Friday October 27, 2006

The Virginia Tech Game Worksheet

The Virginia Tech Game Worksheet
Offensive Goals Made
Red Zone-60% touchdowns-100%
Red Zone Scoring-80%-100%

Offensive Goals Missed
More than 150 yards rushing-80
More than 4 yards per carry-2.9
Fewer than two turnovers-2
Fewer than 3 sacks per game-3
More than 27 points-7
More than 225 yards passing-86
More than 20 first downs-8
Better than 60% pass completions percentage-39%

Defensive Goals Made
Fewer than 200 yards passing-108
Fewer than 18 first downs-15

Defensive Goals Missed
Fewer than 125 yards rushing-224
Fewer than 3.5 yards per carry-3.9
More than 3 sacks per game-1
Fewer than 18 points-24
Less than 55% pass completion percentage-60%
More than two turnovers-1
Red Zone-40% touchdowns-75%
Red Zone Scoring-70%-100%

Penalty yardage fewer than 50 per game-5

Overall Report Analysis-Grades and Comments:
Offense-Rushing
Interior running game-For the first time all season, the Tigers were completely shut down. Tech jammed the box and tackled extremely well. I thought they looked stronger and quicker than the Tigers. Davis and Spiller had no room to run. Tech did a great job of gap control.
Perimeter running game-Tech was too fast and again tackled very well. They strung Spiller out and the freshman was looking for the sidelines often.
Option game-N/A.
Draws-Clemson had some success early with the draws but Tech made adjustments.
Short yardage running game-This was awful. Clemson had 10 three-and-outs Thursday night but did not get in short yardage enough.
Yards after contact-Davis and Spiller could not break the gang tackling. Tech put eight and nine in the box and the Hokies suffocated any running game after contact.

Offense-Passing
Pass protection-The protection was OK but not great. Proctor looked unsettled all night.
Underneath passing game-Proctor was awful here. His short swing passes were off of the mark. He never gave the receivers a chance to make runs after the catch on short passes because the balls were thrown to the wrong shoulder or were off of the mark.
Intermediate passing game-Terrible. There has never been a receiver to ever play the game that could have caught most of the intermediate passes thrown Thursday night.
Vertical passing game-Non-existent. The Tigers did not try to get the ball downfield. I am not sure the protection would have allowed it but there was not any vertical balls thrown. On third and long Proctor checked down to an underneath guy all night.
Screens-Tech limited Clemson in their screen game.
Drops-Grisham had a big drop but most of the passes were not on target so they were not droppable.
Yards after catch-Almost non-existent.
QB throws on time-Lack of composure hurt the passing game and its timing.

Offense-Overall
First down yardage-Pathetic. The Tigers had 45 yards on 31 first down plays. That is a 1.4 yards per first down. Fifteen of the 23 first down pass resulted in 2 yards or less.
Third down conversion-Clemson was only 4 of 16 on third downs. Clemson lost first down so they in turn lost third down.
Big Plays-None.
Trick plays-None.

Defense-Overall
Tackling-Perhaps the poorest effort all season. Ore is a good back but the Tiger linebackers made him look better with a poor tackling effort.
First down yardage-Tech got four or more yards on 11 of their 28 first down plays.
Third down conversion-Tech was 6 of 18 on third downs but they had short yardage on three of them.
Limit of Big Plays-The Hokies had big plays in the running game and the passing game. Ore broke tackles and had six runs of 11 or more yards.

Defense-Running game
Interior running game-Tech pounded the Tigers inside and Ore had a huge night behind a dominating offensive line.
Perimeter running game-Tech did not have to run on the perimeter but a couple of times when the did the Tigers lost containment and gave up huge runs. This was a huge disappointment.
Option game-N/A
Draws-Tech came at Clemson with a power running game instead of a finesse draw game.
Short yardage running game-The Hokies converted on their last three short yardage situations on third down and were 1-2 on fourth down.
Yards after contact-This was the winner for Virginia Tech. The Tigers could not wrap up ore and he made the defense pay big time.

Defense-Passing Game
Pressure-Clemson had some pressure on Glennon but the Hokies did not have to pass the ball often enough for it to matter.
Underneath passing game coverage-Tech only threw it 15 times but were successful on the underneath routes.
Intermediate passing game coverage-Virginia Tech also hit some outs to their wide receivers for gains of 7, 8 and nine yards.
Vertical passing game coverage-The only times Tech went vertical resulted in a dropped touchdown and a big play to the tight end.
Screens-N/A
Passes broken up-Watkins had the only break up of the game for Clemson.
Open field tackling-Poor. Ore ran with a purpose and the Tigers had no answer.

Special Teams
Kickoff returns-Average. Clemson had 21.7 yards per return but really made nothing happen here.
Kick off coverage-Excellent. One touchback and one 14-yard return.

Punt return/block-Tech did a nice job of limiting Clemson’s punt return game.

Punt coverage-Snap, protection, punt, coverage-Snaps were good with the exception of one. Protection was great. Punts were below average and coverage was good.

Field Goals/extra points-snap, hold, protection, kick-On the only attempt everything looked well executed.

Overall Team
Energy, Enthusiasm, Leadership-This was perhaps the biggest disappointment. Clemson had a hangover from the Georgia Tech contest. When I looked at the schedule I knew this would be a big test on a short turnaround. You hear coaches say don’t let one loss beat you twice, well one win beat Clemson once. The Tigers were not ready to play in a hostile environment.

Coaching
Emotionally prepared-Poor. Clemson walked into a hornet’s nest and had few answers. This was a big game but only Virginia Tech got the message.
Game plan-The Tigers came into the game with a good game plan on both sides. I agree with Spence trying to run the football. It had worked all year and Davis and Spiller are your best football players. Unfortunately, after it was shut down the Tigers made no adjustments. Defensively, Clemson faced poor field position but they could not get off of the field. I think the game plan was sound but players did not execute because of poor tackling.
Adjustments-Offensively, the Tigers could not adjust to Foster’s terrific plan. Clemson did not throw the ball on first down until it was too late. The Tigers continued to go three and out and no adjustments were made.
Personnel-Injuries are catching up to Clemson.
Time outs-For the first time all year the timeouts were awful. The Tigers had to call a time out before the first play and used all three first half time outs in the first eight minutes of the game. They looked confused ad unprepared.

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