HokieHaven.com - Coaches respond to UNC loss

October 29, 2009

Hokiehaven.com Staff
HokieHaven.com Staff

Virginia Tech lost a second heartbreaker in a row on Thursday night to North Carolina as Casey Barth put in a field goal as time expired. The Hokies coaches, Bud Foster, Bryan Stinespring and Frank Beamer met with the media to discuss ths loss and what's next.

Defensive coordinator Bud Foster

Opening statement?

"It was a tough hard football game. I give North Carolina credit they fought hard for 60 minutes and we fought hard for 60 minutes, we just came up on the short side of the deal. We had some opportunities on both sides of the ball, but didn't get it done. Part of that is North Carolina and part is us. I still think we're a good football team. We've got to consistently do things a little better."

On not getting off the field?

"It was part of the problem. We got into empties and made some young mistakes out there. It was disappointing, but at the same time they can be corrected. We've got to do that the best way we can. I give North Carolina credit. They did a nice job with how they attacked us and did some different things I hadn't seen. I still question that pass interference, that was a critical third down pass and I thought it was questionable. If that's a no call, we had the momentum going. From there, they hit us emptied on a Tampa 2 deep. The safety is supposed to follow the wide receiver, high low him and they executed and we didn't."

On Rashad Carmichael's big interception?

"They ran the reversal and we ran a scheme to take it away. That one play they popped on us, but they came back dinking on spacing routes and aggravating us a bit. We came back and blitzed that deal and that was an adjustment made just before we went back on the field. It turned out to be big for us. We had a turnover the next play. Our kids fought hard and North Carolina is a good football team. These guys were picked to be ahead of us. It was a hard fought football game and I'm disappointed our kids played hard."

On North Carolina going 10-of-19 on third downs?

"That's way too much. That was disappointed we couldn't get off the field especially when we've been good at that all year."

On what they'll do from here?

"We've got to regroup and find out what we're made of. When there is doubt is when you find out we'll find out what kind of character and leadership we have on this football team. We've got to look at what we'll do to get better. To me it's frustrating, we were going the wrong way on calls and young guys were doing things that you don't teach. We'll get it corrected. We've got four big football games left and we can win nine games and go to a very good bowl. This can be a heck of a year for us, but we've got to regroup and get back."

Offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring

On Williams fumble?

"Ryan Williams played a terrific football game and his performance will not be defined by one play. I thought on that play we would catch them in the prevent defense and they would split like before. It was half a step from splitting again, that happens and he got hit from the side and the ball popped free."

On the way the offense started?

"We came out and talked about early coming out on fire and setting the tempo. We ran first and came at them a bit, popped it and then they stripped us. Instead of first and ten down there, they stripped the ball."

On North Carolina's front seven?

"Yards were hard to come by. We knew going in that they were good defensively. They had been through eight games and obviously were playing well throughout the year. They made some nice plays a bit, especially two tights. I hadn't seen them do that before. We had trouble making adjustments, but were better in the second half. We were able to do some play-action quite a bit. They were bound and determined to crowd the box, we had spread sets, four wide, throw or run and had success there. I give them credit. They played hard and we needed to make more plays earlier in the game, we got into too many drop back protections early on."

On Tyrod Taylor passing?

"He certainly did throw the ball well. He made some deep crossing patterns that were right on the money. The ball was thrown right there."

On whether there was a hangover from the Georgia Tech loss?

"I don't know. That's how we gauge where we are mentally. We practiced well and had good tempo throughout practice. Like I said, we had some chances against a good defense and didn't take advantage of all the opportunities. We got called back for penalties and those things are hard to overcome."

On coming up empty on the possessions early?

"When you get the ball in position to score, you at least got to get it into the redzone. That's disappointing to all of us. We're all responsible for what takes place on that field. Going into it we knew it would be a difficult task. We felt like we could have more success especially on a couple series that we didn't."

On East Carolina?

"They've been playing well. We're down there Thursday. We've got to get back. Coach Foster said we'll be back in bright and early and then get our players back on Saturday morning. We've got to get better and look forward."

Head coach Frank Beamer

Opening statement?

"You've got to give North Carolina credit they came in and controlled the ball on us, picked up a good percentage of third downs and picked up a fourth down at the end. The game didn't quite fit for us and if you look at it we were good defensively, but couldn't get off the field at times. In the first half we had good field position but couldn't get any points. We were good offensively and defensively at times, but not consistently good that's what is lacking with this team. I still say we're a good football team and we still have a chance to win ten games. We have to work that out, but I appreciate our fans for being here. It was great support, I'm just sorry we couldn't come through for everybody."

On it being a hangover from the Georgia Tech game?

"I think we went down on the field the first two plays and fumbled it. If we kept that going it would make it a very different ball game. We fumbled that away. We didn't start right and didn't finish right."

On the 13-play drive in the third?

"We had our chances. The defense then got it back for us in great position to score at the five. We have the makings of being a good football team, we're not there and don't play consistently good that's the only thing we lack."

On why the troubles with consistency?

"Again in first half it's a fumble there, later we don't block a guy that gets a sack on Tyrod Taylor. I'm not sure why we're not consistently good."

On this game being similar to Georgia Tech?

"It was a lot like that. Again you look at it you've got good coaches and players, we need to play with more consistency."

On North Carolina's front four?

"They played well. We knew that coming in and again we made some nice plays especially in the second half against that defense. I give North Carolina credit, their quarterback probably played his best game tonight he was 12-of-13 at one point. He made some good plays for them and made a big fourth down."

On Virginia Tech's defense giving up third down conversions?

"Last week it was a bit different offense, this time they ran counter motion and a couple big backs that are hard to tackle. They played very well. They played their best football game here tonight and we should have expected that. I give them credit. Let's learn what we need to do."

On Ryan Williams effort?

"It was effort, he was trying to get the first right there and he feels very bad about it. But everybody in the dressing room is behind Ryan. I said this guy would win a lot of games for us. That turnover was a tough one, but he was giving effort trying to get every yard."

On Brent Bowden?

"He did real good on punts and changed the field position. For the most part the special teams played very well. The kickoff return coverage was good. Wilson got out to the 40 or 45. He's still kind of looking for a hole rather than running and reacting to a hole."

On Jayron Hosley's return getting called again?

"We've got to leave the blocking alone. Again, that wasn't good stuff out there."

On Beau Warren's status?

"I worry about that one. He hurt his knee and we'll have to see where that is."

On East Carolina?

"They are absolutely tough. Again we still have a chance at getting those 10 wins. We have to focus now and the first thing is the next win. East Carolina is a tough place and let's see if we can get one down there.

"I want to say I appreciate the fans, I'm sorry we didn't get it done."

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