Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/753492
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 28, 2016 25 VIRGINIA TECH RUNNING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME RUN DEFENSE After finishing with minus-four yards rushing in the first quarter, Virginia Tech rushed for 78 in the second while beginning to establish a base with its offense. The centerpiece was quarterback Jerod Evans (18 carries for 67 yards and one touchdown) on many keepers, but the unsung hero was 5-9, 218-pound full- back — yes, they still exist — Steven Peoples. His 11 carries for 32 yards don't jump off the page, but he helped keep the middle of the Irish defense honest by repeatedly pounding inside, thereby helping open up the outside in the passing game, which is what Virginia Tech attacked with consistency. The Irish, however, did limit Virginia Tech to 152 rushing yards — 34 below its season average. ADVANTAGE: Notre Dame VIRGINIA TECH PASSING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME PASS DEFENSE In inclement and windy conditions, Evans (22-of-29 passing for 267 yards with two touchdowns and one interception), kept the attack mostly short and quick with hitches and three- to five-step drops, especially attacking the perimeter with junior wideouts Isaiah Ford (seven catches for 86 yards) and Cam Phillips (six catches for 56 yards and one score). Its lone explosive play was a 62-yard catch and run to redshirt sophomore wide receiver C.J. Carroll. The Irish had no answers, while the Hokies also tried to isolate coverages on junior safety Drue Tranquill. ADVANTAGE: Virginia Tech NOTRE DAME RUNNING GAME VS. VIRGINIA TECH RUN DEFENSE There was balance on paper, with the Irish carrying 23 times for 100 yards in the first half and 13 times for 100 yards in the second half, notably a huge gap through the middle for sophomore running back Josh Adams 67-yard touch- down jaunt that put the Irish ahead 31-21. There was a heavy reliance on junior quarterback DeShone Kizer keeping on the zone read or on draws, and he finished with the most carries (16 for 69 yards). The Irish did not abandon the run, but weren't effective with it after Adams' explosion. ADVANTAGE: Notre Dame NOTRE DAME PASSING GAME VS. VIRGINIA TECH PASS DEFENSE Excellent pass protection enabled Kizer to comfortably survey the field during the first half when he completed 13 of 18 passes for 199 yards (to eight receiv- ers) while staking the Irish to a 24-14 lead at the intermission. On the first drive he completed all four passes for 73 yards. The slants especially were a popular staple of the attack. In the second half, Virginia Tech moved its linemen around more and brought greater blitz pressure to limit Kizer to 3-of-15 passing for 36 yards, with several dropped passes killing drives, and forced four three-and-outs after halftime. ADVANTAGE: Even SPECIAL TEAMS Virginia Tech's starting point after Notre Dame's first three kickoffs were its 44-, 43- and 39-yard lines. In the second half especially, the Hokies dominated field position, forcing Notre Dame to start from its 22 twice, from its 25 twice, and then also from the 29, 18 and 10. Kicking into a stiff wind in the fourth quarter, Irish junior punter Tyler Newsome's kicks traveled only 35, 22 and 37 yards. An overshadowed play was with the Irish leading 17-7 but punting from the 7-yard line, Newsome's 63-yard net punt with the wind flipped the field. That was the top kicking game highlight for the Irish. ADVANTAGE: Virginia Tech THIRD-DOWN CONVERSIONS In every Notre Dame game this season, the team with the better third-down and fourth-down conversion numbers was the victor, and this was no excep- tion. The Hokies were 6 of 14 (42.9 percent) while the Irish were just 4 of 14 (28.6 percent). On the opening series touchdown march, Kizer completed a 22-yard pass to sophomore slot receiver C.J. Sanders on third-and-10, taking the Irish to the 1-yard line. To cut it to 24-14 by halftime, Virginia Tech's second TD drive featured an 11-yard scramble by Evans on third-and-11. On the opening drive of the second half, Evans completed a third-and-three slant to Carroll for 62 yards to the Irish 6-yard line. ADVANTAGE: Virginia Tech TURNOVERS The lone turnover of the contest occurred with the Irish ahead 24-21 in the third quarter. Virginia Tech's Cam Phillips had a 61-yard touchdown in his grasp on a post, but it slipped through his hands and fell into the arms of a diving Tranquill, who trailed the play. Four plays later, the Irish extended their lead to 31-21. ADVANTAGE: Notre Dame ANALYSIS Notre Dame committed no turnovers while having a plus-one advantage, and it also came out on top in the rushing battle, 200-152 yards, going beyond its average of 161 yards per game while holding the Hokies under their 186-yard average. In most cases, when the Irish win those two categories in a game, their chances of victory are quite promising. This isn't most seasons, though. As it has in six other contests, Notre Dame has found a way to falter just when it looks like it is about to seize control. The Irish dominated the first 16 minutes while building a 17-0 lead, but in the final 44 minutes Virginia Tech's controlled, quick passing game and adjustments on defense allowed them to assert control and win 34-14 from there. ON PAPER REVISITED BY LOU SOMOGYI Virginia Tech redshirt sophomore wide receiver C.J. Carroll had a crucial 62-yard catch-and-run on a pass from junior quarterback Jerod Evans on the opening possession of the second half. The third-down conversion led to a Hokies touchdown. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA