Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Rutgers

It's incredibly frustrating to keep writing each week what is essentially the blueprint of a Brent Pry era game. A dreadful first quarter or half yields to an inevitable furious comeback and gutting defeat. That's the book on this group until proven otherwise and while the off-season hype was fun, things have shifted dramatically from the pie in the sky excitement of the spring and summer months. Now we enter the final week of September engaged in that now commonplace Hokie ritual of scouring the schedule to see if there are enough potential wins left to even qualify for a bowl game. 

But other than that, how was the play Mrs. Lincoln? 

The Hokies scored 16 points in the fourth quarter to tie it up at 23, but Rutgers rallied late to a late field goal and a 26-23 win in Lane Stadium. 

Like an anthropomorphic French candlestick, Tech rolled out the red carpet for Rutgers and treated them to a friendly evening in their home. Virginia Tech came out with another listless first quarter start, spotting the Scarlet Knights a quick 14 points. The Hokies were held scoreless in the opening quarter for the 12th time in 28 games of the Brent Pry era. That total now includes Rutgers twice in as many seasons. 

Something dramatic has to change to avoid these slow starts. This column can only recap the same things happening every week for so long. Perhaps I can pre-write one article for the rest of the season and just fill in the blanks mad libs style. 

"The Hokies gave a valiant effort but dropped a tough one INSERT SCORE after a late comeback fell short against INSERT BEATABLE OPPONENT" 

There were no "Drones strikes" on this day, just a handful of wayward missiles and a number that failed in various ways on the launch pad. The Tech QB has talent to spare but he's been a disappointment so far this season.    

He's completed just under 60 percent of his passes with only four touchdowns and three interceptions. He's also developed a bizarre knack for tossing picks to defenders right in front of him in open space. I can't recall anyone experiencing a similar bout of regression.

The offensive line could certainly help take some heat off. Parker Clements has had a really rough year and that peaked when he was bull-rushed in his own end zone which led to him stepping on Drones' ankle and an embarrassing safety. It was emblematic of the entire season in many ways. A curious call to pass on third and long in your own end zone, ends with shame and points for the other team. 

As we discussed last week, Tuten is the most important player on the offense. He's been incredibly consistent this season and in his last three games has rushed for 120, 115, and 122 yards respectively. He added three touchdowns against Rutgers which brings his season total to seven. 

At the risk of complaining again, it seems like a big miss to finish the game with Tuten getting just 15 touches. Drones ran more in this game and it was effective but Tuten is too vital to get fewer than 25 looks per game. He's also been a complete non-factor in the passing game which speaks to a larger issue. The Hokies aren't using their backs as receivers this season which is something that proved quite effective last year. Tuten has just 11 catches for 24 yards on the season and the only other back to catch a pass was a 5-yarder to Malachi Thomas. 

This is another in a series of offensive oversights that's holding the Hokies back.    

It was hardly a banner day for Tech's special teams unit with multiple offsides penalties —one on a punt and another on a nearly 60-yard field goal try. Jaylin Lane did have a fumble on a punt early but his 34-yard return in the second half created great field position and sparked the Hokie offense. 

Tech's leading receiver (17 catches, 247 yards, one touchdown) has proven to be a dynamic punt returner with 18.7 yards per return and the long touchdown against Old Dominion. 

It's worth mentioning that Tech hasn't lost to a bad team yet. Rutgers appears poised to have a strong season in the Big Ten or whatever it is now and Vanderbilt nearly knocked off top ten Missouri this weekend. A competent Hokies squad would be 4-0 but that's not what this is. The way Virginia Tech is losing has become so commonplace and predictable as to become satirical.

Some serious changes need to be made and while I'm not a fan of mid-season firings for coordinators, something needs to happen in a hurry to salvage a season with plenty of tough opponents remaining. I'm still a fan of Chris Marve but Tyler Bowen appears to have plateaued last season. Teams have adjusted and he has not.    

Not be too much of a downer, but things appear pretty rough from here. Looking at the schedule shows that at best every remaining game is a toss-up for the Hokies. Things could go south very quickly if the team doesn't rally and find some answers right now. 

It's a short week and a road game at Miami is decidedly not what anyone was hoping for. This team does seem to play well with its back against the wall in full on rally mode though. They're going to have to dig in to that mindset and rally fast before things get messy around here.