Know the Enemy: Liberty

0:03 On Sunday night. And act of Senseless violence. Took the lives of UVA football. Players. Labelled Davis jr. Devin Chandler and Deshawn Perry. Not only were these young men exceptional on the football field but by all accounts were just great young men to know or be around I can do Lance's go out to the families of these young men. The UVA football team, the UVA in Charlottesville community. We continue to pray for the healing of the other two, individuals injured in this senseless tragedy today. This podcast, we are Hokies for whose Welcome back to the boundary Corner podcast.

1:26 Along with a known face to this podcast coach, Robbie Compton. I am Kurt, has Wilson and this episode is presented by dr. Jorde Lerman, Jeremy counts at the Main Street. Pharmacy in Blacksburg, if you love this podcast, if you love the Hokies the town of Blacksburg, make sure you're supporting the Main Street Pharmacy. When you make your way to town, whether you need prescriptions a tube of toothpaste or just stopped by to say hello. Also check out the boundary Corners stickers, there's a Them their Journal. Definitely. Give you one. Let Jeremy and his team, take care of you, the money you spend at Main Street. Pharmacy goes towards the things you support most.

2:06 So the next time, you're in Blacksburg head down to 301, South Main Street, tell them Curtis frying and Robbie sent you. Bobby. How you doing tonight, man? I won't know why I'm doing well, doing well hanging out in my, in my high school team opposite. Talk a little bit hokey Pokéballs. Yes, we are mad now, Robbie show you shirt, they're just so everybody can see who you do coach. So, here's what I'm going to say and why we love having Robbie on the North will football team. In 2020. Under coach with techy. Who's one of your best friends in the football world? He came in struggling program.

2:49 They won one game. You joined him last year? And y'all want three games? Yeah that's 30 percent Improvement. Robbie. Why don't you tell them what y'all did this year man? We made a pretty good turnaround this year. We had 73 overall, during the season, only lost one game at home loss to the arguably, best kick to 8:18 and he's Siri, you'll know them, there's a couple of young men in Blacksburg right now from East 3rd. The gosh male voice and really good program, but we went into our first playoff game here. A week before last their first playoff game since 2013, I think it was.

3:39 Wow, I did not know that you have been that down. Wow, I've been told seven and three regular season was possibly one of their best records. One of the top 5 best records in school district. Well dude, making some improvements building some building, some guys, and hoping to build something good. Well, first of all, it's awesome, it's in the turnaround. Y'all made there so quick. I know y'all, we mentioned that there was a kid across town there. That's currently committed to State and was heavy on the heavy on the heavy on the Hokies radar. So on but also I'm that you all turned around in in case anybody's wondering where Brian is Brian's currently riding Space Mountain around Disneyland and Disney World right now.

4:30 He goes to Disney World, he'll get the front of the line stuff, but I'm sure he's having a blast. I know he mentioned a grilled cheese. Exactly. I mean, probably just spending some time in Germany and Epcot just drinking all day, whatever. But be honest, truth is the reason. This was a day that the Court stays open, late bronze. Obviously down there with his family, and Brian hit up, Robbie last week and said, hey, Robbie season's over for you to do you want to keep looking at some tape and Robbie, Lee has graciously, Looked at a lot of tape between the do gaming. You've been up with two weeks before watch cake? I needed something to do. You need is some, you didn't like a fix. I need to fix him.

5:11 Shaking him shaken. He between the Duke game and the, and then scouting on Liberty. So, Rodney's got a ton of us. So, Robbie, you know, you looked at the film of this game, particularly, and I want you to coach, to give me what you're feeling, what can be done differently, what's on the right? Because we're going to look at this a little different, you know. Usually, it's me and Brian in here. Here's a big play. There's a big play. But having someone like yourself on here, it's a different set of eyes. It's where we can ask you different questions. You've been with us before. It's always been great. We've, if y'all want to know how long me Robbie and Brian have known each other Middle School, Middle school.

5:53 So Napoli with each other and against each other. Since we were young pop against each other but we've roughly known each other 25 plus years. So it's easy to have them on here. No. Robbie I know you said before you started today you you did want to give a disclaimer so nobody screaming and manage you. Well, I mean, as a coach I look at things a little differently than some people do You know, you deal with players and other coaches and things every day, and there's some critique, there's some ways you go about business and people just understand that the more I'm going to be going tough in some areas on coaches and players as well.

6:39 But it's all in, it's all in improving things and it's just, it's the way I go about things. The way I see things. I got it, I got it. Make sure I continue to write relationships to four kids of our future and everyone I've ever known. But Robbie, Robbie is basically saying Rob. He's basically saying if, if coaches watches thing, I gotta make sure we're doing everything right here. Coach Holton, backyard. So I can't be, I can't be messing around too much. There you go. There you go. Alright, so Brian. You see me Robbie and we'll see how many times I'm going to do that.

7:21 Tonight will Well, I am watching a matching bag company for a month worse as you have and maybe buy me a couple of times. We got Maxine going on back here, Toledo versus other heck of a catch by the kid Toledo versus Bowling Green. It's like 28 is snowy at the glass bowl. Yeah. All right. But let's flip it to this. Let's recap 24/7 lost by the Hokies, and we're going to start on offense Robbie. And, you know, let's take a look at You know, let's take a look at Grant Wells and, you know, you know, the background on Wells, he played at Marshall for two years, but the Duke game, you know, it was kind of more of the same in basically, as we look at it here, let me get the stat lines up because for some reason I did not have those pulled up.

8:14 This is what happens when you have to do this part of the show. You forget crap, but but Wells was 16 to 28, he only threw for 77 yards, one touchdown one pic and the ball eight times for 11 yards, did have a long and 15. So obviously he got hit numerous times in the backfield. Yeah. And and Robbie at me and you were talking earlier this week and you know, for the year he's under 60% Completion. He's at like, 58. What did you notice in this game? And maybe some of the other game, I know you've kind of caught some games off and on, you know what have you noticed in this game that he does to maybe help that are Islington towards being under that 60% in? Is there anything you think they're trying or potentially he could do different Honestly watching a lot of film and I watch several games, you know, just TV wise. And I made sure, I checked out a good number game, especially the ones where it look like a struggle. A little more offensive ly, understand Scout stuff. In when you see pretty consistent in staying right around that 58 to 60 percent completion. He the biggest thing I see in it is a lot of times he's throwing in the rain because he's not getting a lot of really good protection and he's having to

9:45 move around. I don't know if it's a if it's all protection wise if they build in a lot of the rollouts and Sprint out to things like that but there's a couple times I know gets Duke, they get some pressure and he tries to step. Away from depression and he gets forced away from where his receivers are working and he ends up having there's at least twice, he had to throw the ball away against do. And as we know, throwing it away, that's cool. Bring down that completion, percentage always will. But when you say step away, but is that a football IQ thing? Because if you're, if, you know, if you're on left hashing, everything's going back towards the right, hash and that side of the field, nothing. I know the inclinations get away from pressure, but isn't that the wrong way to go?

10:33 Shouldn't you be stepping up or stepping towards? Where your guys are? You would think so? Yes, sometimes Park is dictating and try to roll a certain way and then there's even more pressure in that place, you know he is he is a quarterback, do we know will take off and gain what he can when he came. And so sometimes going I feel like going away from it. He's just like, okay well I can pick up what I can because That's not bad. He does have some instances where he makes pretty good decisions. Pretty good throws and I don't feel like this receiver is helping, sometimes it's fate. Okay? Foxy is sometimes, especially when he's trying to make check Downs quickly.

11:18 And it's almost like they're unexpected. Sometime, got you got you? And we're going to and we'll get into that out and we'll get into that a lot because we're going to, we're going to look at the pass game and, you know, wide receivers in the sky. All positions. But is there anything you'd ask him to do different? Like, you know, he's working with Brad Glenn which I think, you know, Brad, right. Because when you were at Greenville, he was at Western Carolina. Aram. I may have met him once or twice okay maybe I'm confusing you with somebody else. Have a conversation with but is there are some exactly? But is there any defensive coordinator at the high school level? But is there anything that you would be like you're you feel that some offensive quarterback coaches would be saying to him about some of those things where he is, you know, rolling away with some experience coaching offensive line. I played offensive line is sometimes I would look at stress the pocket, You know, I know the protection is not great, but sometimes just a little bit longer, instead of immediately rolling out moving unless that is their scheme and they're trying to rolling up, you know, Step Up make, you know, make Little Steps, move your feet enough and stay focused on what you need to downfield and not

12:49 fake them as much about the pressure. I know it's tough because he probably started getting hit a lot of ways but he runs. I mean, He's not he's not a guy that seems to just they're all out of bounds or you know that which leads to another one sometimes. Sometimes you don't have to take it every point you know that that's the half yard may not be worth the huge shots. You don't take it kinds but you know what I mean? I think those things make a lot of difference in. I know we talked about it is in the sections and things like that. Yeah, where was it? 30 and 32 games, he's played down 30 and 32 games in eight this season. Do you want to go?

