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STEVE DESHAZO: Date published: 9/27/2009 By Steve DeShazo BLACKSBURG --The extra tackling drills that Bud Foster required of his troops on Tuesday came in handy. A steady drizzle that bordered on downpours certainly helped bog down an explosive offensive team from the Sunshine State. But what most inspired Virginia Tech's defenders against Miami yesterday was a look at some ugly numbers--and a check Through three games, Don't think the Hokies weren't aware of--and embarrassed by--those figures. "We challenged our kids," Foster said. "We're not used to missing tackles and mental errors. Those really cost us [in previous games]. That's not us." The group that flustered, stifled and outmuscled the Hurricanes in a 31-7 romp looked a lot more like the Hokies envision themselves. It started with Miami's fifth offensive snap, when safety Dorian Porch blitzed through untouched, forced quarterback Jacory Harris to fumble, scooped it up and advanced to the 11. Four plays later, Ryan Williams scored and the No. 11 Hokies led for good against a ninth-ranked Miami team that many talking heads were touting as a possible national championship contender. "Miami is Miami, and they'll always be Miami," Porch said. "But we're Virginia Tech, and we haven't gone anywhere. It shows a lot about our guys, how we stuck together and responded to challenges." Challenge met. The Hurricanes averaged 465 yards a game in victories over ranked opponents Florida State and Georgia Tech. Yesterday, the Hokies held them to 209 (just 59 on the ground). Said Miami coach Randy Shannon: "They got ahead, and we couldn't block them." Harris entered yesterday as the nation's third-ranked passer, having been sacked just once in two games. The Hokies dropped him three times, harassed him often and forced him into a miserable 9-for-25 day with two turnovers (a fumble and an interception). "We just wanted to let him know we were around him," said Tech defensive end Jason Worilds, who had 1 sacks. Oh, Harris knew. "They played a wonderful game," he said. "Virginia Tech has a great defense, and every year they prove it."
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