weekly radio show, which replaces the old Hokie Hotline radio
show, debuted Monday night at Bull & Bones Brewhaus & Grill in
Blacksburg. The guests for the premier edition of Tech Talk Live were
offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring, athletic director Jim Weaver,
football players Greg Boone and Kam Chancellor, Hokie great and NFL Hall
of Famer Bruce Smith, and head football coach Frank Beamer. And yes, we're
still keeping track of how many days Virginia Tech has been in possession
of the Commonwealth Cup. (Guess what? It's a lot.)
more
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Time
for Tech to Get Back on Track with QB Development
August 24, 2009
For
the third season in a row, Virginia Tech is planning on redshirting a
backup quarterback. Those plans were scrapped the last two years, but this
is the year it needs to finally happen. Logan Thomas needs to redshirt and
develop, and hopefully one day he can be a 5th-year senior starter.
Believe it or not, the Hokies haven't had a full-time 5th-year senior
starter at quarterback in this decade ... and this decade is almost over.
more
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PreSeason
Check-in: FUMA's Mark Shuman
August 24, 2009
Fork
Union Military Academy (VA) left offensive tackle Mark Shuman put
in the time in the weight room this off-season, improving his strength and
size while keeping the footwork and athleticism that helped make him one
of the most highly recruited rising seniors in the state. Fork Union prep
head coach Micky Sullivan has noticed the different in the 6-7, 290-pound
Shuman's game as a result.
more
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Scrimmage
Report: Ju-Ju Clayton Named #2 Quarterback
August 22, 2009
The
Hokies held their second open scrimmage of preseason practice on Saturday
in Lane Stadium, and a big crowd was on hand. They saw a scrimmage that
was mostly controlled by the defense, thanks in part to a running back
corps that is depleted with injuries at the moment. The Tech coaching
staff also named Ju-Ju Clayton as the #2 quarterback, and announced plans
to redshirt Logan Thomas.
more
|
Hokies
Ranked 7th in AP Preseason Poll
August 22, 2009
The
Associated Press preseason football poll was released Saturday morning,
and Virginia Tech is ranked #7, the same ranking the Hokies received in
the coaches' poll. The ranking matches Virginia Tech's highest-ever
preseason AP ranking. VT also achieved a #7 ranking prior to the 2005
season.
more
|
Acree
Out for Season, Will Remain at FUMA
August 21, 2009
Top
2010 class prospect Nick Acree entered his senior season with high
expectations, looking forward to a season under Fork Union Military
Academy (VA) prep head coach Micky Sullivan and playing alongside future
Virginia Tech teammate Mark Shuman. Unfortunately for the massive 6-6,
310-pound defensive tackle/offensive lineman, a summer knee injury will
keep him out for the entire season. The next time Acree takes the field,
he'll be a Virginia Tech Hokie.
more
|
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