HokieHaven.com - Coaches react to GT loss

October 17, 2009

Hokiehaven.com Staff
HokieHaven.com Staff

Virginia Tech saw their national title dreams slip away on Saturday night with a 28-23 loss at Georgia Tech. The Hokies coaches, Bryan Stinespring, Bud Foster and Frank Beamer discussed the loss, mood of the team and a lot more inside.

Offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring

Opening thoughts?

"There is no quit in our football team, no quit in our kids. They played a tremendous football team out there and I give credit to Georgia Tech, they played exceptionally well. You could see how hard they had played against North Carolina and Clemson. They had a couple guys back and played well here at home. They made things difficult at times and we had our opportunities. We had field position we weren't able to capitalize on like we needed to. It's a heck of a ball game out there. I like the fact our kids hung in till the very end and kept at it. I credit Georgia Tech they did a fantastic job."

On halftime adjustments?

"Well, we really felt like we should throw the ball more and get deeper comebacks outside. We changed up protection a little bit and that helped to throw the ball downfield some. The biggest aspect was to spread the ball and field more. We had the side option that was effective and we released the back in the backfield, we got Ryan off that package out in the flat and on free release on the touchdown. We got David Wilson once on that too."

On the play of Tyrod Taylor and Ryan Williams...

"I thought Tyrod played fantastic. We talked at halftime about his run pass checks and he threw a couple alert throws off of it. I thought he had a spectacular ball game. He was accurate and a couple times was a victim of circumstance. He was trying to hit the weakside out and the defensive tackle jumped the ball. He knew where he wanted to go with it. He was able to buy some time and I thought our tight ends, bringing them in protection, they did a nice job getting Tyrod Taylor to the edge and allow him more time. Ryan Williams only practiced a little bit on Wednesday and didn't practice on Thursday or Friday. I think once he got a sweat and got into a groove, he was able to make fantastic plays."

Defensive coordinator Bud Foster

Opening thoughts?

"You know, I'm proud of our kids and they played hard and played as well as they can play. We got them to put the ball on the ground a couple times and didn't come away with it. Paul Johnson adjusted to what we did and he came back the last series. We knew the quarterback would keep it, but he cracked the safety and it was one of those games. We had plenty of opportunities. It was a good football game and I'm proud of kids. We tried to combine a couple things at one time; I think I outcoached myself a bit. My hat is off to our kids and to Georgia Tech, it was a great football game."

On the 39-yard run at the end of the game?

"That was a killer. That one broke our back right there. Like I said, there is not too much to say. I'm proud of our kids. We knew it would be a 60-minute grind and I'm proud of how hard our kids fought. They are a tough offense to defend play after play after play. They have so many variations and we practiced well and played well, we just came up short."

On if there was anything specific about Georgia Tech's offense?

"It was nothing really, they just do a good job executing. They changed up some blocking schemes and we tried to counter. I give them credit for what they did. We had our opportunities, we just didn't take advantage of it."

On the turnovers for Virginia Tech?

"Without a doubt, we got the ball on the ground a couple other times, but I give them credit they've got a good scheme and a good plan. We had a good scheme and plan and it didn't work out, that's the way it goes sometimes."

On having some time off now?

"Obviously we, Miami and Georgia Tech have a loss, I'm not sure how the tiebreaker works out. We just have to take it one game at a time like we've been doing all year so far. Last year things didn't look great and we hung in there and won the league and the Orange Bowl. That's all we can do. We laid it on the line and I'm proud of our kids that is all you can ask of them. We'll regroup. All we can do is go to the next game and play as hard and good as we can and see where it goes."

Final thoughts?

"It's a tough offense and I'm glad we don't have to play it every week. I'm really proud of our kids on both sides of the ball, they fought hard until the end and came up short."

Head coach Frank Beamer

Opening thoughts?

"My thoughts, I thought Georgia Tech played great. I talked to Coach Johnson after the game and he did a heck of a job. The defense was much better than it was in the last couple games and their offense has a couple weapons. We were going full tilt too. Coming in here, effort wasn't the issue, we were playing hard for each other and we were just not playing well enough in a couple spots. I give credit to Georgia Tech for making plays. That quarterback is perfect for that offense. We got into a guessing game and we'll look at this thing and continue to learn from it and be better next time."

On the first three possessions coming up short?

"We need points there. We had great field position starting out. You've got to get this offense behind like they did down at Miami. They got them behind and then they were trying to catch up. We didn't get points the way we should have and I give them credit."

On Georgia Tech driving the field on the opening possession in the third?

"That was exactly the wrong way to start the third quarter. I felt we were doing a good well with their defense, the offense figured out a little bit. It was a bad time for Myer to kick one away out of bounds."

On not kicking the field goal on fourth down?

"I thought we needed to make a statement. On third down I said if it was less than a yard we're going for it. Coach Hite agreed and we got stuffed and lost a bit. You look back at it and we probably should take the three right there. But we came back and got seven on Ryan Williams deal. I still think we needed to get down there and make a statement, they stopped us."

On Ryan Williams not practicing much this week?

"He didn't practice Thursday and he was a little weak starting the game. He came in and gave great effort. Again I'm proud of how we battled, Ryan Williams and Tyrod Taylor."

On the 39-yard touchdown run for Josh Nesbitt?

"We made a couple change ups and I'd like to have that situation over again."

On the onsides kick?

"We had been kicking the onsides kick well in practice. We got it too far out. If we got that thing back to us a little more in the middle of the field I thought we had a shot on that. Again, the effort our football team gave cannot be questioned. We just didn't play well enough in some spots and on the other side Georgia Tech played great."

On the mood of the team now?

"They are disappointed. To give as much effort as they did, it is disappointing. You just don't know. A lot of football is left to be played yet and we've got to keep battling and hang in there and keep ourselves in there. That's the way it is and we can't let this loss cost us another loss. We'll get better and battle North Carolina."

On having extra time for that game?

"It's not all bad. I think part of it is good for this football team right now."

Final thoughts?

"This is absolutely far from over. We've had some great moments and this is a tough moment. You take those and learn from it to be better next time."

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