A Tale of Three Players

[Big Six]

Week Six, 2007

 

The Virginia Tech Hokies faced a tough task this week, traveling down to South Carolina to face #15 Clemson. The Tigers defended their home turf successfully, beating the Hokies 34-16 and dropping Tech's record to 2-3.

 

Jake Doty put the Hokies on the board first, finishing off a 12-play drive with a 14 yard scoring strike to Terrence Smith. Virginia Tech trailed by only one point midway through the third quarter, only to see the Tigers reel off 17 unanswered points to seal the victory.

 

Jake didn't throw as often as he had in previous games; he completed 11 of his 22 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown. He did, however, contribute significantly to the Hokies' ground attack for the first time, scrambling for 90 yards on nine carries.

 

Pitt remained unbeaten, winning a wild 40-39 shootout over Syracuse at the Carrier Dome. Both teams moved the ball almost at will; the Orange got 200 yards rushing from All-Big East tailback Tom Michael, while the balanced Panther offense gained over 200 yards both in the air and on the ground.

 

Pete Haines finally got a chance to demonstrate his skills in a game situation. When starting linebacker Terry Preston was suspended for academic reasons, Pete was elevated to the first team in the days before the Syracuse game. He started at middle linebacker, and made his first collegiate tackle on Syracuse's first play from scrimmage. He hit Orange receiver Russell Smith immediately after Smith caught a short pass from quarterback Dylan Adams, holding Smith to a gain of only one yard. "It felt unbelievably good to finally get a chance to hit someone wearing another team's jersey," said an elated Pete after the game. "I hadn't done that since last November."

 

Pete finished the game with six tackles and five initial hits. In the second quarter, Pete broke through and sacked Adams on third-and-long, forcing the Orange to punt. Bill Spence returned the ensuing kick 77 yards for a touchdown. Pete also broke up an Adams pass, and had only a single missed tackle on the negative side of his ledger.

 

Pete's mood was much more upbeat than it had been in weeks. "Life's good," he said. "We're unbeaten, and I really feel like I'm part of the team now."

 

Virginia fell to 3-2 with a 38-17 loss at Miami, as the undefeated Hurricanes moved to #2 in the media poll.

[Big Six]

Week Seven, 2007

 

As 66,233 fans watched on a beautiful autumn afternoon, Jake Doty calmly fired a touchdown pass to sophomore wideout Rolland Willis, giving the Virginia Tech Hokies a 36-30 victory over North Carolina at Tech's Lane Stadium.

 

The TD catch was Willis' second of the game, and was the third Jake threw in what was his most eventful game as a collegian. Jake finished with only 14 completions in 30 attempts, was intercepted twice, and was sacked six times, but he threw for 317 yards and the three aforementioned touchdowns.

 

Jake wasn't named the Player of the Game--that honor went to Tar Heels free safety Jamaal Westbrook, who racked up thirteen tackles and an interception--but he was certainly the hero for the victorious Hokies. Not only did he throw the winning TD pass in overtime, he'd connected with Terrence Smith for a 62-yard scoring play to tie the score with 27 seconds remaining in regulation play. This dramatic play was the seventh Doty-to-Smith scoring play of the season.

 

The Hokies' overall record was once again even at 3-3, and they moved to 3-1 in the ACC.

 

Unbeaten but still unranked, the Pittsburgh Panthers ripped Connecticut, 56-19, at Heinz Field. Jason Terry threw four TD passes for the Panthers and scored a rushing touchdown, while Leonard Price, the Big East's leading rusher, added 145 yards and a touchdown.

 

Pete Haines started for the second consecutive game, but wasn't as productive as he had been against Syracuse. He assisted on one tackle, as he had difficulty getting past UConn blockers and finding the ball.

 

Virginia fell to 1-3 in the ACC and 3-3 overall, losing to #14 Florida State in Tallahassee.

[Big Six]

Week Eight, 2007

 

The Pitt Panthers' dreams of an unbeaten season ended at the hands of the West Virginia Mountaineers, who scored 28 second-half points to defeat the Panthers, 31-17.

 

Redshirt freshman Eduardo Large had to play most of the game at quarterback for Pitt, replacing Jason Terry when Terry left the contest with a rib injury. Large didn't play badly (11-19, 134 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT), but the Panthers seemed to struggle without Terry's steady hand at the controls of their offense.

 

Pete Haines, once again starting at linebacker, recorded one solo tackle. "I hate for it to seem like I'm taking advantage of another guy's bad fortune," Pete said, referring to the opportunity he was receiving because of Terry Preston's academic problems. "On the other hand, we all know we have to keep our grades up. If we don't do that, we don't play; it's as simple as that."