13:33 That is But a lot of what I've seen in interceptions he's thrown. It's, you know, there's been a couple balls and hit receivers and bounced out and somebody else catches, there's a lot of errant throws on the road. Things like that. And I think a lot of that can be fixed if he would just settle a little more in the pocket. Now, by no means am I quarterbacks coach? And they made they may have that set up a certain way, but those are the little things that I would be telling my defensive players, if we can get him, moving the ball is not going to be thrown quite as accuracy. They got chance, putting it bounces off hands without a shot.

14:13 Take it. So let me ask this next then you talk. We just talked about the interceptions. He's now started three seasons. He started over 30 games, and I know we've mentioned it, some are off the hands, some are airing on the runs. But how much of his do you think it's mental now? And how much is mental? What do you think has been said to him about those throws? Because obviously 8 this year, obviously significantly better after game. One through twenty through quite a few. Go to you, but will become free. And that game, right?

14:57 I thought it was more, but but but let's let me look that up, let me but after that. But what do you think, mentally when you when it's somebody that it's like you said want to gain how do you how do you coach to that? How do you make that regress to where it's not there anymore? While we look at that like you look at that and you think, okay, 30 and 32 games that looks like a game How many of you go back? How many of those games has? He had three or so in the game that'll cut that number of way back. You take that one game away from government school, like he allows it to bothering but so much which is a good thing. As long as he's paying attention to what's happening and learning why that happened?

15:43 I've dealt with coached a lot of a lot of players I've seen some quarterbacks that have that short memory and it's Wonderful Faith, but I've had some quarterbacks who had a short memory and didn't think about why that happened and allowed it to happen again. So that's a big thing that I think you'd look at. I didn't spend too much time looking at that, but that would be a thing. I would tell him to focus on is looking at why these why they're happening, not necessarily criticizing that they are. But in a game like ODU, we're, we're pretty sure he had multiple intersections. You know what? What was something that was going on there?

16:24 It was he moving us over the Lions, their long hair passes, that way. Well, there were couple progression from those well I remember that game there were a that game. It was like to on him. One on somebody else and one was a Hail Mary at the end of the half that don't I don't count that. We're all aware of that. So he had for that game and he's had this he's got nine this year total not a he's nine touchdowns nine interceptions. Now he can't even look in ten games and with a team that has a razor in with the team that has a razor thin margin. Like Virginia Tech this year that I can turn over a game does not help either.

17:07 Want a game. And he's also, you know, we look at the Georgia Tech game. He had to he had three total turnovers to or fumbles. And three of those were in Prime field position where it was time to score. And one was, at the end of the game, when Tucker Holloway had set the team up, almost near Midfield, where you think it's 25 yards and 35 seconds? You can get it feel a little Ranger in this game. Yep. All right, so give me this is your Honest assessment. In your opinion, are the Hokies bringing in another quarterback through the portal. Next year, I would I would think they need to be looking for something.

17:51 Look, look for an upgrade. I'm not saying that you have to okay but you look for it if there if there's an obvious upgrade their then you have to consider it Wells has another year left, correct? Is it just one year left? You got two years left to your right? That he's got two years left. Yeah, he continues to show some improvement. See what another spring does. See how we really go. It's the brown kids done after this gear, right? Brown is done after this year, correct Brunson. After this, you see how he continues to progress, maybe bringing somebody into gives them a little more competition, will force them to improve a little bit more. He may improve more with with Little bit better protection in front of that.

18:41 That's a big thing. He may have brewed with a solid Run game. One thing, I really noticed in that Duke game the other day, the first their first possession, their first place from school. They score, they run a play action and throw it down inside and noren coverage. And I mean, beat a man one-on-one coverage. Because everybody was so focused on that play action right from the beginning, the thought of that run game and getting it started froze them up long enough. To get enough separation. When you find out later that there's not a really big presence in their own game, then you can focus on what they're going to try to take away and that's putting pressure on him and making him throw it when he's not ready to put out.

19:32 And I mean, I think there's several aspects that can be improved that they Grant Wheels may be fine in that position. But if there's an obvious way to upgrade then I don't see why you wouldn't get it. Nice. Just going to say Lavar, we appreciate you watching tonight. Good evening to you, sir. All right, let's go next. Let's look at the wide receivers and tight end and some of the pass game Concepts. Now, a lot of people are complaining about Tyler bones, lack of creativity. Now, hold on, I know what you're going to say, but let's just we'll get to that. Next, let me pivot it here but just from what you see, as far as the passing Concepts go, is he being creative with some of the The play designs out there.

20:25 I can see and I see things that and I don't want anybody take this the wrong way. I see things that normal people watch the football, don't see 1000%, I wouldn't see it. That's why I talk to you about all the time. You can see certain ways they run for certain things that are ruined when they make a run play, things like that. So it's surveyor. But are you getting enough in other situations that you want them to go after that? Okay. Are you getting enough in the Run game to Warrant the pressure to come to it?

21:08 So you can pull and throw the RPO and make it a packet okay? Okay I think your creativity is there okay but I don't think they can get to it yet. They're standing at the door trying to get in but the key won't go into lock on. No way. So so when you looked at the concepts and stuff, you say, well that's a creative play. That's your creative play. And I think it's going to go to what I'm going to ask next is probably why we don't see it. Someone like me or laymen that I look at it and say, well, thousand stupid play. We got - four yards and that's his. Do you think it is For him in to be creative to show the creativity.

21:48 In the way I said it is basically the bread and butter is molded and the cheese is melted and butters melted. Yeah. we're at right now we're coming, you know, we got the butter on the bread, but the toaster heated up, Not to me. We wish you put that with you put the butter on the bread but if it ain't If we can't put the heat to it we can't toast anybody with it. It's true. And that's a big thing. I think we scrounged up here ingredients, but now we've got a now, we've got to put it all together to be ready to use it. And you have two bonds that all the time. You have to have something that you can sit on, you have to have that bread and butter that you can count on. And when you get it's different, it's a different business when you're sitting here watching the team and Go, they do this well and we got to stop it.

22:50 And you're so focused on stopping that. Now all of a sudden that's sweet. Become even while we were running that power turns into we can pull it from that power because they figured out, they have to stop it. And I concur that slant off. Yo, and it back because that's a few, throwing down, hard and run kit and run, help, run support, and then that slant gets under that corner and we can break it for a 17, instead of two or three is No, that's a that's a good week that we do without asking. What do you think? Do you think that's what happened on Saturday that being one of the first plays, Randy knew the Duke safety, he is going. If he sees it early, he is going to crash and as soon as he crashed, it was Loft and wide open for a massive 50 plus yard touchdown, where it doesn't look even, even though the Hokies Run game is not, What?

23:50 I mean to me it's it's the worst I've ever seen and I've been a fan close to 2 over 25 years but they still said well they're going to run it and usually you know what second down or early in the game they are going to run it they're not going to take a shot this early they don't ever do that and then all of a sudden route and that's what you're saying. Feels like we seen it game in and game out that try to establish the run early and it doesn't work out well. And we start with the Quick Pass and throwing the ball and doing things like that. Now, it doesn't help that you playing from behind and it's it's quicker to score his ways. Yeah. Rather than counting the outdoor yard at a time, but you have to, you have to focus on that run early. And I think Duke had the idea that what we see from their Scout take that if we can shut down that run early, they're going to make adjustments, to go to something else. And so, when they ran, that play action right there. Vancouver Tunes but the slow one down name and they took that shot and it was great.

24:55 And then after that do kind of adjusted back and was like okay well we know they know they will go over its out, we've got to take control of that and maybe, you know, one guy difference. Maybe we can stop the run without that one guy to get this infection still Hill and and I think that was a big thing. All right, let me ask this, you know, watching the tapes and everything as far as the wide receiver tight in room goes, do you see any issues with lack of talent and does inexperience show to you? I think, I think the inexperience shows in ways, okay?

25:41 I think, I don't know that there's a lot of talent. I see some Talent there, I see the way with some of those receivers move, there's definitely some Talent there, but there's some of its being taken away from those guys because It's focused on being now because there's nothing. There's no one thing that a defense have to sit down and go we got to take away and it turns out to be, okay, we don't know who's you would think, if you have any idea, if you don't have any idea who it's going to go to that, it would be easier to move it around. But the receivers don't know what either? And it's more of a big, it's kind of a, not a, that's what your dysfunction.

