By B.J. Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com Senior Editor
SouthernPigskin.com Senior Editor B.J. Bennett looks at who must step up now that Virginia Tech has lost sophomore running back Darren Evans for the season.
Bryan Stinespring, back to the drawing board. Tyord Taylor, things just got real. Ryan Williams, welcome to the show.
As a freshman, running back Darren Evans didn't seem to find opposing defenses to be much of a roadblock. Despite facing five of the nation's top 26 defenses, he churned out 1,265 yards and eleven touchdowns as the driving force behind the Virginia Tech offense. His ability to control the progression of the game and extend drives was ideal for the "Beamer Ball" approach, and the Hokies won the ACC Championship and defeated Cincinnati in the Orange Bowl, in part, because of his abilities.
This pre-season, the Hokies have been the consensus favorite in the league. With Evans as the driving catalyst for the offense, many believed VT could be a sleeper national championship contender. The recent news that Evans tore his ACL in practice and will miss the entire 2009 season (best wishes Darren, get well soon) has placed a damper on a previously exciting opening month of the season. One of the team's tires just picked up a nail.
“Darren Evans suffered a left knee ACL tear this afternoon. He was evaluated by Dr. Marc Siegel and Dr. Gunnar Brolinson and received an MRI at Montgomery Regional Hospital that showed the ACL tear. He will be re-evaluated later this week to see when the ACL reconstruction surgery will take place. Our hope is to be able to repair the knee prior to classes starting so that he can get started on his rehab and continue his course work," head athletic trainer Mike Goforth said. "Obviously we are all saddened by the results of his MRI, but we all know what type of young man Darren is and we have no doubt that he will come back stronger than ever.”
Hokie fans have to feel frustrated, considering Evans' success his first season.
"That really hurts. There is some big talent (R. Williams and D. Wilson) backing him up but those guys have never played a down in college," Hokie fan VTMachine wrote on the SouthernPigskin.com forums. "The backups that do return (K. Lewis and J. Oglesby) are serviceable but they’re not studs like the other guys."
With their offensive motor gone, Stinespring will have to reconfigure the offense a little bit. Fret not for the Virginia Tech offensive coordinator, however. The Hokies, as you might expect, have good depth at running back and one of the game's most dynamic quarterbacks in junior Tyrod Taylor.
The spotlight was already on the Hampton, Virginia product. Many media members have pinned the Hokies' ability to be a national championship contender directly on his shoulders, specifically his ability to become a more efficient passer. Taylor scrambled for 730 yards last season, but did not throw for over 140 yards in a game and threw two touchdowns and seven interceptions. The coaches have emphasized the fact that they need better production. The sentiment has just been magnified, typed in bold, italicized and underlined.
Sophomore Josh Oglesby and senior Kenny Lewis are the leading returnees at tailback with Evans out, but redshirt freshman Ryan Williams is ready to emerge. Reports have been high on the former four-star prospect all off-season. Considering the Hokies open up with Alabama, who just happened the boast the nation's number two run defense and allowed the fewest rushing scores in football last year, there simply won't be time for much of a learning curve.
The expectations haven't changed in Blacksburg, nor should they. This remains a tough, physical football team and a bunch capable of contending for a national championship. There's no denying the recent news of Evans' injury will force a detour. It will be up to players like Oglesby, Lewis, Williams and Taylor to ensure that such a change doesn't knock the Hokies off track.
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different kind of rb’s, only oglesby is a between the tackles guy.
going to real interesting how the hokies use wilson (might be the fastest player at tech) and williams (quick) who are more edge rushers. does the offense change to fit the talent or does the talent have to fit in and whoever does plays the most?
big loss, the other guys could play off evans as the workhorse.
lewis won’t play, he isn’t coming back in good enough shape after the surgery to play. so another injury to the rb’s and the depth is HURTIN’.
