Sourpuss Kiffin: Hokies WIN Chick-fil-A Bowl 37-14

Written by The Miz

Friday, 01 January 2010 19:08

Well, everything seemed to turn out beautifully for the Hokies on New Years' Eve against Tennessee. Frank Beamer's crew rode a spark at the end of the first half to twenty-three unanswered points and consecutive bowl wins for the first time in school history.

Along the way, Ryan Williams managed to write his name all over the record books again, and did it all on a bum ankle. After is twenty-five carry, 117 yard performance, RMFW now holds the record for most yards in a single season in school history (1,655), most rushing and total touchdowns by a freshman in school and conference history (21 and 22 respectively), and the most 100-yard performances in conference history (tied at 10). Needless to say, Ru has pushed into Michael Vick territory as far as Blacksburg legends go. He is the type of game-changing performer that the Hokies haven't seen since #7's days in Blacksburg, and many people are already calling for his Heisman candidacy for 2010.

Although I did find it funny that ESPN managed to pick guys like Matt Barkley, Dion Lewis, Andrew Luck, and others ahead of RMFW on their early 2010 Heisman favorite lists. If Williams hadn't messed up his ankle twice during the game, he probably would have finished with over 200 yards and maybe another touchdown. Oh well, it doesn't matter. When asked about the Ryan Williams for Heisman campaign after the game, Ru responded with this gem:

“Nah, there is no Ryan Williams for Heisman,” he said. “There’s only Ryan Williams trying to help this team win.”

Guess that just tells us what type of player and person the Hokies have in Ryan Williams. The scary thing is that he's only going to get better. If I haven't apologized enough for questioning his attitude over the summer, I hereby throw myself at the mercy of the RMFW court.

Anyway, besides the no. 34 show, there was a football game played, and certainly a lot of points to be made about it. The Hokies dominated the first 20 minutes, and the last thirty, and that was certainly enough to knock off a middling SEC team. Here are my thoughts on the game:

The offensive line has to get some major credit. Tyrod Taylor was only sacked once by a relatively talented Tennessee front seven, and they paved some MASSIVE holes all night for the stable of Hokie running backs. They also gave Taylor all day to throw on some plays, including the 64 yard pass to Jarrett Boykin to end the half.
Boykin has to also get some praise as well. The kid had the best season for any Hokie receiver since Ernest Wilford, and finished the season with 835 yards on 40 catches, which is unreal for anyone in a Bryan Stinespring offense (and some kudos for Stiney for using his WR talent this season). The greatest stat of all is the fact that Boykin averaged 20.8 yards per catch. Wow.
Not to be lost in the shuffle is Danny Coale, who had a key 42 yard grab to set up a Ryan Williams touchdown. Kid has some great hands and awesome body control. Tyrod has some serious weapons returning next season.
Good for David Wilson and Josh Oglesby for coming and playing as well as they did. What in the heck is Billy Hite going to do next year with this stable of tailbacks.
Tyrod Taylor has officially arrived. He finished his season with a top 20 passer rating as well as the best yards per attempt average in the country. Taylor was poised on against the Vols, and managed to put the ball where only his receivers could catch them (with one exception). He is obviously the leader of this group, and I think having to share the backfield with a bigger talent has done wonders for Tyrod's psyche and confidence.
Cody Grimm will be missed. He was the game's MVP with seven tackles, three for loss and a sack. The guy's heart and motor might never be matched in Blacksburg, and he's earned all of the compliments thrown his way.
While Grimm was the MVP, there were several others that could have earned the honors. Just pick any member of the defensive line for example. John Graves was disruptive and commanded an extra blocker at times, and while he had a glaring missed tackle, Cordarrow Thompson played a solid game as well. Jason Worilds was in the backfield all day despite being double-teamed for most of the game. Nekos Brown was probably the best of the bunch, and forced a fumble to kill Tennessee's spirit late in the game.
Kam Chancellor will be missed for his physicality, but someone tell me they're not excited to see someone else back in coverage next season.
Rock Carmichael had a great game, and should really improve his draft stock next season. His positioning was great throughout the game.
Jayron Hosley will be the starter opposite Rock next year. Mark my words. Cris Hill just didn't impress me.
Brett Bowden and Matt Waldron both deserve mention for strong games, and a good finish to outstanding senior seasons.

Finally, Lane Kiffin is an absolute baby.

It's no wonder everyone else in the SEC absolutely despises you Lane. Sack up and look Frank Beamer in the eye man. You wish you could hold Beamer's jock in thirty years, but something tells me you'll be bitter and unsuccessful at that point. Have some dignity and admit when you've been beaten soundly. I hope your program gets run into the ground by the rest of the conference while you're there. You are a classless jerk.

On that note, we'll move into some season recaps this coming week. Until then, I leave you with this video to brighten up your day.