I posted this on The Monarch's Den and thought I would repost it here to get the game threads started.
VA Tech vs. Old Dominion
Friday, September 2, 7:00pm
S. B. Ballard Stadium in Norfolk
ESPNU
The Hokies finished the 2021 season at 6-7 with a loss to Maryland in the in the Pinstripe Bowl. They have seven returning starters on defense. On offense, the Hokies have lost the quarterback and both of their leading receivers from 2021, but they have the tight end and four members of the O-line returning. After a competition between two incoming transfer quarterbacks, Tech has named previous Marshall quarterback Grant Wells as the starter. We owe Mr. Wells some payback as he threw the OT winning TD in our loss to Marshall last year.
The Monarchs have ten starters returning on offense. QB Hayden Wolff completed 62.8% of his passes for 1,933 yards and 10 TDs and led the team to five straight wins to end the regular season. Blake Watson rushed for 1,112 yards and 8 TDs. Ali Jennings caught 62 passes for 1,066 yards, an average gain of 17.2 yards per catch and 5 TDs, and All C-USA conference tight end Zach Kuntz had 71 receptions for 674 yards and 5 TDs. We also have eight starters returning on defense with some transfer help coming for the secondary. By the way, the word is the coaches are pretty excited about how the defense is looking here in August.
The betting line opened with Tech favored by 8.5 but has since dropped a point to 7.5. Can the Monarchs pull off another home field upset of the Hokies on national television? I think they will.
Cheers, all!
An upset by a new member would be a great start for the new look Sun Belt.
Wheatie Hoagies with turkey are easy to palate but the true question is if our team will be ready to eat or not on the game day. I am sure they are looking forward to it. #TurkeyTastingTime
We don't need to lose to any ACC teams!
I try not to pay attention to events in Blacksburg (a program both ODU and JMU can agree deserves nothing but our joint loathing), so I’m not up to speed on the new VT FB HC. What’s his story on rebuilding the Hokies?
Hey Monarchs,
Will you be happy to go up against your old buddy Grant Wells? He’s been named VT’s starter.
(08-20-2022 11:25 AM)Longhorn Wrote: [ -> ]I try not to pay attention to events in Blacksburg (a program both ODU and JMU can agree deserves nothing but our joint loathing), so I’m not up to speed on the new VT FB HC. What’s his story on rebuilding the Hokies?
Pry is 11-13 there so far, 6-7 last year.
Analysts are projecting something like a 6-6 or 7-5 season for them, but that includes a win over odu. If he doesn't make a bowl this year, the cries from their fanbase to replace him will get louder.
(08-20-2022 12:19 PM)THUNDERStruck73 Wrote: [ -> ]Hey Monarchs,
Will you be happy to go up against your old buddy Grant Wells? He’s been named VT’s starter.
Our defense should be ready to go. Happy or not we have to frustrate him and cause chaos. We owe him one for sure.
(08-20-2022 12:27 PM)JMURocks Wrote: [ -> ] (08-20-2022 11:25 AM)Longhorn Wrote: [ -> ]I try not to pay attention to events in Blacksburg (a program both ODU and JMU can agree deserves nothing but our joint loathing), so I’m not up to speed on the new VT FB HC. What’s his story on rebuilding the Hokies?
Pry is 11-13 there so far, 6-7 last year.
Analysts are projecting something like a 6-6 or 7-5 season for them, but that includes a win over odu. If he doesn't make a bowl this year, the cries from their fanbase to replace him will get louder.
Not sure where you got that 11-13 Stat but this will be his first full season at VT. I believe he was hired at the end of year last year.
(08-20-2022 02:37 PM)12thmonarch Wrote: [ -> ] (08-20-2022 12:27 PM)JMURocks Wrote: [ -> ] (08-20-2022 11:25 AM)Longhorn Wrote: [ -> ]I try not to pay attention to events in Blacksburg (a program both ODU and JMU can agree deserves nothing but our joint loathing), so I’m not up to speed on the new VT FB HC. What’s his story on rebuilding the Hokies?
Pry is 11-13 there so far, 6-7 last year.
Analysts are projecting something like a 6-6 or 7-5 season for them, but that includes a win over odu. If he doesn't make a bowl this year, the cries from their fanbase to replace him will get louder.
Not sure where you got that 11-13 Stat but this will be his first full season at VT. I believe he was hired at the end of year last year.
J.C. Price was the interim head coach for a few games last year. Brent Pry was Penn State's DC, he hasn't coached a game for the hokies yet... Seems like a solid hire unfortunately, but hopefully it doesn't pan out. ODU by 1,000.
(08-20-2022 04:07 PM)KickItToScotty Wrote: [ -> ] (08-20-2022 02:37 PM)12thmonarch Wrote: [ -> ] (08-20-2022 12:27 PM)JMURocks Wrote: [ -> ] (08-20-2022 11:25 AM)Longhorn Wrote: [ -> ]I try not to pay attention to events in Blacksburg (a program both ODU and JMU can agree deserves nothing but our joint loathing), so I’m not up to speed on the new VT FB HC. What’s his story on rebuilding the Hokies?
Pry is 11-13 there so far, 6-7 last year.
Analysts are projecting something like a 6-6 or 7-5 season for them, but that includes a win over odu. If he doesn't make a bowl this year, the cries from their fanbase to replace him will get louder.
