Collegiate Times

By Nick Cafferky, news editor

Defensive coordinator Bud Foster spoke at his press conference in New Orleans this morning and addressed an array of topics from his defensive scheme, to the challenges of going up against a player like Denard Robinson. Here are a few highlights.

ON KYLE FULLER’S SEASON THUS FAR: “He has really had a great football season for us.  In my opinion, I think he’s our MVP.  If I had my pick, he just made some big plays at opportune times, and some important times and key games for us.  And I’m really, really proud of him.  He’s just one of those ?? he’s just a complete football player.  And he’s had a heck of a year for us.”

ON HOW HE WOULD DESCRIBE HIS DEFENSIVE SCHEME: “You know, we’ve tweaked it over the years.  We’ve done a lot of different things. We’ve been very versatile over the years.  You know, I’d like to think that we have been an attacking aggressive style defense over time.  I think we’ve tweaked things because of what offenses have done and how offenses have changed.  I think we’ve done a good job over the years of changing with them and adapting to the different styles that you’re seeing today.”

ON QB DENARD ROBINSON AND HOW TO CONTAIN HIM: “Denard has had a great year and is a great athlete and dynamic player with the ball in his hand.  And unfortunately throws the ball a little better than I want him to. We played some guys over the years, the Pat Whites and guys of that nature when we played them they were dynamic ball carriers. If you stop the run, then I think you gained a huge advantage.”

ON HIS THOUGHTS OF MICHIGAN’S OFFENSE IN GENERAL: “Without giving away anything we’re wanting to do, we obviously have to get off on the football and be physical.  That’s what they’re going to do.  That’s one thing I’ve been impressed with, is just their toughness and their play.  They play for 60 minutes.  And that’s one thing we’ve really prided ourselves in over the years is being a team that’s going to play from the opening whistle to the final whistle and play hard. … Whoever wins the line of scrimmage is going to win the football game.  And obviously that’s a tremendous challenge for us, but as I’ve also told our kids it’s a great opportunity.”

ON HOW THIS YEAR’S UNIT COMPARES TO THOSE IN PREVIOUS YEARS: “I think we’re in the top 12 or 15 in a lot of categories, if not most of them.  But that’s still not where we want to be yet. But we’ve made tremendous strides from last year to this year.  Started back in January when we came back from our previous Bowl game.  I didn’t think we played a great second half.  But I think part of our youth we were very young last year, and I think it was exposed a little bit and our kids have ?? they’ve made a commitment and we made a commitment that we need to take that next step.”

Be sure to follow @NickCaffCT, @MattJonesCT and ZMarinerCT all week for the Collegiate Times coverage of the Sugar Bowl.

By Nick Cafferky, sports special sections editor

 At the mature age of 21, I stand at an intersection of my life as to what Christmas means to me. The magical feeling of Santa Claus’ arrival on Christmas Eve is no longer there, but I’ve seen “A Christmas Carol” way too many times to voluntarily become Ebenezer Scrooge.

But just when I was giving up on the idea that Dec. 25 would be special, I thought of the perfect gift — one that would make me feel giddy like a 10 year-old-boy again: the end of coach speak.

For those of you that aren’t familiar with the term, coach speak is the unique language coaches use when talking to the media that allows them to talk for minutes, but not actually say anything useful. It is a way of stringing sports clichés together, so you don’t have to say anything worthwhile to the media and to keep all real emotions in the locker room.

Frank Beamer is the king of coach speak and is qualified to teach a lecture on the subject. Listen to the press conference following the 2010 loss to James Madison and you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Without further ado, here is a list of phrases I would like stricken from the vocabulary of every coach and analyst covering sports. If someone grants me this wish, feel free to donate all of my gifts to Africa.

“You have to give ____________ a lot of credit.”

No, I don’t. As the great Herman Edwards once said, “You play to win the game! Hello?!” In sports, all people care about is wins and losses. We give people credit when they win by talking about them and forget them when they’re losing. If a player has great numbers on a bad team, that is what statistics are used for.  Furthermore, what do these people even mean when the want us to do to give someone “credit”? Acknowledge his/her performance? If it was that impressive, I would have noticed myself thank you very much. I don’t need anyone to force the idea on me.

