College Football 25 | Virginia Tech vs Marshall | NCAA Gameplay PS5

welcome to Huntington West Virginia and jonesc Edwards Stadium home to the Thundering Herd of Marshall and one of the toughest places to play in all of college football what an exciting matchup we have in store for you this afternoon built around the pageantry tradition and everything that makes college football great as we'll see a squad from the ACC the Virginia Tech hokes taking on a team from the Sun Belt the Marshall Thundering Herd for EA Sports college football ree Davis with you alongside David Pollock and Jesse Palmer time to get this game started the hokes will put total leather and we'll get started from inside his own 10 he'll try to help out their field position he was hoping for something a little more Dynamic that they get him on the ground at the 20 so Marshall's offense will have the first possession of the game here he comes and obviously a defense is always going to be aware of a quarterback but boy he finds a way to put defenses on their heels all the time David I mean what can't he do he's got the weapons he's got the confidence he's got the experience Jesse these kind of guys are so hard to defend you're right they better be able to find a way to get pressure on him because if they don't this is going to be a long day picked up two yards on that last one they need eight on second down looking for a man it's Pennington quick strike complete tackle is made but not until he gets the first down well the defense did a nice job taking everything away down the field but once the drag route was caught they just couldn't rally to the ball carrier in time to make a tackle and as a result new set of downs it's first and 10 from the 31 on the ground it's Houston pushes ahead for a couple they'll mark it at the 33 and offenses want to continue to feature the Run they want balance even if it's not super successful you can take it little bit at a time just to keep that defense honest after picking up a couple at second and eight [Applause] out of the gun the inside give just will his way for a couple out to the 35 they're strong and they're strong defensive tackles they're strong they're such big jokers in the Middle where they just lock out those offensive linemen and running backs listen they don't have much of a chance when you got that 300 plus pound guy grabbing you around the shoulder pad you tend to go to the ground pretty quickly it'll be a draw and he's tripped up but not before picking up the first down it's a really good sign if you're on offense here you're putting it on your offensive line on third down critical down and distance opening drive of the game let those guys fire off get a hat on a hat you can run the ball pick up the first you're around Midfield and all things looking pretty good here early for this offense they'll try the run just a solid stop by this sophomore and the defense doing a great job committing to the run when you commit to the run like this obviously you can give up some plays in the passing game but you got to stop the run first picked up two yards on that last one they need eight on second down back to throw it's Pennington using the quick game and just a short safe pass play they pick up a few and quarterback receiver on the same page nice job seeing the Zone understanding the drag route concept easy pitch easy catch in the dead center of the field as they try to convert this third and short from the gun wants to pass he'll take the Deep shot and the third down pass is incomplete third and short like that on your own side of the field you're just looking for a quick hitter you're trying to get the ball out of your hand quickly but the timing completely off there for for the offense and the ball Falls incomplete Marshall will be forced to punt he ought to be able to use this first punt to pin him deep a fairly short distance here toward the sidelines not his best work so the Virginia Tech hokes offense will get the ball for the first time offense getting set for first down give to the back pushes ahead for two they'll mark it at the [Applause] [Applause] 17 after picking up a couple it's second and eight he's looking to throw with the catch it's Jennings and he'll run across the sidelines after the good gain and quarterback dropping back understanding I'm getting Zone coverage all I got to do is be a little bit patient manipulate that defense a little bit my wide receiver runs that drag and I get the first down passing game very effective on second down what about here on third off the RPO quick throw to the right they'll pick pick up the first down as he gets it out to the 27 yd line third down a lot of times it comes down to not necessarily who's the most open who do you trust the most yeah it's not about the x's and the O's it's about the jimmies and the Joe's and when my guy's better than you and I get you matched up out wide and I know I trust you I'm finding you and he'll pick up one it brings up second and nine [Applause] tried to pound it on first down now back to the [Applause] line quarterback touch pass on the Jet Sweep and you want to talk about gang tackling everybody on the defense run to the ball [Applause] it has been all defense all the time in the early going as we wrap up the first quarter and the stats certainly reflect that let's see if the offenses can find a little rhythm here in the second it'll take some work to get to the sticks it's third and long from the 30 now they'll run the draw he'll move it up to the 37 yd line and it'll be a first down well that's kind of the advantage of third and medium right is the defense you keep them guessing you could throw it you can run it that time they hand it off and they pick it up yeah and you can see the d drop back a little bit it creates a little bit of space the running back blasts through gets the first down and the hokes are marching down the field they're going to go right back to him on first down and I think they'll give him two on that one second and eight coming up you know I think a big part of this is necessarily scoring a touchdown on that plate but you're just trying to get your offensive line in the rhythm of the game let those Big Fellas get lathered up picked up two yards on that last one they need eight on second down fast motion from the offense little touch pass to the receiver and he's a real Nowhere Man tackled in this no gain land I like offenses being creative I'm not sure if that was the