 

The Virginia Tech Hokies took a break from their ACC conference schedule, hosting North Texas. They had little trouble with the Eagles, beating them 34-21.

 

Running back Brent Yates did most of the heavy lifting for the Hokies, rushing for 158 yards on 23 carries and scoring three touchdowns. When Jake Doty did pass, he was productive, going 16-28 for 272 yards and a touchdown. Jake was also intercepted once. Jake's QB rating of 143.4 was just below his season score, 145.8

 

Jake's touchdown pass broke a 17-17 tie and, as usual, was completed to Terrence Smith, who's been on the receiving end of eight of Jake's 12 touchdown tosses.

 

(Somehow, I forgot to check Jake's record for great/bad passes the last few weeks. He threw one of each against Clemson; he produced two great tosses and one poor one against UNC; he delivered one outstanding ball this week against North Texas. For the season, Jake's thrown six great passes and three bad ones.)

 

The Virginia Cavaliers got back on the winning track, defeating N.C. State, 44-38.

[Big Six]

Week Nine, 2007

 

Jake Doty and Nate Ward had made plans weeks earlier to drive together up to Pittsburgh to watch their friend, Pete Haines, and his Pitt Panthers play Florida International. "I looked at the schedule and saw I had an off week, so I called Nate and asked him if he wanted to take a road trip," Jake said. "I picked him up at UVA on my way up; it was really easy."

 

"We had a blast. An absolute blast," Jake grinned mischievously, leaving no doubt about the truth of his words.

 

They watched Pete and his teammates roll to a 52-10 victory over FIU, and they saw Pete play the best game of his young career. While Terry Preston and his 1.94 GPA remained on the sidelines, Pete racked up seven tackles, including six initial hits. He sacked FIU passer Matthew Dawkins once, and hurried him on another occasion.

 

The Panthers, now 6-1, moved into the national rankings for the first time, landing at #24. Their victory made them bowl-eligible, and they still had four games left to play.

 

"It was really great to see Nate and Jake," Pete beamed. "I think having them here motivated me that much more."

 

Virginia won a non-conference contest as well, beating Temple 37-19 in Philadelphia.

[Big Six]

Week Ten, 2007

 

Jake Doty had never seen the Virginia Tech campus as fired up, and that was saying something.

 

"Our students are really spirited all the time," Jake said. "That was one of the things I liked most when I came to visit last year. I think the student body outdid itself this week, though, and it really made a difference."

 

The powerful Miami Hurricanes, undefeated and ranked #4 in the nation, were coming to Blacksburg to take on the Hokies. If Tech could knock off the Hurricanes, they would pull to within a half-game of the Hurricanes in the ACC Coastal Division standings.

 

Lane Stadium was filled to capacity, and the "Orange Effect" covered the stands in a sea of orange. The fans were treated to a terrific game from start to finish.

 

Miami placekicker George Washington typically did his namesake proud. A first-team All-American and the winner of the 2006 Lou Groza Award, the "General" was usually at his best with the game on the line. This day, however, was the exception. Washington pushed a 44-yard attempt wide in the third quarter, and he shanked an extra point attempt with just over eight seconds remaining in regulation that would have given the 'Canes a 24-20 lead. Had either of those kicks been true, Hokies kicker Alex Artis would not have been able to send the game into overtime with a 28-yard field goal of his own.

 

Jake Doty had done his share to put the Hokies in this favorable position, too. Twice, he completed TD passes to--who else?--Terrence Smith; one went for 46 yards, the other for seven.

 

In overtime, Doty found Smith for their third scoring connection of the afternoon, this time good for 27 yards. Miami scored on their possession, too, so the teams prepared for another overtime round.

 

The Hurricanes faced fourth-and-twelve from the Hokies' 27, so they sent Washington into the game for a field goal. George missed again as the crowd roared in delight. Now all the Hokies had to do was score.

 

The Miami defense responded with a tough stand of their own, and when Hokies tight end James Harrington jumped offside, Tech was looking at a third-and-17 from the Miami 32. Jake dropped back to throw, but he couldn't find an open man and decided to run. He dashed for 15 yards, falling just short of a first down, but he put Artis in much better position for a field goal try on fourth-and-two.

 

Alex knocked down the 35-yarder, and the Hokies and their fans celebrated a 33-30 victory.

 

Terrence Smith was named Player of the Game, on the strength of his seven catches for 181 yards and three touchdowns.

 

Jake could have been a worthy choice as well; he went 21-33 for a career-high 381 yards and three scores. He was intercepted once, and added 29 yards on eight rushing attempts. Jake also set a career high with three great passes, and his 184.6 passer rating was just a bit lower than the 186.5 he recorded against Georgia Tech.

