Looking at Game 2, Virginia Tech

Who:  Virginia Tech Hokies

When:  Saturday, September 7th, 1:30 pm

Where:  Lane Stadium/Worsham Field (65,632) in Blacksburg, VA

Series history:  This will be the first meeting between the Hokies and Catamounts in football

Their conference:  Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)

Their coach: Frank Beamer, his record at Virginia Tech: 216-104-2 (26 years)

Last year’s record: 7-6 (4-4)

How they got there: The Hokies finished the regular season at 6-6 in 2012, the worst single season performance they've had since 1992.  Most of the season, the Hokie defense struggled due to a reshuffled secondary, transfers and injuries that resulted in defensive vulnerabilities in pass protection and rushing defense.  The Hokie offense successes, can be mostly attributed to quarterback Logan Thomas. The Hokies finished the season ranked 81st nationally in total offense, 81st in scoring, 79th in rushing and 100th in passing efficiency and were held under 20 points on five occasions.

Offense: Multiple pro-style offense

Defense:  4-2-5

Offensive starters returning/lost:   6 / 5

Defensive starters returning/lost:   9 / 2

Biggest losses:  linebacker Bruce Taylor, tackle Nick Becton; tackle Vinston Painter, fullback Joey Phillips

Watch out for: QB Logan Thomas and  running back J.C. Coleman. Coleman finished 2012 with 492 yards. VT returns three players who earned second-team All-ACC honors in 2012:  defensive end James Gayle, linebacker Jack Tyler & cornerback Antone Exum. Incoming freshman and five-star defensive back prospect Kendall Fuller may have an immediate impact.

Strengths: Logan Thomas’ decision to return to Virginia Tech for his senior season is a real plus for the Hokie's offense.  RS freshmen running backs Trey Edmunds and Chris Mangus could also be the key to help return the Hokie running game back to the level Tech fans are accustomed.

All four starters on the defensive line from last year return and Tech returns experienced players on special teams, including place-kicker Cody Journell; punter A.J. Hughes; snapper Joe St. Germain; punt returner Kyshoen Jarrett; kickoff returner Demitri Knowles

Weaknesses: Last season, Tech went from 35th in total offense in the FBS to 81st, and as a result, the shake up in the offensive coaching staff results in the debut of three new offensive coaches, including offensive coordinator & quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler. But Loeffler's last season at Auburn ranked the Tigers near the bottom of FBS schools in total scoring (115th of 120), and was only slightly better than VT in rushing (148.4 ypg compared to 145.9 ypg).

Returning QB Thomas certainly needs help with the running game and in his receivers corp.  However, the top three receivers from last season are gone.

The Hokies do return the middle of their offensive line intact, but have no one with sufficient playing experience at tackle, so those are huge holes to fill.


Join the conversation by leaving a comment below