Wilson Watch Update
Mr. Wilson is on pace to break Ryan Williams' single season rushing record at Virginia Tech.
| Through 9 Games | Williams '09 | Wilson '11 |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yards |
1,109
|
1,185
|
| Rushing TDs |
10
|
7
|
| Receiving Yards |
176
|
99
|
| Receiving TDs |
1
|
1
|
Wilson is on pace to run for 1,711 yards in a 13 game season, which would break both Ryan Williams' record and his own personal goal of 1,700 yards. If the Hokies make the ACCCG and give David an extra game to work with he projects to run for 1,843 yards, which would break Thomas Jones' all time ACC single season rushing record and make him the first ACC player in history to crack the 1,800 yard mark.
Interesting to note that after nine games Ryan Williams actually accounted for one more yard of total offense than David Wilson has. Wilson has caught up a bit in the receiving game since my update in late September, but he is still not the passing target RMFW was.
I'd also like to point out that despite the fact that it feels like DW hasn't found the end zone a lot this season, RMFW only had three more touchdowns by this point in the 2009 season. Ryan padded his stats down the stretch that year with back to back 4 TD games against NC State and Virginia. Should Wilson have a similar late season explosion you will see his name skyrocket up some people's Heisman short lists.
It's How You Finish
These numbers speak for themselves:
| Quarter | DW's YPC |
|---|---|
| 1st |
5.9
|
2nd
|
5.5
|
| 3rd |
6.8
|
| 4th |
7.2
|
David Wilson does not slow down. He does not tire out. He gets better as the game goes on and has his best runs when we need it most. There's a reason defenders are trying to punch his junk in the pile: he breaks their spirit.
Extended Handoffs
Lost in all the hype surrounding David Wilson's record-breaking pace and LT's development as a quarterback is the fact that Virginia Tech could potentially see its first 1,000 yard receiver this season in one Danny "Open Like a 7-Eleven" Coale. Through nine games DC19 has 627 receiving yards. To crack four digits Danny would need to average 74.6 yards per game if we make the ACCCG, and 93.25 ypg if we don't. He's currently averaging 69.7, so he's going to need that extra game to stand much of a chance. But I can think of no receiver in VT history that I'd rather see reach this particular milestone more.
Also, both Coale and Jarrett Boykin are on pace to break Ernest Wilford's single season receptions record (55) regardless of whether or not we make the ACCCG.
But Play Calling Doesn't Really Matter
In beating Duke, VT went over 400 yards of total offense in a game for the seventh time this season. Last season, with senior QB and ACC player of the year Tyrod Taylor leading the offense, the Hokies managed the same accomplishment six times all year.
