Virginia Tech Football: Grading Hokies coaches through first 7 weeks

Defensive Coordinator: Chris Marve

One thing that has plagued defensive coordinator Chris Marve and the Virginia Tech defense, this season has been allowing the big play. It has happened too many times and it has come at key times which has killed any momentum they have gained.

Like Bowen, however, you have to give credit where credit it is due and that is two of the last three weeks where the defense has turned two of the better performances of the Pry-era. Against Pittsburgh, they sacked quarterback Phil Jurkovec four times and held the Panthers to two touchdowns, albeit, on big plays, They did get a key third-quarter turnover that led to a Drones touchdown run to build on the lead. Against Wake Forest, the defense recorded seven sacks, and 13 tackles for loss and created three turnovers, two of which led to 14 points by the Hokies offense.

They have been getting better at containing the run and getting off the field on third down, but allowing the big plays remains a bugaboo, it is something that they’ll have to clean up over the bye week. The defense is dealing with their own injuries, but they have frustrated opponents recently.

Coming up with turnovers and getting off the field on third downs are going to be key over the final five weeks against some pretty explosive offenses. Marve has his work cut out for him, but recent games have given Virginia Tech fans some hope that the defense is turning into a group that makes big plays.

Chris Marve Grade: C