Virginia Tech Season in Review:

By Guest Blogger Brian Murphy:

As a senior at VT, I think it is worth while writing about the remarkable season that the Hokies had this year.  It all started in the highest-rated college football game ever vs. Boise St. at FedEx Field in Landover, MD.  Virginia Tech came back from down 17-0 to take the lead in the fourth quarter.  Then, they simply tried to “not lose” instead of “win” by just handing the ball off until they punted and gave Boise St. the ball with a minute and change left down by 4.  We all know how this turned out.  After this, one of the worst upsets in college football history occurred in the Hokies’ backyard at Lane Stadium.  James Madison University, an FCS team, upset the Hokies’ when Darren Evans fumbled late in the game in Dukes’ territory.  Was this simply a scheduling blunder since it was only 5 days after the Boise St. game?  Was it simply that the Hokies’ were still devastated from losing that heart-breaker and weren’t “up” for what should have been a pushover?  No one will know, but what the Hokies did the next 11 games makes it easy for all Hokies to forget about.

Before their next game against ECU, the turning point of the season occurred.  The seniors called a players-only meeting and each senior stood up to talk about how hard they have worked in their years in Blacksburg and how they need to turn this season around.  Since then, Virginia Tech has not lost.  They actually went down 10-0 to ECU early but then showed a lot of heart by blowing up offensively and winning 49-27.

Virginia Tech then went up to BC and shut out the Eagles 19-0 in their first ACC game.  They then traveled to Raleigh to face a hot, ranked NC St. team.  This was definitely their most exciting game as they overcame a 17-0 deficit and won in the fourth quarter 41-30.  Next, VT beat their last out-of-conference opponent Central Michigan 45-21 and then reeled off 6 straight ACC wins, including wins over Georgia Tech, @ UNC, and @ Miami, to become the first ACC team since FSU in 2000 to go undefeated in ACC league play.  Speaking of those Seminoles, the Hokies took it to them in the ACC Championship last weekend in Charlotte 44-30.  The Hokies dominated the whole game and senior QB Tyrod Taylor continued one of the best seasons by a QB in ACC and VT history.  This gave the Hokies four ACC titles in the 7 years they have been in the conference — talk about domination!

Offensive MVP: Tyrod Taylor.  The ACC Player of the Year leads the ACC in passing officiency and will leave VT as the winningest QB in school history.  With his outstanding elusiveness and ability to keep the play alive, Taylor was a nightmare to opposing defenses.  He is currently passing at 60.6% with 2,521 yards and 23 TD’s to only 4 INT’s.  Rushing he had 637 yards with 5 TD’s.

Defensive MVP: Jayron Hosley.  The sophomore cornerback had a break-out season leading the ACC with 15 passes defended with a league-high and national-leading 8 interceptions.  He leads the nation with .73 interceptions per game and is one pick away from owning the school record with 9.

Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech got the automatic bid to the 77th Orange Bowl, marking it their third Orange Bowl in 4 years.  Their opponent is #4 Stanford Cardinal from the Pac-10.  This should be one of the best bowl games this year, as Virginia Tech is one of the hottest teams in the country with their 11-game win streak, and Stanford is 11-1, having only lost to potential national champion Oregon.

Virginia Tech became the only school in the FBS to have 7-straight 10 win seasons.  They are the first team in FBS history to start 0-2 and then win 11-straight games.  They are the only ACC team ever to beat 9 conference opponents and, as mentioned earlier, they are the first ACC team since 2000 to go undefeated in league play.  Not a bad season for a team that doesn’t get much love from ESPN and the media, huh?  I am so glad that Auburn and Oregon didn’t slip up so no “what if” scenarios can occur.  Like, if the Hokies didn’t blow it against Boise St. (not to mention that “minor” week 2 loss).  See you in Miami for the Orange Bowl!