26:29 But I mean there's an issue there, when you know, there's a tality behind those receivers. Hey, I've got to be here. I've got to make this point to do this or what we're getting and the hitting If you never know when it's coming, whether he's going to roll one way or the other, you'll have to check down things like that. It's hard to get that Rhythm. And that's a big thing. People also assume that you're so I see what you're saying by that, that you see the inexperience but what you also see is there's some guys that can do some stuff but because so much is not going the right way.

27:09 Like if I told you, if you told me this team was averaging four and a half, Have a carry everything would look completely different because it would be like those teams are going to be so much worried about to run where you said you could just because you could just stood and Duke still. I'm assuming they lay guys back the rest of the game where they weren't in the picture, but they were still able to hold the Hokies to a minuscule minuscule amount of rush yards. Yeah. But you knew they had what to good linebackers. Yeah. You defensive interior lineman that can shut down Run game.

27:50 And you know, you have to add an extra guy to those guys. You know, you trust it opens up something somewhere else. Once they knew that they could handle it with those interior guys, they could put the other guys in position to help other places and it makes it that much harder and I was not sure but I'm assuming to at the end experience too because Like I look through it the most experienced, guys, Caleb Smith. He's a six-year who was a walk-on. He got his, he got his papers three years ago, but lofton's a second-year guy, right? Who's who played it tight end as a true freshman out there. Making place that there's probably things that I can't see, you can't see but that linebacker. That corner knows exactly what to do. Say, if you know exactly what to do, where someone that young of the college level, it's a slow building block to, knowing he's doing this.

28:48 I'm going to counter with this and it's not one second. I can do this. It's years. It's two or three years versus unless unless, unless they're special, let's just special. Yeah. I think I think they got two good upside with plenty of talent in blue and gospel but they're coming in from other programs so it's not I mean if you really look at it you got kids that have been there for a year or two or three freshmen. You got these kids even though they played years before somewhere else, still coming into this system and almost puts them back to the same level of learning everything.

29:31 And as your pressure, and I mean that there wasn't a lot of time before handed to you got to spring with some of those guys coming in. And as you told me with with blue, there's been some other issues not, you know, some personal issues and that way that has cost them a little bit of time as well. And I mean, I completely understand going through some of that stuff myself, not in that aspect, but yeah, you know, So, it's focused back on those things, 100, 100 percentage and it stinks for him, because he did show out three years ago with temple.

30:11 And I think a lot of us expected a lot of him, but considering the circumstances, it's amazing that kids play in this year. It's amazing. He's playing in them with Gosnell and let me ask that especially going and I didn't miss something. I didn't throw on there but I'll ask you. You introduced a new defensive scheme last year at your school. Now, this is, how long does it take in this is at any level of football, but luckily, you've coached High School Robbie close to 50 over 15 years now. Like, I remember you started 06, but you've also had players go to the college level and play. And I know you've had conversations When you had those conversations with those two guys who went to D1 programs, did you have?

31:00 What did they ever say to you coach? I don't know if I'm gonna be able to get this because it's that level Stephen and I think a lot of us is me as a fan. I'm blessed. I got Siegel who played D3. I got you who've been coaching for our. I can I pick you all these years. So to me it's like when you say it's like this ain't no six-month fix because Talent update in skiing all this. But how long can you say you really want results? Check back here. From my expect to things, we put in a new defense this year. It's not tremendous amounts of different from what we ran last year.

31:47 And just moving one guy around. Really, we went from we went from pretty much a for 25 to 33, so it's just moving one guy down the step. Just really all will change a lot of the same aspect. The way I took in when I had the young men who wanted with the NC State, when they sit his first, when he got his first Playbook there, he looked at me like how am I going to learn all those since you guys simplified me? I was like, you look at that thing and they've got 15 different calls for you to go basically, two three different spots. That's all these.

32:31 Okay. I mean you going to go see Gap. Be? Yeah. Maybe eight. Yeah. So make it that simple in your own mind and then you can feel the pain that now for me for our kids, I can start day one and I can have these three things I want to get done and if we get those three things done in a week, then I can move over there before. If we don't get those three things done is that week, then I continue to work on the next week. But the difference in what I do it compared to, to division one college football. I don't pick my guys. Now, I love my guys.

33:15 Don't get that wrong, but I don't get to pick. They come out and they choose us. They choose the complaint. You know, what your scheme is? You know what you're looking for. You got to find a place to fit that, and you have to go by the same concept that I do in. If it's not here that we can't add more to it. But your leash is a little bit tighter, you know that. Oh yeah caller calling a little bit tighter so you feel a little bit more pressure that that makes a big difference. But I think I think all of them being in the these scheme and a new team and different things like that. And that doesn't that would explain any of them. None of them were on this thing right here. They were in Virginia Tech but this is a different Anything and everything from last year.

34:09 So, I mean, it takes a little while to breathe and honestly to be to do some of the things as successful as they have, especially this week. I think it's a great thing that they work towards that and offense will catch up. Offense is a little offensive, a little more. Technically you have to do these paintings defense, you react got it, when it's right go to quickly react. Well, let's let's let's take. Continues on the offensive side of the ball and talk about the position you coached it goes up against every time and let's talk about the running back, the offensive line, the Run game concept. When you look at the struggles of the offensive line this year, especially in the Run game, the past Pro game has been, it's okay at times. Good.

34:53 Sometimes bad with the Run game has not been good. What are you seeing? Especially you saw the Duke with. You was really ugly. My personal opinion, the way, I see it. And I see these offers environment, they do good things, don't get me wrong. Several of them, have good, some decent footwork. Some hand placement stuff is good. They're not quitting, which is a great thing in situations like this. That's what you really have to look at. When you really think about, okay? You think about the coaches that are on that staff and a type of offense, you know, that they're looking to run.

35:38 It's really hard for me to see most of these offensive linemen fit you into that program. A couple of the younger ones may fit the mold and look a little a little more into it. But some of these older guys, you can really tell that there There is zone-based blocking scheme kids and they were recruited in zone-based blocking kids, which means they probably been playing in zone-based Rocking skis for years. And what we do is pouches for some muscle memory and it's hard to break it when it's been put in so long and to put them in something of a power scheme and the things that they're trying to do now it's very difficult to change some of those things up.

36:30 So is that. So so that's affected are more than anything upfront. Which in fact, any and affects the running backs because walking is not bad And maybe the boss. Maybe the running backs are a little more, you know, zone-based, right stuff trying to find these when it's really not going to open in flow the same way that it used to be. All right, it's definitely your broom transition. So you kind of answer my question. I was last next about how much is it affecting Personnel. But I mean you know the name Joe Rudolph. You know how long he's had a house and you seen players, I mean heck you might have ran into him at some of the conference's you went to in the past but if I mean what can be done as a coach though because you walk in and you see Like, two guys are really three guys are really good for my scheme. One is green, he ain't will ever see the field one. Can see the field a little bit.

37:28 One's Gonna Be on the field all the time, but what can you do behind closed doors? Because my assumption is, I can't change what I teach because these older guys are going to be gone in likely a year, but it wouldn't, you can you? Because you what you're saying to me is it's muscle memory and that's how we teach it. But rip it. Rip it, rip it. Rip it. You only get so much time in the spring. You only have so much time in the fall and then you're playing football games. Like what can eat? What do you think he's doing? Is it just the same old, same old or is he? You have two options when it really comes down to it, my mind, you have two options, you adjust your scheme, a little bit fit, what you have. Or you look at your personnel and go. These guys are going to be around long enough that they have to learn this.

38:20 They weren't going to continue to use any college football. I think he's more into his school and they're going to, they're going to try to get these kids to understand that you learned that ski. So he's going to continue to pack. Okay. There's just like an old saying you talk about pounding the rock. Yeah okay he hit it. In the same spot is what he's doing. He's teaching his skiing and teaching his feet. He's, he's talking to them about their effort, continuing to make the noodle days, little progress, okay? And eventually that rocks, go squid, keeping it in the same product or you to go the route of. Well, this is what I got. I've got a five pound hammer and a chisel so I could try to make cracks in different ways and see if I can break it that way. But when you get the new guys either you really want to focus on your ski.

39:15 Did you improve the guys that are going to be around for a year or so, It's one of those double-edged swords. You can keep forcing it in these kids go. Well, I don't see myself doing that and then they hit the portal in their out. Got it. You don't want to alienate those kids but you won't get continue to work with them when they're that. You have to love the ones that I got. And I got you. All right. Next thing, let me ask this just from a coaching perspective. Um obviously you know Malachi Thomas was out got hurt in Camp came back significantly late in the season, the primary spell gotten the guy who stepped up in his role Keeshond in probably the most explosive running back is now banged up.

