Hokies One Score Woes Continue in the JMA Wireless Dome
Something has to give, Hokies. Am I right? Virginia Tech marched to an 18-point lead at the Dome with both a backup quarterback AND running back as Kyron Drones and Bhayshul Tuten were both sidelined with lower body injuries. Historically, the JMA Wireless Dome is a rough venue for the good guys so with a comfortable lead and momentum behind us it felt like we could take a much needed dub at this metaphorical House of Horrors. But the second half was a turn of the tides: Cuse ripped the rug right out from under us. The Big Orange were quite simply having their way with us in the second half.
The word of the season: inconsistency. Aside from the Stanford game, there has been little to no consistency on either side of the ball - and that is with stars Tuten and Powell-Ryland having record-setting seasons on the offense and defense, respectively. A complete game in all three phases has been difficult to come by.
...he is being lambasted for his 1-11 record in one score games
Cue a large discussion on Twitter about if, and then which, coaches should get the axe. All season it’s been a revolving door of sorts. Earlier on in the season our repeated special team gaffes put a target on Special Teams coordinator Stu Holt. The offense couldn’t get going each week so OC Tyler Bowen was the target. After the Syracuse unraveling in the second half, the fan base seems to have DC Chris Marve in their crosshairs.
Chief amongst the discourse is the future of Head Coach Brent Pry - he is being lambasted for his 1-11 record in one score games and, particularly, his decision-making this past weekend. Tied up with nearly 30 seconds, all three timeouts, and a solid kicker in John Love, Pry settled for overtime where we ultimately fell short of victory. After giving up 28 points in the second half, folks are scratching their head at this judgement.
In the famous words of Brandy: “Almost doesn't count.” There are a lot of mixed emotions as the Hokies will host 19th-ranked Clemson on Saturday. The fanbase is in shambles and arguing over who’s to blame for an underperforming season. Not quite the vibe you yearn for before hosting Dabo Swinney and crew, eh?
Lane stadium, fans everywhere, and the team itself have to stay focused on the next contest and ditch the internal turmoil come Saturday's kickoff. Let’s not forget that the Tigers are themselves coming off a disappointing loss to unranked Louisville at home.
Both squads will be hungry and the biggest question for VT remains the availability of both QB Kyron Drones and RB Bhayshul Tuten. Coach Pry at his Tuesday presser had this to say on his stars: “Both questionable right now. Obviously better than they were. Kyron, better than he was last week at this time. Bhayshul still to be determined.”