 

Pitt continued its rampage through the Big East, thrashing Rutgers 50-12. Two Panthers--Leonard Price (108) and Jacob Carrillo (104)--rushed for over 100 yards, and Jason Terry threw for 310 yards and four scores. Now 8-1 and 4-1 in the Big East, the Panthers moved up to #22 in the medial poll. Only West Virginia, who remained unbeaten in Big East play, stood in the way of the Panthers' conference championship hopes.

 

Pete Haines continued to make plays for the Panthers defense. He recorded a career-high eight tackles (six solo) and a TFL, and got his third sack of the season.

 

Virginia improved its record to 6-3 with a 49-10 victory over hapless Duke.

[Big Six]

Player development was updated after Week Ten. Here's a look at how our three players' skills have changed over the last five weeks:

 

[b]Jake Doty
                 CUR  POT  [/b]
Arm Strength       71   85   --
Passing Accuracy   85   98   +2
Passing Touch      76   89   +2
Running            45   48   +1
Hands              24   26   --


[b]Pete Haines
                 CUR  POT[/b]
Pass Rush Moves    62   65   +1
Point of Attack    61   67   +1
Hands              54   61   +1
Tackling           64   74   +2
Coverage           62   65   +1


[b]Nate Ward
                 CUR  POT  [/b]
Pass Blocking      59   64   --
Run Blocking       62   68   --
Long Snapping      83   89   +1

 

Each of the three players has the same overall ratings, both current and potential.

 

Jake and Pete are generating statistics, so let's look at their numbers, through Week Ten.

 

           [b] G  GS   ATT-COMP   PCT    YDS   Y/A   TD   TD%  INT INT%  LNG  GP  BP  SCK    RAT
Jake Doty[/b]    8   8   120-217   55.3   2091   9.6   15   6.9   8   3.7   68   9   3   22   151.7

           [b] G  GS  TCK   S    A  SK  TFL  HUR  DP  FF  PD  MT
Pete Haines  [/b]5   5   23   18   5   3   1    1    0   0   1   1   

S= solo tackles   A=  assists   DP= deflected passes   
PD= passes defended  MT= missed tackles

 

Jake ranks sixth in the ACC in passing yards, third in yards per attempt, sixth in touchdown passes, and sixth in quarterback rating.

[Big Six]

Week Eleven, 2007

 

Jake Doty wasn't in the best of moods following Virginia Tech's game at Maryland. The Hokies lost the game, 13-10, and Jake spent nearly the entire game on the sidelines.

 

In the days leading up to the game, coach Tom Cook benched Jake in favor of senior Charles Ball. "I need to be more consistent," Jake said. "I'm making some good plays, and I'm making some bad ones." His completion percentage was ninth among ACC passers, and he'd thrown more interceptions than all but two of the conference's quarterbacks--and one of those was Boston College's Cecil McCoy, who had thrown 29 TD passes.

 

Jake threw one pass, and he completed it to Terrence Smith for a two-yard touchdown, the only one the Hokies managed. His quarterback rating was a mind-boggling 446.8. Ball struggled, going 11-26 for 162 yards.

 

Jake was also encountering a little more difficulty in the classroom. His GPA now stood at 3.47, still high, but down half a point from its earlier peak.

 

The Pitt Panthers enjoyed a late-season trip to sunny Florida, where on a clear, 83-degree day, they beat the hapless South Florida Bulls, 51-13.

Jason Terry fired four more TD passes, and Leonard Price gained 155 yards and scored. The Panthers' victory, their eighth in nine games, lifted them to #19 in the media poll.

 

Pete Haines didn't record a tackle or generate any statistics, even though he started the game at inside linebacker. His GPA remains high (3.81).

 

Virginia was idle; their record remains 6-3. Apparently Nate Ward has been hitting the books as hard as he hits the blocking sled. His GPA has risen to 2.14.

[Big Six]

Week Eleven, 2007

 

Jake Doty's demotion lasted exactly one game. When the Virginia Tech Hokies took on the Duke Blue Devils in Durham, Doty was back in the starting lineup. Jake threw three touchdown passes as the Hokies ripped the hapless Devils, 35-7.

 

Midway through the first quarter, Jake teamed up with Colin Edwards on a 58-yard scoring play. Edwards ran a deep in route, Jake hit him in stride, and the junior wideout did the rest. "Colin has deceptively good speed," Jake said. "He can beat people deep, like he did today."

 

The Hokies held a slim 12-7 lead as the first half drew to a close. Duke punter Ian Elizondo knocked the ball out of bounds on the Hokie 1, putting Jake and the Tech offense in a deep hole.

 

"I think everybody expected us to run the ball in that situation," Jake recalled. "We crossed them up and called a pass play."