40:02 How does that affect think? I'm going to go Malik at the beginning of the season. And then losing king or King to come in your primary. How does that affect your playbook in your play calls? Because you saw Malachi Thomas running. Some of that tape. We're like okay, wow, he's good. And then it's like, well you don't get to have him for six and a half games. The smaller Blazer guy, he's going to have to be your primary. Like how does that change? And how does that how does it affect mentality of an offense to when, you know, you know? Hey, we're not playing with these guys, absolutely right? Mama's Little Things Can, you know, you can have a point one particular point, you know you want to be really good at you know, you want to do with, okay?

40:48 There's 11 people out there that have to work together to make that play work. Where you take one back and it's been ruined this way and everybody gets used to that, it goes back to that muscle memory. Then suddenly that particular players, my bad, the next guy that comes in to run it as a step bastard. So he's a yarn ahead of this, put, you know, he's a half of your head of his puller. If he's a step slower, he's a half of urine behind this pole. So to pull the hits where the last the first guy might have hit right behind me puller. Now all of a sudden they pull her hits and a Defender has time to recover and squeeze back and people don't think about those little things like that.

41:32 But the difference in the speed, the difference in the patient's, the difference in the pad level from running back to running back to change a lot of those things. Okay? And I'm going to hit the big deal. So I think that's what a lot of things. Okay, well, I've never heard. I mean, Brian, like I said it, but I've never heard someone say something like that. Basically, this guy, it takes four steps to get there. This guy is 3, but if the block isn't there well, everything changes and with Thomas he got banged up the end of spring but he was there for most of spring, he was there for most of all and I think it was about two weeks is what they're seeing before it happened two weeks before your first game. Mmmmm, he's out and I know that you start the game installation but if that's all you've been practicing with, I get what you're saying.

42:22 Let's flip over to defense because you mentioned it a few minutes ago, when you're 100% right? The defense has taken strides this year, 59th and scoring 58th and total. Now where they really struggle, this Force turnovers 129, and only in only sacks where they're leading up to 80th in the country. And I want to look at the D line, you know? The leading for on the interior have only accounted for two and a half sacks this year. What do you see? They do well? And what do you think needs to change for those guys? I don't know how it was this big show, but it looks like they play well on your own up front.

43:05 They can they can they can hold ground. Several of them take on double T's fairly well, they hold ground. They don't get blown way out of things. Now, they try to make a push for pass eruption. And things like that. You got one or two, that look like they make some pretty quick steps here and there, but there's not a lot of heavy penetration, not a lot of hard rushing to get, you know, to make things in the offensive Back Field. Change course, rush to get balls out. Things like that. And I think that's big upfront and by no means of that. Is that not a pretty cat?

43:50 Talented group, Icy Tower middle, they just don't have the elite level high-end level, you know, penetration Rush type thing. They don't have this speed there it's it would pressure on the backfield so what you're saying is they're missing if that group had one Elite guy, just want to leave guy. He would make that group I would make them good to potentially Elite. Yeah, because you because what you're because what I'm hearing is they do good. They do things. Well, I'm assuming when you talk about like holding the runs and stuff, they play with leverage, they play in their gaps, they're not getting out of control which is sine of JC price doing good things? Absolutely.

44:36 Okay, let's let's look at the edge real quick in, you know, garbage definitely the best Edge Defender. They've got he and After going after this year. Now, you've got Nelson in McRae, who were two younger, guys, have played a ton in 2023, a ton. How's that going to help them? But if it's two guys that, I mean, don't get me wrong. They're both their babies. McRae came in, from our sure, he's a freshman Nelson's of. They're both red shirt, freshman they're getting incredibly valuable. Experience at this point when it's in is something that you're not going to get from a brand new recruit.

45:21 I mean, we're, we can, they could recruit 54 star defensive lineman, but they're not going to be able to match that experience of these kids are getting right now. And that to me, that's a big thing because there there is a difference and what these four and five-star recruits were seeing an offensive line and high school where one out of the five might be pretty good to where they're going to college. And now, all of a sudden, I'm getting double team by two of the best lineman I've ever seen in my life. Everybody against OB you. You know what I'm saying?

46:02 Yeah, I mean we're not talking about Alabama Clemson. You do these big teams that you could run into. We're talking about the game during the schedule when people look at and go you should dominate them. To Lyman and we'll come back to this probably will be better than any two you've ever seen in high school. So that experience makes a world of difference, but adding something to that adding that ability to speed rush to get a guy that comes down the line flat and forces you to make that zone, read hand off quicker, things like that changes.

46:46 The entire complexity of what you're going to see up front. If you got the time to take three steps Mometasone read before you pull it or hand it, then it makes it even easier than that decision is going to be correct. Or that could get decision will be more effective. If you got somebody screaming off that edge, that tackle. Can't block. Now I can take, but a step and a half, and I've got to make that decision now, and it better be the right. I got you a face make, most people only think of that of that rush in the pass game. But in the Run game, it's just as effective. But let me ask this, you know, the scheme pretty well, you know the scheme pretty well. McRae, Nelson getting their reps. If the pain kid who came from Nebraska's allowed a extra season, if you are defensive in at one of those bigger schools and you are stuck behind a James you know you're stuck behind and Will Anderson you're stuck behind some of the guys and even some of the smaller schools.

47:50 Does this scheme defensive end wise? If Brent pry and JC pricing crif, more of called you, and it was one of your former students and said, I really think he could come here, do you think it lends itself to getting someone out of the portal to play that position next year for potentially a game changer cry? I think you, I think you could, because I think you're going to have a better chance of finding somebody that's going to make. An immediate impact there. Then you will trying to bring somebody in immediately.

48:31 Now, don't get me wrong. I'm all for developing the young guys and up until recently. I've not been paying whatsoever before, but it's one of those things it's not going away. So we got to learn how to got to learn how to use it. And if it's going to benefit you, then you've it. Now, I'm not saying go out there and find that the kids as you know, he's in his fifth year, he redshirted once he's got one year, but to give us nine sacks this year. You could be losing development on somebody else with that. If there's a kid that's got three years left and you think he can really be affected that. Absolutely, I think it's a great thing to look at but they definitely need to go on that defensive front. Putting some pressure in that backfield and making things happen quicker than what's happening and it will change the entire complexity of those of those things. Also, let's flip now Now to a room that you had huge expectations for, that's a linebacker room. Are they meeting your expectations for this year? Meeting them?

49:46 Some of them are exceeding them. There's guys, like we said, when we talked about this months ago in that preview, you know, we had guys that I thought were shoe into certain places and things, and I've seen several of them move around and play multiple different one. Several these guys at 40 positions that I didn't think I didn't think they would put them in and have done pretty well with what they've been asked to do. I think hollifield has drastically improved, what is shown even more of what he can do? Maybe at the next level? That's going to open these up more for you.

50:29 We know, he can faculty. I mean what's he got 5,000 gallons in there? Seven years he's been in Blacksburg, so I'm like that but I think we we see him receiving coverage more. Now I feel like then we saw him before and he's pretty good. He's running harder to the edge showing some ability. Not trust me. I saw some of that when he was in high school he's a good friend of mine had to play against them and and state championship game at one point and that kid was they breast and I was excited that he was going to buy spread but I mean, you've got other guys back there and you've got I'm getting with these ladies, the artist. Get artist, who's the backup, Mike. He's done some good paint good-looking things when he's out there and I think there's some young guys that have been in and out at different places.

51:31 I think the linebacker group has done well and I think part of what they've done, well is because they know up front, that they can hold things against the Run game and allow them to play free. There's times where I think we could use the linebackers a little more. Good to rush that back to you and make those points but that they they focused on using them the way that they have no feeling whole scraping over those kind of Concepts, and it may just be a part of the way they're trying to progress their defense and teach it is get those basics in first.

52:12 Then we can get a little more exotic. We bringing things because we saw prop do some, some different Blitz looks and is it can state with a lot of linebackers Michael Parsons and in, but that doesn't have that kind of guide you And so I think he's they're focusing very much on working. The good fundamental Basics and it's really shown at linebacker. Okay, toes and then makes a lot of sense this year, especially you got dachshund Tisdale right there. The old guys Tisdale was out for a well, Tuesday.

52:53 I was doing well. You heard what happened, right? You had heard the story. Yeah, which is the stupidest thing turns himself in, let's give you five games up. Okay, well, yeah, he might come back. Maybe he leaves. Maybe he doesn't because he does have a year of covid Eligibility, but I'm wondering what you're saying is, is what happened this year? I think artists has eligibility still doing, Ferguson has Ellen. There's a lot of guys who Jaden Keller, who are young and in those positions in is what your feel like what you're saying is he's not going crazy. Is he sending them sometimes on a blush? Yes. But it's like I'm If I drill the fundamentals, I don't need to worry about that next year. That'll be ingrained then I can take the next step. Now let me ask this feels like that group. Fundamentally is going to get better every week and a lot of them have the potential to still be there next year. Yep.

