Collegiate Times

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I am no doctor, but at times, I feel like I could play one on TV. And at other times, I wish I actually was one.

On an average Saturday, I receive upwards of 20 text messages asking me a variation of the question, “What’s wrong with Tech football?”

As if it was an issue with a simple cure, or with an answer that actually could be explained in fewer than 160 characters, people want to know what the hell is going on — because the uncertainty is killing them.

The question has me wanting a prescription pad and ample medicine to cure the Hokies’ play and my phone bill alike. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy.

On Saturday, Tech’s uncertain season continued, as the Hokies dominated Boston College 19-0, marking the program’s first shutout since 2006.

Tech’s defense was menacing, holding Boston College to just 70 yards rushing on 28 attempts. The Hokies limited Eagles’ starting quarterback David Shinskie to 130 yards passing, intercepting the 25-year-old veteran twice and forcing him out of the game by the third quarter.

Meanwhile, the Hokies recorded six sacks, 11 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles on the day.

On the offensive side of the ball, Hokies’ quarterback Tyrod Taylor was impressively efficient, completing 16 of 21 passes for 237 yards, doing all that he needed to do for Tech to earn its second win.

Despite lacking the services of starting running back Ryan Williams and Josh Oglesby, the Hokies faired well on the ground. David Wilson led the way, averaging 4.2 yards per carry and Darren Evans added a rushing touchdown.

This performance wasn’t against a bad team, either. Prior to Saturday’s matchup, Boston College was undefeated, with a front seven that was feared by its ACC brethren.

Also, it’s important to note that the Eagles’ offensive line outweighed Tech’s defensive line considerably, by an average of about 40 pounds.

The Hokies’ performance on Saturday was certainly a success, and a breath of fresh air, after Tech’s horrendous start to the season.

But it left fans wondering, as they have been all season — what type of team are the Hokies and what should we really expect as the season wears on?

Prior to the start of the season, it was so easy to be certain of the Hokies’ potential. Tech had improved since last year and the team was going to be a force to be reckoned with.

A backfield including Ryan Williams and Darren Evans was a certain two-headed monster. A seasoned quarterback in Taylor, throwing to a group of receivers with experience and abundant chemistry, looked like an undeniable threat to opposing teams’ secondaries.

While Tech’s defense lacked experience, it was thought that defensive coordinator Bud Foster’s unit would reload and wreak havoc as it always has.

Before an opening matchup against Boise State, Tech head coach Frank Beamer called this team one of “two or three” he’s coached capable of reaching the BCS National Championship Game.

And if anybody could be certain about the Hokies, it was the man closest to the team. Right?

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A version of this article appeared in the Sep 28 issue of the Collegiate Times.