best place to call that play I think this offense needs to think about just doing things a little bit more by the book they've got a lot of good Playmakers you don't have to reinvent the wheel this early in the game dropping back it's drones he finds a dead spot in the middle good job running that route to get past the sticks because he got nothing after the catch they saw that Blitz coming and the way to get out of it is find the tight end yeah how quick did he see that too sees the blitz understands this is a matchup where I got my big tight end the big fella I trust I'm going to find that matchup get him the football for the first down receiver looks it in it's complete he's brought down solid pickup but a little bit short of the first down and I love working the slot receivers and you see so much of that it's about matchups right I can put a fast guy in that slot maybe get him matched up on a Lineback or a safety I like working those guys in those matchups favorable for the offense for sure big up some yardage with that completion now second down they move the tight end all over takes a handoff it's toon really nice stop there from this senior [Applause] leader will they keep it on the ground again here on third down they'll try to bully their way for the first third down conversions are huge and they've got one and they at the 35 man that was a good run but it was almost even better great job by the offense keep the running game going you get big chunks Like This Not only was that a big chunk it also looked like it could have gone for more first down here with time for maybe one more play until the two-minute warning the clock has stopped and we've reached the two-minute warning before half time the hokes will snap it on First and 10 looking to throw it's drones throws to the wide out he's open on the right and right in the middle of tight coverage and he still makes the grab at the 15 you know football really is a game similar to chess and there's this cat and mouse game going on between the offensive and Def offensive coordinators right now it'll be interesting to see later in the game if the offensive coordinator shows the defense the exact same pre-nap look the defense will be thinking they're going to the corner route but then this time the receiver will break to the middle of the field might catch the defense completely off guard they'll get it down to the8 yd line on that throw and catch and the defense is backed up against the wall well they're able to complete the hitch throw against man coverage and hey quarterback's got to be able to get it to him quickly cuz he knows that Defender is going to be driving on the ball so really nice job not hesitating getting it to him and then he gets what he can get after the catch looking to throw on second down reels it in in the end zone touchdown Hokies it's hard for a defense to have to cover so much space when the offense goes empty you've get receivers and tight ends and running backs lined up out wide you've got to expand and it's harder to cover on the back end Pat unit on the field and with the extra point they get the first seven of the game they held the ball for 15 plays on that touch down drive and they finish things off with an eight- yd toss for the score they got the late touchdown on the board now about to kick it away and hoping the defense can keep them from answering coming out with it it's Turner nice job by the kickoff team everybody stayed in their lanes and they'll stop him at the 16 the Marshall offense makes its way back onto the field they'll throw it on first down firing to the right complete there's a timeout call as this offense tries to find a way to draw a little closer they'll line up for a second down play wants to throw it's Pennington unloads to the wide out he's got an open man and the explosiveness the big Gainer gets it to the 49 yd line we've got a timeout here late in the first half and they'll try to get more points on the board before the break trying to find his man on first down fires to the wide out all kinds of room to throw that one in there finally run out of bounds but he has this offense rolling with a first down well ree you and I were talking about this before the game how is this defense going to be able to deal with all the speed they have offensively you saw them just rip off a big play and Jesse now their head spinning just a little bit give up a big chunk play and it's right back at him they're in the Red Zone first and 10 from the 20 trying to C this drive with a pass and a pickup of eight opens a world of opportunities on second and two and that's a good job by the drag route there understanding its Zone coverage so instead of continuing to run across the field he settles down into an open spot making it easy for his quarterback running out of time here in the first half they're going to have to be efficient to put some points on the board before the break we've got a timeout in the waning seconds of the half maybe a chance has to get off a couple more plays and here on second down they'll send out the field goal unit to try to get three before the break it's good he hit that one right down the middle [Applause] so they get the late field goal right before the half and not much time after this kickoff for an answer from inside his own 10 let's see what he gets coverage team there to make the stop they avoid disaster and that's the end of the first half that's going to wrap up the first half here and now we join Kevin with a halftime update guys looks like we've got a terrific atmosphere there today in Huntington and I get it a lot of coaches will say the difference between winning and losing comes down to stopping big plays and getting big plays but if you ask me it's more about how good you are on third down and how efficient you are in keeping drives alive those two stats can help you break the will of even the best def defenses and help you come out on top and with that let's send it back to the phyas at Jones C Edwards Stadium second half just about ready to go and Marshall will kick it [Applause] off he'll bring it back from inside is five he was looking for more Running Room but none to be found as he stopped at the 23 and we're about to get another look at this hokei offense he'll start the third quarter with the Run Bulls his way forward a seven yd pickup it'll be second and three it's really frustrating when you get a guy in his spot he's in the hole he's there to do his