One week after playing the worst game of his career, No. 21 Virginia Tech’s Logan Thomas might have just played his best.
The Hokies (5-1) needed every bit of Thomas’ abilities on Saturday as it was his 19-yard touchdown run with less than a minute to play that finally gave Tech a 38-35 victory over Miami at Lane Stadium. We have seen some wild games this season, and this one belongs in the conversation with the others.
This was the ability we expected to see from Thomas, who had the unenviable task of replacing Tyrod Taylor this fall, every week. But you forget he’s a first-year starter and he’s still developing his skills.
On Saturday, though, Thomas had one of those special performances that the Virginia Tech fans won’t forget anytime soon. He completed an unreal 23-of-25 passes for 310 yards and three scores. Thomas’ biggest strike was a 60-yarder to Jarrett Boykin just minutes after Miami had pulled within three points.
That’s right, he had more touchdown passes than he did incompletions. This came one week after a horrible showing against Clemson, and it caused many Tech fans to demand his ouster. Frank Beamer has been around long enough to know he has a talented player and he needs time to develop.
Tech fans should be excited about the progression they witnessed Saturday with Thomas. What they should be concerned about is the play the Bud Foster’s defense.
Down 21-7 at halftime, Miami (2-3) erupted for 28 second-half points and simply gashed the Hokies with the running game. Lamar Miller averaged more than nine yards a carry en route to an 166-yard, 18-carry performance.
Miami’s power rushing attack began to wear down Tech’s defense, and that could be a huge concern in the future for the Hokies. Virginia Tech’s defense actually doesn’t look much better than last year’s unit.
Speaking of a running game, Tech’s David Wilson came up big as well. He finished with 128 yards on 23 carries.
It’s hard to get a good read on Virginia Tech. The positive is the win and the Hokies could still find a way to win the ACC. Tech also has the easy schedule, but next week’s game at Wake Forest isn’t the gimme win that we thought it would be six weeks ago.
Virginia Tech is a Top 25 program, but the Hokies are not the Top 10 team they like to think they are.