 

As Jake faded back and scanned the field, his eyes grew wide. Rolland Willis was all alone, cutting across the field about fifteen yards away. Jake threw a perfect strike, and Rolland turned on the jets. Duke free safety Efrain Nguyen gave chase, but Rolland Willis was the fastest man on the Virginia Tech squad and a 200-meter sprinter on the track and field team. Rolland cruised into the end zone, completing a 99-yard scoring play--the longest in Virginia Tech history.

 

Jake's third TD completion was also a big one, a 63-yarder to Terrence Smith. The three scoring plays accounted for 220 of Jake's 294 passing yards. Jake completed only 10 of 21 attempts and was intercepted once, throwing under drizzly conditions that made his job more difficult. The three long scores raised his QB rating to 202.8, the highest score he'd achieved in a game where he truly saw action.

 

Pitt proved to be very rude hosts when the Cincinnati Bearcats came to town, amassing 670 yards en route to a 55-7 victory. Sophomore reserve quarterback Marvin Foley threw four touchdown passes, while Leonard Price and Jacob Carrillo combined for 320 rushing yards.

 

The Panthers completed their season with a 10-1 record. Pitt, Syracuse, and West Virginia all finished with 6-1 marks in the Big East, and the Panthers were awarded the conference championship through a tiebreaker process.

 

Once again, Pete Haines did not record any defensive statistics despite starting the game.

 

The Panthers moved up to #15 in the polls, and for the first time all season long, two of the Lewisburg Area alumni found themselves on ranked teams. Virginia's 16-14 win over North Carolina propelled the Cavs to #24.

[Big Six]

Week Thirteen, 2007

 

Virginia Tech, Pitt, and Virginia were all idle during Week Thirteen, so the biggest news on campus was the announcement of the finalists for the national awards.

 

Pitt QB Jason Terry was named a finalist for the Davey O'Brien Award.

 

Virginia's Donald Butler and Pitt's Leonard Price both made the list of finalists for the Doak Walker Award.

 

Hokie fans were overjoyed when Terrence Smith's name appeared on the list of Fred Biletnikoff Award finalists.

 

The Vince Lombardi Award honors the best offensive lineman in the nation, Virginia C Robbie Taylor and Pitt OT Corey Sims are both in the running for the Lombardi.

 

Pitt's Scott Wheeler and VT's Alex Artis are among the Lou Groza Award finalists. Despite his troubles in his game against Tech, Miami's George Washington will get a chance to defend his 2006 award.

 

Bill Spence of Pitt is among the dangerous return specialists in the running for the Mosi Tatupu Award.

 

Panthers coach Jerome Martel was listed among the finalists for the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award.

 

And when the list of finalists for the most coveted prize in college football was released, two players we've come to know well were there. Jason Terry of Pitt was perhaps no surprise, but perhaps only the most die-hard Hokies would have expected Terrence Smith to be one of only two receivers in the country on the final ballot for the Heisman Trophy.

[Big Six]

Week Fourteen, 2007

 

When the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Virginia Cavaliers met at Lane Stadium for their annual rivalry game, Jake Doty and Nate Ward found themselves as opponents in a football game for the first time in their careers.

 

"It was strange watching Jake out there, playing for someone else," said Nate. "What's more, he was playing for our arch-rival, the team we most want to beat."

 

The Hokies used air power to defeat the #24 Cavs, 47-10. Jake Doty set career records with 51 passing attempts, 37 completions, and 408 yards, and threw two touchdown passes. He was intercepted once, and gained 36 yards on three carries.

 

Three Hokie receivers--Terrence Smith, Colin Edwards, and Rolland Willis--hauled in eight passes. Tight end James Herrington caught six, and running back Brent Yates four. Jake hooked up with Herrington for a 51-yard TD, and connected with Yates for a 15-yard score.

 

The Hokies and Cavaliers, then, completed their regular seasons with identical 7-4 records. The Hokies' 6-2 ACC record was two games better than that of the Cavaliers, who split their eight conference games evenly. Virginia Tech moved into the national rankings, but despite losing badly, the Cavs (#24) still outranked the Hokies (#25).

[Big Six]

Week Fifteen, 2007

 

Jake Doty and Terrence Smith smiled broadly and faced the camera. Each of them wore their maroon Virginia Tech game jerseys, and they held a football together, each with one hand on the ball.

 

The Tech sports information office wanted a shot of the 2007 Hokies' potent passing combination, each of whom received post-season honors. Smith, a junior, made first team All-ACC, and was the only Hokie to win All-American honors. His 60 receptions, 1187 receiving yards, and 13 touchdown receptions earned him a spot on the All-American first team. Although Terrence led the nation in touchdown catches, he was narrowly edged by West Virginia's Corey Whitt for the Fred Biletnikoff Award. Whitt's 1541 receiving yards and 20.3 yards-per-catch average caught the voters' eyes.

