Roth Report: October 2022 – Virginia Tech Athletics

With an open date this week, Virginia Tech’s football staff focused on three things: self-study, recovering from injuries and recruiting for the early signing period, which begins on Dec. 21.
 
As for the 2022 Hokies, who have dropped four straight, a trip to NC State looms next Thursday for a team that’s giving great effort, but not seeing the results it wants.
 
“We’re playing our guts out, just not playing smart enough or well enough,” head coach Brent Pry said. “We’ve got to find it in each one of us – players and coaches. How do we get better to be the team we can be?”
 
With a 2-5 mark, what are realistic goals for the final five games of this regular season?
 
“First off, we need to play to our potential at NC State,” Pry said. “Play our best game of the season. What can we do offensively to be a better football team? What are things on defense and in the return game that will help.”

 

Pry mentioned personnel groups and playing the top offensive playmakers at the same time, even if they play the same position. Does that mean running backs Malachi Thomas and Keshawn King will appear in the game at the same time? Perhaps. Regardless, Tech ranks near the bottom of the ACC in rushing and passing and hopes to see that change in the final five weeks.

 

A special teams improvement could help. Virginia Tech ranks near the bottom of the ACC in kickoff returns (12^th) and punt returns (13^th) and Pry wants to see big improvement there starting next Thursday in Raleigh.

 

“We’ve got to be better in the return game,” he said. “We’ve got some guys banged up, but still we’ve got to be better.”   

 

Hidden yardage is huge for any team, but even more so for one that is struggling offensively.

 

“We’ve got to create some turnovers and make it a bit easier for our offense,” Pry said.

Remarkably, Tech has caused just five turnovers (121^st nationally) on the season, with three fumble recoveries and two interceptions. Only Notre Dame (1 interception) has fewer interceptions in the country.

 

“Our defensive backs are letting the receivers catch the ball and then make the tackle,” Pry said. “That’s not how you play it. You’ve got to go after the ball.”

Pry suggested freshmen cornerbacks Mansoor Delane, Devin Alves and Cam Johnson could see more time down the stretch. Delane played most of the second half in the Hokies’ most recent game against Miami (Fla.).

 

In terms of injuries, the Hokies hope the off week will…