“The refereeing …”

This one is more for fans than coaches (coaches rarely talk about this because they prefer not to be fined), but please don’t blame the refereeing for a loss. Even on a last second call that affects the score of the game, it isn’t the refereeing. That last-second call might not have gone your way, but I bet the exact same thing happened in the first quarter in your favor. Just because the one that “screwed” your team was a last second call, it doesn’t mean its impact was greater, it just happened at a more climactic point of the game. Over the course of a game, or the entire season, human error balances itself out. Fans just don’t want to believe it.

“They played a great game.”/ “They are a good team.”

When Tech lost to JMU in 2010, I think Beamer used these, and different variations of the two, about 20 times in a ten minute press conference. Everyone knew he had to be lying. I mean, it was after the most embarrassing loss in the program’s history and he was sitting there acting like the Hokies lost to elite competition. Just once, I would like to be in a press conference where the coach flat out said, “Wow, I’m embarrassed. That team we lost to is nowhere near as good as we are and if you excuse me, there are a couple players on my team that I need to yell at until they cry.”

“Take it one game at a time.”

I understand this one in theory, but it still is a horrible way to answer a question. If the reporter asks, “you’ll have to win your next three to win the division, what will you have to do?” he wants you to give him a generalized synopsis of what you think the team needs to improve on. I understand that coaches can’t think too far ahead because they have to focus on that particular week’s game plan, but that isn’t what the reporter was asking about. And of you happen to be 4-6 and a reporter asks about the playoffs, feel free to follow after Jim Mora and give us a rant we can talk about for decades.

“They have the same number of scholarship athletes we do.”

This one should be called “The Seth Greenberg” because I think I’ve heard him say it a dozen times. Whenever Tech plays bad team and a reporter asks Greenberg about the quality of the opponents, he is quick to point out that all teams have 13 scholarships, as if that somehow makes the quality of athletes UNC gets equal to that of St. Bonaventure. Not all teams are equal, and no one should try to spin it that way. There are teams on everybody’s schedules that are inferior and they are there to provide some competition in the down time before conference games. Can those teams catch you by surprise? Yes. But it isn’t because it has the same number of scholarship athletes, it’s because you had a bad day and a basketball game is only 40 minutes long.

“I don’t think the BCS is the problem”

Yes it is. Please stop talking.

Follow Nick on Twitter @NickCaffCT

By Tommy Christie, sports staff writer

I’m glad my roommate showed me this, because it is just plain filthy. I mea,n I’ve seen all sorts of one-handed, off-balanced, acrobatic catches before, but this raises the bar. Somewhere Marshall alum and spectacular catch maestro Randy Moss is smiling, because this really was Moss-esque. The 6’3’”, former two-sport athlete, Aaron Dobson, made a regulation sized football look like a squishy, backyard Nerf ball. You’ve really got to tip your hat to Dobson, his incredible coordination and his flypaper set of mitts. This is college football’s catch of the year. No questions asked. In the words of the immortal Matthew McConaughey: WE ARE MARSHALL.

I realize this is a week old, but I have some legitimate beef with Ndamukong Suh’s actions in the Thanksgiving game against the Pack (I would never say this to his face, mind you). I love Suh’s game. He’s a great player, with a great motor. It’s his second year in the league, and he’s already one of the better DT’s in football. It’s really too bad that he has the restraint of a frustrated seven year-old, though. Malicious kicking has no place in football. It’s a pathetic act meant only to inflict pain. Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, the most macho action is to simply walk away. I might’ve been willing to semi-dismiss Suh’s actions if he had fessed up and apologized for his actions like a mature, 24-year old man should, but Suh described his apparent kick in the following way: “I’m on one leg and I’m trying to get off that myself and at the same time being pushed by his teammates.” What does that even mean? Just apologize Ndamukong and stop adding to your growing laundry list of childish and immature actions. The league has taken appropriate action and has suspended Suh for the Lions next two games.

By Nick Cafferky, sports special sections editor

A few notes from the 3rd quarter

• UNC running back Giovani Bernard, who left in the second quarter from an apparent helmet-to-helmet hit with Jayron Hosley, has a mild concussion and will not return. However, in his place, A.J. Blue has performed just fine, rushing for 32 on 9 attempts
• Hokies scored on first drive of the half, going 70 yards on 9 plays. Touchdown was on a Thomas run up the middle for 23 yards. Thomas was just trying to get first down on 3rd-and-two, got a lot more
• With that rushing touchdown, Thomas ties Bib Schweickert for 2nd all time with 9 rushing TDs by a QB. He’s two behind Bruce Arians.
• Since catching three balls in the first quarter, Jones has yet to touch the ball. Hosley has played much better since bad start.
• Hokies second touchdown as on seven plays and went for 67 yards. Touchdown was on 4-yard pas to D.J. Coles
• With 9 receptions Jarrett Boykin has set his career high on his senior day and has eclipsed 100 yards. Great way to end his career.

Notable Stats

Logan Thomas: 18-of-30 192 yards 2 TDs; 9 rushes 48 yards 1 TD

Bryn Renner (UNC): 7-of-16 91 yards

David Wilson: 13 rushes 50 yards

A.J. Blue (UNC): 9 rushes 32 yards

Jarrett Boykin: 9 receptions 103 yards

Danny Coale: 4 receptions 37 yards

Follow Nick on Twitter at @NickCaffCT

By Nick Cafferky, sports special sections editor

A few notes from the first quarter…

• After receiving the ball, the Hokies started the game with catastrophe, as Logan Thomas was sacked and fumbled the ball on the first play. UNC took over on the VT 20-yard line, and three plays later, RB Gionvani Bernard was in with a 4-yard touchdown just 1:18 into the game.
• Jayron Hosley is having noticeable problems with 6’4″ receiver Dwight Jones, who already has three receptions for 53 yards
• UNC quarteback Bryn Renner  is 4-for-4 so far for 56 yards. Has looked great so far.
• Meanwhile, Thomas is having problems getting the ball off, as his offensive line has been unable to give him time

Notable Stats

Logan Thomas: 5-of-10 39 yards

David Wilson: 3 rushes, 9 yards

Jarrett Boykin: 4 receptions, 32 yards

Giovani Berard: 7 rushes, 26 yards 1 TD

By Eric Avissar, sports staff writer

For the first time since 2007, Virginia will be heading to a bowl game. After quickly killing the buzz of Maryland’s senior day by scoring a touchdown in the first 20 seconds, the Cavaliers stampeded the Terrapins for a 31-13 victory. The sixth win for the Cavaliers came after falling behind 13-7, then responding with 24 unanswered points.

Running back Perry Jones led the Wahoos with 139 yards rushing and two touchdowns, including the 47-yarder on the game’s opening drive. Along with the success of Jones, quarterback Michael Rocco put on arguably the most impressive performance of his career, throwing for over 300 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Meanwhile, Maryland has continued to plunge toward rock-bottom under new head coach Randy Edsall, as the Terrapins lost their fifth consecutive game to eliminate any hopes of reaching a bowl.

On Thursday, the Florida State Seminoles also ensured they will be playing in a bowl game for the 30th consecutive year, easily beating Boston College 38-7. Quarterback EJ Manuel scored a touchdown through the air and with his legs, completing 12 of 16 passes. The Seminoles stuck to the ground game for the most part, as even Manuel ran the ball as many times as he threw it. Scoring three rushing touchdowns in the second quarter, FSU was able to cruise through the second half after building a 28-0 halftime lead.

While the Seminoles maintained their impressive bowl appearance streak, another postseason streak came to an end. Though there was little doubt it was going to happen after such an abysmal start to the season, Boston College will not play in a bowl game for the first time in 12 years.

Following a humiliating 34-0 trouncing at the hands of Florida St. last week, NC State wanted to give their fans something to cheer for in their first game at home in nearly a month. Facing in-state rivals North Carolina, the Wolfpack did just that, winning 13-0. Quarterback Mike Glennon threw the only touchdown of the game, as NC State shut out UNC for the first time since 1960.

Relying on freshman star running back Giovani Bernard, the Tar Heel offense struggled throughout the day as quarterback Bryn Renner was knocked out of the game in the third quarter. The Wolfpack enjoyed their best defensive performance of the season by far, holding UNC to only three yards rushing while also tallying four sacks.

Although whether or not they will allowed to play in a bowl game remains to be seen, the Miami Hurricanes took one step closer towards reaching the postseason on Saturday. Quarterback Jacory Harris threw three touchdowns, all two yards or shorter, in the first half to ensure a 49-14 victory over Duke. Running back Lamar Miller went over 1,000 yards rushing for the season, gaining 147 yards while adding in two touchdowns.

Duke quarterback Sean Renfree got the Blue Devils within two touchdowns of the Canes on two separate occasions, throwing for a touchdown in the first half, and running for one in the second, but his efforts were not nearly enough on the road. With the loss, Duke must win their remaining three games in order to become bowl eligible for the first time since 1993.