 

Jake was named the ACC Freshman of the Year. Through eleven games, Jake had thrown for 2795 yards and had more than twice as many touchdown passes (21) as interceptions (10).

 

Pete Haines' Pitt teammate Bill Spence was an easy choice for the Mosi Tatupu Award. Spence, a sophomore wide receiver, averaged 21.2 yards on punt returns. He took five punt returns all the way for touchdowns, most in the nation.

 

The Heisman Trophy went to Tennessee's senior quarterback, Robbie Adams. Adams threw for nearly 3300 yards and 32 touchdowns, and was only intercepted five times. His Vols were about to play Mississippi for the coveted SEC championship.

 

Soon Pete, Nate, and Jake would learn where each of their teams would be heading for their bowl games. Pitt, with a 10-1 record and a #12 national ranking, was a virtual lock for a New Year's Day game. The #21 Cavaliers and #23 Hokies, each with seven wins, would certainly earn a spot in a lesser bowl.

[Big Six]

Week Sixteen, 2007

 

Jake Doty's cell phone rang, and he smiled when he saw Pete Haines' name and number on the screen. "Congratulations on the BCS bowl bid, " he told his friend.

 

Pete's Pitt Panthers had been selected to play in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. They would be heading to Arizona to face #13 Tennessee and their Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, Robbie Adams.

 

"Thanks, man," Pete said. "And congrats on the Car Care Bowl."

 

Pete didn't have the name of the Meineke Car Care Bowl quite right, but his heart was in the right place. The Hokies had a Week 19 date to face West Virginia. Neither team would be traveling far; the game was played in Charlotte, North Carolina.

 

"I really want you to beat the hell out of them," Pete confided to his high school buddy. The Mountaineers had spoiled Pitt's undefeated season when they beat the Panthers, 31-17, during Week Eight.

 

Jake laughed. "We'll do our best. And think about it...you have a chance to sack a Heisman Trophy winner. Not a lot of guys get to do that."

 

"Have you talked to Nate yet, or has that Hokies-Cavs rivalry not worn off yet?" Pete asked.

 

"We're cool," Jake replied. "I was on Facebook with him a little bit ago. He's pretty happy about the MPC Bowl bid. He's never been to Idaho."

 

Virginia would be favored fairly heavily to beat New Mexico State in the MPC Computers Bowl, played in Boise during Week 19.

 

All three LAHS grads would, therefore, end their first collegiate seasons with a bowl bid.

[Big Six]

Week Nineteen, 2007

 

Coach Tom Cook hoisted the Meineke Car Care Bowl trophy over his head and smiled. His #23 Virginia Tech Hokies had just beaten West Virginia, 31-6, putting the finishing touches on an 8-4 season.

 

Sophomore Brent Yates, who carried 20 times for 139 yards and a touchdown, was named the Player of the Game. Yates finished the season with 1182 yards, nearly 300 fewer than he'd amassed as a freshman, but his 12 touchdowns exceeded his 2006 total by two.

 

Jake Doty played well in his first bowl appearance, too. He completed 16 of 28 passes for 252 yards and three TDS. Oddly enough, none of the three scoring passes went to his favorite target, All-America wideout Terrence Smith. Instead, Jake connected with Yates (4 yards), Collin Edwards (14 yards) and Rolland Willis (32 yards). Smith did catch five balls for an even 100 yards, however.

 

Meanwhile, out in Boise, Nate Ward's #21 Virginia Cavaliers pounded New Mexico State 62-0 to win the MPC Computers Bowl. Junior Donald Butler rolled for 211 yards on 30 carries for the Cavaliers, giving him a season total of 1608 rushing yards. Butler's two TDs ran his 2007 total to 13.

[Big Six]

Week Twenty-one, 2007

 

All Pete Haines could do was smile. "That's why he won the Heisman," he said.

 

Pete was referring to Robbie Adams, who had just led the Tennessee Vols to a 55-17 pasting of Pete's Pittsburgh Panthers in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Adams displayed a surgeon's touch, completing 32 of 35 attempts for 359 yards and six touchdowns. Adams rushed for 51 yards on six carries, too.

 

Pete had every reason to feel good about his own performance, however. He tied for the team lead with ten tackles--six solo hits and four assists--the most he'd racked up in any collegiate game.

 

And, for the rest of his life, Pete could say he tackled a Heisman Trophy winner. "Rudy Ruiz [Pitt's junior DT] put some pressure on Adams, and he decided to run. I got him pretty good, and he told me 'Nice hit.' I'd heard Robbie was a class act, and he seems pretty cool to me."

