Hokies defense returns to its intimidating ways

BLACKSBURG — The spittle was flying, and so were the four-letter words.

Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster let his players have it Wednesday after a lackluster practice.

His message? The fifth-ranked Hokies have run the same defensive system for two decades, and they’ve consistently been one of the best in the business over that span. So when it came to this season’s struggles, the scheme wasn’t the problem.

“The main gist of it was that we’ve had all these defenses here the last 20 years and how good our defense has been,” Hokies linebacker Cody Grimm said. “It’s not the system. It’s us not giving it our hardest and heart and stuff like that.”

Foster could make a living off of motivational tactics, because like the letters he printed out the week of the Miami game, his speech lit a fire under his players.

The same group that allowed 397 yards against lowly Duke last week completely shut down Boston College in a 48-14 rout Saturday at Lane Stadium.

The Eagles (4-2, 2-2 ACC), who had previously won three straight regular-season games against the Hokies, managed only 163 yards, most of which came against Tech’s second and third-string defenses.

BC freshman quarterback Dave Shinskie, who threw for five touchdowns and only one interception in his previous two starts, completed one of 12 passes for four yards and two interceptions.

Tech junior cornerback Rashad Carmichael returned one of the picks 22 yards for his first career touchdown.

The Hokies (5-1, 3-0) thwarted the Eagles run game — 33 yards on 29 carries — recorded three sacks and forced three turnovers, all of which led to points.

“It was good to see them step up and play hard,” Foster said. “It was just one of those days. We created some things. We were able to get pressure on the quarterback. We were able to create some bad throws. We challenged them to be physical and control the line of scrimmage, and I thought we did that.”

Tech now moves on to a critical road game against Georgia Tech, a team that has a way of piling up yards on the ground with its option-based attack.

If the last two few games are any indication, the Hokies can handle the run. After allowing 100-yard rushers in their first three games, they’ve held their last three opponents to an average of 43.3 rushing yards per game.

Even after a good performance like Saturday’s, Tech’s defensive players can expect another spirited week in practice from Foster.

“I think Monday morning (watching film of the BC game) will be nicer (than last week), but Monday afternoon, it’s going to be the same coach Foster,” Carmichael said. “We’re still going to go through the same drills, because that was last week.

“We’ve got to get ready and, like he says, put on our big boy pads for Georgia Tech.”

With Tech’s defense taking care of its end of the bargain Saturday – the Eagles had three yards and no first downs at halftime – its offense was free to let loose.

Redshirt freshman tailback Ryan Williams rushed for 159 yards and a touchdown on only 18 carries. He had runs of 31, 29 and 25 yards and also caught a 23-yard pass.

“That’s props to everybody who blocked and to (offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring) for calling a great offensive game,” said Williams, who tied the Tech freshman record with his fourth 100-yard game. “We had outside runs and inside runs, great passing plays called. And we just executed every play, from the offensive line to the skill players.”

Hokies quarterback Tyrod Taylor continued his stellar play of late, completing 7 of 10 passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns. One of his scoring throws went for 24 yards to wideout Danny Coale, and the other one went for 41 yards to receiver Jarrett Boykin.

In his last three games, Taylor is 28 of 41 for 551 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions.

“Standing over there on the sideline, I have a lot of confidence in him,” Tech coach Frank Beamer said of Taylor. “When he’s in control, I’ve got a lot of confidence.”