Not sure where you got that 11-13 Stat but this will be his first full season at VT. I believe he was hired at the end of year last year.
J.C. Price was the interim head coach for a few games last year. Brent Pry was Penn State's DC, he hasn't coached a game for the hokies yet... Seems like a solid hire unfortunately, but hopefully it doesn't pan out. ODU by 1,000.
I think it’ll likely end up being a good hire. A lot of excitement buzzing in Hokieland but getting them at home for his first game at VT we have a good shot at catching them before he has his feet under him fully.
Getting pumped!
VT's team is really young. Their season opener will be on the road in a hostile environment on a Thursday night with a new coaching staff. That loss at Ballard in 2018 is gonna create eagerness which for the youngsters will bring disaster early if they are not careful. Trust me, Pry will have them ready to play!!! Last year, our defense thrived off of adversaries mistakes. ODU has the edge in playing experience. Our team made a lot of drive killing mistakes last year. We would not have gotten blown out in those game if we minimized drive killing mistakes. Notice how much more successful we were once we stopped making so many mistakes and hung onto the football...
(08-20-2022 04:07 PM)KickItToScotty Wrote: [ -> ] (08-20-2022 02:37 PM)12thmonarch Wrote: [ -> ] (08-20-2022 12:27 PM)JMURocks Wrote: [ -> ] (08-20-2022 11:25 AM)Longhorn Wrote: [ -> ]I try not to pay attention to events in Blacksburg (a program both ODU and JMU can agree deserves nothing but our joint loathing), so I’m not up to speed on the new VT FB HC. What’s his story on rebuilding the Hokies?
Pry is 11-13 there so far, 6-7 last year.
Analysts are projecting something like a 6-6 or 7-5 season for them, but that includes a win over odu. If he doesn't make a bowl this year, the cries from their fanbase to replace him will get louder.
Not sure where you got that 11-13 Stat but this will be his first full season at VT. I believe he was hired at the end of year last year.
J.C. Price was the interim head coach for a few games last year. Brent Pry was Penn State's DC, he hasn't coached a game for the hokies yet... Seems like a solid hire unfortunately, but hopefully it doesn't pan out. ODU by 1,000.
Oops, was thinking Fuente had been dumped a little sooner and was looking at their 2020 and 2021 results. Covid year brain fart.
I wish the blacksburg Turkeys nothing more than continued mediocrity. Let them limp along with results just barely good enough to make it hard to fire coaches. They can duke it out with UVA for the #3 and #4 spots in Virginia
(08-21-2022 05:29 PM)Retroview1955 Wrote: [ -> ]VT's team is really young. Their season opener will be on the road in a hostile environment on a Thursday night with a new coaching staff. That loss at Ballard in 2018 is gonna create eagerness which for the youngsters will bring disaster early if they are not careful. Trust me, Pry will have them ready to play!!! Last year, our defense thrived off of adversaries mistakes. ODU has the edge in playing experience. Our team made a lot of drive killing mistakes last year. We would not have gotten blown out in those game if we minimized drive killing mistakes. Notice how much more successful we were once we stopped making so many mistakes and hung onto the football...
I hope he really has them prepared for Thursday night. That way they'll miss a whole day of practice and probably get drunk the night before the game since it's being played Friday night.
(08-21-2022 09:54 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote: [ -> ] (08-21-2022 05:29 PM)Retroview1955 Wrote: [ -> ]VT's team is really young. Their season opener will be on the road in a hostile environment on a Thursday night with a new coaching staff. That loss at Ballard in 2018 is gonna create eagerness which for the youngsters will bring disaster early if they are not careful. Trust me, Pry will have them ready to play!!! Last year, our defense thrived off of adversaries mistakes. ODU has the edge in playing experience. Our team made a lot of drive killing mistakes last year. We would not have gotten blown out in those game if we minimized drive killing mistakes. Notice how much more successful we were once we stopped making so many mistakes and hung onto the football...
I hope he really has them prepared for Thursday night. That way they'll miss a whole day of practice and probably get drunk the night before the game since it's being played Friday night.
LOL...yeah for the record it is Sept. 2nd (Friday)
Coach Ricky Rahne has announced Hayden Wolff as the starter at QB following a competition with Notre Dame transfer Brendon Clark and the initial starter last year, D. J. Mack. Wolff started seven games last year and led the team to wins in its last five games to be bowl eligible.
I am jealous that VT is coming to Norfolk again.
If ODU beats them again, hahahahahahaahahahaah I hate VT
(08-25-2022 06:16 PM)Purplehazed Wrote: [ -> ]I am jealous that VT is coming to Norfolk again.
If ODU beats them again, hahahahahahaahahahaah I hate VT
If we win I just hope nobody storms the field. Just be as low key as possible and no response. Would really send a message.
(08-25-2022 06:27 PM)bit_9 Wrote: [ -> ] (08-25-2022 06:16 PM)Purplehazed Wrote: [ -> ]I am jealous that VT is coming to Norfolk again.
If ODU beats them again, hahahahahahaahahahaah I hate VT
If we win I just hope nobody storms the field. Just be as low key as possible and no response. Would really send a message.
It's be a little harder to storm the field this time anyways, having to drop down over the rail. At least we don't have hedges to get stuck in though lol.