53:49 Oliver really don't know what he's gonna get. He's the only one gone. He's the only one going. Now let me ask those the the saying the, the Sam linebacker group and we've seen Lawson Jenkins and Walker. They've all done. Really good things down there. Yes. How to now just you as a coach when you see they're doing really good on this outside. Linebacker spot. Do you want to say and your the DC? But I know you've got to talk to Dave where it's like listen they all three play. Good that can I fool somebody to backer? Can I pull some to them? How tough is that?

54:30 And do you think At least one of those guys next year, if not competing will be a death piece at another linebacker spot in the way from the same position. I think what you're seeing now is just being three, very good players that that position in the future. And if they turn out to be three, very good football players. That are very good above several others. Then you find a way to put all three of those on the field at the same time. If two of them turned out to be really good football players in that position, maybe you have a good rotation of that position. There's all kinds of different ways. We always look at things is we want the best 11 men on the feet.

55:19 And if that means I've got three of them at one position and there I put those three on the field. It's better than other two. That I have, then I find a way to get into that position in the assembly. Help. Got it, got it, got it. Let's put the same body. Let me flip the safety. When you start checking out the tape on this is this room playing like and I know there's some experience there but there's some young guys there. But is that room playing? Like it's the first time. A guys ever coached in Khalid college football in Pearson Prelude, I think in some ways a little bit okay they're being very cautious with some things, they're allowing him, I hate to learn along with those safeties.

56:16 Okay? It's undoubtedly. The DVD section of that defense in the youngest group of all correct. Safety. No Corner. Yes, definitely. The one of the corners. Yes. For Sure, we'll talk about him in a moment. Like you said, you have a, you have a first-year coach at that level. Now he played a lot of years and he was considered a times. I considered him to be a, kind of a coach on the field working with what Pro players anyway, but he's learning. He's burning powder, turns right along with them, learning how to beat those to that position.

57:01 And I think there is a bond and chemistry that's coming with that and you can see progression from the beginning of the season. The map there are still some things that probably need to be cleaned up and worked on but there's plenty to be cleaned up and work going from top to bottom. Both sides are football. Absolutely absolutely it's just a progression that we're seeing both of them at the same rate as making it. A lot. Yep. In Fort Pierce. The next year, only one guy's not coming back. That probably is that's tomorrow, Connor who it probably is, you know, his that guy, his best safety, but I get to your point likely next year when he speaks because he went through this year with all those guys.

57:49 They're gonna listen. They're going to do what he says which is awesome. All right, now he's running, he's running defensive stuff from coach Frey. He's learning his defense of stuff for from more. Yeah, he's burning stuff from. I guarantee you coach, Jose is helping them with some things and how to coach, I mean, that's a process in itself is learning how to coach me down? Because one of the biggest things, and we tell our coaches, which coach with Becky. And I do a lot of coaching of our coaches, because some of our coaches were young and experienced, come over older and Since they're just willing to help but we have to coach them on how to coach, you know, they may have clean anything. We tell guys all the time, especially some of our former players going to get into coaching. Listen these guys that you're coaching may not be as good as you.

58:48 So you have to teach them, the fundamentals. Participates, no one helped, most of them every play. I've hated so far and probably be better than what I was. Because I was not a very good point. There's not a lot of athletic ability here. There was a lot of intellectual ability for the game. I'm not a lot of athletic ability. And I have to learn how to teach those guys, the pieces that I know, well and related to what they do well and I think he's learning how to do that. And it does, the more coach Prelude, learns, how to do that. The more he'll be able to relay and the quicker, you'll be able to see that progression.

59:29 Take place. Got it. Let's talk about Derrick Jones room here. And let me talk the cheetah, the cheetah, the cheetah, someone you've had some run-ins with when he coach down at Duke and he, I think he had your territory, but from a defensive coordinator standpoint first, when you lose a number one corner, like Dorian strong and Dorian strong is a well rounded corner. Is he extra athletic? He's got some athleticism. Is he graded out? But it's like there is no one weak point in door in Strong's game. When a guy like that goes down, and you're sitting there Robbie, and you're getting those game plans together. How much does that hinder?

1:00:09 What it is? Of coordinator, can call. hey, it's big when you when you got a guy you know you can count on and you know I don't have to worry about I can take me down away from the office with this and I don't have to think about that again. So now I don't have that piece and now that's another thing that I got to take from the offense and figure out how to take it away. Now I have been very impressed with watching the young man that they brought in for him and Monsour delayed. Oh, you ain't Delaney. Delaney He has been pressure.

1:00:56 But there were some, there was the moment, especially the Duke game. He still shows that he is a true freshman, he's like 90 years old, he gets, he Gap. There. There's, there's definitely things that come into that progression. I was just talking about, but the patients and the things like that because in high school, you could be the best player on the field and you can make a mistake and make up for it real quickly. Because the Prosper, music was not the Four Star Property when you get to this college level everybody across from you. The best gal. Dirty. So, even those little mistakes look, big herbs and I mean he's going to get better with those things in here, but he's shown enough fundamental things for me, as a true freshman that they've got somebody in the next year or so that they're going to be upset. He's on that.

1:01:57 We don't have to worry about that for the love it. Love it. Love it. You mentioned it a few minutes ago and I'm going to just kind of get your take on the portal and you gave me your take. Just this is just your guess, this is just what you seen and you know, I know you don't know the roster as good as Brian and I do because you've got your own roster, you've got two minutes, I'm like yeah and it's not fantasy. It's all right. But just looking at what you saw on the field, knowing it's a lot of young players coming through that kind of impressed. You the most yeah how many how many how many Guys in the portal.

1:02:42 Do you think Tech should take? Not will take but should It's going to sound very neat but I think you take as many as you need to to improve in areas that you have to and I know that sounds very cliche very. Let's go speaking. Yes, unless somebody's visited North world's tomorrow, that's why he's saying that tonight Yahoo's visit sometimes. Visit you are more than welcome come. See us it's gonna be cold. Bring a coat. If there's five pieces there that there are people in their portal, that feel five needs and can get on that field in the spring and next fall and play and make a difference.

1:03:36 Then you take five if there's eight, there is three of them can make a difference immediately and then five, Could possibly feel some death row for us. Maybe you take six. It's good. Eh it's I really feel like and we were talking about it before we went on about the recruits and the class and the things like that if they feel very strongly about the recruiting class and the guys going to bring it in focus on those guys. But if you still feel like you have a hole there, use that for again, like I said, I wasn't a huge fan of it to begin with, but it's not going anywhere. So we might as well we're not.

1:04:25 It will jump in and take what we came. And I mean, if it makes it any better, it makes the team medic. Awesome. Alright. Okay. For about 45, 15. Robbie before we get deep and we get into Know, The Enemy Liberty, we are going to take a quick pause for a message from our digital partners. Because we take a quick break, we'd like to tell you about getting your free website report from our digital partner, Grassroots, digital marketing Studio. They'll tell you how your website ranks on Google on-site, SEO and social media.

1:05:25 No commitment to buy anything. You can get your free report by visiting. Grassroots digital studio.com forward slash free Dash website, Dash report. Now back to the episode All right, and we are back and now it's time for Know The Enemy Liberty. Let's start on the offensive side of the ball Robbie and let's start with Jonathan Bennett the quarterback. He was a three-star composite when he came out of Somerville High School in Summerville South Carolina. Primarily mostly G5 offers from him kind of took over the role. When Charlie Brewer went down early in the season and he's excelled thus far this year, you know, over 1,300 yards, you know, 12 touchdowns to nine interceptions, 154 yards, rushing, what are you seeing? When you looked at his tape?

1:06:18 For this game. He's he is a, he's very noticeable. I would say the quarterback position and and seeing would coach breathe and Liberty has done in many other areas. He a lot of things run through that quarterback and especially what he done in Liberty with Malik Willis last year and who's I think with the Titans mail, which I know, Jason was more than excited. They were talking about the Titans right here. The big thing was he had an uncommon amount of experience playing behind Willis last year in filling, in some games and playing some with some of the research and stuff.

1:07:05 I did looking at it, he played in nine different games last year behind the week Willis. So those are big things and he's got, he's got a very wild arm moves around very well in the pocket. He can make things happen with it, with his feet, with his, with his throwing ability, that there was a one-point on them. There was one point in the game against UConn, he's running towards the sidelines from pressure. He sees the guy in front of him, he just flips it over in front of it and they gained 67 yards out of what he was, just trying to get the sidelines and not lose anything. I mean now as a quarterback sometimes that can be a little advice.

