Hokie ClubDURHAM, N.C. – A week ago, a local pastor told his audience that there were a few items left in the lost and found area at the church, and then he proceeded to tell that same audience that if they could find his football team – meaning the Hokies – he would be very appreciative.
Well, Hokie Nation found its football team Saturday night in the Tar Heel State.
The Hokies methodically and in a workmanlike fashion – "lunch pail" approach, anyone? – gradually pulled away from No. 22 Duke in beautiful Wallace Wade Stadium, scoring in every quarter en route to a 31-14 victory. Tech made big plays on offense behind a back-up quarterback, held the Blue Devils to two yards per carry and to a touch over 300 yards of offense, and played solid on special teams.
No turnovers, no unsportsmanlike penalties, no major blunders – just good, solid football against an underrated and well-coached opponent.
This was an impressive win Saturday night, and after reflection, still just as impressive. Here are some takeaways as to why:
Hokies grow up – For all the good that came out of the Duke game – big plays, sacks, interceptions, touchdowns, etc. – the best part from a Tech perspective was the way the team mentally focused on the task at hand and refused to let the ODU loss become two losses.
This inexperienced team took a punch to the gut in Norfolk. Then, to complicate matters, they had to face an unbeaten and ranked Duke squad on the road. These Blue Devils aren't the Blue Devils of old – they possess talent and know how to win.
But the Hokies took a business-like approach and won. This team grew up a little Saturday night in Durham.
"When we hit the practice field Tuesday, we hit it running like a hungry football team," Tech head coach Justin Fuente said. "The challenge – and it's really a big challenge for young football teams – is to try to maintain that level of intensity and attention to detail week in and week out.
"What I think makes it special is they did all of that without the guarantee of winning. We were playing a really good football team. We could play well and not win the game. To me, that says a lot. It's not a one-for-one trade – you work hard and you win. It doesn't work like that. For them to hit it running and work like they worked throughout the week, it's a pretty special feather in their cap."
DB's hold up well – Tech's defensive backs suffered a nightmarish game against a big, talented ODU receiving corps in Norfolk, but this group played outstanding against Duke.
The Blue Devils had not thrown an interception in their first four games, but Khalil Ladler and Reggie Floyd ended that streak in the first quarter. Ladler tipped a pass that Floyd intercepted – and that led to the Hokies' first score of the game, a Brian Johnson field goal.
More importantly, that play seemed to give Tech's defensive backs confidence. They played much tighter coverage and were much more physical than they were against the Monarchs. For example, Bryce Watts bounced back and had three pass break-ups.
Looking back, Tech gave up 11 pass plays of 20 yards or more against ODU. Against Duke, it gave up just three.
Also, the Hokies got a nice, surprise performance from Jovonn Quillen, who hadn't played much on defense this season. But cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell worked the junior into the rotation at Duke, and he responded with seven solo tackles and solid coverage.
Of course, it helped, too, that the Hokies were able to get safety Divine Deablo back into the lineup. That allowed Ladler to play his normal whip/nickel position. The two of them combined for 12 tackles, and everyone looked more comfortable playing their natural spots.
In short, this group responded nicely after the debacle at ODU.
Willis sensational in first start – One would be hard pressed to find a Virginia Tech quarterback who played better in his first start as a Hokie than Ryan Willis, who got the nod against the Blue Devils because of Josh Jackson's broken leg.
Willis completed 17 of 27 for 332 yards and three touchdowns against a Duke team giving up just 200 yards passing per game coming into this one. In fact, Duke had allowed just two touchdown passes in its first four games this season.
But the Blue Devils feature a young secondary, and Tech offensive coordinator Brad Cornelsen attacked it, expecting his offensive line to provide enough protection to let Willis become comfortable. That's exactly what happen – Willis was sacked once.
Willis made some big-time throws, too. The touchdown passes to Damon Hazelton and Phil Patterson were special.
Keep in mind that Willis isn't some freshman trying to adapt to college football. He played extensively for two seasons at Kansas before transferring to Tech and has been in Tech's system for 18 months. The coaches expected him to produce – and for sure, he did.
"We've been watching him practice for going on two years now, so we see him every day and know he has some talent," Fuente said. "He's a competitor. He has some toughness and likes the game. He was really having fun out there. It certainly wasn't too big for him."
Receivers made some plays – As a follow-up to the previous note, yes, Willis made some big-time throws, but his receivers also made some plays for him.
Hazelton's touchdown reception was not easy, and Patterson was interfered with while making his. Eric Kumah made a tough catch that set up Steven Peoples' touchdown run. Tre Turner made a difficult grab with a Duke defender draped on him.
Those four catches alone accounted for 106 yards. Without a doubt, this group gave Willis some help
Also, let's not forget Dalton Keene's catch and rumble for a 67-yard touchdown. Just great effort and toughness displayed on that play – and symbolic of the Hokies' evening.
Fourth-down stop play of the game – In a game of many big plays for the Hokies, arguably the biggest came in the third quarter with the Blue Devils driving.
Duke faced fourth-and-1 from midfield and, trailing 17-7, elected to go for it. The Blue Devils gave the ball to Deon Jackson, but Rayshard Ashby and TyJuan Garbutt combined to stopped Jackson short of the first-down line, giving the Hokies the ball.
That play was essentially a Duke turnover – and a big one. The Hokies marched 50 yards in five plays and scored on Peoples' 6-yard run, which gave them a 24-7 cushion.
After that turnover on downs and subsequent Tech score, Duke just didn't have the look of a team that was going to come back from a three-score hole.
A lot went right for the Hokies in this game, but Tech made a lot go right as well. And now, Tech sits at 3-1 heading into October, including a 2-0 mark in the ACC – with both league wins coming on the road.
For sure, there are worse situations in which to be.