If you glanced at the final score you wouldn’t know it, but the Virginia Tech Hokies were fortunate to leave Chestnut Hill with a victory today. 

The Hokies came away with a hard-fought 19-0 triumph over the Boston College Eagles in the ACC opener for both teams.

Virginia Tech handled the Eagles last year in Blacksburg, 48-14.  But with very few of 2009′s impact players on the defensive side of the ball remaining for VT, today’s matinee was certainly up for grabs. 

The Eagles got a great effort on the ground from Montell Harris.

The contest began with much promise for Boston College.  They were able to move the football early, mostly behind the elusive running of tailback Montell Harris (19 carries, 111 yards).  The BC offensive line forged many lanes for Harris to slide through, as he was able to conjure up a few slashing runs for big gains.  The Eagles looked to be the first on the scoreboard late in the first quarter.  With a little over four minutes remaining, the home team had a first and goal at the VT 10 yard line.  On first down, Harris was stopped at the line of scrimmage.  On second down, quarterback Dave Shinskie fired a pass too long out of the end zone.

Key Play #1- – On what would presumably be their last shot at a touchdown, Shinskie located one of his receivers running a flag route toward the left corner.  He had a couple of steps on his defender, and Shinskie unloaded a rifle shot in his direction.  But the Hokies, who looked the be playing some sort of 3 deep goal line coverage, reaped the benefits of a well-anticipated break on the football from cornerback Jayron Hosley.  Hosley jetted in front of the intended receiver, made an outstanding leap into the air and cleanly snagged the pass at the pinnacle of his jump – taking at least three, and possibly seven, points away from BC.

Virginia Tech took over possession and embarked on a 9-play, 80-yard drive which culminated in a 3-yard touchdown run by Darren Evans.

After the Hokies’ score, the teams traded possessions that failed to generate points.  Finally, with 3:20 left in the half, the Eagles started a drive that would total 89 yards.  The drive started with Harris gaining momentum on the ground, and brilliantly shifted to play-action passes. 

Key Play #2- With 15 seconds remaining in the first half and no timeouts, the Eagles figured to have at least two shots at scoring.  First down and 6 at the VT 11 saw Shinskie drop back to pass, only to find that all of his options were well covered by the Hokie defense.  As the pocket began to collapse, he took off to his left and found room to run.  Shinskie approached to goal line, and – in a bang-bang play – his knee hit the turf before the football broke the plane of the end zone.  The game clock struck zero before the Eagle offense could make it back to the line of scrimmage, ending the half inside the VT 1 yard line – and squandering a huge opportunity to pull even with the visiting team.

The Hokie defense disabled the Boston College attack in the second half.  Shinskie, who was marginally effective in the opening half, saw his play decline.  As the game progressed, the quarterback began to look more like he did in last year’s contest at Lane Stadium.  The hits and pressure on him eventually took their toll, and he left the game in the second half  in favor of backup QB Mike Marscovetra.  Marscovetra was equally ineffective.  The return to aggressiveness for the VT defense allowed them to force 3 turnovers (2 INTs, 1 fumble). 

As for the offense – the Hokies received the kickoff to start the second half, and they were able to play their usual brand on non-aggressive football – as per offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring.  Virginia Tech Run on first down, run on second down, and then put Tyrod Taylor is a third and long situation.  Taylor is a good enough athlete to string out plays, and even enable the Hokies to convert some of them, but the second half was all about protecting the ball and not making mistakes.  Despite great field position provided by the defense, the Hokies failed to punch the ball into the end zone in the game’s final 30 minutes.  Instead, they settled for 4 field goals, and a 19-0 final.

Taylor was very efficient today, completing 16 of 21 pass attempts for 237 yards.

Although the score appeared to indicate a dominant performance, the second half of the game showed us exactly why Virginia Tech is never in the national title hunt. 

Recruiting the best regional talent can only get you so far.  It can get you to a bowl game every year and, if you’re fortunate, it can take you into the running for the conference championship.  But guess what takes you to the next level?  Appropriate coaching and play-calling.  Calling conservative plays will yield conservative results.  If you want to beat a quality opponent, the play calling has to capitalize on mismatches and catch the opposition off-guard.  Game after game, Stinespring fails to bring that kind of approach to the game.

The result?  Losses to the traditional NCAA football giants, like USC, LSU and Alabama.  Losses to upstart programs like Boise State.  Losses to hungry teams like JMU.

For now, the Hokies will bask and celebrate the fact that they pitched a shutout against a very capable team.

But, the truth is that Virginia Tech was possibly two plays away from another agonizing defeat.

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