As the only ACC team playing out of the conference, Wake Forest had an opportunity to become bowl eligible with a win against visiting Notre Dame. Instead, the Deacs fell flat when it mattered most, failing to score in the second half, losing 24-17. The hosts were not without chances to score late in the game, twice having the ball inside the Notre Dame 10-yard line, squandering both opportunities.

By Tommy Christie, sports staff writer

Here I bring you a little bit of friendly deviation from the norm… the “other” football. Most American football highlights are exhibitions of brute strength, sheer athleticism, or some insane combination of the two. Soccer is the more skill-oriented sport. These highlights focus more on foot skill, shooting ability, and vision. The two sporting cultures are near opposites in these respects. Regardless of your preference, though, impressive plays are impressive plays. This clip features what those in the soccer world would call a “wonder goal.” In this clip Bayer Leverkusen striker Eren Derdiyok fields a nice ball from the mid-field, and in three touches sets the stadium alight. One touch to control, one touch to set-up, and one touch to drive the ball into the net spectacularly. As if it weren’t enough to bike the ball into the net, Derdiyok provided himself with the perfect set-up, too. This is basketball’s equivalent to throwing it off the backboard to yourself and banging it directly on top of someone… at the end of the shot clock. The dexterity it takes to perform something like this in a game is mind-boggling. Although I’m sure luck played a role, this is an impressive bit of Thursday Morning Clipage.

By Cody Elliott, sports staff writer

Week 7 brought some big comebacks and an upset in the ACC and some other remarkable performances around the country. Here is a look at some individuals who put the team on their back this weekend:

Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin: Ball has been displaying his abilities to do more than just being a prolific running back for the Badgers and he did so again on Saturday in the team’s 59-7 victory over Indiana. The junior threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Russell Wilson while also rushing for 142 yards and scoring three touchdowns on the ground.

Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson: Watkins continues to amaze the entire country with his dynamic ability to change the game in several aspects as a true freshman at Clemson. The wide receiver caught eight passes for 105 yards and  two touchdowns, had  several long kickoffs that included one for a touchdown, and also had a carry on offense that went for 33 yards.

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama: The star back for the Crimson Tide added to his Heisman resume on Saturday by rushing for 183 yards and four touchdowns in a 52-7 rout of Ole Miss. Richardson now has 16 touchdowns on the season and is a front-runner for the prestigious award at seasons end.

Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M: Swope had an unbelievable day in the Aggies big win over Baylor as he caught 11 passes for 206 yards. He also had four touchdowns that included two 68-yard scores. All of Swope’s numbers were a career high.

James Franklin, QB, Missouri: Franklin had a day similar to Logan Thomas the week before Saturday by accounting for five touchdowns in his team’s 52-17 victory over Iowa State. The quarterback completed 20 passes for 289 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for another 84 yards and another two scores.

Defensive line

By David Cooper

Virginia Tech’s rush defense ranked No. 2 in the country heading into their game against Miami. The defensive line has been one of the best units on the field for the Hokies as James Gayle, Derrick Hopkins, Antoine Hopkins and J.R. Collins all played excellent through the first four games of the season. The defensive line’s best game came against East Carolina as the Hokies shut down the run game completely. The Pirates ended the game with -15 yards rushing and their quarterback, Dominque Davis, was sacked five times. Two weeks later, the Hokies held the Marshall Thundering Herd to just six yards on the ground. Those stats don’t lie — Tech’s starting four on the defensive line are good.

The defensive line has been plagued by injuries this season. Two of the four starters have gone down in recent weeks and expected starter, senior Kwamaine Battle suffered a season ending knee injury before the season began. Starting defensive tackle, Antoine Hopkins, tore his ACL during the Clemson game and defensive end, James Gayle, sprained his ankle early against Miami. The one place the Hokies couldn’t afford injuries was the defensive line as the team has little depth.  Antoine Hopkins was replaced with freshman Corey Marshall who did his best against Miami’s massive offensive line but was unsuccessful. Marshall alternated playing time with junior Courtney Prince and freshman Luther Maddy. Miami rushed for 236 yards against the Hokies which was more than 100 yards more than they had allowed any team all season, which isn’t a surprise when you have a guy who has been taking snaps as offensive guard playing defensive tackle (Courtney Prince).  The Hokies were simply worn down in their game against Miami as starters Derrick Hopkins and J.R. Collins played almost every snap. Injured James Gayle was replaced with redshirt sophomore, Tyrel Wilson, who weighs only 219 pounds going up against Miami’s offensive line all weighing in over 300 pounds.

