See the offense and special teams on the front page, and a look at the defense here.
Defensive Line
Simply dominant. The Hokies lived in the North Carolina backfield, and though they only sacked Trubisky twice, the team totaled 10 tackles for loss, even though they were mostly sending the four defensive linemen all day. They terrorized the UNC offensive line and created havoc from all four positions.
Vinny Mihota, who may otherwise be considered the comparative weak link up front (not because he isn't good, but rather because his linemates really, really are) had a nice day, showing some serious explosiveness. He did overrun a couple plays to his side, giving up the edge, but recovered to be part of a late-arriving cavalry to tamp down any potential big play.
Ken Ekanem was really quiet statistically (just one assisted tackle and a deflected pass), but North Carolina was seriously determined to prevent him from beating them, which opened up opportunities for his teammates. He closed the pocket down and really affected Trubisky's internal clock.
The defensive tackles were simply rampant. This isn't a good North Carolina front, but these guys made it look like an FCS team. Woody Baron's rumble-bumble-stumble for his nine-yard fumble return was simply a matter of luck on a botched snap by UNC (it can go both ways!), but it sure was fun to watch.
Trevon Hill got some good reps, but needs to be more disciplined in keeping his feet and closing lanes rather than diving after a ball-carrier.
Linebackers
Andrew Motuapuaka was considered a potential liability entering the year, given that fans weren't impressed with his play last year, but he looked like an All-American in this one. He was decisive in darting into the backfield to stop ball-carriers behind the line of scrimmage, and was very solid when he arrived each time. He also had a couple nice sideline-to-sideline plays covering for his teammates (one of the aforementioned Mihota overruns, and a Tremaine Edmunds missed tackle on a screen play that could have gotten ugly if Motuapuaka wasn't there to close it down).
Motuapuaka also had an athletic interception on the day. Simply a dominant performance form him.
Aside from that missed tackle on a screen, Edmunds was outstanding. He's big, he's athletic, and when he can just play fast instead of having to read and react, offenses have a hard time compensating for that combination. He covered a wheel route to tight end Carl Tucker as well as you can - that's a tough route for a true linebacker to shut down - even if he may have gotten away with playing through the hands a little early.
Even though Virginia Tech was primarily rushing four all game, both of these guys had the ability to fire on Trubisky when he scrambled, and both made some impeccable plays to chase him down.
Secondary
Although North Carolina put it in the air plenty, Mitch Trubisky's inaccuracy (in large part because of the play up front from VT) and the conditions made for a day that they really weren't tested as much as you'd otherwise expect. The UNC receivers had a case of the dropsies as well, and it really helped. However, if the secondary isn't in good position to cover, plays are available. These guys were there.
Greg Stroman's first-quarter interception was an outstanding athletic play. He tipped the ball away from the receiver and then made the dive to gain possession for his team. He also made one of the few really nice pass breakups that involved ball-skills rather than simply being in the right position and hitting the receiver at the catch, early in the third quarter on a deep ball down the sideline.
Brandon Facyson made a couple nice plays to hit the receiver right about the time of the catch to force a drop (though UNC was more than willing to oblige by dropping other balls without contact). If UNC's receivers make the catches they should, this game is a bit more interesting because there were openings at times. For a smaller DB, he also had an impressive open-field tackle on a huge receiver in Bug Howard.
On a day like this, against an offense (and offensive personnel) like this, there's the opportunity that one missed tackle or one receiver given too much space at the time of the catch can become a big play. Virginia Tech didn't allow that to happen, with really consistent tackling. UNC had a long gain of just 12 yards.
Chuck Clark's primary duty seemed to be against the run, and he was his usual self when it comes to thumping when he tackles. He wasn't playing in the box - Mook Reynolds often was - but had the green light to shoot forward. He barely missed the opportunity to push Ryan Switzer back at the first down line a couple times, but tackling a shifty receiver like that is a win anyway.
Defensive Line
Simply dominant. The Hokies lived in the North Carolina backfield, and though they only sacked Trubisky twice, the team totaled 10 tackles for loss, even though they were mostly sending the four defensive linemen all day. They terrorized the UNC offensive line and created havoc from all four positions.
Vinny Mihota, who may otherwise be considered the comparative weak link up front (not because he isn't good, but rather because his linemates really, really are) had a nice day, showing some serious explosiveness. He did overrun a couple plays to his side, giving up the edge, but recovered to be part of a late-arriving cavalry to tamp down any potential big play.
Ken Ekanem was really quiet statistically (just one assisted tackle and a deflected pass), but North Carolina was seriously determined to prevent him from beating them, which opened up opportunities for his teammates. He closed the pocket down and really affected Trubisky's internal clock.
The defensive tackles were simply rampant. This isn't a good North Carolina front, but these guys made it look like an FCS team. Woody Baron's rumble-bumble-stumble for his nine-yard fumble return was simply a matter of luck on a botched snap by UNC (it can go both ways!), but it sure was fun to watch.
Trevon Hill got some good reps, but needs to be more disciplined in keeping his feet and closing lanes rather than diving after a ball-carrier.
Linebackers
Andrew Motuapuaka was considered a potential liability entering the year, given that fans weren't impressed with his play last year, but he looked like an All-American in this one. He was decisive in darting into the backfield to stop ball-carriers behind the line of scrimmage, and was very solid when he arrived each time. He also had a couple nice sideline-to-sideline plays covering for his teammates (one of the aforementioned Mihota overruns, and a Tremaine Edmunds missed tackle on a screen play that could have gotten ugly if Motuapuaka wasn't there to close it down).
Motuapuaka also had an athletic interception on the day. Simply a dominant performance form him.
Aside from that missed tackle on a screen, Edmunds was outstanding. He's big, he's athletic, and when he can just play fast instead of having to read and react, offenses have a hard time compensating for that combination. He covered a wheel route to tight end Carl Tucker as well as you can - that's a tough route for a true linebacker to shut down - even if he may have gotten away with playing through the hands a little early.
Even though Virginia Tech was primarily rushing four all game, both of these guys had the ability to fire on Trubisky when he scrambled, and both made some impeccable plays to chase him down.
Secondary
Although North Carolina put it in the air plenty, Mitch Trubisky's inaccuracy (in large part because of the play up front from VT) and the conditions made for a day that they really weren't tested as much as you'd otherwise expect. The UNC receivers had a case of the dropsies as well, and it really helped. However, if the secondary isn't in good position to cover, plays are available. These guys were there.
Greg Stroman's first-quarter interception was an outstanding athletic play. He tipped the ball away from the receiver and then made the dive to gain possession for his team. He also made one of the few really nice pass breakups that involved ball-skills rather than simply being in the right position and hitting the receiver at the catch, early in the third quarter on a deep ball down the sideline.
Brandon Facyson made a couple nice plays to hit the receiver right about the time of the catch to force a drop (though UNC was more than willing to oblige by dropping other balls without contact). If UNC's receivers make the catches they should, this game is a bit more interesting because there were openings at times. For a smaller DB, he also had an impressive open-field tackle on a huge receiver in Bug Howard.
On a day like this, against an offense (and offensive personnel) like this, there's the opportunity that one missed tackle or one receiver given too much space at the time of the catch can become a big play. Virginia Tech didn't allow that to happen, with really consistent tackling. UNC had a long gain of just 12 yards.
Chuck Clark's primary duty seemed to be against the run, and he was his usual self when it comes to thumping when he tackles. He wasn't playing in the box - Mook Reynolds often was - but had the green light to shoot forward. He barely missed the opportunity to push Ryan Switzer back at the first down line a couple times, but tackling a shifty receiver like that is a win anyway.