job and he can't get the guy on the ground that's your job get him on the ground you know especially a guy that's not a huge back you got to make that tackle you can't make it easy on the offense where now they got a a manageable situation out of the gun the running back has it really nice run there good solid pickup and they'll move the sticks with a first down in halftime in this locker room there's a lot of positive things to talk about you got the lead but you know what else will be positive Palmer get the running game going early in this second half you're absolutely right here and I think this coaching staff is going to try to put this game on the offensive line a little a little bit let these guys take this thing over be physical and push this defense around they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one it's amazing how a play by a defensive end in the back field can really swing the momentum not only of a series but of a game sometimes all you're trying to do is create negative plays to get them behind the sticks a little bit to get those sacks to get those tackles for a losses you see so much stunting in college football up front with the defensive line because you know once you get one of those plays you got the offense right where you want them they're able to get him stopped just shy of the first down marker guys out of the back field now it's not just run the ball downhill anymore you got to be versatile I got to be able to trust you in the pass game and I got to be able to throw you the football and you can do that right there I know you're going to catch it and I can depend on you a completion but not quite enough for the first down third down coming for this offense quickly complete he's got first down yardage as they move it to the 44 and this junior quarterback shows you why the scouts love that big arm of his third and short and I guess the only thing they really took out of play in the shotgun was the quarterback sneak yeah and that's kind of what I like to do ree I mean third and inches I I want to run the quarterback sneak run the football but this team fully comfortable throwing the football and you see why easy pitch easy catch first down and he was fortunate not to lose yardage on that play able to wedge it back to the line of scrimmage great team defense on that run play everybody doing their job people winning their one-on ones D lineman staying in their gaps linebackers and DB's filling you just can't do it better they got nothing on the last play it's second and 10 looking downfield it's drones working that left side how about that elusiveness he's got space really confident throw and catch there big pickup and they have a a first down well it's a nice looking throw right there and I'll tell you what for hokey quarterbacks in the past it's not all about just hurting you with their legs Michael Vic could kill you throwing the football Tyrod Taylor could do it how about this name Jim drunken Miller you could just see him right now dotting an 18yd dig route that's a nice looking throw that gives me some drunken Miller Vibes poock he'll throw it incomplete and very lucky that one wasn't picked off and man could they have used that it'll be second down and and that was good defense again and unfortunately we've been saying that all game long really really good defense or listen you can spin on the other side this offense has really been bad and the incompletion brings up a second down he's looking to throw and they're not quite in Rhythm there it's incomplete another incompletion and I've said that a lot and these teams are just struggl I mean the offense just doesn't know what to do nothing's working ground game Throw game it's kind of been a rock fight on both sides they were on the move but two straight incompletions had them staring at third and 10 back to the air one more time just too much heat that time and they knock him down at the 31 and listen the quarterback drops back and he's going through his progressions we sees Zone but just couldn't do anything about it this defensive line this pressure getting to the quarterback getting him on the ground now on fourth down here comes the field goal team he'll need to strike this one cleanly from 48 yds [Applause] out knocked it right through showing that big range from 48 yds out [Applause] after that last field goal Drive they're set to kick it away on the run from inside of zone five nice job by the kickoff team everybody stayed in their lanes and they'll stop him at the 16 Marshall takes over the ball the Thundering her offense coming out out of the shoot quick toss to the right how about the power there to get it across the 20 and up to the 21 yd line you can work your way down the field with these wide receiver screens but also look for the opportunity to turn them into chunk plays later no doubt you throw it quickly you get it to him now DB comes up has to make a tackle now you fake it maybe a little bit later on so these plays they're not huge plays all the time but they can set up big plays down the road for your offense back to throw it's Pennington got his man quickly and he's brought to the ground but not before he gets enough for the first down yeah when you run those drag routes it just takes a little bit of knowhow and when I say that the receivers got to understand find Space my quarterback's going to find me he's looking for that space at the same time nice throw nice catch way to get the first down the offense set for a first down play we've reached the end of the quarter and Virginia Tech is on top they've built a cushion they've got a nice lead now the task is finish the deal as you take a look at the third quarter stats not only is the scoreboard on their side but so too is time as we open the fourth power football with the Run he maybe gets a yard they'll Mark him at the 29 how about this group taking the lunch pail going to work clocking in and and shutting down this offense and Virginia Tech fans love to hear that because that's how they've built this brand it's been on physical tough defense and this defense has lived up to the reputation he's got it man and they pick up just a few on that completion I don't love the play call at this juncture in the game you're down you've got to take shots the defense is not going to be blitzing so these screens probably aren't going to work after the short completion do they go for the big one on third down looking to throw and the Freshman will