Daytime games are always weird
It’s more of a conundrum. I like the fact that games end by around 4 o’clock, but I can’t get used to the idea of game day activities happening early in the morning. We arrived at the stadium around 9:45, checked in, unloaded our gear, and headed to the press box lunchroom for something to eat. The chicken BBQ for breakfast/brunch was not ideal. Even a commercial breakfast sammy would have been appreciated.
The Marching Virginians arrive ready for the game. John Schneider – SB Nation
But the band always arrives “up” and it seems like it takes forever to get everyone into the stands. The key is to adjust the brightness of your camera, take candid shots before the game, and read faces and body language before the game.
Jack Thicke and his crew struggled in the trenches. John Schneider – SB Nation Josh Fuga’s defensive line was bent, but he didn’t let the defense break down on this day. The number of TDs on the jacket is zero. John Schneider – SB Nation’s Peter Moore had a leg cannon and kept Georgia Tech on his side of the field, often deep all day long. John Schneider – SB Nation Coach Cam Phillips – Serious look. When was the last time Cam looked so serious when he played so well? John Schneider – SB Nation
It was another thing to see the serious faces on everyone’s faces, but it was something to see receivers assistant coach Cam Phillips instead of the old guy with new glasses and a big, winning smile on his face. It was another thing to see him come onto the field with the look on his face as a coach thinking about it. It was interesting. Cam was part of the team that suffered a heartbreaking loss to Georgia Tech in the previous era, and seemed to really want to buck that trend.
The band’s brass section drives it. John Schneider – SB Nation
The band warms up and cheers everyone up in the stadium a little. They have some jumpy numbers that warm up all the brass and show the crowd getting going early. The players love it before games too.
Sandman John Schneider – SB Nation
Brent Pry and the players at the front of the line to enter the stadium were all registered on the “tough” scale. Pry’s team has been steadily bucking recent negative trends, and on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, this team was ready to end Georgia Tech’s winning streak at Lane Stadium.
The trenches were full and no running took place.
Neither team was really effective in the run game. Beishul Tuten averaged 4.7 yards per carry, but his total was limited to a net 80 yards, which frustrated some TFL players. They had one break for 41 yards, but Georgia Tech’s run defense was solid and they loaded the bases at the 33rd.
Fortunately, Tech returned the favor. GT held the Hokies to 99 yards, but the Hokies held the Jackets to 96 yards. Lead back Jamal Haynes was held to just 47 net yards and #2 back Anthony Carey was held to just 33 yards.
Neither team had much going on on the ground. Neither team was able to run effectively. Both defenses were stingy with yards on the ground when it mattered most. John Schneider – SB Nation I’m not going anywhere. Caleb Spencer is becoming a big defensive element. John Schneider – SB Nation The Tooten Express has been suppressed. However, he averaged 4.7 points per attempt. John Schneider – SB Nation
Aiden Green ran a big critical end on a fake to Tuten, then Green crossed from the left side of the formation to the right side. The 14-yard burst gave the Hokies a first down and scoring option, giving them much better field position.
The big end starts around Aiden Green. John Schneider – SB Nation
The Hokies had a very consistent bend, but didn’t break down their defense, which took a lot of time throughout the game. Georgia Tech only made two long field goals and zero touchdowns in the contest. In key moments, the Hokies stopped Georgia Tech’s four fourth down conversion attempts. Their failure to stop was inconsequential, part of a last-ditch effort by the Yellow Jackets to score points in the final minutes of the game to close the Hokies’ margin of victory.
Keyshawn Burgos and Caleb Woodson are hitting shots, and Dante Lovett is lurking ready to cover. John Schneider – SB Nation
This was an old-fashioned football game. Field position and punting became important characteristics, and as mentioned above with Peter Moore’s candid shots, he became one of the key players to the game. The Hokies punted 10 times. Moore averaged 49 yards per kick and had five punts of 50 yards or more, five of which were dropped inside the Georgia Tech 20. He kept Georgia Tech’s struggling offense on his side of the field in nearly every exchange. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Moore wear No. 25 again next week. He opened a clinic.
Who said long snappers just snapped the ball? Christian Epling joins in on special teams with big tackles. John Schneider – SB Nation
Virginia Tech’s passing game was unfortunately disappointing, especially with Georgia Tech selling to stuff Tuten, leaving uncovered portions of the wide field open under the zone and on out routes. , could have resulted in big gains and steady progress had the offense been consistently ready. 3 second pass attack. Instead, the Hokies ate the ball too often and ended up punting 10 times.
Daquan Felton was pretty close. Tech would score its third and final TD a short time later, but the reviews were frustrating. John Schneider – SB Nation It was a big game for Wilfred Penn. He was doing his best to attack GT all day long. John Schneider – SB Nation’s Caleb Woodson continues to grow as a representative. John Schneider – SB Nation
The Kyron Drones didn’t have a particularly great day with just 128 yards, mostly passes near or behind the line of scrimmage. He scored a passing touchdown to tight end Benji Gosnell and caught the touchdown on a bit of a gadget play on a pass from Jaylin Lane. Other than the first play-strip sack (in which he got the ball back), the Drones won without any major mistakes. In a close, old-fashioned soccer game, it’s important not to give the ball to the opposing team.
Final score of the game…John Schneider – SB Nation
The defense was a team effort. As mentioned above, it appeared to be Wilfred Penne’s day as the rest of the defensive line filled the running lanes and kept Georgia Tech’s running quarterback in check with strict rush discipline and containment. Quarterback scrambles and runs were not part of Georgia Tech’s offense throughout the game.
APR didn’t record a sack…but he can fly…John Schneider – SB Nation
As a result of the match, trudging up Chicken Hill became a little easier. Please see the Facebook album for all photos.
Next, I really want to talk about some things about The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
