Before I wrote a preview of the Virginia Tech I wanted to get an idea of how Hokie fans are feeling about their football team, so I hit the blogosphere. What I found is that they’re really hating on their current offensive coordinator, Bryan Stinespring. They’re hating on him so much there are two blogs dedicated to his firing.
The blog ‘Jason from Arlington’ got started after a caller challenged Hokie head man Frank Beamer on a radio call in show a couple weeks ago. The caller’s insistence that the offense be changed and Beamer’s response (both of which can be heard here) set off a media storm heard as far away as.… Blacksburg?
From the blog ‘Fire Bryant Stinespring’ we find out that coaches can be on the hot seat for nothing more than doing poorly in statistical rankings:
And if those weren’t enough, you have Virginiatechfan.com
What do these 7 teams have in common: Temple, UCF, Army, Wyoming, UCLA, Virginia, and Florida International? Those would be the 7 of the 119 NCAA FBS teams with a lower ranked offense than Virginia Tech. Ouch.……….
You'd think Hokie fans would be more positive or perhaps more patient. The offense has had to replace their four top receivers from 2007 while top running back Brandon Ore was dismissed from the team. Several running backs were injured in the spring, and senior quarterback Sean Glennon has struggled and has been replaced by freshman Tyrod Taylor.
All this angst from Hokie fans despite being 3-1, with decent wins over Georgia Tech and North Carolina. The North Carolina win came despite the Hokies being down 17-3 with 6:44 left in the third quarter. Virginia Tech blog Gobbler Country has an apt description of how they came through with a win.
In a word: Fosterball.
College football fans are familiar with the phrase "Beamer Ball", which has been used over the years to describe the brand of football played by Virginia Tech under head coach Frank Beamer. The phrase ‘Beamer Ball’ conjures forth visions of blocked punts and field goals, a team that’s always playing hard on defense and finding ways to win, be they ugly as they come.
But Fosterball? The reference is to Tech’s defensive coordinator Bud Foster, who won the Frank Broyles Award in 2006, an award given to the nation’s top assistant coach. His defenses were ranked first in total defense in 2005 and 2006.
At the 6:44 third quarter mark the Hokies offense had generated just 115 yards of total offense, with four first downs and were 1-for-10 in third down conversions. Then the Tar Heels committed three turnovers while the Hokie offense came alive, generating 20 unanswered points and pulling out a win. However it was Foster’s defense that allowed just 42 yards, keeping North Carolina from scoring for the remainder the of the game.
Coming into 2007, Foster was faced with replacing six of seven starters out of his front seven in the "Lunchpail" defense. Against Georgia Tech they struggled against Paul Johnson’s option offense, but it could be that against North Carolina they’ve found an identity.
Nebraska’s offensive line will find themselves tested this Saturday by a defense for which there is no quit. If you tire of the phrase "Beamer Ball", then starting thinking about "Fosterball". In the Fosterball world, a full four quarters of effort is required.