1:07:57 Not everybody can do with Patrick Holmes, doesn't switch hands and throw it and it just for fun. But those are the kind of things that he does offer and you have to watch out for the. One thing I did notice is a 1-point difference. Score on his, you car and he gets hit, he gets taken down one time and I don't know what they call on the ball or what, but he comes up breathing hard, he's holding his ribs, he comes out and they bring in another quarterback. Number seven. And I'm going to tell you what. It's been, it's a really good quarterback and really got. You got to keep an eye out.

1:08:38 It's not what happens to him. And Stephen comes in that man's a threat. He throws the ball. Well he runs well, and I didn't want to get a lot of use to him because I think Bennett is the guy that they're they're using and going with. But if you see that next quarterback, come in. There's a reason behind it. Is that kids got some athletic ability. Yeah it's probably Kate on Salter. You're talking about there. That's what it was. Yeah salty. Yeah he's definitely more of a running thread to and Bennett and Probably their quarterback of the future. Honestly, probably the quarterback of the future. Unless unless Hugh decides to go to Auburn. Liberty's basically in her backyard. True.

1:09:23 We all know that it Liberty wants to keep him back. And as long as he's not chasing, the national championship Liberty, keep paging him just as much as all the did he? That's true. But it's the lawyer man. Is the Lord. Let's talk about the running a little bit next. Let's, um, I know you mentioned to me, she drove Louis is out. He was out against UConn, likely going to miss this week. But you know what? And he'd been their primary backup. But when him out with the, the primary guide a day, Honor, who is absolutely tearing it up before he got hurt against Arkansas. Yeah, they bring in a third string, running back, third string running back. TJ, green, TJ, green and originally committed to Utah.

1:10:06 Out of Chandler, High School in Chandler. Arizona was a three-star composite 3, star overall 247 Sports. And to me, I like how in him. If he kicks the guy, you normally feel good about the guy. And I tell you, I mean, Robbie, I mean he put up numbers, he put up numbers against. He was the first string running back. There are strong and he goes up and goes from 119. He was believed rusher for the team last year. Running back. He was one of their best options at running back. Last year, what does that say for the other two? If you're leading rusher for last year, on a team to did, as well as they did is now the third option that don't play well that don't play well for Keys, got to figure out how to shut down the road, not at all.

1:10:57 So what are you seeing from? What are you seeing from him? Just as far as playing he give you. He has an explosive dual threat out of the backfield. He can hit holes, he take off. He gets to the second level quickly. He'll attack your safeties in the hole opens enough but he can he can be the guy out today. Is that you step down and, and make moves and get out of here. He's a DJ Greener. Is going to be a guy to watch. He's going to be a guy to keep your eye. I don't it. Every every chance the big thing is they He runs the ball. Well, he's quick, he hits hole.

1:11:43 He finds his scenes but it almost looks like Liberty doesn't use it as much as they could. They could literally hand that ball off and grind that guy and and be very similar to what we saw at pit and hit it, hit it, hit it, then it breaks huge. But it's like it's Ricky gets difficult for you seven or eight or nine, and they go, okay, that was good. Let's try to swing it out to a receiver and see what Get out there in space. Well, it's you'll find out minute. It's not a bad option either. Well, I was getting ready to say. There is a reason why they don't do that and he is name is Demario, Douglas.

1:12:28 He is only five foot eight. He is only 165 pounds. He was not rated coming out of high school down in Jacksonville, Florida. He had some offers from Gardner-Webb UAB Florida Atlantic and he finally landed at Liberty Robbie before I get into the that's I'm going to let you break down. Exactly what you see on him. You could you can see our notes. I know you've been looking at. What's the very first thing I have on their notes about this guy now the old dr. Dre song, explosive explosive. This Gap is there. Do. What? All they can throw it to and down field? They can throw it to him on strings. He's better return me this.

1:13:13 This young man is, Very tough to take down his face. He moves in and out of things. Well, he moves his, he he's very quick on his routes. He adjusts his Route, 12, and once he catches the ball, that's just half of it. But I mean, you've got to be, you got to be ready to take care of him after that or he should return five yard, catch into a 25 year old passenger hurt. I mean, he's exposed quickly, he's not very big. It looks like he's been wrapped in butter. There's some teams over the season they have had a very hard time keeping hands on you well and it shows two men. It shows cuz I mean in 10 games, he's got eight hundred thirty yards, he's at over 14, half perception, he's got six touchdowns and last week, they got involved in the running game where he broke a huge one for a touchdown. And with their style office.

1:14:18 And I mean, they're running, they're running a pretty Pretty high tempo. Power spread right deal. You know, they can hit you hard with the with the Run game inside. Do you get a guy like this? You can pop out and throw it to him and with their Tempo, the way they don't line up and run for you move quickly. You got to try to find it every foot. It will seize it. You know, when we call the wire dizi, the outside the car outside guy. Now the next point he's in, it's locked, you know, he's number three in a trip. Next thing, you know, He's the backfield, he's on it, on the receiver side and empty formation and he jetting across. I mean, you got to find it for you in and play out. He's moving around.

1:15:08 It makes it tough. Makes it really tough on the defense to have to find somebody that explosive while you're just trying to get everybody lined up. Because of their Tempo that it's going to be a big thing. It's going to be tough. All right. I know you wanted to hit two more players on the offensive side of the ball. For we talk about the scheme and that's the tight ends, Austin, Austin, Henderson number. 83 Jerome Jackson. Number 88 Henderson was originally a Minnesota commit in Jackson, is at a Fort Worth Texas. Basically super under the radar. Exactly? Like what do you like they do? Do they do they are they on the field?

1:15:48 The same time or they kind of interchangeable? but me, when you look at them, you know, looking at Virginia Tech they both have kind of a blue brick kind of feel. Okay, thank God won't reach. You can line them up in the backfield as the HVAC like block, very well, both of them walk very well, but they've also got the leaked inability to line up out wide as a receiver. And the biggest thing with that is they're blocking well then field for those screens that the throne Douglas, they're blocking well, inside to help the Run game but suddenly okay. And we're talking about a defense is looking at personal mail, okay?

1:16:35 We got two tight ends on the field. Well, as, as a defensive coordinator, they got two tight ends on the field. They're probably going to run something powerful inside. Well they do, they line up two tight ends, they run a power look, well then they Tempo. Get back to the ball and then they didn't change your body on the field which means I can't rotate anybody off the field or onto the field defensively and that Tempo. But now they're 5y well what happened to those two tight ends? Well they're split out wide or just get a receiver that there is what we need. That's a big thing. When you can take two guys that you're set with your defense to go against the power and next thing, you know, they're out wide and they're on a five or Seaver set and things like that. That make sense Tempo a lot more dangerous when you can make that many different formations with the same, guys that look like a power set.

1:17:33 Now, I've got, you know, four defensive linemen and three true linebackers in there. I've got two linebackers. Trying to cover receipts I don't work. It ain't it. You better work. So what else is it about this? What else is it about? The scheme of Hugh, freeze, obviously, it's the up-tempo spread its the having these. I wouldn't say interchangeable, but guys, he can take from being at a church or being on a wing to pulling back. What else do you see on this offense? Those things that they do and they and they do well, they have the guys that can play well in space and they can move they can run. It back out to one side, have Douglas on the other.

1:18:14 You have to respect that on both sides. You have to find those guys in that Temple process in turn that makes your Defense Act to simplify a little bit more to make sure that those calls are easily transferable easily translatable and set up quickly so that you can you sound as possible and I think that's I think that's good present. Quite a challenge is some aspects and how many now it allows them to be up-tempo and it allows them to put some yardage on the field quickly. And in many ways it's happened to me before it can also turn against you very quick because if you get into that Tempo and that defense finds a way to kind of shut those squeeze down. Then all of a sudden your offense is on the field for about 17 seconds of game clock and your defense is on the field.

1:19:19 You know 100 please and it away ioudiy pants down. Got it. When we talk about a defense, I'll talk a little bit more about about that but thank you. If Virginia Tech and find a way to slow that Tempo even though they're turned to run it or shut down the things that they like to do with that Tempo, it's going to put more pressure on their defense which in turn will help that softens. I think I got it. All right, no matter what they can get that done. All right, well, let's flip over to defense and let's let's talk about a couple of these guys over here. Let's talk about the guy who's been absolutely lighting up. The A statistical data this year. And that is the defensive end.

