Virginia Tech had an opportunity to shock the college football world on Sunday afternoon in Atlanta against No. 13 South Carolina. Trailing 10-8 entering the fourth quarter, two explosive plays from the Gamecocks sealed a 24-11 victory in Atlanta. After the game, Brent Pry spoke with the media, and here are some of the things he said, with our analysis reacting to them.
Brent Pry quotes following loss to South Carolina
- "You never like to have your cover team go twice in a row. You just don't want that. I didn't like it when it happened. And then our gunners, you've got to take your shot. You've got to finish. I don't know if they assumed that he wasn't going to catch the ball or that he was going to fair catch it, but they came off the gas instead of taking their shot, which makes the guy go sideways and gives the rest of your coverage team a chance to make the play. Certainly disappointing."
Analysis: I think you know what Pry is talking about. The Vicari Swain 80-yard punt return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter that proved to be the difference. The problem is, a formation penalty is avoidable, and Shane Beamer made the right decision to make the Hokies kick again and make their team run downfield again. Yes, tackling was an issue, but costly penalties played a big role in it after South Carolina let the first punt go out of bounds at the 26-yard line.
- "Disappointed in the outcome, and there's no pats on the back. Too many self-inflicted errors, untimely penalties, dropped balls at the right time, and not good enough in the red zone. You've got ot have touchdowns down there."
Analysis: It was another disappointing outcome under Pry, but all of the mistakes that were made have been made too many times before. It's becoming a common theme under Pry that they hurt themselves too many times. That game was there for the taking. South Carolina did everything to keep Virginia Tech in it, but the Hokies were never able to take full advantage at any point.
- “I don’t have a problem with the play selection. We'll look at the film again but it's the execution. We got to be better. It's the penalty. It's the execution. It's the decision-making. And we've doubled down on our work in the red zone so that makes it even more frustrating.''
Analysis: Philip Montgomery's first game as offensive coordinator was better than Tyler Bowen's first games as OC, and Pry to 100% correct, it's the execution. There were plays, and some big ones at that, there to made and not executed, whether it was a bad throw or a dropped ball. Once the offense figures things out, they should be fine.
- "We've got to be a better and we will be. We have to grow from this.''
Analysis: There is no doubt that they have to be better, and they will be. Again, there were a lot of common themes in the loss from previous seasons, but there is no way that in some areas you couldn't help but be encouraged. Not everything and everyone, but there is definitely room for growth, and it'll come as the season goes along.