The starting defensive linemen are very good and have proved it early on this season but the depth at the position is very shallow, mostly due to inexperience. The defensive line is a young group throughout with the reserves consisting of mostly freshman and sophomores. Bud Foster hopes their learning curve is small because he is going to need them more than he originally thought as this season progresses. Grade: B

Linebackers

By Zander Baylis

Under the tutelage of Bud Foster, the Virginia Tech Hokies have become known for producing NFL-caliber defensive players. The production of great linebackers has been perhaps the most consistently stellar of all the positions on the defensive side.

Coming into the year, middle linebacker Bruce Taylor was the only recognizable name of the three projected starters at the linebacker position. He lead the team in tackles last year, with 91, and he has continued to produce this year as the leading tackler on the No. 13 ranked defense in the country.

Though Taylor is a marquee name on the defense, the depth at the linebacker position is one of the major indicators as to why the Hokie defense has returned to form this year. The sleeper on the defense this year has to be Tariq Edwards, who has stolen the spot from incumbent, Jeron Gouveia-Winslow, and given Coach Foster absolutely no reasons to bench him. Edwards is third on the team in tackles with thirty-one. Edwards compliments the run-stuffing Taylor with his agility and sideline-to-sideline speed. The outside-linebacker position opposite of Edwards features multiple players, each providing a different look for the defense. The “linebacker by committee” that seems to have been created with Alonzo Tweedy, Gouveia-Winslow, and Telvion Clark has contributed a combined twenty-six tackles with an interception and 1.5 sacks.

At-least two of the linebackers in this current group are NFL-caliber in Taylor and Edwards. Fortunately for the Bud Foster and the Hokies, they are both young and the rest of the group has shown the consistency that a top-15 defense needs to be successful. Grade: B+

Defensive backs

Tommy Christie

Under current defensive coordinator Bud Foster, the Hokies have established a reputation as one of the hardest nosed defensive programs in the country. Arguably, the strongest facet of this consistently steadfast unit has been the defensive backfield. Year after year, under the tutelage of defensive backs coach Torrian Gray, our secondary continues to produce “draftable” NFL caliber talent. The 2011 edition seems to build off of this established precedent. In fact, All-American junior cornerback, Jayron Hosley is known nation-wide as one of (if not the) best corners in the country. Through six games, Jayron has already picked off three passes and defended another 8. These are impressive totals, considering teams don’t often throw his way. This season has also seen the emergence of the apparent heir to the Virginia Tech secondary throne in sophomore corner Kyle Fuller. Fuller has been instrumental for the Hokies in their 5-1 start. Fuller is an excellent tackler from the cornerback position and has certainly played his part in the passing game. Opponents thus far have completed only 47.6% of passes against the Hokies, with a mere 6.6-yard per pass average. Our defensive backfield has been stout through the halfway point, and even played admirably in our only loss of the season. Grade: A-

By Tommy Christie

This past Sunday, perennial titans of the English Premier League (EPL), Manchester United and Chelsea FC, duked it out in a match that carried widespread league implications (think Ravens-Steelers). Yes, yes, I know you probably don’t care either. The above clip, however, is an eye-opening display of blooperism that would make even the most hardcore American sports fan chuckle. In this clip, Chelsea striker Fernando Torres goofs up in a big way. Anyone who’s ever played soccer will tell you that it’s an intimidating experience being in front of goal with the ball at your feet. I’m not giving a “get out of jail free” card to Torres, however. The Spaniard signed with Chelsea last year for an EPL record fee of 50 million euros. In 19 matches with Chelsea, Torres has now found the back of the net twice! Two times. That’s 25 million Euros a goal! Think Albert Haynesworth to the Redskins bad. Anyways…back to the clip. The incredible nature of Torres’ miss has prompted some to go so far as dubbing it “the miss of the century.” While this might be a bit extreme for my liking, it was a horrible effort on goal. He made a brilliant run, put an equally brilliant first touch on the ball past the goalkeeper, and missed the target horrendously. I can say with confidence that my 94-year-old grandmother with a replaced hip could’ve put a better attempt on goal than the overpaid Spaniard did. You’re better than that Fernando.