1:20:03 Darrell Johnson, 64 235 pounds. A Juco out of a sa College up in new, in Brooklyn, New York. And I'm sure you had a fun time watching this kid. Robbie seven sacks ATM half tackles for loss or T3. Total tackles. He's also forced a fumble, multiple pass deflected. Multiple fumble. Recoveries Tell me, tell me how fun was it watching this kid and what stood out for you? He's back disruptor that I've talked about the tech needs to look for He's he's an athlete but he's not Elite World. Beaten, is Scott's really good? He's not a, he's not somebody that people are looking at right now going.

1:20:53 Will consider him with a top 3 round bracket. But statistically, he's putting up numbers. Yes, he is. He's a disruptive, he's forcing backfield to make decisions quickly, whether it's throw the ball, when they're not ready, whether it's the hand that zone read or the or the different things there, before they're ready having to pull it and make it throws on the rpos quicker than they do. That's why he's getting class, deflections, he's in there, they make the wrong read on his own. He's there to tackle it. That's where the top. Tackles for loss or coming from, I mean he's a disruptive, he's doing things fundamentally way. He sets The Edge tremendously, well, which helps them with those tackles for losses.

1:21:39 Well, I mean, he'll he'll stick your stick your hand in there in a hurry and nobody's getting outside of his shoulder. If you try to run his own or stretch to his age, he's got it covered. That's your type of player that he had, he's got some very long arms, got a good reach and those things helped him a lot. It's helped him a lot with knocking balls down to the going to check downs and things like that as well. So I mean he's definitely going to be a niche, you on that edge. But the good part is I don't think Virginia Tech's, not a team that looks to be running.

1:22:20 A lot of ads, run plays a lot of stretches and, and wide zones and things like that. So his outside shoulder ability, which is going to help him. Most when Wells, Trying to roll out the pro bowls. I think that's where he'll you'll cause some trouble in enforcing Grant could try to throw snowballs. Maybe a little sooner than he looked for having to adjust his arm angle and make those balls, go around a little bit and that we know that can happen with Grant, the way this year's going. And Brian, let's talk about his running mate. They're on the defensive line as well Dennis. Oh, so jitta from Missouri City Texas.

1:23:02 Originally a commit to you. A mass way back in 2000 and 2017. So he enrolled in 2018. So he's played Collegiate football, quite a few years. And so, really, he's 22. 23 years old came through here, obviously via the portal 61 about 300 pounds, good size, what's the tape showing on him? He is, he is a crawl. Disrupt full force the double team's defensive interior defensive linemen. They like the volume up in a gap. Over the guard, enforce the center, to have to help with him.

1:23:55 Because obviously, the tackle has her hands full opposite of that. With, with Vicki Johnson, makes he forces double team, which allows has Linebackers to move freely and make tactics make points. Both of their defensive tackles do pretty good job of forcing the attention of the offensive line and that makes it a lot easier for for your linebackers to move freely. That's one thing that I feel like we did well here this year was that defensive line Force? Double teams and places of our linebackers wrapped up fact and I that's a good fundamental to do with With the defense and I think they're pretty good at it.

1:24:40 But but 90 I'm not even trying to put that last name out there. Dennis, Dennis, Dennis, Dennis, the Menace. That is a good way to put it, he plays low, he plays with good pad level, it's hard to move out of the Gap even with a double team. So if you're trying to pound it into a gap, then He's spilling it and your linebackers are coming on, either side of it to shut other things down. And with offensive line that has not shown a lot of consistency of making push and clearing things out in some of those areas. He's going to be, he's going to be some trouble up front and those linebackers will be coming pretty quickly. There's no reason why they have it in tackles for loss and playing a lot of people's Back Field that they do. Oh yeah.

1:25:36 And he himself I mean he's got ten and a half tackles for loss, 66 saxo you. You're talking about him being disruptive and being able to hold the gaps in He's obviously giving up in there, making plays as well. And you know, let's flip and talk about the linebackers because you wanted to kind of talk about all three of them. You got, you got Mike Smith, he was a Juco transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast hiring Dupree enrolled in Liberty way, back in 2018. So he's a fifth year guy and then I'm Ed Walker at a Warner Robins Georgia. I mean, the kid was a two-star coming out of high school, he's the class of 21. One is his only his second season, he's a redshirt freshman.

1:26:18 And this group in general, I know you talked about Robbie made mentioned like all these guys have 40 plus tackles playing linebacker Robbie, they got 21 and a half tackles for losses group. Yeah, I mean and a Lobby laughing these three guys. A lot of that comes from, they have protection. A lot of people don't think about protection difference, it would that have a lot of protection up front and those defense bombing Those two guys interior-wise free them up because they take the blockers and they look the field, it and ruin and they do they do well at it. I will tell you the honest truth. I mod Walker reminds me a lot of a mr. Edmonds, and you should play in the burgundy and orange. Thank you his size, he plays very similar game and that way he's having a pretty good career I think with Buffalo. So just a little bit his style reminds me, a lot of that and The fact that he's in his second year is going to be a name that here for a while.

1:27:34 Hundred percent of side Mike Smith is that slate he didn't play against you. If he do quizzes, you found me with minimally. I don't remember seeing him but his stats before self when you go back and look at a lot of the other games, you see him a lot. I mean he's in place and a lot of that. Ben's opening in front of them because of that defensive front because of the, the deacons Devine and those two tackles when you have five Ramen that are there to block and you have to use all Vibe over the block two or three it, frees up the linebackers, to really make plays and and all three of them. Excuse me, do very well with that. So they should be very appreciative of those monsters up front that are helping them.

1:28:28 But Bobby EG speak. Broadly speaking like a true defensive line coach. Right? There are going to be in the amount of tackles for loss. They've got which I want to talk about when we talk about the keys but it's helping that back in. And probably the guy that's benefited the most is Is the sixth 385 pounds safety and Robert Ray me out of San Antonio, Texas. I mean Robbie, we looked at we take a look at his stats. I mean, I mean solid you know, tackle numbers for safety but that kids got five picks and yeah, I am assuming probably.

1:29:16 What you see is the linemen are forcing the ball earlier. The linebackers are coming up fortunate earlier, and he's and he's and he's taking full advantage of it. He benefiting over 100 percent. He he's a lot of he's in the middle of the field a lot. Now I wouldn't say that there. Their past defense, their corners and things like that are the strong point of that defense. Okay. But this efficient enough because of the pressure and the things that they're getting up burnt from the rep, from the linebackers from the defensive end that balls are getting out of there quickly and sometimes they getting out of that inherently and the DVDs are really benefit from that here more so than a lot boss.

1:30:08 He's coming over to Middle ball deflected and he's picking things up that way. He's actually very good against the run to me. If they get through the other parts. As you said, with the tackles, he's getting those. They're not a lot of long Pursuit on big play tackles it's oh they squeezed by somebody and now he's there to help out. He's a he's a very patient safety. I would say and that's when a lot of those other secular picks and things off of balls, that probably shouldn't have been thrown when they were hit balls, things like that. So, watching him in several games, he's obviously a very vocal leader of that group as well. Okay, and follow him.

1:31:04 And he's the, he's a very motivational inspirational. No part of that defense in the whole thing. So I thought we would be doing them a disservice if we didn't mention it, in many of those ways. Also, what do you see on this defensive scheme? And what you do we've talked about some of the players and you've been mentioning kind of throughout. But what are a few other things to look for in this scheme that their space? My man, those guys up front, eat you eat your your interior space up. He's going to be Hard to squeeze power runs in there because of the way, they clog things up and a lot of linebackers to run free. They rely a lot on those double.

1:31:48 Tees up front and allow those linebackers playing your backfield. They force you to play the game horizontally. Okay, from side to side, instead of getting too much down bill. Now if you can find a protection and you can get the ball out, Think Tank and take some Advantage with some decent receivers. If Grant can stay poised enough in that pocket to get balls out quickly, I think they can take advantage of the dbe's not being the best, but he's got to be, you got to be ready for that. First week, will take some shots. Got to realize that we're going to have to make some Some extraordinary push up front to make that run game work or else they're just gonna they're gonna pressure you all night?

1:32:38 All right. Well, let's flip we got, we've talked players. We taught skiing only just talk about a couple Keys here. I looked at Robby and I will talk. The first one is Hokies tackles for loss. Liberty, they can give up some on their offensive line. I mean they're 115 thin. The country they're given up about 80 game. 24 yards in the Hokies are roughly a top 50 getting about six. So slightly above average in after hearing you mentioned about this offense in the chunk plays and how quick they can go out if we aren't, if we don't at least hit their average, it's going to even longer day than I think it's already going to be.