 

By now, the frustration Pete had felt about not getting to play was a thing of the past. "I'm really happy here," he said. "I feel like I'm in the right place."

[Big Six]

End of 2007 Season

 

With their freshman seasons in the books, it's time to look at Jake and Pete's final 2007 stat lines:

 

          [b] G   GS   ATT-COMP   PCT    YDS   Y/A   TD   TD%  INT  INT%  LNG   GP  BP   SK    RAT
Jake Doty  [/b] 12  11   184-318   57.9   3047   9.6   24   7.5   10   3.1   99   13   4   28   157.0

 

Among ACC passers, Jake ranked seventh in attempts and completions, fifth in completion percentage and passing yardage, third in yards per attempt, fifth in touchdown passes, seventh in TD pass percentage, fifth in great passes, and third in quarterback rating.

 

Not bad for a freshman, was he?

 

           [b] G  GS  TCK   S    A  SK  TFL HUR DP  FF  PD  MT
Pete Haines  [/b]8   8   33   22   11  3   1   1   0   0   1   1   

 

Pete's three sacks were good for -9 yards, and his TFL for -2. He placed seventh on his team in tackles, solo tackles, and assists, and sixth in sacks.

 

His late-season success bodes well for his future at Pitt.

[Dublin Sky]

Good to see the boys played well Robbie Adams is a monster man

[Big Six]

Postseason Week 18, 2007-2008

 

Hokie Nation could not have been much happier with the way the 2008 recruiting season turned out. The tenth-most talented group of newcomers in the country was on its way to Blacksburg, and among them was the top player in the nation.

 

Running back Oliver Reed was a junior college sensation from Cecil Community College in Mastic Beach, New York. His 4.40 speed made him a threat to break long runs whenever he touched the ball, and his solid 5'9", 207-pound frame enabled him to run with power as well as finesse. Now, he'd team with returning tailback Brent Yates to give the Hokies a powerful 1-2 backfield punch, and his presence placed one more weapon at the disposal of the Hokies' sophomore quarterback, Jake Doty.

 

Jake couldn't hide the excitement in his voice as he talked to his friend Pete Haines. The two athletes were in the basement of the Haines home, taking a break from a hard-fought video game session, and were discussing their respective schools' recruiting efforts. "Man, this is going to be fun," Jake said.

 

Pete nodded. "I saw where you guys signed a quarterback too."

 

Jay Rodriguez was a mobile QB, a fellow Pennsylvanian from the town of Clearfield. A three-star recruit, Rodriguez was also recruited as an athlete, and might well be moved to another position when he arrived in Blacksburg.

 

"That's right," Jake replied. "Did Pitt sign any linebackers this year?"

 

"Three," said Pete. All three of them were rated at three stars, and the highest-ranked of the three, Dave Otero from Bishop McDevitt High in Harrisburg, was more highly rated than Pete had been coming out of high school. The others, Stephen Moore of Derry, PA, and Eddie Scott of East Brunswick, NJ, were projected to be just about as good. If Otero, Moore, and Scott didn't push Pete for playing time this coming year, they might in 2009.

 

Jake sensed the concern in his friend's voice. "You'll be fine," he reassured him. "You've been in the system for a year, and you've proven yourself on the field."

 

"I hope you're right," Pete said.

 

Just then, the massive form of Nate Ward appeared on the stairs. "There you guys are," he said. Nate wore a navy polo shirt with "VIRGINIA FOOTBALL" embroidered in orange on the chest.

 

"It looks like you guys got yourself a couple of QBs," Jake pointed out.

 

The Cavaliers had signed a pair of five-star passers, and both came out of New Jersey. Adam Williams was a more traditional quarterback; he liked to stay in the pocket and fire the ball down the field. Steven Gibson was a scrambler who could make plays with his feet as well as his arm.

 

"We sure did," agreed Nate. "We signed one guy at my position, too."

 

Rodney Adams from William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia was a 305-pound road grader. Like Nate, he would probably spend his first year on campus as a redshirt.

 

"Have you noticed how many guys all our schools signed from PA?" Jake pointed out. "I'd expect that from Pitt, but not so much from the schools down our way."

 

"We showed them how we do it up here," joked Nate.

[Big Six]

Good to see the boys played well Robbie Adams is a monster man

 

Adams was a man among boys; that's for sure. I didn't play out the Pitt-Tennessee game, and I wished I had, just to watch him do his thing.

 

If Jake turns out to be anywhere near as good as Adams was, he'll be a Hokie legend.

 

Thanks for following the story...sophomore year is right around the corner!

[Antonin]

I'm enjoying this story! I'm surprised more people don't have dynasty threads here. BBCF is a fascinating game and a fun way to spend an evening.

