Infographics: A close look at the VT offense

Text by Will Stewart, infographics by OXVT (follow him on Twitter here, and view all previous infographics updates on TSL here). Click all infographics for a larger version!

The Hokies are in danger of being outrushed for the first time since 1987, Frank Beamer’s first year at Virginia Tech.

In 1987, the Hokies went 2-9 in their first season under Beamer, and the rushing game was a disaster. Tech averaged 136 yards on the ground, but their opponents cruised through the Hokie defense for 221.3 yards per game, a margin of -85.3 yards per game.

In 1998, the Hokies outrushed their opponents 148 ypg to 139.1 ypg, and a beautiful friendship between Frank Beamer and the running game was formed. It peaked in 1999, when the Hokies ran for 253.9 ypg and allowed just 73.9 ypg, a margin of 178 yards per game, still the best under Frank Beamer.

Through 2013, the Hokies extended that advantage to 26 straight seasons of outrushing their opponents, but in 2014, that streak is in danger of being broken.

rushing_yardage_margin_thru_nov-1-2014

In the last three years, as the losses have mounted, the rushing margin has narrowed to almost zero, and in 2014, Virginia Tech’s opponents have outrushed them through nine games. Since the start of the 2012 season, a span of 35 games, the Hokies have outrushed their opponents 4,712 to 4,670 — a margin of just 42 yards, or barely over a yard a game.

The rushing advantage the Hokies have enjoyed since the final season of Ronald Regan’s presidency has all but disappeared, and it’s no surprise that the Hokies wins have declined at the same time.

At the same time, a scoring margin advantage that the Hokies have held since the start of the bowl streak in 1993 is also on life support over the last three seasons.

scoring_margin_during_frank_beamer_era

The Hokies have outgained their opponents in terms of yardage for many years, but in the last three weeks, all losses, Tech’s opponents have outgained the Hokies 1,155 yards to 967 yards. The yardage margin for the season is now shrinking and stands at just 329 yards.

yardage_margin_differential_thru_nov-1-2014

What’s a Hokie to do? Lean on quarterback Michael Brewer, who threw 11 interceptions in his first 215 attempts this season, but has quietly thrown zero in his last 118 attempts.

With the decline of the running game and the dependence upon Brewer, the large majority of Virginia Tech’s first downs have been achieved via the pass, as opposed to the run, a trend that has been developing in recent years.

first_downs_thru_nov-1-2014

The Hokies third-down conversion rate, which hovered around 50% in the early part of the season has fallen down to 42%. That’s not great (#56 nationally after being top 11 early in the season), but it’s still better than last year’s disaster, and ranks among Tech’s best since 2000. Hokie fans just hope that VT can keep converting at that rate, and not decline further.

3rd_down_conversions_thru_nov-1-2014

Ironically, Brewer hasn’t thrown a pick since the UNC game (a win), but the Hokies have lost the ensuing three games anyway. Part of the reason is that five of Tech’s seven lost fumbles have occurred in those last three games, and the Hokies are still in the negative in turnover margin.

turnover_margin_thru_nov-1-2014

The offense relies on young players to score points. Senior Willie Byrn has gotten agonizingly close to the end zone multiple times, but Tech’s touchdowns by skill position players still include zero scores from seniors.

skill_position_scoring_by_class_thru_nov-1-2014

The red zone offense, which had a good day against Boston College (season-high six RZ appearances, 4 TDs, 2 FGs), is neither shining, nor is it a disaster. It’s in line with many of Tech’s past seasons.

red_zone_stats_comparison_thru_nov-1-2014

If the Hokies want to return to winning, several things need to happen for the offense:

  • Continue throwing no interceptions.
  • Stop fumbling the football.
  • Convert third downs.
  • Revive the rushing game (with the return to full health of Marshawn Williams).
  • Get Willie Byrn into the end zone! He deserves it.

 

4 Responses You are logged in as Test

  1. Interesting stuff. What I noticed, was even during the 2006, 2007 years of low ranked Offense. Checkout the Red Zone Offense: only 14% and 9% mis-fires ie zero points. That vs 2011 and 2013 where we came away empty 26% of the time. 2012 was 12% misfires but we settled for FGs 36% of the time
    all comes back to recruiting of O line in my opinion. No push …….no points

  2. “The rushing advantage the Hokies have enjoyed since the final season of Ronald Regan’s presidency has all but disappeared, ”

    Regan’s = Reagan’s

    Yeah, that was awhile ago.

  3. Great job this week guys – Love how you’ve organized the graphics into a subject article (VT offense) – Keep up the solid work –

  4. Science, I tell you, Science! Good stuff! Only one recommendation – instead of pictures of RBs on the rushing graphic – go with pictures of OLinemen.

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