1:33:18 If you're telling me we're down to what we normally average, it's not going to be good at all, if we can live in that backfield. Yeah. And it's going to go back to what I was talking about. If you can, if you can play in that back, you can play in their backfield and forth that Tempo to run them off the field. Weekly then tax defense is going to be on the field last time. And Virginia Tech's going to have to control things office. If Virginia Tech can't control, things offensive ly and the Defense Forces Liberty in on and off the field quickly and you know, 345 play drives and getting the ball back.

1:34:03 Then both of these defenses are going to be wiped out by the end of oh I don't I don't doubt that whatsoever. I don't know if that but but you've already mentioned it. With Liberty to about tackles for loss. I mean, they're the best team in the country at getting tackles for loss. They are and and now the Hokey our approaches, but they're not atrocious. They give up a little. They actually give up less than Liberty, they're not as bad as you think. I think a lot what goes on with that offensive line is what you seen is not being able to either missing a step or get in there and not making the push where they're not.

1:34:44 Driven back but when you plan A Team like Liberty and you see them, you know, 9/10 times a game on top of potentially, what they do is sacks. I mean if they hit that average it's again going to be a long day. So you you've said it they make you play horizontally and I think in some ways it's okay to play horizontally because going into a wall 40 times and getting 1.6% Per carry ankle and do anything to you. At least horizontally, at least horizontally. If you can miss a tackle get eight yards. Exactly perfectly set up a screen, get 20 a you're going to probably see the safeties move it's going to slowly start moving the box where you can say Grant we're about to take the shot you said it three or four times P Poise standing there because Dwayne or Caleb can beat These Guys. These aren't Ali Corners.

1:35:47 We're going to, it's going to be pushed, but you're probably going to get hit as you finish your throat. There's no problem. Robbie's like guaranteed, he gets hit 12 times. Are you gonna be the other thing? I'm going to say something on this to my next Point. I've never seen a 9 when team be this bad in. Turnovers blueberries, turned the ball over 21 times this year that adds to win nine games. And I know what people will say is, we'll look at the look at the competition. You know? Yep, they did beat Arkansas, but they've also played some of the worst teams in the country and I think we talked about how low Tech was this year and forcing turnovers, one of the worst in the country to have a chance in this game Tech has to be at least plus 2 absolutely plus 2. And if they if they can't if they can't force Bennett and Bennett shown a propensity to throw the ball away. Like you said, you said he'll get Rattle and he'll make stupid decisions you'll advise prove ill-advised. So if they can take advantage of that, there's a chance. But they've got to make that in the last piece. And I didn't put this on here because I couldn't think of a third one, but you mentioned in t.o.p and them somehow Liberty, even when they lose, they, when they have the So good games they're still at EOP of 30

1:37:18 minutes I think protect and after what you said when they get them off the field they have to figure out ways to extend drives and it's not been pretty, it's not text, one of the worst in the country at it. But if you can find a way, they have too many. If you know, to me, this should be the game. If you're Tyler bone empty, the clip. Don't absolutely. There's nothing to lose right now. There's nothing to lose as long as you aren't in danger in the players, nothing to lose. All right. And and you know, we talked about it a little bit at the very top of the show and we haven't really mentioned another part of this could very well be the last game of the season.

1:38:08 It's true. Very well that there aren't some questions about whether you be able to finish their feet. So just put that out there. This may be it. So, why not put it all out there? Why not? It's very true. All right. Well Robbie, it's the fun. I'm right now. It's prediction time. You are the guest I get to lead just the way Tex played this year. The stuff we've mentioned at the top of the program, how Liberties play it on both sides of the ball? I do think the games competitive but I think is what we've seen all year with the tech defense. I think that third quarter comes and they're they're probably down 2010 2013 and like we saw against West Virginia against pit against NC State and it It's Georgia Tech eventually the defense in your defensive coach. They see it and they it's Wiley Coyote they get to the end and it's like And probably ready for your old lady and where you got them.

1:39:13 All right, I'm saying like you say they're half first half, you're probably looking at a 1714 ball game. You know, I've been going to be close to that point. I think, Liberty pulls away the end. I think Tempo gets to be a little too much, just don't have enough Rush enough, pressure in the backfield. The force them to make decisions too quickly and that they put a couple on the board at the end after they wanted out a little bit. I'm gonna go 31:17 with all right and I did text in his he is also going Liberty.

1:39:55 And I think what we all see here is he's going 27:16 and knowing Brian, he's probably thinking similar to us. It's going to be a fight in then and you mentioned it a couple times. Liberty's got some, the Liberty has depth. They have some players you can step in and so yeah. All right, so one more thing and we brought Robbie into doing a big screener and Robbie, I'll let you lead the way cuz what other than the tech gain. What games will we be watching this week? When Robbie kind of your second free weekend to watch football and not have to think about what happened on Friday night. What game are you watching and why bother? I think a lot of people are gone. A lot of people that listen in are going to be like what is he might be my big game. I want to see, I want to watch Wisconsin and Nebraska and I know both teams have been through their been through the wringer.

1:40:48 This year. Both looking already into works of finding the next head coach. Coaches and all of those things, but it's the thing that I like to see of the coach, you got two teams, basically right now, they got your back against the wall and then we'll swing with everything that and Nebraska has been doing it longer than Wisconsin has. We're trying to figure out exactly, you know, whether the guy that they have their the interim right now is the guy that they need to stay with, they need to move around. And all of those guys that are on both of those teams, have a lot to fight for and they will they get the respect and they're going to fight through everything and the fact that Nebraska is the 12 and a half Point Underdog.

1:41:39 I guess it seems that really hasn't you know, dominated anybody at any point. I I said I'll take Nebraska with the 12 and a half. and, The big thing is though, I think they're going to stay under that 39. There's going to be a big scoring output by either side, but while the line flavor but it's going to be a as ESPN reporters would say. It's going to be a slobberknocker, the flower, they're going to go at each other. You know, forehead down power through everything they can and you go see some good football out of both of them.

1:42:25 All right. I'm actually going to be in the Big Ten as well. Completely different reason though. I'm taking I'm going to be watching Iowa, Minnesota late in the afternoon after the tech game because I actually want to see an under 32 and a half. He's hit because I honest to God. I think it will because Iowa is dread Offensive ly they actually make Tech and occasional good, which is really bad. But Minnesota is also really good defensively. And they're not the greatest offensive output. I honestly think they're. I want to see if that game can stay under 32 points and I think also be a 13-game there.

1:43:08 You could be right there under. What you can see is 1716 game and make 33 points, and make a whole lot of people Bank. Oh, buddy. Matchup. So this is the Big Ten big screener. The USC UCLA Battle of l.a. UCLA. A one and a half Point, dog. The over-under is 73 and a half. Brian basically USC to winning cover and he's going to take you heard it. I'm going to agree with him on that. So on, you know, that's going to be a fun game. What time is it game Saturday?

1:43:54 If it's the ten o'clock game I was mostly both of those teams on the west coast has got to be a nine eight nine, ten o'clock game. Well ain't I can live with an 8:00 a.m. I can live with a 10 o'clock game. That's an 8:00 Cape. I might actually, why is it that I can't do? Yeah, I don't know if I can do that. I had to go home after school today, take a nap so I could be up this late. Robbie, I'm going to say this man. I really appreciate you taking the time brother to look at this tape to step in for us on a tough week. Goes when he told me his listen, we are here we are. Looking at wind to book you for next year, at least twice. Maybe three times.

1:44:39 Maybe I'll take a break and you and you and Brian can enjoy. Maybe. I can go to Disney World kids. Look at that, it'll scare you, it'll scare you. I'm not too worried about it, don't have three kids, I know. See what will happen is your entire defensive unit want to go. And it'll take like 60 kids. Yeah yeah man. Alrighty. Well y'all that is going to wrap up this episode of The Boundary Corner podcast brought to you by Main Street Pharmacy.

1:45:23 In Blacksburg Virginia I'm Curtis Wilson Robert Compton. Visit boundary Corners website, boundary corner be t.com to listen to all of our episodes. While you're there. Do not forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. Um, subscribe to our YouTube channel which is continuously growing. Probably you can see Robbie on the YouTube channel in the offseason. I got a feeling we're going to be getting some film where we can. Y'all can talk in Breakdown. Kept getting more and more excited about my mom. No. Yeah. Also podcast Amazon Spotify, Apple almost of your favorite podcast soldiers. We are there.

1:46:04 As always, he mentioned them earlier, I buddy, Jason long down and rolling. No key places in, he plays this out. Check him out. He's got a website, Jason long, music.com it links you to all of his music on Spotify, his YouTube and Facebook pages. I think he covered some Sturgill recently on Facebook that I saw the other day. I listen to it, but then things go in and out of my head. All right, we thank, y'all is always for listening. And as always, let's go Hokies and Viking.