VT-Maryland Postgame Notes
I’ll just throw out some quick notes on Virginia Tech’s 28-9 win over Maryland Thursday night in College Park.
For the first three quarters, it felt as if both Tech and Maryland were trying to lose the game; the Terps just tried a little harder. That characterization isn’t fair to the Tech defense, though, which shut Maryland down for most of the game, allowing them to move the ball only in fits and starts. The Hokies’ D forced Maryland kicker Dan Ennis into three long field goal attempts; his first one barely quacked its way over from 38, while the other two (38 and 47, both drives off Marcus Vick INTs) were low and short. Their best chance at a touchdown was on the opening drive, before Hollenbach was intercepted at the 12.
Marcus Vick had his best game on the ground since he arrived at Tech, running for 133 yards and a touchdown; his passing stats were fine (14-23 for 211 yards) outside of three ghastly interceptions in the third quarter. If he needed to get that sort of thing out of his system, best to do it now; Hokie fans just hope his accuracy checks back in in time for Boston College’s visit next week. It will be a lot harder to create running holes through BC’s huge defensive line, with or without Matthias Kiwanuka.
Though the M.O. was different through the first three quarters, the physical result for the Tech offense was the same as against WVU: superior speed paid off in the fourth quarter as the opposing defense wore down.
Related to that, the running back position remains a concern. Mike Imoh only gained 28 yards in the first three quarters; it took until the fourth quarter with a tired defense before he could run effectively, during the drive that put the game away at 21-3. Calls are getting louder for redshirt freshman Branden Ore, a larger and more straight ahead runner who has been impressive in limited action.
21 October 2005 / 0 Comments / Tags: football