[Big Six]

I'm enjoying this story! I'm surprised more people don't have dynasty threads here. BBCF is a fascinating game and a fun way to spend an evening.

 

Thanks very much, Antonin. I'm surprised the forums here aren't more active, too. I've played BBCF for about four years now, and I've spent a lot of very enjoyable hours with the game. When football season approaches, I always have the urge to play BBCF regularly, and I always have a good time with it.

 

I have two or three more ideas for BBCF dynasty stories, so when this one's done, I'll be back with another one.

[Big Six]

Week 1, 2008

 

Preseason practices are over, and our featured players are about to begin the 2008 regular season. Here's how their ratings are looking now:

 

[b]Jake Doty          Overall:  9/10

SKILL             CUR  POT  CHG[/b]
Arm Strength       71   85   --
Passing Accuracy   93   98   +8
Passing Touch      84   89   +8
Running            47   48   +1
Hands              25   26   +1


[b]Nate Ward          Overall:  3/6

SKILL             CUR  POT  CHG[/b]
Pass Blocking      61   64   +2
Run Blocking       64   68   +2
Long Snapping      86   89   +3


[b]Pete Haines        Overall:  4/6

SKILL             CUR  POT  CHG[/b]
Pass Rush Moves    63   65   +1
Point of Attack    64   67   +3
Hands              58   61   +4
Tackling           69   74   +5
Coverage           63   65   +1

 

Jake made a tremendous amount of progress over the off-season, and seems poised to make a big step forward as a sophomore.

 

Pete, too, improved in several key areas, and should be a key member of the Pittsburgh defense in 2008.

 

Offensive linemen like Nate often take more time to develop than players at other positions. That's true in real college football, as well as in BBCF. And, unlike his friends, Nate hasn't had the opportunity to sharpen his skills in game situations.

 

Next, I'll compare Jake, Pete, and Nate to the other players at their positions on their respective teams, and we'll see where they appear on the depth chart as the 2008 season opens.

[Big Six]

Week 1, 2008

 

Jake Doty's Virginia Tech Hokies open their 2008 season against Army next week. Jake begins this year just like he ended last year: as the Hokies' starting quarterback.

 

Fifth-year senior Charles Ball (7/7) is currently listed as his backup. Ball's arm is significantly stronger than Jake's, and he is an exceptionally intelligent player. Jake is a far more accurate passer, however, and he is much more mobile.

 

Junior Mike Hernandez (8/8) redshirted last year, and he looks ready to challenge Ball for the #2 spot on the depth chart. His physical tools are impressive, but he lacks the intangibles that the finest quarterbacks possess.

 

Neither redshirt sophomore Tyler Garcia (4/7) nor redshirt junior George Gates (2/4) have appeared in a game during their Virginia Tech careers. They are similar players, both better when they're on the move than they are when they stay in the pocket. In fact, they'd probably be better off tucking the ball away and running with it in almost any situation.

 

Incoming freshman Jay Rodriguez (2/4) will redshirt this year. His athleticism and adaptability make him a good candidate for a position change at some point.

 

Pitt's depth chart lists Pete Haines as the #2 inside linebacker as the Panthers prepare for a Week 1 contest with Louisiana-Lafayette.

 

Fellow sophomore Frank Barnes (6/8) is listed ahead of Pete as the starting MLB; he appeared in 10 games last year, started nine, and recorded 49 tackles.

 

Seniors Cruz Pearson (4/5) and Art Byrd (4/5) will start at the other linebacker spots. They're nothing special, and the Panthers might do well to shift either Barnes or Haines to the outside.

 

Junior Kyle Barber (4/6), a particularly ferocious pass rusher, might also see some playing time at inside linebacker this year. Barber played in five games last year, accumulating five tackles and a sack. Sophomore Paul Rowland (3/4) appeared in one game in 2007, recording three tackles. Promising freshman Dave Otero (3/7) will redshirt this year.

 

Pete looks like the second most talented linebacker on Pitt's current roster, behind Frank Barnes, and he's the best of the Panther linebackers in pass coverage.

 

Nate Ward faces tough competition in his fight for playing time on the Virginia offensive line. As the season begins, Nate is listed third on the depth chart at both guard positions. He is, however, listed as a starter on the Cavs' special teams as the long snapper.

 

Junior Louie Day (6/8), who excels at pass protection, returns for his third year as the starter at left guard. Day is the team's second-best offensive lineman, behind All-ACC candidate Stephen Wilkerson, the left tackle.

 

Fifth-year senior Gilbert Jackson (4/5) is currently the starter at right guard. Jackson's ability to open holes for Cavalier running backs gives him the edge over his competitors.

