The Inaugural Hokie Stone Awards (Georgia Tech)

Each week I will be giving out game awards on my views of the game.  We will start it off with Georgia Tech and the awards go as follows..

Hokiestone Player of the Week -  (MVP of the game)

Play of the Game - (The play that completely changed the outcome of the game)

In Need of a Bourbon - (A player that had a rough outing and needs to forget his performance)

Unsung Hero - (A player that silently had a big impact in the result of the game)

Greg Nosal of the Week - (A player that continues to play hard through a injury or setback)

Quote of the Game - (A quote that sums up the game)

Georgia Tech 21, Virginia Tech 28

Hokiestone POW - Bruce Taylor.  Bruce Taylor battled through foot injury all week long in practice but it didn’t show one bit in Thursday’s win. Taylor finished the game with 14 tackles and 2 big sacks and was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week.  All game long the sophomore linebacker had the stress of stopping the FB give and QB follow, yet found a way to fight through pain. He lead Bud Foster’s stellar D and gave the ball back to Virginia Tech’s now all-time leading offensive player, Tyrod Taylor.

Play of the Game - Davon Morgan's Interception in the redzone.  On third and goal for Georgia Tech, the Hokies hoped to hold the Jackets to three points after Jayron Hosley’s fumbled punt return. Immediately after coming back on the field from injury, Morgan baited Nesbitt into forcing a throw to the 1. Davon came up big, jumping the route and returning the interception 28 yards to the 29.  Although the Hokies did not score on the following drive, the Yellow Jackets walked off the field with nothing more than Josh Nesbitt’s season-ending broken arm on an attempted tackle.  The injury not only took the Senior QB out of the game but also completely changed the momentum of the game. None of this would have ever happened without the Senior Rover's interception.  

In Need of a Bourbon - Jayron Hosely.  Hosely’s fumbled punt return after a nice defensive stop deep in Tech territory could have ended in disaster.  The Yellow Jackets drove the length of the field and without Morgan's previously mentioned interception the score could of easily been 21-7.  Although Georgia Tech relied heavily on the run, with only 10 pass attempts, Hosely ended the game with 2 tackles and a broken up pass. The Hokies will need Hosely to come back strong with big returns and shut down D at Field Corner against a stout North Carolina passing attack this upcoming week.

Unsung Hero - Kyle Fuller.  Kyle Fuller was used at whip in the defense that Foster installed last week. Subbing in for the spot that Jeron Gouveia-Winslow plays in the standard defense.  He was thrown into a very tough situation and although had some slip ups at the very beginning that led to Nesbitt’s 2 touchdown runs, Fuller quickly buckled down and finished strong.  He ended up with 5 total tackles, 2 solo's, and one broken up pass.  This true freshman has stepped up and played pretty well for Foster and Company. Look for him to be used more against North Carolina this week.

Greg Nosal POW - Ryan Williams.  Ryan Williams continues to battle through the hamstring injury, still making the most out of his touches.  He finished the game with 2 short catches for 4 yards on top of 7 carries for 30 yards and one touchdown.  It is always a good sign when you see the Ryan Williams’ touchdown stare after he powers his way into the end zone.  While is looking for more carries, he seems to have gotten his wish now that Wilson is out with Mono.  Look for Williams and Evans to carry the load this week for the Hokies.

Quote of the Game - Heather Dinich.  "It was so loud that Washington said he had to take out his mouthpiece in order for his teammates to hear him in the huddle."  Dinich was referring to back up quarterback Tevin Washington who filled in for Nesbitt.  The noise that shook Lane Stadium Thursday Night was unbelievable.  Although I have mixed views on the infamous “Enter Sandman” being played in the 4th quarter, there was no doubt that it did give me Goosebumps.  The fans brought the noise in the final minutes of the fourth quarter and did their best to help the Hokies to victory.  It hasn’t been that loud since last year against Nebraska when Tyrod hit Coale with his late game heroics.  In fact it was actually louder than Nebraska at points and is hopefully something the fans take with us to the final home game against Virginia.