Fewer penalties equals more wins for Hokies

By Nate Crossman  |   Wednesday, November 08, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Virginia Tech Hokies
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Give Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Frank Beamer credit for his team's three-game winning streak that has turned around a season that appeared to be going down the tubes after back-to-back losses to Georgia Tech and Boston College. True, the defense has played exceptional in wins over Southern Mississippi (zero points), Clemson (seven) and Miami (10). But more importantly, the Hokies have been playing more disciplined, having taken fewer penalties as the season's gone on.

Since committing nine penalties for 88 yards against Boston College, including three personal fouls and one facemask, the Hokies have gradually improved in that department. They were flagged for five against Southern Miss (one roughing the kicker), three against Clemson and three against Miami (one roughing the kicker that was declined). In all but the Clemson game, the Hokies' opponents committed more than them, the most being Miami's eight for 62 yards.

Committing fewer penalties gives you a better chance to win, at least in the ACC. The No. 2 team in the conference in terms of fewest penalties is Clemson, followed by Maryland (tied for first in the Atlantic Division), Boston College (second in the Atlantic), Wake Forest (tied for first in the Atlantic) and Virginia Tech (second in the Coastal). Virginia is the only team in the top six that will likely not qualify for a bowl game.

The Hokies strayed far away from the principles their program had been built upon for the first six games of the season. And while it worked for the first four games against inferior competition, it finally caught up to them against better teams. Ultimately it cost them a chance at the ACC Championship Game and a trip to the Orange Bowl. Beamer appears to have them grounded again. While it's too late to change the past, at least Hokie fans have a team they can get behind for the remainder of the season.

Get more Virginia Tech Hokies analysis at College.RealFootball365.com
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