![]() ![]() It was one of numerous baffling efforts by Virginia Tech during the rocky Fuente era, when the Hokies’ identity from year to year and often week to week was a mystery. That game wouldn’t come to define the season - the Hokies righted the ship by winning six of their next seven and nearly won the ACC’s Coastal Division - but it was no isolated incident. Making matters worse, Virginia Tech honored the 1999 team that made the national championship game at halftime He needs to fix BeamerBall, not only because he's responsible to, but because he's the most capable coach in college football to do so.But as the former Tech offensive lineman and unofficial program ambassador monitored the game remotely on his phone, he couldn’t believe what he was watching - a thorough 45-10 butt-whupping in all three phases by a Duke team charitably described as mediocre.Ī closer examination of the DVR replay the next day wasn’t better, with baffling quarterback decisions, an effort that belied the team’s “Hard, Smart, Tough” mantra and a stone-faced head coach Justin Fuente on the sideline, showing little emotion as he chewed gum with his headset on. He isn't moonlighting as some pseudo-coach like Bobby Bowden or Joe Paterno did late in their tenures. He still clocks in to work in the morning. I don't think Frank Beamer is past his prime, or the game has passed him by. Your guess is as good as mine as to who fills the depth chart. Michael Branthover and Scott Demler may just never cut the mustard. Collin Carroll, a fixture at snapper, graduated. Cody Journell's status with the team is uncertain. ![]() Justin Myer won't be back to kick #ALLOFTHETOUCHBACKS. All of the key contributors from last season might need to be replaced. I'm anxious (cautiously excited) to see how new faces in all phases of the kicking game perform this spring. The disruptive style of play we had been accustomed to seeing forced more offensive mistakes, and therefore turnovers. They've created less chaos and have been back on their heels more. By my eyes, the defense has been less aggressive the last few seasons. Jayron averaged a career best 12.67 yards a punt return (18 attempts), but again, nothing went to the house. Averaging 20 yards a return (94th) because no one else stepped up is inexcusable though. Teams just kicked away from David Wilson. To rationalize a bit, the loss of Dyrell Roberts all but eliminated the effectiveness and big play production on kick returns. I just hope 2011 was an outlier and not the new norm. Over the last ten years the trend has been less points via defense and special teams. In 2011 BeamerBall hit all-time low in points scored since Tech joined the ACC. It's called BeamerBall, and what sets it apart are the contributions of the defense and special teams." - Excerpt from the 2011 Media Guide. ![]() "During the Frank Beamer era at Tech, putting points on the scoreboard has always been a team effort - the offense, the defense and the special teams. Kyle Fuller recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown against Appalachian State, a game Tech won 66-13. I knew better anyways, Tech doesn't block kicks like they used to. I said to myself, "a little BeamerBall guys." "Come off the edge hard Kyle." "Get there Gayle, get there, you can get there." I can't even remember if I saw the kick, the roar from across the stadium told me everything I needed to know. Before the snap my head was buried between my hands. Brendan Gibbons is going to boot a 37-yard field goal and break our hearts. In about a minute Michigan's going to win the Sugar Bowl. Reality check, a Frank Beamer coached team didn't have a dependable punter or kicker. Compare that to 95-, 87-, 79-, 81- and 95-percent success rates in 2010 back to 2006 respectively. The Hokies only made 72% of their field goals last season. Even though I thoroughly enjoyed #Coale4Punter because it enhanced his legacy, it hurt the team because it detracted from him playing receiver. Danny Coale was more reliable and averaged 6.7 more yards a punt than the team. Scott Demler and Michael Branthover struggled to find consistency, routinely shanked balls and flipped field position out of favor. The Hokies were ranked 108th nationally in net punting (33.6 yards/punt) in 2011. Special teams were a liability this season, and that's on no one else but Frank Beamer. A lot of other coaches try not to lose with special teams, Beamer tries to win with them. They're an integral component of his brand of football, BeamerBall. Special teams are the Frankinator's baby. "Don't be messing with my kicker." Beamer's tone was both playful and serious, although his face read with a dismissive, "just fucking try me." That was the conclusion to an anecdote about an over-coached punter that regressed on his watch at Murray State told during the Duke week presser.
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