QUARTERBACKS

Everyone knew it was going to be a test for Sean Glennon is his first conference road game, and it was exactly that. Glennon struggled early with his accuracy, but the play calling did him no favors at all. Glennon is a good QB and must continue to progress, but the offensive staff must allow him to throw the ball downfield. All the receiver screens that are being called are doing nothing to help move the offense. His stats look rough (10-17 for 66 yards), but overall it was a good effort from Glennon. Ike Whitaker came in and completed a 41-yard touchdown pass on his only throw.

GRADE: C

WIDE RECIEVERS

Once again, the receivers were under-utilized, as Branden Ore (the running back) and Greg Boone (the tight end) finished with the most receiving yards. These guys are fast, strong, and athletic, but the offensive coaching staff refuses to throw the ball downfield to allow them to make a play. You can only do so much with flanker screens, and those are the only passes that seem to be thrown.

GRADE: Incomplete due to play-calling

RUNNING BACKS

The key to the season for the Hokies may be the health of Braden Ore, as he had yet another amazing game for the Hokies. Ore rushed for 111 yards on 22 carries and scored three touchdowns. He also made the key play of the game, scampering 22 yards on a 3^rd and 8 play early in the 3^rd quarter. Ore got his yards running between the tackles, and bouncing runs outside. He possesses great vision and his ability to cut back is what separates him from everyone else. It seems like he will have a new back up in Elan Lewis for Saturday’s game against Duke. George Bell, once again looked slow and fumbled early in the game, and never saw action after that.

GRADE: A

OFFENSIVE LINE

The line did a great job creating room for Ore and allowing time for Glennon to throw (even though none was actually needed). Duane Brown and Sergio Render on the right side of the line really shined on this day, as well as Nick Marshman filling in for the injured Brandon Frye. If the Hokies’ line plays this well all year, then it will be a very successful campaign for the Hokies.

GRADE: A

DEFENSIVE LINE

The defensive line was the only aspect of the defense that looked a little ordinary at times. Chris Ellis was injured early in the game and at times was dominated by John Chacos (OT). The defensive tackles played very well, and freshman Jason Adjepong played excellently in just his second career game. The line must find a way to create pressure without having to blitz in order to be even more successful in the future.

GRADE: B

LINEBACKERS

When the Hokies are in need of a pick-me-up, they usually turn to the incredible linebacker duo of Xavier Adibi and Vince Hall, and once again they came through big time. Adibi picked off a Joe Dailey pass and returned to the 1-yard line to set-up the Hokies first score, while Hall was his usual consistent self in leading the defense.

GRADE: A

SECONDARY

The first-team secondary was absolutely amazing in making the UNC QB tandem look awful. They finished a combined 19-38 for 179 yards and four interceptions, but most of those yards came on a late garbage time TD drive. Aaron Rouse and Kam Chancellor each had an interception, and Branden Hill returned his interception for a 69-yard touchdown. Brandon Flowers had a terrific game making tackles and denying the football, and while we are still waiting for Victor “Macho” Harris to make a great play, he has been very solid.

GRADE: A

SPECIAL TEAMS

BeamerBall is officially back on the scene after a summer in which Beamer tried to put more focus into his bread and butter. The Hokies blocked their third kick of the year (already more than last year), and it came at a huge time. Josh Morgan laid out to block David Wooldridge’s punt, and freshman Jason Adjepong carried about six or seven Tar Heels to the one-yard line after recovering it. Nic Schmitt punted 6 times for a 44.7 average, including a 54-yard boomer, which was muffed by Brandon Tate. One negative was the bad coverage on the first punt of the game, which led to the Heel’s first FG.

GRADE: A-

COACHING

Bud Foster and Frank Beamer did a tremendous job in preparing their respective units for this contest. Foster’s defense was in complete control all game long, and kept the Hokies in the game early, when the offense sputtered. Beamer’s special teams have been excellent all year long, and this was no exception. Minus, the one miscue in the punt coverage, they were perfect. Bryan Stinespring, on the other hand, was awful in this one. His first-half play calling was horrible, and it nearly cost the Hokies. Stinespring is trying to outthink himself, and throw the ball when it’s obvious that you can run all day long. He must start to allow Glennon to throw the ball more than 5 yards downfield, and gain a better commitment to the run. When Ore has a 5-yard average per carry, he needs more than 22 carries.

GRADE: A for Beamer and Foster, F for Stinespring

OVERALL ANALYSIS

The Hokies played a lesser opponent on the road and responded exactly the way they needed to. They dominated in every aspect of the game, except throwing the football, and the defense never gave the Heels a chance to get back in the game. The turnovers, two fumbles, were a little alarming but they forced enough to make it a non-factor. The Hokies improved to 9-0 on the road in ACC contests since they joined, and much of that praise goes to Beamer and the coaching staff. They must continue to keep the defense and special teams playing on all cylinders until the passing offense find its feet. Oh, and keeping Branden Ore healthy would be a wise idea.