After tough loss, Hokies want to get back on field

BLACKSBURG, Va. | Virginia Tech can’t wait to play its next football game.

The No. 13 Hokies’ pain at losing to No. 3 Boise State on a late Broncos touchdown Monday night was magnified during film study that highlighted a series of costly mistakes.

Coach Frank Beamer brought a list of the errors to his media session. He cited miscues like a fumble that gave Boise State possession at the Hokies’ 31, a blocked kick that set them up at the Hokies’ 12 and allowing a 71-yard touchdown on a third down.

And that’s only a fraction of the issues the Hokies had in their third consecutive season-opening loss, this time in a game they led until 1:09 to play.

Safety Davon Morgan can’t wait until Saturday, when James Madison (1-0) comes to Lane Stadium looking take advantage of the Hokies’ short work week.

“I’m a little sore, but I’m anxious to get after it,” Morgan said. “I’ve still got a sour taste in my mouth, so I’m looking to knock some heads a little bit and go play some ball.”

So is quarterback Tyrod Taylor.

“Because of the loss, our team is ready to go out there and prove to people that the team that they saw is not the team that it’s going to be all year,” Taylor said. “Everyone wants to play again as soon as possible. We’re looking forward to this game against JMU.”

The Dukes have two assistant coaches — J.C. Price and Chris Malone — that played for Virginia Tech, and even knows their signals, James Madison coach Mickey Matthews said.

“When we watch them on film, we know exactly what they’re doing,” he said.

But, he added, the Hokies must not be too worried about that familiarity.

“They’re not paying us $450,000 to go down and beat them,” Matthews said.

The Hokies have won all six meetings, the last two by a combined 90-0.

Despite the litany of errors against Boise State, Beamer gave his team high marks for rallying from an early 17-0 deficit, outscoring the Broncos 30-9 until the final touchdown. He said with so much football ahead, they have “a lot to play for.”

“We’ve got to eliminate this list of deals I’ve got right here,” Beamer said, holding up the list. “And we can, because we got great, great effort during the game, but we need to take care of Virginia Tech right now and get ready to play a really good football team.”

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