Things continue to go from bad to worse for Virginia Tech football special teams

If there is one thing that Virginia Tech football prides itself in, it's special teams. It has been a program staple for several years. Sometimes it has a huge factor in the outcome at the end of games.

Through four games this season, however, special teams have been a major disappointment for the Hokies. Whether it's been a coaching decision, a blown assignment, or anything else, it has severely hurt Virginia Tech at some point in all four games. They have enough issues as is with the offense and defense and special teams mistakes are adding to deeper holes that they dig each week.

Virginia Tech special teams committing too many mistakes

You name it, it has been an issue for Hokies through the first four games and it feels like each time they make a mistake, the other capitalizes. Here are the mistakes made and some of them have been avoidable.

Vanderbilt

In the third quarter, a delay of game penalty took the Commodores out of field goal range and forced a punt. On the punt, Ali Jennings was back to receive it, but the problem, was with him on the field, there were two No. 0’s. Vanderbilt got the five yards back drilled a field goal and was gifted three points. It’s hard to ignore the mistake when you lose in overtime, but after the game, head coach Brent Pry took responsibility for the penalty.

Marshall

In the second quarter, the Hokies held a 10-0 lead, but the Thundering Hurd blocked a punt deep in Virginia Tech territory which led to a touchdown and a 10-7 halftime deficit. Let’s not forget the Jaylin Lane punt return for a touchdown at the end of the first quarter, but that block gave Marshall life. In the end, the Hokies won the game going away, 31-14, but it was something not to overlook.

Old Dominion

This is one that we rarely see, but against the Monarchs, John Love had a field goal blocked, which ended up leading to ODU points on their ensuing possession. Again, like Marshall the week before, it didn’t end up having a deciding factor in the outcome after a 37-17 Virginia Tech win, but again, a special team mistake that led to points for the opponent. 

Rutgers

This one set the tone for the game. After stopping the Scarlet Knights and forcing a punt on their first possession of the game, Lane fumbled the punt and set up Rutgers deep in Hokies territory. It led to the first touchdown of the game and was the difference in a 26-23 Virginia Tech loss. Lane took the blame after the game for the fumble which led to his team falling behind early.

Special teams have let the Hokies down this season and if mistakes continue, they are not good enough right now and playing with enough confidence to make up for those mistakes. Any success they have in ACC play will depend on cleaning up mistakes.