chalk up a sack they were trying to set up a screen instead what they got was their quarterback putting paper and plastic and Sack and how about the speed on defense with that Rush getting to the QB so quickly you're not expecting to get home on a screenplay like that but man the old saying speed kills and you saw it right there there Marshall will be forced to punt this will be the second time they've had to kick it away no return coming he'll call for the fair Catch and Virginia Tech sends the offense onto the field and they've got a little bit of a cushion here David if they can add to it on this drive it would be nice and it definitely makes a little bit of a difference KN when I'm up by more than a field goal obviously Jesse my mindset switches and I know I can't make mistakes yeah and David I don't think they have to reinvent the wheel on offense here what they've been calling has been working just get back to doing what you're good at just inside the 40 yd line it's first and 10 from the 39 he want that clock to run no doubt the offense at this point of the game with the lead late they're going to try and run the football and they're going to try and bleed the clock they need all ball carriers to stay in bounds to keep this clock ticking just like that guy did there they'll probably bleed every second possible off this clock before they snap it on the run it's toon not much room to run let's give him one to the 33 yeah and I'm not surprised I mean you put the ball in your best player's hands like late in the game you got to trust your guy I'm interested to see what they do here on third down coming up let's call it third and interesting right to clock ticking down do I trust my QB to throw the football I got the lead I want that clock to continue to roll this is a big third down if they can move the chains they can just about salt this game away out of the shotgun they go to the ground he's knocked down in the back field he'll lose a couple timeout called there by the defense desperate to get the ball back and save as much time as possible so here we are on fourth down and this field goal kicker is going to face all the pressure in the [Applause] world it is perfect and now the lead is even bigger you know it's funny in an age where there's so many college football analytics and everybody wants to go forward on fourth down at the end of the day it still comes down to managing the game good decision by the head coach here in the fourth quarter by kicking that field goal you've now made it a two-possession game your chances of winning this thing have now gone way up after putting up the field goal they're set to kick it away he'll start the return inside as five nice job by the kickoff team everybody stayed in their lanes and they'll stop him at the 16 the Marshall offense makes its way back onto the field pressure coming and he'll Chuck it into the cheap seats there and save the down nobody getting open there the incompletion brings up a second down dropping back it's Pennington it's complete to the left I think in this situation two minutes trailing late I think you got to be thrown to the sticks every time I don't know if these short completions are going to get it done you're just not going to have enough time to get down the field so from a play calling standpoint I think you want to think about being a little bit more aggressive clock is still running and they have to get everybody lined up looking to throw on third grab near the sticks it's meta they immediately call timeout trying to preserve every second they can to try to rally here late Marshall back at it with another first and 10 he's going to pass and he got a hand in there knocks it away incomplete great job on the back end in coverage DB staying in the hit pocket of the Target and was able to swat that ball away after the incompletion let's see if they go back to the air on second and 10 from the 33 misfired on the last play they'll go back to the air and he can't escape and down he goes they'll tell you that somebody's always going to pop open but it didn't happen in time before they got the sack no it did not and you know what I'm going to remember this I'm going to remember zone defense they didn't really have an answer they weren't ready to get rid of the football quarterback hesitated I got to him and got him on the ground might be a good call later on in the game on Third and long he'll have to turn it loose deep and it goes through his hands oh he had an explosive play right there for the taking but couldn't reel it in and now such a tough situation late in this game you're trailing but now it's Fourth and long like it's one thing if it's Fourth and short this makes it even more difficult you got to have something dialed up you feel really great about on fourth down trying to find his man he's taking a deep shot late in the game a sensational grab down the field there as they try to at least put a positive spin on the end of this game the entire complexion of this possession changed on that one play now they've got it first and 10 inside the 20 can't make the grab as he was going for six right there well the last thing you want to do is put the ball up for grabs In The End Zone can't try to fire it into double coverage in that situation no and you learned that in high school I mean you just can't when you're in a field goal range and you got a chance to get points you got to be super smart with the football football and make sure especially throwing in the double coverage that's not something we're looking for good job to toss that ball out of bounds and avoid the loss they were really starting to put a drive together but after a couple of incompletions now they need a big play on Third and 10 dropping back it's Pennington couldn't find a man and just had to throw it away to avoid a negative play I tell you what I don't know if the offense was expecting man coverage that time third and long in field goal range you're expecting it to be Zone instead they lock them up manto man everybody on an island everybody won they get the incompletion Now setting up fourth down by multiple possessions you can't come up empty on this drive they'll go for it on fourth down it's incomplete and they desperately needed to keep that drive going and they couldn't make the connection leaves it with the back fighting off the defender just wanted to find a little space to run and EES out some to get it up to the [Applause] 21 that's for