AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > September > 13
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Nesbitt, Jackets Fall Short
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Watching Josh Nesbitt play is a roller-coaster ride.
He commits three turnovers — two fumbles and a horrible pick — but then he scrambles on 3rd-and-long for an 18-yard touchdown. Then he calmly rolls right and hits Lucas Cox for an 8-yard, 2-point conversion (following a false start).
He sets a Tech rushing record for a QB.
Making smart decisions on when to pitch and when to keep, Nesbitt brings Tech back to tie it at 17.
The defense commits two personal foul penalties, enabling the Hokies to go ahead on a 21-yard field goal with 4:37 left.
On 3rd-and-7 with 2:24 left, Nesbitt overthrows an open Roddy Jones behind the defense. That play could have been a touchdown, or least gotten Tech into field-goal range. Nesbitt gets sacked on 4th down. Ballgame.
20-17 Hokies.
Are you heartened or discouraged by this performance?
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Angst in Blacksburg
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ve taken a quick, completely unscientific poll of Hokies fans and the sense from them is that their run — four straight seasons of 10 or more wins, two ACC titles in that span — is over.
A couple were saying they’d be happy with 8 wins this year.
There is a lot of doom and gloom over the state of the offense. Coach Frank Beamer got more hands-on this week working with the offense, players’ manhood was questioned, etc…
This could all play out two ways. (Actually a million ways, but two seem quite plausible).
Virginia Tech struggles early to move the ball, the Jackets get a big defensive play — like a sack/fumble from Michael Johnson or Vance Walker — grab the lead, and hammer away with the running game.
Or the Hokies feed off the crowd, come up big on special teams, get a long run from Tyrod Taylor, and turn around their season.
We saw Tech’s grit last week in Chestnut Hill. They’ll need that and more against the desperate Hokies.
The big injury question for Ga. Tech is whether WR Demaryius Thomas (mild concussion) will play. As some of you have noted, the 6-3, 229-pounder is critical not only as a receiver but as a blocker.
For Va. Tech, DE Jason Worilds (shoulder) and LB Cam Martin (groin) are probable, while OL Blake DeChristopher (leg) is out.
So how do you think it will play out?
