By Jimmy Robertson
BLACKSBURG – Everyone associated with the Virginia Tech football program is feeling a bit better these days, as the Hokies won their second straight game, knocking off Rhode Island on Saturday afternoon.
Tech scored on six of eight possessions and led from start to finish in a 34-17 victory over the Rams. The Hokies also led from start to finish in their previous game – a 42-35 victory over Miami, though the 'Canes did tie the game at 35 late in the fourth quarter.
Those victories coincide with the decision to start Hendon Hooker at quarterback, and for sure, Hooker has played well. But at his weekly news conference Monday, head coach Justin Fuente cited another reason as to why the Hokies brought home victories in their past two games.
"Zero turnovers," he said. "I mean, that's pretty evident in the statistics."
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Tech turned the ball over 11 times in its first four games – six fumbles and five interceptions. But the Hokies have put the ball on the ground just once in the past two games and they happened to recover that one. Also, Hooker's stat line includes six touchdown passes and no interceptions.
"We've done a better job the last two weeks taking care of the football," Fuente said. "We did not take the ball away last week. Obviously, the week before we did [forcing five turnovers against Miami], so we've been holding our own and winning those battles. I think it's given us a better chance to win games."
Turnovers may be the most important statistic in football, and Fuente probably wouldn't disagree. The numbers certainly back that up. Tech is 19-2 under Fuente when committing fewer turnovers than its opponents.
"They have to understand the point of emphasis," Fuente said of his players. "You can't just do that on one week – I don't think you're going to get that point across. I think from the very first day of spring ball, from the very first day of fall camp, making it a point of emphasis – there is some technique involved. Your quarterback touches the ball every play. He's got to set a great example for taking care of the ball as well."
Here are some other notes from Monday's news conference:
OPTIONS TO REPLACE FLOYD
Tech rover Reggie Floyd must sit out the first half of Saturday's game against North Carolina after being flagged and ejected from the Rhode Island game for targeting. Floyd, the lone senior starter on defense, ranks third on the team with 35 tackles and rarely comes out of games. The Hokies have options for the starting role, including Devon Hunter, a redshirt sophomore who started a game last season (Old Dominion). Fuente did not commit to Hunter as the starter Saturday.
"Nasir Peoples has worked there, too," Fuente said. "Devon just shows up every single day and works hard, continues to improve. I think that's the spot for Devon moving forward. He's kind of been in a couple different places, but I think that the defensive staff did a good job in the spring putting him there and leaving him there, and he continues to get more and more comfortable. Certainly, Khalil [Ladler] has great versatility and knows the entire defense. He can really play all three spots [safety, rover and nickel] and has."
HOOKER HELPING THE RUN GAME
For the second consecutive game, Tech rushed for more than 150 yards, as the Hokies racked up 224 yards rushing against Rhode Island. Deshawn McClease led the way with a career-high 124, and Tech appears to be gaining more confidence in its rushing attack. Much of that probably goes back to Hooker's impact, as defenses must account for him in the running game.
"I think he's certainly helped it out," Fuente said. "I really do. I think he's helped that. I think we continue to get more experience for those young guys up front. They continue to improve. The numbers played a little better at running back – just continuing to refine the nuances of the running game. I think all three of those groups (offensive line, running backs and the quarterback) deserve a little credit for that getting better."
GARY GETS IN ON THE FUN
Freshman tailback Tahj Gary saw his first action of the season when he entered the game in the fourth quarter of Tech's win over Rhode Island. The 221-pounder carried the ball four times for 24 yards, nearly scoring on a run in which he was tackled at the 1.
Gary's performance would not necessarily be notable except that he overcame a terrible leg injury suffered toward the end of his senior season, and many – including those on Tech's staff – expected him to miss this season while rehabbing. But he progressed quicker than the sports medicine staff thought, which led to him playing Saturday.
"He was just incredibly optimistic," Fuente said after visiting with him shortly after the injury occurred last fall. "He showed me the video of the hit which was pretty rough, and we talked in depth about the surgery and what they actually did. I found him to be uniquely positive in his outlook. He certainly wasn't sitting around feeling sorry for himself."
Gary may end up taking a redshirt season – he can play in three more games and still retain the redshirt year – but Fuente certainly hasn't ruled him out for a bigger role going forward.
"I think the first thing is that he has some size," Fuente said. "We're not very big at tailback. Hopefully we can continue to bring those guys along, whether it be Caleb [Steward] or Tahj to fill a little role in there with size and power. That's what we're looking for."
