05 VT Sim

The buzz is all over the campus, and the cyber gyro's were ingested hours before this kick off. The weather is great, 58 at kickoff with a slight breeze, and we are set to go in this huge cyber match up. This may be the most anticipated of the season bringing the #3 Hokies into Byrd. Well all three announcers go with the Hokies on this one, as Corso chants Hokie, Hokie, Hokie High with the turkey head on. VT kicks off and Lattimore returns it to he 23 from one yard deep. On first down Lance Ball breaks a couple of tackles for a gain of 9. On second down, Hollenbach over threw Fenner down the left sideline. Ball pounds it up the middle for a gain of 4 and the first down. A screen pass to Fenner gains 8 as he is knocked out of bounds. Hollenbach was sacked by Ryan Schuman. On third down they hit VD, but he was tackled short and Podlesh comes on to punt it away. That one sails into the end zone for a touch back. VT takes over at the 20 with 3:33 left in the first qtr. Imoh gains three on first down. Vick hits David Clowney for a first. An option pitch from little Vick to Imoh gets them down to the 29. Dq'well Jackson made a stop after a four yard gain on first. A completed pass along the sideline gives VT 1st and 10 at the 15. Gerrick McPherson made a nice breakup on first down. Holloway nailed Imoh after only a gain of 1 yard. Byrd is going nuts! Vick takes off gets the first and is taken down at the 2. A give to full back Jesse Allen gives VT a 7-0 lead after the XP with 1:25 left in the half. Lattimore returns the kick out to the 19 on the ensuing kickoff. VD picks up four on first down. A delay handoff to Ball is blown up in the backfield. 3rd and 10, and Derrick Miller drops a first down. Podlesh to punt and a fair catch is made at the 32. Dq'well Jackson causes a fumble by Imoh on first and David Holloway jumps all over it, but is injured on the play. report is pinched nerve will return. On second and 9, Hollenbach is sacked for a loss of 7. Another sack on third down losses 6 more yards. MD will punt form the VT 43. I am guessing a touch back, and I am corrrrrect. McPherson picks off a pass from little Vick on first down. MD takes over on the VT 41 with 4:50 left in the half. Another screen to Fenner is a loss of 3. Hmmm, developing pattern. On Second Ball picks up three off tackle. On third and 10 Danny Melendez makes a nice catch and takes it to the barn blowing by the VT defender. (Corso calls it the Pontiac game changing play). Ennis splits the uprights and we are all tied up with 4:06 left in the half. Tech is stopped at the 17 on the kickoff and BYRD is electric. Vick completes the pass out to he 35, but McPherson rips it loose and Isaiah Gardner grabs the fumble. Well two plays later it is 3rd and 14, and Hollenbach is sacked for the 5th time. Podlesh puts another one in the end zone for a touch back. Three TO's on their side of the field and MD only has 7 points to show for it. On second and 10 Imoh gains 4. 2:20 left in the half. Vick takes off up the middle and is brought down by Conrad Bolston. TO MD, and Jo Jo goes back to receive the punt. He returns it for 11 out to the 41. Play action, Hollenbach under heat and he is picked off by Jimmy Williams (All ACC). First down is complete down to the 18. TO Hokies with 1:39 left. Imoh gains 2, but he is drilled by William Kershaw. An option pitch to Imoh gets VT a first down at the 6. Vick hits TE turned BBALL Center turned TE, Jeff King for 6. XP is good for a 14-7 Tech lead with 1:16 remaining. MD stays in the end zone on the kick off. Hollenbach fakes the handoff to Ball then hits him for a gain of 4. Hollenbach hits Fenner across the middle out to the 40! MD is lolly gagging to the line. Hollenbeck destroyed as he throws but Melendez makes the catch and the Tarps call a TO. Ball rumbles ahead for the first. Two straight runs keeps the clock moving and brings up 4th and 2 with 4 ticks left. Hollenbach throws deep to Jo Jo Walker, but he is stopped at the 9 as the clock runs out. Strange play calling to say the least.

MD is set to kickoff to start the second half. VT will start from the 18. Vick completes the first down for a gain of 12. Another completion for a gain of 19 out to the 49. On second and 7, Vick tried to run, but he was stopped by a plethora of Terps. A short pass to Imoh and he picks up the first. On first down the pass was dropped. On 3rd and 6 from the 35, Vick completes another pass down to the 8. Jeremy Navarre makes a nice tackle on first for no gain. Kershaw brings down Imoh after a gain of 5. 3rd and goal form the 3 and Vicks pass to Imoh is incomplete. The 20 yard FG is good. 17-7 with 1:55 left. Lattimore returns the kick out to the 25. Hollenbach pitched to Ball for a gain of 10 on a nice option run. On first down, Ball lost 2 as VT was all over him. Ball breaks a couple of tackles and runs over Jimmy Williams who leaves with an injured arm. On third and short Lance Ball converts. Move those chains! Hollenbach looked for VD who was split wide, and the pass should have been picked off and taken to the house. 2nd and 10. Ball takes the handoff and throws down field to Jo Jo who makes a spectacular catch along the sideline making sure he gets some toes in. Hollenback then goes to the end zone to Jo Jo, but the pass was broken up. Ditto on second down, this time to Derrick Miller. 3rd and 10, and Hollenbach hits Melendez for his second touch down of the day. A perfect pass over Melendez (brothers) shoulder! Ennis XP is good. :03 left in the third qtr as MD kicks off , and Tech will have the ball at the 18. Vick completes a short pass for a gain of 4. Vick scrambles, and picks up the first down. McPherson makes sure the next completion is only a gain of four with a nice tackle. Dq'well Jackson makes a tackle in the backfield on a screen pass to bring up 3rd and 8. On the option keeper, Vick gains 6, and VT looks to punt from their own 39. Jo Jo calls for a fair catch, and lets it roll into the endzone. MD takes over with 2:41 remaining. Ball loses 2 on first down. Hollenbach is sacked, but luckily Jared Gaither was there to jump all over it. 3rd and Long, and the pass is complete to Jo Jo for first down and more. MD is in the hurry up O, and Sam hits Danny M down to the Tech 37. Hollenbach went down the sideline, and put it where only Melendez could get it, but he didn't. Hollenbach sacked for the 7th time. 1:11 and counting. 3rd and 16. Sack number 8. TO MD 4th, and 23 from the 50. Sack number 9, and Tech takes over with 0:52 left. Tech gains one on first down, before MD calls it's second time out. Imoh up the middle for another one yard gain. MD takes it's final TO. 3rd and 8 to the full back, and that brings up 4th down with 0:27 and counting. Md will get he ball with about 10 left, however I was so concentrating on typing, that I didn't realize, they handed it off to Imoh for a first down as the clock expires. The loss was a tough one to take considering the missed opportunities on the first half turnovers. Hard to look past the 9 sacks as the key to the game.

Key Stats

Hollenbach 11-20 193 2 TD's 1 int

Lance Ball 13- 49 yds

Melendez 4- 98 2 TD's

Jo Jo Walker 3- 83

Kershaw and Jackson, 6 Tackles each