|
|
||
|
Opportunity lost to prove their worth STEVE DeSHAZO:
By Steve DeShazo LANDOVER, Md.-- Say this about the Virginia Tech Hokies: they don't quit. And the perserverance may serve them well in the weeks ahead.But the 10th-ranked Hokies missed a golden opportunity in last night's long-awaited showdown with No. 3 Boise State at FedEx Field. They made more special-teams errors than Frank Beamer wants in an entire season. They got manhandled at the line of scrimmage. They missed tackles. And despite their guts, it cost them dearly in a 33-30 loss. Yes they hung around. With their pride and reputation on the line, they nearly produced a victory that would have not only kept them in the national title picture, but done wonders for their national profile. But like the 2007 Boston College debacle, this one stung. Boise State had plenty to prove last night--but so did the Hokies. Yes, they have proven they can rebound from early losses to good teams (Southern Cal in 2004, LSU in '07, Alabama last year) to have successful seasons. And last night did nothing to jeopardize their hopes of winning a fourth Atlantic Coast Conference title in their seven years in the league. But while Virginia Tech is in the conversation when strong programs are mentioned, the Hokies still aren't considered among the truly elite. They're not regarded in the same class as Florida, Ohio State and Texas. Beamer desperately wants to join that A-list. It goes beyond Tech's dubious record of 1-26 against teams ranked in The Associated Press Top 25 (0-22 outside Blacksburg). And in Beamer's 24 seasons, the Hokies have never overcome a 17-point deficit to beat anyone--let alone a ranked opponent. Elite teams don't commit four special-teams gaffes in one half. In the first 30 minutes, Tech saw one of its punt blocked, ran into Boise State's punter, kicked off out of bounds and took a needless personal foul penalty. And Chris Hazley badly missed two field goal attempts wide right, but was bailed out on one of them by a running-into-the kicker penalty. Beamer, who coaches the Hokies' special teams, felt neither pride nor joy in the locker room at halftime. Beyond that, though, the Hokies lost the battle up front. Boise State junior defensive end Billy Winn spent more time in Tech's offensive backfield than Darrem Evans did in the first quarter.
The worst part is niether team really benefitted from this game. VT lost, so no help there. Boise barely won, so they will still have to defend not blowing out tech to get to the national championship. Overall a loss for boh teams according to the BCS system.
Hokie Nation was alive and well and LOUD last night! Redskins fans could learn a thing or two from them. Even late in the fourth quarter, the intensity of their cheering was as loud as the opening kickoff. Great job Hokie Nation!
|
|
||||||||||||
