Sunday, November 02, 2003
Vicktory
After his interception ended the Hokies' second drive, Brian Randall was replaced by Marcus Vick. In case you were wondering, the answer is yes. Marcus Vick is the younger brother to Michael Vick. The fans know this. Everyone knows this. If Michael was Moses, leading us to the national championship game a few years ago, there's an awful lot of pressure on Marcus to be Joshua and to finally conquer the heathens. On one of his first plays, Marcus tucked the ball and zipped down the field for a gain of about fifteen or so, avoiding several defenders and mysteriously staying upright until he got the first down. My friend Will and I looked at each other, and didn't say anything. Basically, our looks conveyed something like "You just saw that. You don't think... Better to stay quiet at this point." I don't know how to describe it, but I do feel sorry for Randall, as Hokie Nation was electrified last night. Vick ran very well and didn't fumble (unlike the Miami quarterbacks, who were constantly dropping snaps), but he also didn't pass much. Now, true, he had one long strike for a touchdown, but there was really no need for him to pass. We had fewer yards, fewer first downs, and no passing yards until late in the third quarter (where the first pass was for -2 yards, keeping the scoreboard neatly at zero passing yards for us). However, we blocked a field goal attempt, had at least two interceptions and a fumble recovery, and ate the clock well. It was an outstanding performance. Nonetheless, I say that it's at least 50/50 that Randall is still the starting quarterback. Vick worked well in that he's more mobile than Randall, but without any real need for passing (his touchdown pass was essentially undefended), there was no need to put him in simply to hand off to Kevin Jones. We're lucky in that we've got two excellent quarterbacks, especially as it's possible that our top wide receiver may be injured and as our top DB/returner was ejected. The Orange and Fiesta bowls are still options for us, so long as we beat our remaining opponents.
UPDATE: DeAngelo Hall wasn't ejected for fighting, and so he'll be able to play next week. He has a bit of a mouth, and it's thought that his ejection, along with a Miami player who actually was ejected for fighting, was a way for the officials to try and settle down the game, as it was in danger of turning into a brawl. No word yet on the status of WR Ernest Wilford, though I've heard the X-rays on his foot were negative.
Also, I had a dream last night where I kidnapped the Miami mascot. Weird.
After his interception ended the Hokies' second drive, Brian Randall was replaced by Marcus Vick. In case you were wondering, the answer is yes. Marcus Vick is the younger brother to Michael Vick. The fans know this. Everyone knows this. If Michael was Moses, leading us to the national championship game a few years ago, there's an awful lot of pressure on Marcus to be Joshua and to finally conquer the heathens. On one of his first plays, Marcus tucked the ball and zipped down the field for a gain of about fifteen or so, avoiding several defenders and mysteriously staying upright until he got the first down. My friend Will and I looked at each other, and didn't say anything. Basically, our looks conveyed something like "You just saw that. You don't think... Better to stay quiet at this point." I don't know how to describe it, but I do feel sorry for Randall, as Hokie Nation was electrified last night. Vick ran very well and didn't fumble (unlike the Miami quarterbacks, who were constantly dropping snaps), but he also didn't pass much. Now, true, he had one long strike for a touchdown, but there was really no need for him to pass. We had fewer yards, fewer first downs, and no passing yards until late in the third quarter (where the first pass was for -2 yards, keeping the scoreboard neatly at zero passing yards for us). However, we blocked a field goal attempt, had at least two interceptions and a fumble recovery, and ate the clock well. It was an outstanding performance. Nonetheless, I say that it's at least 50/50 that Randall is still the starting quarterback. Vick worked well in that he's more mobile than Randall, but without any real need for passing (his touchdown pass was essentially undefended), there was no need to put him in simply to hand off to Kevin Jones. We're lucky in that we've got two excellent quarterbacks, especially as it's possible that our top wide receiver may be injured and as our top DB/returner was ejected. The Orange and Fiesta bowls are still options for us, so long as we beat our remaining opponents.
UPDATE: DeAngelo Hall wasn't ejected for fighting, and so he'll be able to play next week. He has a bit of a mouth, and it's thought that his ejection, along with a Miami player who actually was ejected for fighting, was a way for the officials to try and settle down the game, as it was in danger of turning into a brawl. No word yet on the status of WR Ernest Wilford, though I've heard the X-rays on his foot were negative.
Also, I had a dream last night where I kidnapped the Miami mascot. Weird.
