BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) -Individual players’ mistakes can make the whole offense look bad. That’s what happened in Virginia Tech’s less-than-dominant victory over East Carolina, coach Frank Beamer said.
Beamer said Tuesday that the Hokies’ offensive line, which includes some young players, has to learn to work together better if it hopes to withstand LSU’s impressive defense.
No. 9 Virginia Tech visits the second-ranked Tigers on Saturday night.
“That’s the problem offensively,” Beamer said. “Five guys on the line could be doing well and one guy breaks down and it’s a lousy play that looks awful.”
Right guard Sergio Render is hoping everybody will improve this week.
“One guy will spoil the whole play if he doesn’t stay on his block,” he said, noting that practicing against the Hokies’ vaunted defense should force improvement.
Much of the Hokies’ offensive line problems Saturday could be chalked up to inexperience, said tackle Duane Brown.
While acknowledging the Hokies have work to do, Beamer said they’re closer to getting in sync than it appeared Saturday. In the opener, the Hokies’ offense even drew boos from a home crowd that honored a plea not to jeer the opponents.
Virginia Tech struggled on the ground, accumulating only 33 yards rushing on 31 carries in the 17-7 win over East Carolina.
LSU’s defense is ranked among the nation’s best and showed it in a 45-0 victory against Mississippi State to begin the season.
“These guys are not only good, they do a lot of stuff with blitzes,” Beamer said. “We’ll be challenged, that’s for sure, because they’re all over the place.”
Brown, a senior, said he thinks this game will be the biggest challenge he’s had.
“Their whole front seven played last year,” he said. “They’re deep. They keep rotating guys and keeping them fresh.”
Finding cohesion is more important up front than anywhere else, Beamer said.
“Just about every play, you’re working with somebody else,” he said. A player has to “know how that guy’s operating and get a feel for him,” he said.
Virginia Tech can help the line by moving quarterback Sean Glennon around more, Beamer said. Glennon threw an interception, fumbled after a hit and was sacked four times by East Carolina. It also might help to rotate more offensive line players in and out in Baton Rouge.
“As long as they’re ready, it can be a good thing,” Brown said, adding that coping with the noise of 92,000 fans will also be a challenge.
“It’s going to be a real hostile environment,” Brown said. “That’ll be the ultimate test, going against that defense in that environment.”
Beamer said there’s no secret to bringing the offensive line together.
“I think we’ve got some tough guys there. I think they care,” he said. “We’ve just got to play hard, time after time after time.”
Add A Comment
THIS IS NOT A GAMBLING SITE – If you think you have a gambling problem click here.
Disclaimer: This site is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Individual users are responsible for the laws regarding accessing gambling information from their jurisdictions. Many countries around the world prohibit gambling, please check the laws in your location. Any use of this information that may violate any federal, state, local or international law is strictly prohibited.
Copyright: The information contained on TheSpread.com website is protected by international copyright and may not be reproduced, or redistributed in any way without expressed written consent.
About: TheSpread.com is the largest sports betting news site in the United States. We provide point spread news, odds, statistics and information to over 175 countries around the world each year. Our coverage includes all North American College and Professional Sports as well as entertainment, political and proposition wagering news.
©1999-2023 TheSpread.com