Davis Needs Rhythm, Including In ACC
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After watching Virginia Tech during the pre-season, there didn't appear to be too many issues offensively. Junior Logan Thomas was humming the ball, the stable of running backs looked to be deep and formidable and the offensive line didn't appear to be as greemn as many feared.
There's a reason why it was just the pre-season, though.
"The pre-season is mainly against our defense," junior wide receiver Marcus Davis said. "We have a great defense here, but at the same time, we can't gameplan against them because we're not playing them in the game. I'm kinda surprised that we haven't gelled quicker, but things happen. We just have to look forward to getting better."
The Hokies have tried to turn the corner, but simply haven't. It's started with how they've started. Mostly through five games that's been a bit poorly. Davis has an idea what the problem is, though.
"I think it's a lack of energy out there," Davis said. "As an offense, we have to come out firing on all cylinders and we have to pick it up from the start instead of waiting for something to happen. We've gotta go out and make something happen ourselves."
Just like the importance of rhythm to quarterbacks, the same goes for the offense as a whole. In each game, Virginia Tech has been able to move the ball, but it's come well after halftime in most instances.
"For us to get a rhythm going, it's big," Davis said. "I think that's gonna bring a lot of energy, once we can get going. Whether it's in the run game or the passing game, we've gotta get open, we've gotta make blocks. We just have to go out there and play like we did in the second half and just continue playing fast the whole game. I think ya'll will see a big difference in our offense."
On Sunday, offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring spent time with Thomas, to get a better feel for what he sees on the field. Stinespring had already done the same with Davis, who told him he saw more good things from Virginia Tech's offense in the second half as he and his teammates got comfortable and found a rhythm.
The bigger question is, why is it taking so long to develop in a game?
"We're not gonna always have a perfect game, but I feel like getting better throughout the game is what's necessary and some keys to winning," Davis said. "As a team, we have to always be good on the offensive side of the ball. We can't have slow starts. We can't really take our time getting going, we have to get going from the jump."
Despite the Hokies sitting at 3-2, there's no panic within the team. After all, Virginia Tech will now play solely ACC teams the rest of the regular season, where it's excelled before. The Hokies have gone 24-4 in ACC games the past three seasons.
"The conference game is what people are gonna remember," Davis said. "Before practice, we always break it down how many ACC championships we've won, how many titles we have. That right there is a big factor and why we turn it up come ACC play. I really don't know why we do some of the things we do in non-conference games, but those are in the past, those are over, so we're looking forward to ACC games now."
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