 

The coaching staff is very high on Rodney Adams (3/8), who will back up both Day and Jackson. A true freshman, Adams is thickly built (6'2", 313) and powerful, and he's expected to be one of the conference's best linemen one day.

 

Gerald Buck (3/5), a redshirt sophomore, is the only other guard on the Cavs' depth chart. He appeared in two games last year. Walk-on junior James Walsh (1/2) provides a practice body.

 

The linemen who are currently ahead of Nate on the depth chart are all more adept at pass protection than he is. Nate's already as good a run blocker as any of them, even Louie Day.

 

The Cavaliers open their 2007 this week with a visit to Bowling Green.

[Big Six]

Week 1, 2008

 

The Virginia Cavaliers opened their season with a 58-31 rout of Bowling Green. Senior tailback Donald Butler rushed for 157 yards and three touchdowns, while his backup, sophomore Ruben Forrest, added 101 more on 19 carries.

 

The Cavaliers coaching staff tinkered with their depth chart in the days leading up to the game. They demoted senior Gilbert Jackson to the third team, naming true freshman Rodney Adams the starter at right guard and promoting Nate Ward to second string. Coach Johnny Gamble refused to say whether or not disciplinary issues had anything to do with Jackson's demotion. It's possible Coach Gamble and his staff simply wanted to give their younger, more promising linemen some playing time.

 

The Cavs attempted six extra points and three field goals and punted four times, so Nate got on the field for at least 13 plays. It doesn't appear that he played on offense, however.

 

Pitt fans had much less to smile about, as their Panthers were upset by Louisiana-Lafayette, 23-10, at home. Pete Haines was even more frustrated by the fact that Kyle Barber was moved ahead of him on the depth chart. Barber played a lot against the Ragin' Cajuns, getting in on seven tackles, while Pete didn't play at all.

 

"I'm not even getting a chance to play on special teams," Pete said. "I'm not sure why. I'm faster and more aggressive than several of the guys who cover kicks for us. I wish they'd let me have a chance to help us win."

[Big Six]

Week 2, 2008

 

All three of the teams that featured Lewisburg Area High graduates picked up big wins during Week 2.

 

The Virginia Tech Hokies went into their season opener ranked #11, and they rolled to a 36-10 victory over Army that demonstrated that their ranking was probably a good reflection of their talent.

 

Sophomore quarterback Jake Doty played the best game of his young career. He shredded the Cadets' secondary, completing 30 of his 39 passes for 378 yards and two touchdowns. He also led the Hokies in rushing, with 86 yards on nine carries, and he was named the Player of the Game.

 

All-American wideout Terrence Smith caught nine of Jake's throws for 128 yards, but both the Hokies' touchdown receptions were hauled in by speedy Rolland Willis.

 

Highly touted freshman RB Oliver Reed gained 36 yards on eight carries in relief of starter Brent Yates, who scored two touchdowns and rushed for 73 yards. Reed also demonstrated his ability as a receiver, catching six passes for 102 yards.

 

Jake was thrilled with the capabilities of the players around him. "We have a lot of playmakers on this team," he said after the game. "It's my job to get the ball to them in spots where they can make things happen."

 

The Virginia Cavaliers ran their record to 2-0 with a 50-18 victory over Temple. Quarterback Curtis Littlefield threw for 410 yards and three touchdowns, and Donald Butler produced 140 more yards on the ground.

 

Once again, the Cavaliers shuffled their guards around like playing cards. Gerald Buck, who had been running with the fourth team, found himself in the starting lineup. Gerald Jackson moved back up to second string; Rodney Adams, the Week 1 starter, was placed on the third team; and Nate Ward dropped to fourth string.

 

"It's a good thing I'm a long snapper," Nate sighed, "or I'd never get on the field." Cavaliers kicker Rob Dukes kicked five field goals and five extra points, and Mike Story punted three times, so Nate got to do his thing 15 times against the Owls.

 

Pitt avenged its Week 1 loss by whipping Utah State, 61-0. Pitt coach Jerome Martel appeared as willing to experiment with his depth chart as his colleagues at Virginia were; he shuffled Kyle Barber to the third team and promoted his other middle linebackers up one notch.

 

That change gave Pete Haines a chance to show his stuff, and "stuff" is the word that best describes what Pete did to Utah State ballcarriers on two separate occasions. He also knocked down a pass, but he was caught out of position on a pass play that resulted in a Utah State completion. All in all, however, it was a good day's work for the Panther linebacker.

[Dublin Sky]

Year two is looking promising for Doty he had an incredible first game anmd I predict nothing but big things for him. I'm not so sure about Ward and Haines however. The way things are looking Nate may never get a shot and Pete has the talent they just aren't using him.